158 ■ TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



of the Island where ho lives. Of another new grape, the Adirondac, Mr, 

 Carpenter is enthusiastic, ranking it above the Delaware. 



Mr. John G. Bergen. — I am aware that this grape was rated very high by 

 the Committee of the Fruit Growers' Club, and I thought quite too much so, 

 because it has never been fruited in this vicinity. It may be the best that 

 ever was grown at Plattsburg and vicinity, and a great acquisition for 

 northern culture, but until it has been proved here I think it presumptuous 

 in any committee to give it such unqualified praise, and we should be care- 

 ful not to recommend it to others until we know its value ourselves. I 

 have a vine of the Adirondac growing which does not show as healthy as 

 other vines in my garden. It has made only two or three feet growth this 

 year, and the leaves have not compared in healthy appearance with Isabella, 

 CataM^ba, To Kalon, Diana, etc., though the fruit of these rotted — Isabella 

 the least, and under the circumstances of the case, that no one has grown 

 fruit, and that in some places the vines do not grow well, it is indiscreet, 

 to say the least, to recommend an untried variety for general cultivation, 

 and speak of the fruit as superior to the Delaware, which is universally 

 conceded to be one of the best, hardy, native grapes for general culture, 

 ever grown in this country. 



It is claimed for the Adirondac, that it ripens where the Isabella will not, 

 and that its growth is equall}^ strong and hardy. That may be a good re- 

 commendation for it in Canada, but let us wait and see whether it is so 

 here. It was not so with me this 3'ear. 



Mr. Carpenter said tliat he had an Adirondac vine which made seven feet 

 growth this year, and was very healthy. 



Ever-Bearing Strawberry. 



Mr. Carpenter exhibited a strawberry plant in a pot, iu fruit, which is 

 called ever-bearing, and said to be from Australia. It has been continu- 

 ously bearing ripe berries since the 20th of May. 



Steaming Cattle Feed. 



Solon Robinson. — A correspondent wants some information about " Pap- 

 pin's Digester," Can any member of the Club satisfy him ? 



To this it was replied that it is an English apparatus for steaming food 

 for stock, and is not any waj'- superior to any other steamer, except per- 

 haps in its being portable. 



Pacific Island Guano. 



Solon Robinson, in answer to some inquiries, said that he did not mean 

 to affirm that the guano known as Pacific, or Baker's Island guano, is equal 

 in value to Peruvian, uor need it be since it costs only half as much; but 

 he does mean to say that it is a valuable fertilizer, and as prepared by the 

 Messrs. Benson's, by adding sufficient ammonia to bring it up to the Peru- 

 vian standard, I fail to see why it is not just as valuable. 



Planetary Effects Upon Plants and Animals. 



Mr. Harrison Wight, North Eaton, Lorain county, Oliio, writes as follows: 



" I am somewhat amused while reading some letters on the moon's influr 



ence on vegetation. My experience in growing crops of any kind for a 



series of years, demonstrates that it makes no difference whether the moon 



is new or full, at the time we plant. Generally those who believe in th^ 



