AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 305 



mined by the horses. They will give the vote of thanks, if it be 

 worthy. 



It Avas announced that a pair of horses would be exhibited in 

 a few days, shod in this manner, and as soon as shoes can be manu- 

 factured the public will have a chance to give them a thorough 

 trial. 



Dr. Ross exhibibited the operation of his Hygrcmetric Self- 

 Regulator. The experiment was gratifying to the Club. A 

 miniature room was placed upon the table. Inside of it there 

 stretched several small flax cords at an equal tension and close 

 to the wall of the room. These cords were connected above the 

 middle with a valve in the side of the room which led to a small 

 half-pint boiler outside of the room. This boiler contained 

 water. A spirit lamp under it soon caused the w^ater to boil and 

 the steam to rise, pass through a tube to the valve hole and so' 

 into the room. While the flaxen cords WTre dry the valve re- 

 mained open, but as they contract moisture from the steam they 

 contract in length raise the valve attached to them and close the 

 aperture. The steam thus shut off' soon raises another valve in 

 the escape pipe of the boiler and so the steam j)asses off". So long 

 as the Hygrcmetric condition of the room is all right the room 

 valve keeps shut, but whenever the cords relax, this valve re- 

 opens and admits the steam and so on constantly. Dr. Ross gives 

 this single room as an example of his plan which is as true of 

 the largest as well as the smallest buildings. It is peculiarly 

 useful in cold weather when tlie air is dry, especially when still 

 more exhausted by radiant heat of fires, by stoves, &:c. 



The Club was highly pleased with it. 



COUNTRY FARMERS AND MARKET STANDS. 



The Committee to whom was referred the subject of inquiry as 

 to the disposition of market stands and the ordinances relating to 

 them, reported progress, but not having completed their invasti- 

 gation, the Chairman stated that the provisions of the law were 

 plain enougli, and that it admitted the undoubted right of any 

 farmer wishing and Avilling to pay for a stand to have one. 



Prof. Mapes said he knew that, but he would like to see an 

 outsider get a stand. The fact was, the whole matter was in the 

 hands of speculators. 



Mr. Robinson adverted to the numbers of pedlars of vegeta- 

 bles, fish, &c., who have no license, and to some of their meas- 



[Am. Inst.] 20 



