48 [Senate 



in my own, as the production itself possesses the interest you have 

 bestowed upon me on this occasion. 



In looking back upon the history of man, it is obvious that differ- 

 ent ages of the world have been distinguished by different character- 

 istics. The progress of the American Institute has from time to time 

 been marked by its predominating trait, communicating its impress 

 to industry, science, and art. Around it the aspect of human life 

 grows brighter, and the controlling principle is worthy of the gentle- 

 men who compose it; being endowed with limited accommodations, 

 with powers only growing out of annual instalments by contribution, 

 whose extent, after an existence of only fifteen years, is without a 

 parallel, and whose use constitutes the advancement of agriculture, 

 science, industry, art, individuals and societies. It is thus that pris- 

 matic rays tinge with their hues, while they illumine with their light, 

 the objects upon which they are cast. The encouragement thus given, 

 enables us to compete with other and older countries in the contest 

 for ascendancy. 



In compliance with your request, in giving you my report, I will 

 first commence with grapes, the cultivation of w^hich has occupied 

 my leisure moments for the last twenty-one years. Perhaps my 

 taste for grapes emanated from my father being something of a con- 

 noisseur of the article. 



The soil preferred, must be of a rich fertile nature, mixed with 

 sand, but of durable bottom. Vines will flourish in most soils in the 

 vicinity of New-York. The quality of the fruit differs in different 

 soils, though of the same species of grape. If the soil be wet, the 

 roots will not make, and therefore produce but little fruit, if any, and 

 of very inferior quality, even with proper pruning and tlie best of 

 care. If the soil is hard and dry, equally bad effects are produced; 

 there not being sufficient moisture to sustain the foliage, how can it 

 sustain the fruit, which requires a constant supply? Thus, if the soil 

 be well incorporated with well-rotted manure, it is loose and admits 

 the atmosphere and dew, which are both necessary; besides this, you 

 have the strength of the manure to sustain the foliage and fill the 

 fruit. Nothing, however, should be left upon the branch which bears 

 the fruit, but the natural leaf opposite to the cluster; this is necessary 

 to protect the fruit from the intense rays of the sun, which, without 

 it, will blast the fruit. A free circulation of air is also necessary; 

 all the succors being taken off, and nothing but the nevt, shoot, with 

 the leaf at every joint the three or four first joints, the clusters of 

 grapes hanging disengaged, with a mixture of shade and sun and a 

 free circulation of air. 



Horizontal frames are not so congenial to grapes as ascending 

 frames; they are apt to be too much neglected; and in most cases 

 where they are used, deprive the fruit from the occasional rays and 

 warmth of the sun, which is essential to the ripening as well as the 

 sweetening of the fruit. This may be proved by wet seasons; the 

 fruit is apt to be sour, and many of the grapes, and even clusters, do 

 not come to perfection; while those clusters most exposed to the 



