140 AmeriGan Horticultural Society. 



Prolific, Warren and its numerous progeny, Elvira, and its bright young 

 family, Jaeger's No. 70, and such pure bloods as Norton, Perkins, Lady, Am- 

 ber Scuppernong, Jaeger's many ^stivalis and Rupestris and some remark- 

 able Texan varieties. We have everything to encourage us, except we need 

 more Caywoods, Marvins, Campbells, Rommels, Onderdonks and Jaegers. 



There are no less than ten species of grapes in the United States possess- 

 ing great capabilities in the hands of skillful experimenters. From one or 

 two species of apple, naturally small, astringent, and unfit for food, have 

 come vast developments, till now the entire year is supplied with the most 

 appetizing and healthful of fruits; yet room still remains for further im- 

 provement. Then what latitude may we lend our fancies in the contem- 

 plation of this decemvirate of Vitis (life-giving) vines, which stretch forth 

 their affectionate tendrils, as though they would bind up and beautify, with 

 luscious purple, pink and white festoons, every home in our broad land ! It 

 is a rising family; it is a loving genus: a few of its members have been the 

 staying companions of man through all historic ages, and here, at our very 

 doors, climbing the trees in our pastures, are added half a score more still 

 brighter gems, with unnumbered varieties of each, to engage our acutest in- 

 tellect, and exercise our most cunning skill, ready for infinite molding as 

 we will.* 



CHARLES DOWNING's DEATH ANNOUNCED. 



At the close of Mr. Muuson's paper, Mr. Williams, of New Jer- 

 sey, read from a morning paper a telegram announcing the death 

 of Charles Downing, and moved the appointment of a committee to 

 draft resolutions. 



President Earle appointed on said committee, Mr. Williams, of 

 New Jersey ; Mr. Smith, of New York ; Mr. Munson, of Texas, and 

 Mr. Lyon, of Michigan. 



The President also appointed the following a committee on Hor- 

 ticultural Hall : Mr. Gould, of Wisconsin ; Mr. Lyon, of Michi- 

 gan ; Mr. Klee, of California; Mr. Gibb, of Quebec, and Mr. Roe, 

 of Wisconsin. 



DISCUSSION ON MR. MUNSON's PAPER. 



Mr. Williams, of New Jersey — Mr. Munson has placed this So- 

 ciety under great obligations for his able paper. I move a vote of 

 thanks to him for his exhaustive labors in systematizing our Ameri- 

 can grapes. 



The motion was seconded and unanimously carried. 



'The first premium was awarded Mr. Munson's collection of " Native Grapes of 

 the United States " in the World's Exposition, at New Orleans, a compliment most 

 worthily bestowed. — Secretary. 



