under ordinary circumstances, if, indeed, under any circumstances at all. The only object in bringing these insignificant trifles is to obtain a ticket of admission, which, on being returned at the close of the Fair, bears strong tokens of having done pretty good service. Why should these things be received at all? Is it designed to make the Fairs of the American Institute a mere toy shop? certainly not; but still, this will be the result if this evil is not speedily checked. The avowed object of the Institute is to encourage the production of articles of real intrinsic excellence, and only such; and this object should never for a moment be lost sight of. The principle should be, to receive nothing below the standard for which premiums are offered. So far as concerns the Horticultural Department, attempts have been made to check this evil, but they have not been sufficiently encouraged. Persons will bring a few ears of Corn, as many Apples or Pears, a Smyrna Squash of no value whatever, half a dozen overgrown Tomatoes, and other like articles, merely for the purpose of getting a ticket; and these same triflers are the very ones to make a terrible “Much-Ado-about-Nothing" at the close of the Fair, if their almost worthless articles are not forthcoming on the instant, whereas most of them, having become rotten, have been thrown away as nuisances. The whole tribe should be got rid of as speedily as possible. The dignity and interests of the Institute alike demand that this state of things should proceed no further; and it will be evident to any one who will take the trouble to look into the subject, that the reformation so loudly called for cannot be long delayed without the danger of impairing the usefulness and hazarding the fair fame of the Institute.

In conclusion, the undersigned again congratulate the friends (of the American Institute on the auspicious close of its twenty-first Annual Fair, and add their sincere wish, that each succeeding exhibition may be an improvement upon that which has gone before. May the march of the Institute be ever onward in its path of usefulness, till at length, through its protecting care, American genius shall assume a proud place in the front rank of Science and Art.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

THOMAS BRIDGEMAN,
PETER B. MEAD,

Superintendents of the Horticultural Department.

New-York, November 7th, 1848.

REPORT OF THE FLOWER GARDEN COMMITTEE.

The Committee on Flower Gardens regret that they should have so few gardens to report upon; but this will occasion but little surprise when we take into consideration the very unpropitious season just passed and also the late hour at which it was made publicly known that premiums would be offered for the best cultivated flower garden; indeed, the first cause operated so strongly that all eventually declined becoming competitors, except two, Mr. Henry Steele, of Jersey City, and Mr. John A. Dayton, of Brooklyn. In regard to these two the committee experienced no difficulty in arriving at an opinion.

The garden of Mr. Steele is of small size, but laid out with much judgment and taste and contains a choice collection of plants. Mr. Steele has made the most of his somewhat limited plot of ground and has shown good judgment in growing none but pretty plants, and in making such a selection as to ensure a succession of bloom during the whole season. He has some fine Roses, Carnations, Phloxes, and other choice plants. Reserving particulars for another occasion, the committee can only here say that they were much gratified with their visit to Mr. Steele's garden; and they cannot refrain from adding that it is infinitely to his credit that it is all cultivated by his own. hand. In addition to the flowers, the committee observed some fine specimens of vegetables, and a small but very choice collection of fruit; but these things do not come within their province.

Mr. Dayton's garden is on a much larger scale than Mr. Steele's, embracing a large collection of choice plants, some of them of rare beauty. The committee observed with pleasure that Mr. Dayton has introduced into his garden some fine specimens of the natives of out own woods and fields: a practice much to be commended, and which might be made to add immensely to the attractiveness and beauty of our flower gardens. His collection of Roses is large, embracing all the finest varieties under cultivation. The committee in short, observed a great many pretty things, such as Rhododendrons, a splendid collection of Carnations, Phloxes, Lilies, and others too numerous to mention on the present occasion, some of them very rare plants. Mr. Dayton's garden is not laid out with the studied design observable in Mr. Steele's, his plan being to plant in clumps and patches,

and it must be admitted that this plan in many cases admits of the display of much taste, and the effect produced is often highly pleasing. In Mr. Dayton's garden, also, the committee observed fine specimens of vegetables, and a considerable collection of choice fruit.

It is the opinion of the committee that Mr. Dayton is entitled to the first premium, and Mr. Steele to the second, and they accordingly award the Silver Cup to the former, and the Silver Medal to the latter.

Could it be known in early spring that premiums would be given for the best cultivated Flour Gardens, the committee have reason to believe that there would be no lack of competitors; and it is much to be hoped that some plan will be adopted to accomplish this object. Premiums of this kind are of the greatest utility; they not only awaken and encourage a laudable emulation to excel in the cultivation of flowers, but they also stimulate and spread more widely the taste for this most delightful of pastimes, if it be not something more. It is right and proper, while the American Institute gives due encouragement to Agriculture, that it should also foster and disseminate a taste for flowers, those beautiful gems, which, while they improve and elevate the mind, at the same time give renewed charms to the fond name of "home." If printing is "the art preservative of arts," Agriculture, in its largest sense, is the art preservative of man.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

PETER B. MEAD, Chairman.

New-York, Nov. 10, 1848.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TESTING PLOWS AT WHITE PLAINS, OCT. 5, 1848.

There were two classes of plows presented for trial; of the first class, Miner and Horton's plow, presented by Capt. Robinson, of Newburgh, turning a furrow 16 inches wide, and 8 inches deep, with a draught of 600 lbs., the first premium was awarded. Mr. Mr. Mayher presented his plow, Eagle F, work and draught the same as the first, was awarded the second premium. These were the only two the committee had time to try.

One of Mayer & Co's list of impliments of their general exhibition-winning a prize. HAND AND HORSE CORN MILL,

MAYER & CO'S PLOW.

Used in (and won a premium at) the testing of Plows; more than 20 Plows competing.