446 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



curastinica, hollyliock, mallow, nettle, wild saintfoin or luzerne, 

 altheas, black and white mulberry (Morus multicaulis), Otalieitan 

 mulberry, yellow willows, manilla, okra, passion-flower plant, 

 lizeron, -Snothera serotina, Kentucky or ordinary hemp, ordinary 

 flax, sugar cane, and the grape vine. Patent dated October 9th, 

 1855. 



Mr. Blanc made an interesting exhibition of the fibres of many 

 of the above plants. Members were highly pleased and instruc- 

 ted, this method appears to be new. 



William Lawton, of New-Rochelle, spoke of the great impor- 

 tance of Blanc's discovery, and the propriety of a special com- 

 mittee to investigate the method and report to the next meeting 

 of the Club. 



Chairman appoints Messrs. Lawton, Geissenhainer and Waring. 



During the spring the meetings will be held every week, and 

 seeds, cuttings and grafts distributed, 



The subject of feeding omnibus horses having been alluded to, 

 Solon Robinson stated that a new invention of great importance 

 had lately been made by S. H. Mix of this city, to prevent the 

 horses from falling upon slippery pavements, or, when smooth 

 shod, going over ice. The plan consists of a crane made of iron 

 attached to the axle and projecting forward over the carriage- 

 tongue, from which straps are attached to the harness or saddle 

 and girth, which holds the horse from going down when he 

 stum])les or slips. Solon Robinson said the stage proprietors gave 

 the invention their unqualified approval. 



CHINESE SHEEP. 



Solon Robinson made some statements in regard to the Chinese 

 sheep and their great prolificness, but did not consider them 

 worth the attention of sheep growers in this country. Their 

 bodies are small and fleeces light and coarse. 



[The importer of some animals heretofore noticed under this 

 name writes us that his sheep are not the small bodied kind, but 

 quite the contrary, and their meat of the most delicious kind. 

 Their great value consists, however, in their wonderful powers 

 of reproduction.] 



Rev. Mr. Carter of Brooklyn, who introduced the well known 

 potato bearing his name, spoke of the methods of feeding and 

 keeping sheep. In Ireland a thousand sheep form a flock under 

 the care of only one shepherd and his assistants. In cold countries, 

 stacks of hay &c., are made, surrounded often by movable fences 



