8 Transactions of the American Institute. 



the daily and weekly newspapers of the city, and some of other 

 States, represented at every meeting, who take notes and publish at 

 great length our proceedings. And rnany of the most active and 

 valuable members of the Farmer's Club, are connected with the vari- 

 ous newspapers and other weekly publications, who devote a large 

 amount of time for the benefit of the club, which we hope and 

 believe they find helps them as well. 



To Mr. James A. Whitney, of the " Artizan," we are under special 

 obligations, for his analysis of soils (to ascertain their fertilizing 

 qualities) and other scientific investigations gratuitously made. As 

 the proceedings of the club when published, will be furnished 

 every member of the American Institute, we see no necessity for 



extending this report. 



Respectfully submitted. 



NATHAN C. ELY, 

 S. EDWARDS TODD, 

 P. T. QUINN, 

 JOHN CRANE, 

 JOSIAH H. MACY, 

 New York, Feb. 1, 1869. . Committee. 



MANUFACTURES AND MACHINERY. 



The committee on manufactures and machinery for 1868-9 respect- 

 fully report : 



That but few inventions have been referred to them during th« 

 past year by the Institute, and they have been more than ever 

 impressed with the wisdom of the conclusion, long since aiTived at, 

 that it is inexpedient for your committee to express opinions on 

 mechanical questions except when especially directed so to do. A 

 degree of importance is attached to any report from a standing com- 

 mittee of the American Institute, and none should be made- unless its 

 members have ample time and opportunity for a complete investiga- 

 tion. While we would aid the efforts of inventors to attract attention 

 to their inventions through the Institute, and through an open dis- 

 cussion of their merits and defects, such as is afforded by the Poly- 

 technic Association, and would give them the privilege of securing 

 the attendance of zealous friends to put their inventions forward in 

 such discussions, we look with disfavor on any efforts to secure favor- 

 able reports from any committee of the Institute in their official 

 capacity. Thus believing, we have not submitted a report on any 



