412 2'jiAXS ACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN IXSTITUTE. 



was described as yielding all summer. But it will not answer for 

 market for the reason that it has too much bloom. Bloom, in the esti- 

 mation of the commissionman, is a good thing for a cluster of grapes, 

 but a bad thing for a basket of black caps. Summit yellow is a new 

 variety, not previously exhibited before the Club. As its name indi- 

 cates, it is yellow in color, but it is of the black cap species, and, 

 though perfectly hardy, will not do for market, because yellow is not 

 a desirable tint. A blackberry had better be either decidedly sable 

 or red. The old favorite Doolittle has not yet been eclipsed. 



The Westchester Black Cap. 



Mr. Thomas Cavanagh, chairman of a committee appointed to 

 examine the new seedling, submitted the subjoined report : 



The Westchester black cap rasberry is a chance seedling, which 

 originated eight years since in the yard of Levi J. Mabie, of Tarry- 

 town, Kew York. He has cultivated the plant since that time for 

 the better opportunity of testing and fully demonstrating its value ; 

 it is one of the strongest growing varieties we have seen, having 

 ample opportunity of contrasting it side by side with the Doolittle. 

 In various situations and on different soils we found it exceeded the 

 Doolittle in every respect. Canes that we measured were from fif- 

 teen to eighteen feet in length, and bearing 150 trusses of berries. 

 These canes would certainly produce two quarts of frui$ at a picking. 

 Another bush w^e saw, grown entirely from one stem, was so produc- 

 tive that, although three quarts of ripe fruit were picked from it, 

 nearly eight more were just ripening. We were satisfied that no 

 extra care or cultivation had been given, the plants being grown close 

 to a picket-fence, and the canes never having been pruned ; they 

 were all of the same size and productiveness. In comparison with 

 the Doolittle, it is more productive and one week earlier; the berries 

 are as large, if not larger, than the Doolittle, and in flavor far 

 superior, flesh firm, seeds small, and on this account making it desir- 

 able for preserving. It ripens more uniformly and produces less 

 imperfect fruit. There is no doubt about its being a distinct variety, 

 and in our opinion a desirable acquisition to our list of small fruits, 

 either for market or family use. 



Repokt on the J^ew Gkass Seed Cleaner. 

 The committee consisting of Messrs. S. E. Todd and J. B. Lyman, 

 appointed to examine the new grass seed cleaner which was brought 



