482 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTK 



for cutting oS the flow of steam into the cylinder before the end 

 of the stroke, and the Association could not discuss a question 

 of more practical importance to the industry of the country than 

 the one now before it. Mr. Stetson briefly explained the princi- 

 ple involved, and the general theory advocated by engineers. 

 He believed the principle was often misapplied in small engines, 

 (and carried too far), but when applied judiciously, thought 

 there was always a decided gain. 



Mr. Rowell said Mr. Isherwood had demonstrated to his own 

 complete satisfaction, and had set forth in a late work (Engi- 

 neering Precedents) that there was never in actual practice any 

 gain in economy by the use of the " cut off"." Engineers had 

 been mistaken ; the theory looked very well on paper, but, in 

 practice, no gain had ever been realized. 



Prof. Hedrick explained still further on the black board the 

 principle as generally understood, without expressing any ma- 

 tured opinion on either side. 



Prof. Mason concurred in the belief that the subject was 

 one of more than usual importance, and, on motion of Mr. 

 Hedrick, appointed Messrs. Hedrick, Rowell, and Garvey, as a 

 committee to collect the facts on the subject to be presented at 

 the next meeting. 



Adjourned to Thursday evening, June 28, 1860, at 8 o'clock, 

 P. M. 



American Institute, Polytechnic Association, ) 

 June 29, I860. S 



Prof. Mason in the chair. The meeting was called to order at 

 the usual hour. 



GRANULATED CORK. 



S. W. Smith produced a sample of corkwood sapling, and 

 stated that when the tree arrives at a certain age the cork opens 

 readily, but if the cork gatherers attempt to gather it before that 

 time they damage it materially. 



THE GREAT EASTERN. 



James Montgomery drew the attention of the committee to the 

 Great Eastern, and all the large steamers since the commence- 

 ment of ocean navigation. He stated that Brunell and others 

 have been considered foolish for building such a large steamer. 

 Some think her a failure ; many thought the Great Britain a 



