316 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



Jolin Rowe exhibited a specimen of improved pruning shears, that were 

 much approved by the grape culturists present, as they were so constructed 

 as to make a smooth cut. 



Hon. John G. Bergen gave grafts from his choice seedlings, the Bergen 

 pea?- and the Island pear. 



Mr. Spear exhibited his patent Corn Husking machine ; and a man can 

 husk 25 ears per minute with it. By more effort he can husk GO per 

 minute. The machine costs about ten dollars, and must be very useful on 

 middle sized farms. 



Mr. Doughty exhibited Dioscorea Batatas from his farm in New Jersey. 

 They are about two feet long, were somewhat embarrassed by the stones in 

 his subsoil. He planted them on raised ridges. 



Mr. Provoost, of Williamsburgh, near Green Point ferry, exhibited wine 

 and brandy from his vineyard. The wine sells as sacramental pure wine, 

 for six dollars a gallon. The brandy for seven dollars a gallon. He 

 raises on one acre fifteen hundred gallons of pnre grape juice. 



Mr. Pardee requested the ladies to prepare for the next meeting such 

 questions as they desire to have answered, and leave them with Secretary 

 Meigs. 



Subjects for next meeting. — Spring flowers ; peach tree ; soil, Ac, suit- 

 able for central park shade trees, also, for our avenues. 



The Club adjourned at 2 o'clock p. 3i. 



H. MEIGS, Secretary. 



March 28, T849. 



Present — Messrs. Captain Lawton, of Newport, R. L, Robert L. Pell, 

 late President of the Institute, Solon Robinson, Daniel C. Robinson, Chil- 

 son, Bruce, Witt, Fuller, Stacey, Hardenbrooke, John V. Brower, Roberts, 

 Wright, Jr., Haines, Benjamin Pike, John Johnson, Hon. Hugh Maxwell, 

 Adrian Bergen of Gowanus, Doughty, Prof. Mapes, of Jersey, Dunn, of 

 Newark, R. G. Pardee, Prof. Nash, Hon. Robert Swift Livingston, N. R. 

 French, Dr. Holton, Dr. Crowell, Thomas Godwin, John W. Chambers, 

 Ezekiel A. Harris, Wm. Lawton — 108 members. 



Hon. R. S. Livingston in the chair. H. Meigs, Secretary. 



The Secretary read the following translations, made by him from the 

 works received by the American Institute since the last meeting, viz : 



[Journal de la Socicte ImpCriale d'Horticulture Napoleon III., Protecteur. Paris, 



December, 1858.] 



THE RAINVILLE POTATO. 



Is superior to all the varieties hitherto obtained. It ripens between the 

 10th and 15th of August. Its flowers are lilac color ; the tuber long, with 

 few eyes in it; of a light yellow colored skin, and yellowish white flesh. 

 It is distinguished for its fine grain, cooks quick, and is full of starch. 



