618 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



before it is sent out. Not so iiu England. A plant is put on trial for one 

 or two years, and if it stands the various tests, it then receives official en- 

 dorsement, and every purchaser knows he is buying a good thing when he 

 secures it. 



On motion of Mr. Jireh Bull, a vote of thanks was tendered to the gen- 

 tlemen who have so kindly favored the Society with such a tasteful display 

 of flowers. 



The subject of " Early Fruits " was selected for discussion at the next 

 meeting. 



Adjourned to Tuesday evening, May 31st, at 8 o'clock. 



John W. Chambers, Sedy. 



May 31, 1864. 



A meeting of this Association was held on Tuesday, May 31st, 1864, at 

 8 o'clock p. M., at the rooms of the Institute, B. C. Townsend, Esq., in the 

 chair. 



After the usual preliminary business was transacted, the President 

 remarked that he noticed a very beautiful bouquet on the table, and its 

 style clearly indicated from whom it came. He called on Mr. William R. 

 Prince for a few remarks on the flowers of which it was composed. 



Mr. Prince said the flowers were cut promiscuously that morning, at the 

 suggestion of the Secretary. They are all herbaceous plants, which are 

 now beginning to bloom. The principal part of these flowers are the 

 pseony, of which there are a great many varieties, but the majority of them 

 are natives of Tartary, Japan, and Pekiu, the northern part of China, which 

 is nearly in the same latitude as this city. The cultivation of these flowers 

 here does away with the impression that gorgeous flowers appertain to the 

 tropics. There are few better flowers tlian the Chinese pfeony. There are 

 perhaps one hundred kinds of them that have odor. Some may suppose 

 they are roses. Most of the old peonies are scentless. One variety is 

 called endulas, in consequence of the root being used as food in the southern 

 parts of Europe, particular!}^ in Spain. There are two or three species of 

 the pajony in the Levant, and also in California. 



The tree pEeony is supposed by many to be too tender for out-door cul- 

 ture, and is thrust into pots, whereas it ought to be put in the coolest place 

 in the garden. It will flourish as well on the ramparts of Quebec as here, 

 and the reason it fails with amateurs is that they take too much care to 

 put it in a sunny place. 



Mr. Mead said he noticed some desperate looking branches on the table, 

 and suggested that Dr. Trimble say something about them. 



Dr. Trimble said he had no doubt that most of those present were aware 

 that the cherry crop, that is, of the very fine kind of cherries, will be very 

 deficient this year. The trees blossomed as usual, but the long-continued 

 wet weather, and heavy showers, caused the petals of the blossoms to 

 decay and fall ofi'. This, with the lengthened wet season, giving them no 

 chance to dry, they rotted, so that the crop of good cherries is entirely 

 destroyed. The pear and apple were in blossom at the same time, and 



