AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 551 



March 30, 1858. 



Present — Messrs. R. L. Pell, Pierce, Solon Robinson, Hon. John 

 D. Ward, of Jersey city, Adrian Bergen, of Greenfield, Long Island, 

 Hon. Hugh Maxwell, Mr. Fuller, of Williamsburgh, Mr. Eruce, 

 Hon. R. S. Livingston, Dr. Edgar Peck, of Brooklyn, Prof. Nash, 

 Wm. Silliman, Esq., of Westchester, Judge Scoville, Dr. Underhill, 

 of Crotoa Point, and others — nearly 100 members. 



Robert L. Pell, of Pelham, President of the Institute, in the 

 chair, 



Mr. Meigs, the Secretary, read the following extracts and trans- 

 lations made by him from the most recently received articles, viz : 



■[From the National Intelligencer, March 24, 1858.] 



NATITE AMERICAN GRAPES. 



Mr. H. C. Williams, agent of the Patent Office, to explore Ar- 

 kansas, part of the Indian territory, and Northern Texas, for our 

 grapes, has brought home numerous varieties. He travelled 800 

 miles on foot, looking for grapes, and has brought cuttings and 

 vines, which will be first rooted and then hereafter distributed. 

 Of the principal varieties, the Washita, a white grape, is deemed 

 the most excellent. It has been introduced into France, and there 

 pronounced unsurpassed by any kind there, both for wine and 

 table. Some famous native plum trees, have also been obtained 

 from our great west. 



We have received " The official report of the California State 

 Agricultural Society, fourth year," held at Stockton, from Sept. 

 29th to Oct. 2d, 1857, inclusive. 



This report contains 190 pages, octavo, and is full of interest to 

 agriculturists, by reason of the unexampled vegetable growth of 

 that country, far more important than all its mineral wealth. 

 We quote a few lines : 



" In the mountains. Sierra Nevada, (snowy mountains,) from 

 the extreme north to the south, the whole length of the State, 

 eight hundred miles, are thousands of rich fertile vallies, from 

 which, watered as they are by never failing springs, gushing from 

 the mountains and hill sides, producing every variety of Northern 

 and of Tropical grains, grasses and vegetables, of quality and in 

 quantity to suit the most exacting cultivator. The farmer and 



