AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 233 



around the tree; cut off all its brandies which are in the way; fix 

 the windmill on the top, bringing the power down into the barn 

 by a vertical shaft or spindle; from which power is carried by 

 hands readily, to sawing, grinding, pounding, sifting, washing, 

 churning, &c. The trunk of the tree is stronger than any tower 

 which could be built for one thousand dollars; and this Ameri- 

 can tower can be put in due condition to bear the windmill, for 

 a five dollar bill, or more likely a one dollar one. 



Mr. Enos Woodruff exhibited and explained his self-acting 

 gate. It is moved on its centre by means of weights inclosed in 

 the outside posts, and operated by the inevitable pressure of 

 wheels laid in the track; so that with any animal, especially a 

 badly broken horse, the driver need not leave his seat to open and 

 shut it, it does that per se. It was much liked, as saving great 

 trouble in opening and shutting gates. 



Mr. Mundy, of New Jersey, said that it was strange to see 

 such great extent of land near this city, utterly uncultivated. 

 Suppose that speculators call them building lots, nevertheless they 

 could produce capital crops of things better than dollars or brick- 

 bats, that is, fruits, vegetables, poultry, milk, &c. 



An onion and root cultivator was exhibited and explained. It 

 is for sale at Allen's, 189 Water street, N. Y. 



Mr. Wm. Lawton, of New Rochelle, brought in one of his 

 blackberry stems, twelve feet six inches long. The root three 

 inches round the stem, two and a half inches round; all grown 

 in one year. Seeds were distributed. The Club adjourned. 



H. MEIGS, Secretary. 



May 8, 1855. 



Present — Messrs. Paul Stillman, Geo. B. Rapelye, Thomas H. 

 Field, of Brooklyn, Prof. Mapes, Hon. Robert Swift Livingston, 

 Chilson, Dr. W^ellington, Charles Oakley, Stacey, Toucey,' J. K. 

 Fisher, Vail, Plon. John G. Bergen, of Gowanus, L. I., Pepper and 

 others — forty-nine members. 



Hon. Robert Swift Livingston in the Chair. Henry Meigs, 

 Secretary. 



The Secretary read the following translations and extracts 

 made by him, viz : 



London Fakmers' Club, Dec. 7, 1854. 



The founder of this club — the amiable and worthy Robert Ba- 

 ker, of Writtle, said that a member of the House of Commons 



