AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 391 



The Club had no time to look into the question whether the fla- 

 vors and qualities of the two apples are here combined to form 

 a new flavor. 



Mr. Robinson proposed " muck " on a subject for the next 

 meeting. Adopted — with continuation of preservation of fruits 

 and vegetables. Adopted. 



The new French mode of keeping eggs in lime water elicited 

 some remarks. 



Mr. Judd had examined, recently, great quantities of those 

 sent to this market, with a view to learn the best modes of pre- 

 servation; lime water has preserved them well. The eggs sent 

 to this market last year, numbered about one hundred millions. 

 Adjourned. 



H. MEIGS, Secretary. 



December 18, 1855. 



Present — Messrs. Solon Robinson, Dr. Waterbury, Field, Par- 

 ker, Benjamin Pike Senior, Geo. E. Waring, jr., Silliman, Judge 

 Van Wyck, Wheeler, Disturnell, Elliott, Alderman Jones and 

 others — thirty-three in all. 



Dr. Waterbury in the chair, Henry Meigs, Secretary. 



The Secretary read the following translations and extracts from 

 works received by the last steamer from Europe — for the library 

 of the Institute. 



[Revue Horticole, Paris, Nov. 16, 1855.] 



Extracts translated by H. Meigs ^ Dec. 10, 1855. 



The Igname, or, Dioscorea Batatas, of China. Great hopes 

 have been entertained that this root would prove to be a substi- 

 tute for the potato for five years past; and experiments in grow- 

 ing it north and south, in England and France, have been made, 

 and are being made. The agricultural world may be said to have 

 its eye fixed upon it with anxiety as to the result of the experi- 

 ments. Will it really prove to be a sucedaneum for the potato 1 

 or must we give up those hopes which the first trials excited ? 

 That is the question. While we are uncertain about it, we will 

 report the experiments as they are made, so that intelligent farm- 

 ers may profit by them. 



Before we proceed let us say that no plant, however endowed 

 with fine properties by nature, is suited to all soils and climates. 

 The Igname may not suit us. The English have gone into it with 

 (perhaps) more ardor than we have; but their success has not 

 well answered their attempts. Whether the climate, or rather 



