REPORT ON THE FIELD OF ITS FUTURE LABORS. 15 



are drawn from different cities and countries. Is it not practi- 

 cable to do something of this kind at our fairs ? Whatever may 

 be the mode of selection, it is obvious that the judges should be 

 placed entirely above the interests and passions of competitors. 



If it were possible to simplify the organization of the Institute, 

 so that matters merely executive might be intrusted to a stand- 

 ing committee, or board of directors, comprising at least eight 

 members more than the seven officers who are now directors, 

 whose doings should be submitted to the meeting of members 

 quarterly, or half j^early, the results would probably be satisfac- 

 tory, and the monthly meetings of members might be available 

 for scientific purposes. 



If the building to be occupied by the Institute will conveniently 

 allow it, there might be an apartment rented to some suitable 

 person for the sale of the most rare and valuable articles recently 

 brought into public notice in agriculture and mechanics. This 

 would draw ingenious and inquiring men to the place, and give 

 occasion to useful communication with people residing out of the 

 city. 



As all sciences are kindred, it is not improbable that other 

 associations may find it desirable to secure a place within the 

 buildings of the Institute. The Lj^ceum of Natural History has 

 a collection of great value ; if to this were added the ores and 

 metals of more recent development, the whole might be made 

 useful to the ends of general science, without incommoding the 

 proper collections of the Institute. 



The miscellaneous libraries of the city are now becoming so 

 numerous and full that it may be best to limit our future collec- 

 tion of books to such as are specially appropriate to the uses and 

 ends proposed in our charter. 



C. MASON, 

 JAMES RENWICK, 

 ROBERT L. PELL, 

 WM. LAWTON. 



At the regular monthly meeting of the Institute, held on 

 Thursday evening, April 5, 1860, the foregoing Report was pre- 

 sented and read by the Chairman of the Committee. On motion, 

 it was received by the Institute, and two hundred and fifty copies 

 'ordered to be printed for the use of the members. 



American Institute, New York, April 5, 1860. 



