522 TRANSACTIO^'S OF THE 



used. It can also be used to measure the amount of steam power 

 used where power is hired so much per horse power. 



Dr. Holcomb exhibited an album witli descriptions and draw- 

 ings of villas with ornamented grounds, by Messrs. Gildemeister 

 and Benjne. 



Mr. Ganse exhibited a hand cultivator invented by his son, the 

 Rev. Mr. Ganse, for small plants, beets, carrots, onions, &c. It 

 acts as a small double plow. Cost of it seven dollars. Found 

 at 134 Thompson street, New- York, and at agricultural stores. 



President Pell proposes a committee for examination of food, 

 &c., as to adulteration, to be appointed by the Institute; the mi- 

 croscope to be employed as well as chemical analysis. 



The President called up the regular subjects of the day — oats, 

 irrigating machines and potato, and requested members to give 

 opinions. No one offering to speak, Mr. Pell said : 



The cultivation of this grain has, of late years, been considera- 

 bly increased, on account of the greater demand tor them, in con- 

 sequence of the increase in the number of horses that have been 

 kept. 



It is a species of grain of which there are many varieties in 

 cultivation, as the white and the black oat. There are likewise 

 other varieties which are distinguished by the names of the coun- 

 tries from which they have been introduced; as the Poland, the 

 Tartarian or Siberian, and the Friesland oat. The white oat is a 

 valuable kind, and where the soil is dry, rich, and in a good 

 state of cultivation, may be grown to great advantage, as it usu- 

 ally brings the best price at the market, and yields the most 

 abundantly, producing often seventy-five bushels to the acre. I 

 have sown and improved the seed of this oat, from 20 lbs. to 48 

 lbs. per Ijushel, and have exhibited the original seed, and the 

 improved at our fair, and been awarded the premium. It should 

 be cultivated extensively where the use of oat bread is general, 

 as it affords the whitest meal and is not liable to lodge. 



The black oat may be grown where the land is inferior in 

 quality. It is nearly equal in value, from its being found so 

 highly nutritious as a food for cattle and horses; it will yield 

 sixty bushels to the acre, if three bushels of seed are sown upon 

 well plowed and thoroughly cultivated land; the cost of raising 

 is about sixteen cents a bushel. 



The potato oat is proper for the stronger sorts of land; it is a 

 very hardy kind, and affords a great increase. The grain is full, 

 heavy, and weighs with me forty-four pounds to the bushel; it is 



