AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 323 



Mr. Pardee. — The seeds of this "Tom Thumb Nasturtium" were im- 

 ported into this city last year. I obtained one of them, though sold at 

 high figures, and the result was highly satisfactory. The nasturtium is 

 cultivated not alone for its fruit, as the flowers are very pretty, and of this 



dwarf sort particularly so. 



GRAPE CUTTINGS. 



Solon Robinson. — I see cuttings of the Delaware grape-vine offered for 

 sale, with recommendations to induce parties to buy them because cheap — 

 that is, of a lower price than the rooted vines. Now, by the way of caution, 

 I will say that they are not cheap, at any price, to ordinary farmers and own- 

 ers of gardens, or city lots, every one of which should have growing in it 

 within three months a Delaware grape-vine, because it is one of the most 

 hardy, most prolific, and easiest managed vines, and produces the best 

 grapes ever grown by out-door culture in America. And because all this 

 is true, I want to caution all who want the vine not to begin with a cutting. 

 That might do for the Isabella, but it won't do for the Delaware. As 

 cuttings are ordinarily planted in open ground, not one in twenty of the 

 Delaware vine will put forth branch and roots, and live. It needs hot- 

 house propagation and very skillful management to grow good Delaware 

 grape-vines from buds. I intend, in the coming spring, to start two or 

 three vines upon my little farm, and I shall buy the best rooted ones that 

 Doct. Grant can furnish, without regard to first cost, because I believe it 

 is better economy to pay $3 or $4 for a good root, than to get a cutting 

 for nothing. 



John Gr. Bergen stated that this was the universal testimony at the late 

 Pomological Convention. It may be possible to grow Delaware vines from 

 cuttings by the ordinary practice, but it cannot be recommended to any 

 ordinary farmer to attempt its growth from cuttings or eyes. 



R. G. Pardee. — I would recommend caution upon another state of facts; 

 and that is, the liability to be imposed upon with cuttings of some worth- 

 less vine. The Delaware has obtained such a wide notoriety for its excel- 

 lence that great care should be exercised, so as to be sure not to get a red 

 Traminer, or something equally worthless. Therefore, I would say, buy 

 your vines from men well known, like Dr. Grant, to have the genuine sort, 

 and eschew all others. 



Mr. Quinn, farmer upon Prof. Mapes' farm, recommended the same thing, 

 as the Delaware is so difficult to propagate from cuttings, though well-root- 

 ed plants are hardy. It is, however, a vine of slow growth in the first 

 years of its existence. 



SPECIMEN CORN AND POTATOES. 



Wm. S. Carpenter presented some specimens of improved King Philip 

 corn, grown by G. K. Riker, of Stamford, Conn., which, it is said, grew 

 at the rate of over 100 bushels of shelled corn to the acre. These ears 

 were remarkably handsome specimen ears. There were also some beauti- 

 ful specimens of " hominy corn," and also some very large Prince Albert 

 cpotaioes, whih have proved entirely exempt from disease. 



