AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 327 



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that, but was stopped at 4^ feet, with blanch two feet. I used 

 large puncheons with straw, &c. at bottom, then filled in with 

 every manure, vegetable, animal, mineral — the cow, horse, hen, 

 men, pig, ashes, lime, soot, sweepings of wood cellar, urine and 

 omnium gatherum — filling in with rain water. This I draw off 

 from the bottom of the puncheon. It was of the color of brandy 

 and too strong for vegetables. I mixed water with it and fre- 

 quently at evenings sprinkled my celery with it, and it certainly 

 caused a fine growth. This preparation obtained the name of 

 Purin, many years afterwards. 



Mr.Hite of Morrisania exhibited currants from his garden, one 

 berry of which carefully measured by Col. Travers and others, 

 proved to be five-eighths of an inch in circumference. 



Messrs. Wells & Provost exhibited tin cans calculated to pre- 

 serve fruit, &c. The mouths of the cans are about half theii' 

 diameters and are closed by screw top. A tunnel as large as the 

 mouth is kept with the can in order to pour in the fruit in a neat 

 and convenient way ; a suitable wrench of cast iron is also in 

 company; with this the tops are screwed down. After twice be- 

 ing in hot water, first when the cans are filled, and last when they 

 are screwed tight, then the small channel around the mouth at 

 the bottom of the screw top is filled with a little melted beeswax; 

 so that permanent fiistening is secured by the screw, and air 

 excluded perfectly l^y the wax. These cans are opened with per- 

 fect ease, and can serve many years with reasonable care in hand- 

 ling them, The club was very much pleased with them, seeming 

 to think it almost if not quite a ne plus ultra article. 



The club continued to next meeting. Subjects " Market gar- 

 dening, milk, butter and cheese." 



Adjourned to first Tuesday of August, being August 1st, at 

 noon. H. MEIGS, Secretary. 



Aug. 1th, 1855. 



Present — Messrs. Field, of Brooklyn, George B. Rapelye, 

 Orange Judd, Palmer, Adrian Bergen, of Long Island, Dr. Bart- 

 lett, late of the Albion, Dr. Waterbury, Dr. Dummer, of Jersey 

 City, Henry S. Clubb, Griffing, of Jersey, and others — twenty- 

 nine members in all. 



Mr. Griflftng, of New Jersey, in the chair. 



Henry Meigs, Secretary. 



According to the standing rules of the Club, the first hour is 

 devoted to miscellaneous matter. 



