New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-05-16
AMERIcAN INSTITUTE FARMERs CLUB

Tuesday, May Judge LIZ iSGsroS in the chair.
The Secretary, Judge MEIGs' read from the works
of Columela 800 years ago, that he was the orgina
tor of Merino sheep. lie wrote much upon farming.
He advocated shepherds dogs, and deprecated those
kept for sporting Almost every subject connected
with farming was treated by Columella. He speaks
OF many agricultural bOvhv written before HE day
Netc Discorery Of Guan0.-Mr BESsoS of Brook
lyn mentioned the discovery Of an island some twelve
miles long and four broad covered with guanO 10 the
depth of fifteen feet and containing from two to four
hundred million tuns. He has applied 70 Gov.
eminent for protection TO the farmers OF TINS c0un
try The guanO is covered with crust, supposed TO
be salts of ammonia If Government viii not move
in the matter he thinks private company should be
Organized for the purpose The island is not on any
map or chart, lies 400 miles from any continent,
and was discovered by whaleman who had occasion
TO bury a man when near the island. The men found
the earth of a peculiar character; 1t wGs described
as Ike snuff and made them sneeZe. This was
fourteen wears ago. He states that he shall fit out
vessel to 90 for load, whether Government protect
him or not The island has a good harbor and the
cuano can be brought here and sold for SIS tun.
SoLON RoBISsoS related the discovery of another
puaIo island on the coast Of Africa by an officer Of the
navy who making effort to get 1t introduced into
this country.
VTre FcHce.-A considerable discussion arose upon
the subiecl of wire fence; the reason they would
not succeed the contraction and expansion Of the
iron.
Prof. MApEs said be had tried wire fully, and
could rot keep fence in order unless there was some
Ian fixed by the manufacturer TO compensate for the
of change in temperature Of single day.
PAUL STILLNAs related his experience TO some ef-
feet Wickenham's fence that made 10 screw up
FIGHT was very handsome when first built, but il did
not last. He saw much wire fence IN California but
none Of il lasted good over year. A common plan
n ere was TO mend wire fences with raw hide that
gave a little spring TO cOunteract the contraction
SoIoN RoBINsOS gave a description Of wire fence
built by Col Capron, between Baltimore and Wash
ingon B. 800 feet long which was made fast 70 we'll
braced post az end and at the other to bar and
suiral SPRINGS the bar being attached 10 chain
passed over drum, with lever and weight 30
arranged that the wires always at the same de-
gree Of tension, no matter what was the state Of the
Mr.. CowLFY. agent Of the Lowell Wire Fence
Company, exhibited specimens Of their fence which
i made by q patent process to resemble netting
Of iwne. This i sold for 81 80 to e. rod 81 feet
vide The objection made to il by Prot. Mapes ana
several others is thai IL has four horizontal wires that
will be liable 10 the trouble Of contraction and e1pan
sion. If that il not an objection it Is cheap good
fence.
The Root Crop-This being one Of the regular sub
ects Of the day was called up b. tie Chairman
sd would have been spoken 20 by several experienced
Il rners but an old man by the name OF an Nyke,
sOrt Of urdyiDg old rat that ate his way INTO the Dig
q eese Of the American Institute many years ago gO'
rc-seson Of tie floor and inflicted one OF BIZ unDeara-
be -reeches upon the Club, much to their disgust
II at most Of tie member left their seats but me Ola
fellow a. upon former occasions OF the same klnd-
! us b. ewes and goes Il blind.
Prof MAFEs made few plain but not unkind re-
marks about his consuming the time OF the Club with
out saving ANYTHING Of any value 10 anybody, ana
asked some Of the farmers present 10 20 on WIN me
discussion OF tie question and give their experience
about a root crop.
Til. tie old bore would not permit, but began
one Of hi vindctive Trades Of abuse 20 get rd OF
which motion was made and carried 70 adjourn untl
next TUESDAY leaving old blowhard 10 finish hs speech
to empty benches But this did not ssisty hun, ana
he walked around shaking bis whered INST IN NE ace
Of those he thought had been the cause OF his as
grace and insisting upon tie satisfaction Que gen
" teman. 100. %
II his challenges arc accepted we may expect 70
10 hear soon Of several duels. Al. =
This i the individual whose ignorant tNs-- -1.s
sometimes quoted by country papers WIN ~ ~.
upon the nonsense uttered at the Farmer- ~
City. which by-the-by l. not composed q ao;nir,
ers. but of some very good ones Ia 'Ae a-J'''i-As
counties.
BROOKLYN BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
meeting Of this body was held yesterday at the
County Jail Among tie business transacted was the
rS1.i. f-r buildng a Hospi,al 10 k0loect with