AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 347 



Mr. Wheeler of Wayne county, spoke of the fruit of his county, 

 and several adjacent counties — of its good qualities and large 

 crops for many years past. The apple trees are of large size, 

 many of their heads run together so closely that the red sqiiirrels 

 run along their branches from tree to tree, over the orchards. It 

 is very desirable to know how we should prune them profitably. 



Solon Robinson expressed his approbation of the lesson taught 

 us by Mr. Field. He has rendered a distinguished service by 

 showing us the rational treatment of our fruit trees. There is 

 generally a most unaccountable stupidity in our coimtry on this 

 very important subject. It is wonderful to see how many folks 

 illtreat trees in every step. At New Orleans I have seen lellows 

 boring post holes (as I imagined,) to put in trees ! The poor 

 tree's roots all cruelly reduced to such a size as would fit the post 

 hole. When the trees were set no one would take them to be 

 anything but posts or stakes. Stupidity of brain ! Their sculls 

 are probably solid, except a small post hole in the centre ! 



Mr. Wagener exhibited grape cuttings rooted last year in a 

 remarkable manner. He described his method to be mainly very 

 deep tillage, two or three feet deep. Thus the young vine at the 

 outset gains a vigorous constitution, which in its afterlife can give 

 corresponding vigorous crops of grapes. 



On motion of Mr. Solon Robinson, " Farm work for winter, 

 and the necessary and economical preparation for spring," 

 seconded by Dr. Waterbury, was adopted. 



The Club then adjourned to January 20th, at noon. 



H. MEIGS, Secretary. 



January 20, 1857. 



Present — MessrS. Judge Scoville, Spear, Stacey, Leonard, 

 Waring, Olcott, Solon Robinson, Prof Youmans, President Pell 

 and others — 25 members. 



President Pell in the chair. Henry Meigs, Secretary. 



The Secretary said that the standing rules of the Club admits 

 the use of the first hour of meetings for miscellaneous matter, 

 but members may at any time dispense with the rule, take up the 



