188 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



the side of the hive, and furnishes a perfect hiding-place for the motlis, 

 where the bees do not molest them, and where they can be destroyed. The 

 theory is that the moth will not attempt to enter the hive while it can find 

 a much better place in the box. 



Several of the members who spoke upon this subject recommended 

 Steele's moth trap, which effectually keeps out the moth, the holes into the 

 hive being closed with little tin doors, which the bees can and moths can- 

 not open. 



A List of Grapes — Cultivation of Grapes. 



Mr, Solon Robinson read a letter asking a variety of questions about 

 grapes, which were answered by Mr. Peter B. Mead. For a list of 26 vines 

 to be grovv^n for family use, he names the following: Delaware, 8; lona, 6; 

 Israella, 2; Diana, 2; Anna, 2; Union Village, 1; Allen's Hybrid, 2; Re- 

 becca, 1; Elsiugburg, 1; Lincoln, 1; Herbemont, 1. 



Adjourned. John W. Chambers, Secretary. 



November 11, 1863. 

 Dr. Hawks in the chair. 



Sorgo Syrup. 



Mr. David Whitson and Mr. Nicholas Haight showed a sample of 1,430 gal- 

 lons of Sorgo sjTup, made near Madison, Wisconsin, in latitude 43 degrees, 

 at the rate of 160 gallons per acre. No clarifying agents were used; yet 

 this is clear, and almost as nice for table use as first-rate strained honey, 

 and would be worth to-day in this market $1 a gallon, since Porto Rico mo- 

 lasses is worth 10 cents a gallon by the cargo. Foi: ordinary use, this 

 syrup would need no refining. Belcher Brothers have a large refining 

 establishment at Chicago. 



The Sumac Plant Described. 



Mr. Solon Robinson read the following letter from Mr. John Groves, 

 Poughkeepsie, New York : 



" The new tea plant so favorably spoken of at the American Institute 

 Farmers' Club, if really an efficient substitute for the China Oolong Tea, 

 would be of most essential service to poor persons in the rural districts, 

 independent of any other consideration connected with it, but the plant is 

 evidently not well understood even by professional men. In such cases it 

 is, perhaps, the best method to collect together the best authorities on the 

 subject. In Miller's Botanicum Officinale, published in London in 1122, 

 and dedicated to the celebrated Sir H. Sloane, Bart., M. D., I find the fol- 

 lowing description : 



" ' Bhus Coriaria, Curriefs Sumac. — This Rhus grows not to be a tree of 

 any great magnitude, having its branches clothed with long, pinnated, 

 rough leaves, whose single pinnae resemble the leaves of the elm tree, but 

 are somewhat longer. The flowers grow in large white clusters, which are 

 succeeded by small, flat, round, hairy seed, of a restringent earthy taste ; 

 it grows in Italy, Spain and Turkey. The leaves and seed are used. They 



