172 PROCEEDINGS. 



serving fruit for a very long, if not for any desired period, and that this method is capable 

 of a practical application. 



Although Mr. Curtis has, as he states, preserved other varieties of fruit besides pears, yet 

 so far as the personal knowledge of the Committee extends, the fruit subjected to his pro- 

 cess has thus far been mainly of the latter description, and they feel, before arriving at a 

 conclusive opinion respecting the value of this discovery to the Society, experiments with 

 other species of fruit, as peaches, plums, &c., &c., should be made, and opportimity be 

 offered for their examination, after being subjected to the process. With a view to the 

 gratification of the Committee in this particular, Mr. Curtis is about commencing, under 

 their inspection, some experiments with the early and soft fruits, to be continued with other 

 kinds, as they come into season. 



In addition to the discovery of a mode of preserving fruit, Mr. Curtis seems also to have 

 succeeded in finding out a process by which such varieties as are difficult to ripen, may be 

 brought to perfecfion, — a discovery of almost as much interest to cultivators, as that by 

 which the season of all varieties is so greatly prolonged and their safe transmission to distant 

 places secured. 



That the discoveries of Mr. Curtis are important, and that he is justly entitled to an hon- 

 orary and pecuniary recompense at the hands of the Society, as well as that a knowledge 

 of the process should be, if possible, procured for the use of its members, your Committee 

 entertain no doubt, and they believe that it will be but fulfilling some of the objects for 

 which it was instituted, in testifying by such recompence, a proper appreciation of the 

 merits and discoveries of Mr. Curtis, and in procuring for the public the means of availing 

 itself of the advantages to be derived therefrom. 



Under existing circumstances, however, while they wish novp to place on record such 

 evidence of the claims of Mr. Curtis as is afforded by this expression of their opinions and 

 statement of facts, your Committee are of opinion that the final action of the Society, in 

 relation to this matter, should be yet delayed until the result of the experiments referred to 

 are ascertained, and such further information with respect to the expense attending the 

 process and mode of practising it procured, as vrill enable them, in view of the beneficial 

 results of which it is capable, the better to recommend, and the Society to adopt, such 

 measures in relation to these discoveries, as Mr. Curtis seems to deserve and its own interest 

 to demand. 



With these views, your Committee ask that the whole subject may yet be left in their 

 hands, and that further time be allowed them to consider what action it is proper that the 

 Society should take in reference thereto. 



JOSEPH S. CABOT, Chairman. 



Mr. Wilder, in behalf of the Finance Committee, reported that they had purchased 

 twenty shares of the Portsmouth and Saco Railroad Company, amounting to the sum of one 

 thousand nine hundred and ninety dollars, and that the certificate had been transferred over 

 to the Treasurer. 



Mr. Haggerston reported, that the specimens of dried plants, presented to the Society by 

 Mr. Monachine, had been preserved in the finest condition and put up in the best manner. 

 The thanks of the Society were voted to Mr. Monachine for his donation. 



Accompanying the foregoing was a list of the Native Plants of the Island of Crete. 



BUSINESS MEETING. 



Saturday, June 14, 1851. 

 President, Samuel Walker, in the Chair. 



A communication from Mons. Tougard, of Rouen, France, was received, for which the 

 Society's thanks were voted. 



