AMERICAN. INSTITUTE. 447 



about twelve feet liigli, to keep off wolves. As the slieep often 

 pull off from the stack more than they eat, the shepherd throws 

 that outside for the cattle. It is not profitable to pen the sheep 

 on the same spot for more tlian one year at a time. Farmers cal- 

 culate on sheep doubling their numbers amiually. 



Mr. Blanc said that his plan for preparing fibre was to excavate 

 a suitable spot about one foot deep, in this set upright on the but- 

 ends as many of the plants as desired ; surround them with leaves 

 or something paramount, and then cover the leaves with a good 

 coat of earth as high as the tops of the jDlants, but not the tops. 

 In this position they soon ferment, the woody parts are separated 

 from the fibre so as to be readily disengaged by the usual methods 

 of scuteling and hackeling. Many of the plants exhibited were 

 partly converted into fibre to show how large a quantity they 

 contained.* The cotton and okra seemed to contain more fibre 

 than it was possible to be in them before tliis process. 



Mr. Augustus Ellicott, late from San Francisco, exhibited a 

 watermelon from Nicaragua, picked about sixteen days ago. It 

 measured eleven inches in its longest diametre, and nine inches 

 in its shortest, and weighed thirteen pounds avoirdupois. All 

 pronounced it very heavy for its size. Mr. Elliot had brought it 

 for Mr. Greeley of the Tribune. 



Mr. Solon Robinson cut it in two and gave a half to the Club, 

 all thought it a very sweet one. 



Col. Devoe, of Jefferson Market, presented a singular specimen 

 of apple in Siamese twin growth. 



Mr . . George E. Waring Jr. thought that Blanc's plan would pro- 

 duce very important supplies for paper makers. 



Subjects for the next meeting — Winter feeding of stock, and 

 the necessary and most advisable preparation for spring work in 

 farms and gardens. 



The club then adjourned. 



H. MEIGS, Sec'y. 



March Uth, 1856. 

 Present — Messrs. President, Pell, Lawton, Robinson, Solon 

 Robinson, Waring, Jr., Vail, Olcott, Prof. J. I. Mapes, Clapp, 

 Hite, of Morrisania, Lapagh, John A. Miller, Wm. B. Leonard, 

 John W. Chambers, F. W. Geissenhaimer, and others. Fifty, 

 including three ladies, Mrs. Philo Hurd, Mrs. J. H. Penfield, and 

 Mrs. Emily Ward. 



