244 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



NEW FLOWER POTS. 



M. Langlois makes tbem of zinc, in halves, the halves brought together 

 and secured by clasps. They are varnished on the outside. They are 

 convenient to examine the condition of the roots, and for transportation in 

 halves, and for durability, 



Mr. Fuller said that no metal pot was as good as unglazed porous 

 earthen ones. 



William J. Townsend, of Skaneateles, chairman of the Farmer's Club, 

 there, exhibited teasels from his farm. He raises some millions. 



Prof. Nash said that teasels were once cultivated in Massachusetts to a 

 considerable extent, but an alteration of the tariff brought in those of 

 foreign growth cheaper than they could be raised here. 



Seckel pears, on quince, grown by Geo. H. Hite, of Morrisania, were 

 exhibited, and spoken of by Andrew G. Fuller as growing most perfectly. 



Mr. Fuller exhibited the Fontenay raspberry, the branch full of fruit. 

 He thinks it the best ever-bearing raspberry known. 



THE ISABELLA GRAPE. 



An animated discussion here arose upon the Isabella and Catawba 

 grapes. Mr. Fuller said that the American Institute did not seem to 

 realize that there were any other grapes grown than the Isabella and 

 Catawba, as they offer no premiums for any other variety. 



Mr. Pardee thought these two old sorts had yet to give way to new and 

 better ones. 



Mr. Provoost. — My Isabellas are in fine condition, and I keep growing 

 seedlings, and hare no fear of their ultimate success. 



Mr. Fuller said that although the Isabella may flourish at the South, it 

 is certain that it is failing here, and new substitutes must be looked for in 

 time. One of the great difficulties of growing seedlings from any native 

 fruit is to get it to vary from the wild sort. There is no diflSeulty in get- 

 ting variations from the cultivated or improved sorts. When a variation 

 IS once obtained from any seedling, it is very easy to continue this varia- 

 tion, and produce something bettei'. 



Prof. Nash thought it important that the country should know if it is a 

 fact that this variety of grapes is failing, or diseased so as to be more dif- 

 ficult to grow than other sorts. 



Solon Robinson stated it as an incontrovertible fact that the Isabella 

 grape is diseased, and that it is not worth while for any one to plant a vine- 

 yard of Isabella vines in their present unhealthy condition. 



Prof. Nash and Mr. Fuller corroborated this statement, and mentioned 

 several new varieties equally good and much more healthy. 



Wm. S. Carpenter stated that he had taken much pains to grow them, 

 and had not had a good bunch of Isabellas for five years. He had tried 

 both close pruning and no pruning, and his pruned vines produced quite as 

 well as the unpruned, which proved the assertion false that the failure is 

 owing to injury from close pruning. 



