become necessary to erect temporary buildings on vacant lots obtained for that use to accomplish their purpose. In consequence of this failure and by direction of the Institute, a free horticultural exhibition was held at its rooms on the 2d and 3d days of October last, under the direction of a committee appointed by the Board of Managers. The efforts of this committee were directed to a selection of the quality of the fruit to be exhibited, rather than to the quantity. These exertions were largely rewarded by a gathering of the choicest varieties of fruit rarely seen in public exhibitions, especially those of pears and grapes. At its close, the premium committee awarded the "Greeley" prize of one hundred dollars to the Concord grape. By virtue of a resolution passed by the Institute March 20, 1866, the Corresponding Secretary was instructed to apply to the Legislature, then in session, for the passage of an act amendatory of our charter authorizing and appointing a Board of Regents, as custodians of such contributions as may be made in view of providing a permanent locality for securing sufficient accommodations for our annual exhibitions, and for other purposes. This application was eminently successful. That board now consists of the following named gentlemen : Messrs. Edwin D. Morgan. Gerrit Smith, Abiel A. Low, Ezra Cornell, Hamilton Fish, Wm. H. Appleton, Elias Howe, jr., Cornelius Vanderbilt, Denning Duer, Samuel F. B. Morse, Henry W. Bellows, Henry Ward Beecher, Orlando B. Potter, John A. Griswold. The Regents ex-officio are: The Governor of the State of New York. The Mayor of the city of New York. The Secretary of the Interior of the United States. The Trustees of the American Institute. It is expected the board thus created will shortly be organized, whose efforts in conjunction with those of the Institute, it is hoped and believed, will accomplish all the objects contemplated by said amendment. At a recent meeting of so many of the Regents as could be assembled together with the Trustees, it was decided that a grand exhibition of the products of American Industry and Art, in connection with a World's Fair, should be held in this city in the one hundredth year of American Independence, under the direction of the American Institute, commencing on the 4th day of July, 1876. It is confidently hoped that an edifice worthy of such an exhibition will by that time be completed; so that, if not sooner, it may then be fitly inaugurated. During the year the Institute, after long and patient deliberation, adopted a new code of by-laws, which seems to be well adapted to its enlarged sphere of operations, tending to promote harmony and efficiency, and at the same time to aid the members of the several standing committees in the discharge of the various duties which this code imposes. The Board of Trustees refers with much pleasure and satisfaction to the report of the Agricultural Committee and Polytechnic Association. If the valuable information disseminated by them in their weekly meetings were confined simply to their own members, it would richly compensate for the efforts put into execution to sustain these associations. But when it is remembered that their proceedings are published weekly, and receive a large and wide circulation, it is a matter of great congratulation that so many members of the Institute are found who freely devote their time and efforts to send broadcast throughout our country so large an amount of valuable and useful knowledge. The other active standing committees will report the results of their operations, to which reference is made for a detailed view of all movements of the Institute for the year now about closing. As one evidence of its prosperity, it seems proper to state that 260 new members have been received since the last annual report. The volume of Transactions for 1865 and '6 has been received, and is ready for distribution to the members. It possesses the same high character of its late predecessors. It is worthy of recognition, that the last Legislature awarded to the Institute one thousand volumes, which is a much greater number than any previous edition. The hope is indulged by the Trustees that the Institute will, at no distant day, inaugurate a series of lectures of a high order on scientific subjects for the benefit of the masses. Such a course will doubtless exert an influence of incalculable interest, and is recommended to the serious consideration of the Institute for its adoption. In the progress of events, the time seems to have arrived when our Institute should vigorously strive to accomplish larger results than have heretofore been arrived at. Desiring encouragement from the past, let us in this day of large things put forth such renewed efforts as will insure enlarged usefulness and success in the several fields of action in which our labors are employed, in the hope and expectation that the American Institute will not cease to exist until it shall have accomplished all the objects which its most ardent friends and advocates may desire, and to which a liberal and enlightened public may contribute. Respectfully submitted, HORACE GREELEY, S. D. TILLMAN, S. R. COMSTOCK. NEW YORK, February 7, 1867. |