200 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



oreat aquarium of Barnum's museum. Without some such plan 

 for keeping water pure, it must be changed often, or it will not 

 keep fish alive. 



Potato-Bdg Eemedy. 



Mr. Robert W. Clay, Olney, 111., says the best way to get rid 

 of potato bugs is to make blazing fires in the field every dark 

 night, during the time the bugs infest the vines, going through 

 the field at the same time and striking the vines to make the 

 bugs fly. 



Adjourned. 



Sej^temher 11, 1866. 

 Mr. Nathan C. Ely in the chair ; Mr. John W. Chambers, Sec'y. 



Exhibition of Choice Pears. 



The Chairman — We have a choice collection of pears on the 

 table to-day from Mr. P. T. Quinn, of Newark, N. J., and called 

 upon Mr. Quinn to make some remarks upon their character, and 

 profits of cultivation. 



Mr. Quinn — In exhibiting these pears I have selected the 

 varieties that are generally known. I have not included in these 

 any new varieties. I will commence with the Duchesse d'Angou- 

 leme, because with me it has proved the most profitable. When 

 perfectly ripened, it is delicious, and its great size js much in its 

 favor. Specimens often weigh a pound, sometimes more. It does 

 best on quince, is a strong grower, and prolific. Here is the 

 Beurre Clairgeau, another very profitable market variety. The 

 tree is vigorous and naturally of pyramidal form. The fruit is 

 large, attractively colored, yellow, fawn and crimson, with russet 

 dots ; ripe in October and November, and I have sold them at 

 $12 a bushel, and as the tree yields well, this is very profitable. 

 Here is the Andrews, a very choice variety for family use, but as 

 it does not bear handling well, it is not so valuable for market ; 

 but it is a pear that I would recommend for every private collec- 

 tion. It is an American seedling, of excellent flavor, large size ; 

 skin smooth and rather thick ; pale yellowish green, with dull red 

 cheek. The flesh is greenish white and full of juice. Its fault is 

 rottins: at the core. The Bonne de Zee is an excellent August 

 pear, very sweet, productive, profitable ; fruit large ; light yellow- 

 ish green, with russet patches ; flesh white and juicy. The tree 



