170 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



can find, so that the chances are hardly ono to the hundred to escape des- 

 truction. But this can all be obviated by artificial propagation, and all 

 the streams stocked in the country. The increase of a two-ponnd trout in 

 seven j^ears might be over 7,000,000,000 with perfect success, and all things 

 proportionate." 



As to the ease with which young trout can bo transported from the pro- 

 pagating ponds to stock natural ponds or streams, Mr. Ainsworth says that 

 he has carried them in ice water twenty miles, but tliat it is necessary to keep 

 the water in constant motion, as the fish soon die in still water. The im- 

 pregnated eggs could be transported a long distance in water or clean wet 

 sand, and then hatched and grown in a safe place to a size suitable to put 

 out in natural streams. In this way the wliole country could be restocked 

 with these excellent fish, furnishing sport to the angler and food for the 

 people. 



Mr. Solon Robinson. — That trout can be artificially produced, with great- 

 er profit to the producer than any kind of meat, no member of the Club 

 entertains a doubt. But to induce people to enter upon the business, the 

 subject needs to be constantly agitated. 



Prof. Mapes. — There is a trout-pond at Maspeth, L. 1., a few miles from 

 the Williamsburgh ferries, owned by Mr. W. H. Furman some three years, 

 that was previously stocked by artificial propagation, and now estimated to 

 contain not less than ten thousand trout. There are a great many places 

 upon Long Island which might be converted into similar food-producing 

 places. The subject of artificial fish-breeding has frequently been discussed 

 in this Club by Mr. R. L. Pell and others, and is one that will bear very 

 frequent discussion to awaken people to its importance. 



A New Tea Plant. 



Mr. J. P. Veeder, Albany, N. Y., stated to the Club thatlast summer he was 

 among some bushes that had been cut a da}'' or two, when he thought he 

 detected the odor of tea, and upon looking fur what produced it, discovered 

 that it was the leaves of the common sumac. He gathered some of the 

 leaves and cured them as tea leaves are cured, and made a decoction and 

 invited several good judges of tea to taste and give their opinion. They 

 pronounced it a very good quality of China tea, much resembling that 

 known as Oolong. 



Dr. Trimble. — I hope this Club won't recommend people to use sumac 

 tea, since it is well known that there are species of this plant which are 

 poisonous. How are common people to know what is meant by common 

 sumac? 



Mr. N. C. Ely. — Because a respectable member of the Club states a fact 

 in relation to the use of sumac leaves for tea is why we should notice it, 

 and in doing so the Club does not indorse nor recommend. People gene- 

 rally will understand what is meant by the common sumac. 



Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter. — It is that which grows all over this region, particu- 



