No. 133.] 375 



Mr. Smith remarked that he felt grateful for the approbation of 

 the Club, and would continue to work for perfection in the pre- 

 servation of fruit, and that he was in the habit of reading the 

 transactions of the Club ; and he, as one of the ten thousand far- 

 mers of New York, had profited by them. 



Judge Van Wyck was pleased to have the labors and the inge- 

 nuity of our farmers receive full examination and the benefit of 

 fair trial, and then the recommendation to the public, after both 

 fair sight and taste. 



Mr. Edwin Williams remarked, that as the introduction of new 

 articles for our cultivation is important, it is therefore necessary 

 that we should have accurate knowledge of the importation of 

 such articles, and that in the non-enumerated articles we have no 

 knowledge of them. We need it. He adverted to the osier, 

 lately under consideration, as one of them. 



Gen. Chandler agreed as to the importance of full tables of im- 

 ported articles ; but the subject belongs to the Institute, and not 

 to'the Club. It has been suggested as proper for the Institute to 

 address Congress on the subject. The documents of the Govern- 

 ment are slightly improved in this respect within a few years, but 

 are not what we desire them to be. 



Dr. Antisell : We have not yet done justice to Mr. and Mrs. 

 Smith in reference to their method of preserving fruit. To ap- 

 preciate their labors, we must observe the very great care and 

 trouble indispeusible to such success as we here see. Observe the 

 dilficulty of preventing the oxygenation of fruit, so rapid as it is, 

 and that too, without the ordinary method of immersion in su- 

 gar, alcohol or other protection from the atmospheric air. To 

 preserve the natural taste and color is a great point gained. A 

 gentle heat must be used, and the water employed, must be boiled, 

 in order to expel the air from it, and then use it cold. The 

 plumpness and fair color of some of these fruits are truly beauti- 

 ful. It is a very delicate process to manage the fruits and juices 

 so as not to vitiate the colors and tastes. Mr. and Mrs. Smith 

 have greatly succeeded in overcoming the great difficulties of the 



