8 TRANSACTIONS OF THE » 



America as to her perfect ability to supply herself with all she 

 requires in mechanics, as well as in agriculture. Previous to 

 the tariff of 181G, we imported most of our agricultural imple- 

 ments ; now we export them-, of a superior quality, anid at far less 

 cost. And thus with manufactures ; a yard of brown shirting 

 cost 25 cents; a pound of cut nails 15 cents ; and all like arti- 

 cles of domestic manufacture cost the consumer in like propor- 

 tion. By the improvements in machinery these articles have 

 been reduced at least two-thirds in cost, and giving the consu- 

 mer a superior manufacture. 



The exliibition of machinery and tools far exceeded the most 

 sanguine expectations of the managers, and the ample space ap- 

 propriated to this department was filled with more articles of 

 recent invention and utility than were at "the Exhibition of Indus- 

 try of all Nations," held at the Crystal Palace in 1853, among 

 which were steam engines of novel construction, gas apparatus for 

 heating and illuminating, and force pumps of great variety, tools 

 for working iron, of every description, of perfect quality and 

 finish; also for working wood in every variety of form. The 

 most novel and attractive machines on exhibition, were several 

 varieties of sewing machines ; and also a knitting machine, which 

 executed with neatness, perfection, and great rapidity, labor 

 wliich has hitherto been performed with untiring patience and 

 industry by the human hand only. An important feature in this 

 exhibition, was an automatic scale for measuring grain, of great 

 ingenuity. 



As the Exhibition of the New-York State Agricultural Society 

 took place in the month of October, at Elmira, it was deemed 

 advisable that the agricultm*al department of our exhibition 

 should consist of a display of the various grains, floui-, and 

 meal, the productions of the dairy, fruit, flowers, and vegetables, 

 agricultural and horticultural implements, and a poultry show. 



The whole number of entries in this department was 230. 



Mechanics require further encouragement. Many valuable 

 inventions are lost to the public, as the originater has not always 

 the means and facilities for completing his design. We would 

 recommend establishing a Eepository (in the city of New- York,) 

 with motive power, and facilities for experimenting with new- 

 inventions, by which mechanics may test their improvements and 

 perfect their designs, offering the same when completed to the 

 public, contributing thereby to the rapid improvement going on 

 in our country in mechanical arts and sciences. 



