212 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



in raising vegetables of all kinds, I have never seen any change 

 produced after the first year, excepting from the selection of seed. 

 In supplying the Ncav York market, it is a matter of great impor- 

 tance to get early vegetables. Cucumbers can be grown out of 

 doors so as to be ready for the market by the 4th of July, and we 

 have not succeeded in advancing them beyond that. Something 

 may be gained by a careful selection of seed ; but that is inde- 

 pendent of acclimation. 



Mr. Carpenter. — I think our soil affects the results as well as 

 our atmosphere assists in producing earlier seed. I think seed 

 becomes acclimated through the influence of the soil as Avell as 

 of the atmosphere. 



ADIRONDACK GRAPE. 



Mr. Bailey, the introducer of the Adirondack grape, stated that 

 it had ripened this year more than three weeks earlier than the 

 Delaware. It is of the color of the Isabella. The bunch is 

 more compact, and is well shouldered. This grape bears as well 

 as the Isabella, and is as hardy. It has been recommended in 

 Montreal as the best grape for Canada. 



WESTERN APPLES AND GRAPES. 



Mr. Fuller exhibited specimens of twenty varieties of apples 

 from Burlington, Iowa, which for size, color, and shape, would 

 bear comparison with the apples of Westchester county or of New 

 Jersey. A specimen of Catawba grapes, and of Catawba wine, 

 from the same place, were also exhibited. 



JYew subject. — The subject of "Flax" was selected for con- 

 sideration at the next meeting. 



Adjourned. 



December 23, 1861. 



Mr, N. H, Gale in the chair, 



PEARS. 



Mr. Hite exhibited well ripened specimens of the Easter Beurre, 

 and explained his method of ripening them. They were allowed 

 to hang upon the tree until there had been two or three white 

 frosts. They were taken from the tree, while the white frost Avas 

 upon them, into the house, wrapped in papers and set carefully 

 in a painted box, which was then placed in a cold cellar — a 



