AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 613 



for ten dollars in one day by this extractor. And tlie stumps are 

 sometimes hauled to tlie boundary lines of the field and arranged 

 so as to form a powerful fence. The extraction of all principal 

 roots is very important, since these are great impediments to the 

 plow, &c. Mr. Trask said that he was able to haul down with 

 ease, trees of one and two feet diameter. It is an important 

 macliine for clearing also tracks of railroads through our forested 

 regions. 



Mr. Secretary Leonard said that he, as being acquainted with 

 mechanic powers, had been called upon for such a machine as this 

 of Willis's, and was gratified to be able to say that he believed in 

 its efficiency, with economy in the highly valuable process, to any 

 forested country, of clearing the land for agricultural uses. 



Prof. Nash remarked that its power was by no means confined 

 to stumps of trees, but was equally effective in removing rocks 

 and stones. Ordinary fresh stumps of trees were removed by it 

 in an average time of five minutes each. It will be useful in 

 removing buildings, &c. 



Mr. Bell, of Kingston, Ulster county, New-York, a partner of 

 Mr. McEntee, presented a specimen of the Esopus mill stone, 

 with a view to its examination as an excellent paving stone for 

 cities. Some roads had it in the natural way there, and had been 

 used for a century and more, and seemed to bear the travel ex- 

 tremely well. It never wears smooth so as to be slippery, and 

 the farmers there say that tlie horses' shoes seem to stick to 

 it rather than slide over it. 



Mr. William Henry Wallace delivered his opinion as to the 

 subject of the evening, wire rope, as follows : 



Gentlemen — I was informed on the 13th instant, by a gentle- 

 man of your Club, my w^orthy friend, Mr. Eackus, that I should 

 be expected to read a paper before you this evening, on the sub- 

 ject of " Wire rope and its applications." Though feeling sen- 

 sible of the compliment conferred, I still knew that other engage- 

 ments would prevent me bestowing that time in its preparation, 

 that consideration for yourselves and the subject should demand. 

 However, I have devoted what hasty leisure I have had at com- 

 mand in preparing the following, and submit it under the circum- 

 stances to your indulgence. 



As society has advanced in knowledge, and men have become 

 more familiar with the natural mineral resources at their com- 

 mand, attention has been given to their fullest development; and 

 thus we find there is a steady yet progressive action continually 



