REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES. 



The undersigned, Trustees of the American Institute, in con- 

 formity with law, beg leave to present their Annual Report for 

 the years 1860-61 : 



The general proceedings of the Institute during the year were 

 conducted on the same plan and were not essentially different 

 from the proceedings of former years. 



The department of the Institute devoted to the more imme- 

 diate interests of Agriculture, has been well sustained during the 

 year by the Farmers' Club. The weekly discussions were numer- 

 ously attended ; rare seeds of vegetables, grains and flowers were 

 extensively distributed, and grafts of approved varieties of fruit 

 were very freely exchanged by farmers and fruit growers. The 

 discussions and reports of this Club will be found both interesting 

 and useful. 



The Polytechnic Association, whose province is more particu- 

 larly restricted to subjects connected with general science, has 

 improved in its organization and in its plans of operation during 

 the year, and now bids fair to render an important and useful 

 service to the American mechanic. This Association occupies a 

 very responsible position, and has attained a prominence which 

 gives to its discussions a public interest. The proceedings of 

 this Association, which are conducted under the supervision of 

 the Committee of Manufactures, Science and Art of the Institute, 

 will be found important. 



The Annual Fair, though less general in its character than 

 usual, was, nevertheless, creditable to the Institute and satisfac- 

 tory to the public. The Report of the Board of Managers exhi- 

 bits the details. The Report of H. S. Olcott, Esq., on the flowers, 

 plants and fruits exhibited at the Fair, will command attention. 



The efforts of the Trustees to obtain suitable grounds or build- 

 ings for the permanent use of the Institute, were not successful. 

 "Whether it is possible to obtain as many lots or as much space 



