AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 301 



and wide-spreading branches loftily towards the heavens. He sets himself 

 diligently to work and reclaims a few acres, which at first yield him ample 

 returns for his labors. He continues, year after year, to plow, harrow, 

 sow and reap, and, as his soil yields him abundant crops, he considers its 

 bosom perfectly exhaustless. But in due course of time, creeping slowly 

 and gradually, a change appears, completely dimming the smiling landscape. 

 The grain is at first less lovely, then less luxuriant, then sparse in quan- 

 tity, and finally dies beneath the scourge of a parasitic fangus. 



What should he do now — gather the droppings of his stock, and the fer- 

 mented juices of his cattle-yards, and strew the thin sowings of gypsum 

 and lime upon his fields ? Yes ; but what does he do ? Why, of course, 

 he forsakes his long-cultivated domain, and hews himself another home 

 from the native forest, and the same abundance is followed by the same 

 disasters. His neighbors partake of the same folly, and they all advance 

 like a devouring army against the green and beautiful woods, which are 

 tramped under their advancing cultivation. The axe levels with the earth 

 its annual prey, and multitude after multitude proceed thus. Forests rise 

 on the horizon before them, and naked deserts are left behind, for a new 

 race of cultivators to cover again with green herbage, by zealous, skillful 

 and assiduous labors. 



The Club then adjourned. 



H. MEIGS, Secretary. 



December 19, 1859. 

 Present, 55 members. Robert L. Pell, late President of the American 

 Institute, in the chair. 



The Secretary read translations and extracts made by him from the 

 works received from abroad and home, since the last meeting, viz : 



HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA. 



We have just received, free of charge, from the Russian government, 

 the Statutes (by laws) of the Society. The objects of the Society are set 

 orth. Best native and foreign plants in the most suitable locations, cli- 

 mates, &c., of the empire. The interchange of all good things in the 

 world of horticulture, with like societies of all nations. The officers. 

 President J. Jeleynod, Vice-President E. Regel, Secretary Germofft, 

 write the following letter to the American Institute : 



St. Petersburg, Nov. G, 1859. 

 To the American Institute^ New York : 



No. 126. The undersigned have the honor to bring to the knowledge 

 of the American Institute that a society has been formed for the develop- 

 ment of every branch of horticulture in Russia. It is organized in St. 

 Petersburg, under the high protection of his Imperial Highness the Grand 

 Duke Nicholas, sanctioned by his Majesty the Emperor. 



