AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 243 



fectly succeeded on eherry and plum branches, nearly two inches in diame- 

 ter (four centimetres). 



Mr. Fuller said large, strong buds were required. 



[Bulletin Mensuel de la Societe Imperiale Zoologique d'AccHinatation. Paris, July, 1859.] 



The distinguished philosopher, M. Becquerel, of the Institute, gives an 

 account of his grape nursery we consider worthy of notice. 



" I have for many years occupied ra^'self with the acclimation of south- 

 ern grapes in the middle of France, at Chatillou sur Loing (about a 100 

 miles south of Paris). I have two or three acres surrounded by walls ten 

 metres high (above 30 feet), and two metres thick (over six feet). It is in 

 a valley defended from north winds by a little hill extending from east to 

 west. This wall keeps warm all night from the heat of sun by day. I 

 raise oranges in it. 



"Among the grapes, I grow the common Muscat of France, Muscat of 

 Alexandria, Chasselas, and many others. They ripen well, maintaining 

 their true fine qualities, except the Muscat, which has not so much sugar or 

 alcohol in it. I add sugar to the wine. When I gather the Muscats, 1 

 lay them on straw in the sun, as is usually done with what is called Straw 

 wine ; but I find it better still to keep them in a stove heated to 20'^ = 67" 

 Fahrenheit, nearly — for a month, to lessen the water in them, and ripen 

 them. I prepare the must as usual, and let it ferment with the pulp fpr 

 fifteen days ; then put the wine into casks, leave it until spring, then draw 

 it off into other casks to ferment, which lasts about two years, more or 

 less, according to the quantity of sugar put into the must. After this the 

 wine becomes clear, very agreeable to the taste, and contains about twelve 

 or fifteen per cent of alcohol, and greatly resembles our South Muscat 

 wines. I intend next year to try some of my grape vines in open air, on 

 a silico argillaceous humid soil, near a trimmed wood — a spot unfavorable 

 now, but which by draining and by warming the soil by means of brick 

 conductors laid four to five decimetres (sixteen to twenty inches) below the 

 surface and covered with soil, and carrying heat from a fire-place, and 

 also warm air in summer. The conductors connect with a small chimney 

 at the upper end. These conductors are near enough together to warm all 

 the surface soil sufficiently. I intend to make my conductors perform the 

 drainage." 



M. Guerin Meneville writes to us that he has, for the Society to distri- 

 bute, cones of the Precious Pine, Pifius pinea tentrrima, originally from 

 Jvfaples, already acclimated at Toulon by our brother member, M. Aguillon, 

 in his Eygontien garden. The seeds of this pine are as good to eat as the 

 Princess almonds. He sends also several varieties of the sweet potato. 



Dr. Rufz gave an essay on the acclimation of the best turtles, especially 

 the famed sea turtle. 



To be published by order of the Society. 



The Revista trimensal de Rio de Janeiro (Quarterly Review), states 

 that the first lamas or guanacos (not the same thing) were sent to Charles 

 Fifth, of Spain, by Diego Garcia, the navigator, in 1527. 



