No. 129.] 35 



of much excellence, resembling the Calawba, promises to be an 

 acquisition. The Native Grape must be our chief dependence for 

 general consumption, and it is gratifying to see a small vineyard 

 springing up here and there, the beginnings of something more 

 to come. The Grape, in my opinion, is one of the most profita- 

 ble crops that can be raised near a large city, as it is one of the 

 most certain, audit is a little surprising that more do not enter 

 into its culture. I predict " a good time coming," however, 

 when the Grape will be so extensively cultivated that every man, 

 woman, and child will be able to eat of the vine, though they 

 may not repose under a fig tree. 



Passing over things of less importance, I must allude briefly 

 to a magnificent display of Model Fruit, prepared by Mr. 

 Townend Glover of Fishkill Landing. In order to give some 

 idea of its magnitude, I will mention that he exhibited 108 spe- 

 cimens of Apples, 153 of Pears, 201 of Strawberries, 66 of In- 

 sects, 15G of Cherries, and 217 of Plums, Nectarines, Apricots, 

 &c. — in all 901 specimens. The above are only about h^ilf that 

 he sent, there being no convenience for showing the remainder. 

 These model specimens attracted a great deal of attention j and 

 they were made with such inimitable truthfulness, that it was 

 difficult to distinguish them from real fruit. A fruit-grower who 

 visited the WorldV Fair, and who examined these specimens 

 with a critical eye, informed me that he saw nothing there that 

 equalled them. This is high praise, but well deserved. The 

 great utility of such a collection of .truthful specimens will be 

 readily understood by the merest tyros in fruit growing. Every 

 horticultural society in the country should have a collection ; 

 and I may add that Mr. Glover is now employed in making one 

 for tlie Massachusetts Horticultural Society, and others. Let 

 me here earnestly call the attention of the Institute to the pro- 

 priety of possessing itself of such a collection. It needs ni ar- 

 gument from me to prove its great value, for this must be well 

 understood and appreciated by all. It does seem to me that a 

 sum appropriated to this purpose will better subserve one of the 

 Important objects for which the Institute was founded, than in 

 any other way whatever. May I not hope, that at the least a 

 committee will be appointed to inquire into its expediency? 



