AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 207 



I know this seems to be incredible, and Gen. Hall, who has 

 known ine since I was a Doy, and would I think take my word on 

 any other point, doubted this story entirely. Of course all I can 

 say is, that the sheep may be seen on the Island, and abundantly 

 satisfy any inquiring mind. 



I should add that they are large and handsome, and the mut- 

 ton of superior delicacy, wool rather coarse. 



Very truly, &c., THEODORE SMITH, 



Henry Meigs, Esq., 132 Monroe street, N. Y. 



Sec'y of Amer. hist., JV. F* 



Mr. Pell states that these are not the small China sheep here- 

 toforenoticed in The Tribwie, but a variety of the broad-tails, Avith 

 tolerably large carcases and coarse hairy wool. The flesh is al- 

 leged to be delicious. 



DISTRIBUTION OF FISH AND PLANTS. 



Dr. Waterbury oflfered a resolution, which was adopted, soli- 

 citing correspondence through the Secretary upon the subject of 

 an interchange of seeds of rare plants and trees, and the eggs of 

 fish between different sections of the country. He stated that 

 the canals had served the purpose of filling waters with new va- 

 rieties offish to a considerable extent. 



Connecticut wine, made from native grapes, was tasted by the 

 Club, but not considered equal to Avine from the Catawba grape. 



INJURY OF FRUIT BY THK COLD AND WIND. 

 Mr. Field, an extensive grower of fine pears in Brooklyn, gave 

 it as his opinion that the cold and high wind of the last week in 

 May, had done immense damage to all the finest varieties of fruit. 

 Apples, pears, and peaches, the blossoms of Avhich were in just 

 the right state of forwardness to receive impregnation, had the 

 state of atmosphere been favorable, he thinks are all blasted, 

 owing to the fact that the pollen was all blown away Avithout 

 performing its office. The idea is that all flowers must be in ex- 

 actly the right condition to receive the pollen when it is wafted 

 along on a gentle breeze, or the impregnation will not take place. 

 None of the blossoms upon his old trees, except the top one of the 

 coronal, have set fruit, and this was because they were the only 

 ones ready before the storm; while trees imported this Spring 

 from France, that bloomed so late as to be just in time since the 

 others received their death, to start into ncAV life. Peaches, ex- 

 cept the very early and very late ones, Mr. Field thinks, have 

 suffered the fate of the pears. Cherries and plums Avliich bloomed 

 early are loaded with fruit. 



