386 EEPORT OF THE SECRETAEY OF THE 



forty-five years ago, the grape, of which he planted a large 

 ■vineyard, being a specialty. His experiments commenced with 

 foreign varieties, but these proving a failure he turned his 

 attention to the cultivation of the Isabella and Catawba, then 

 but little known, and so great was his success that for many 

 years he and his brother, with whom he was associated, sent 

 more of these varieties to the New York market than were 

 received from all other sources. He also commenced the man- 

 ufacture of wine, and at the time of his death had about fifty 

 acres of vineyard, and was also very successful in the cultiva- 

 tion of the plum, of which he gave an account at our last 

 meeting. He was a leading member of the American Institute, 

 and was one of the founders of the Agricultural and Horticultu- 

 ral Society of Westchester county, of which he was the first 

 President. Dr. Underbill was a gentleman of the old school, 

 courteous in deportment and refined in his tastes, and although 

 his age prevented his frequent attendance at our meetings, his 

 interest in our pursuits never declined. As a proof of his 

 fidelity, he came to our last meeting in Philadelphia, and, 

 although at the age of about eighty years, took part in our 

 discussions as he had done in the beginning. 



Dr. Eben Wight of Dedham, Massachusetts, another of the 

 signers of the call for the first meeting of this Society, died at 

 his home, where he had carried on his pomological researches 

 during his life. He had long been interested in horticultural 

 pursuits, being an early member of the Massachusetts Horti- 

 cultural Society, and for a long course of years Corresponding 

 Secretary and Vice-President. For many years he was chairman 

 of the Fruit Committee of this Society for Massachusetts, in 

 which capacity he made many interesting reports, which may 

 be found among our published TransaQtions. He paid special 

 attention to the apple, of which he had a large and choice col- 

 lection of varieties; and through his critical observation he 

 became remarkably well versed in the knowledge of this fruit, 

 and introduced several fine varieties to notice. He was a mod- 



