234 TRANSACTIONS 07 THE AMKRICAN INSTITUTE. 



of prolonging the season of fruit. The explanation of its power 

 is, that while the sap passes from the roots through the wood, 

 the sap elaborated in the leaves cannot pass to the root, but is 

 all retained to the fruit above the girdled portion. 



Mr. Carpenter presented some fine specimens of Proctor, Jersey 

 sweeting, and Alexander apples, and also some beautiful species 

 of flowers. 



Judge Meigs read a letter from Illinois, stating that an insect, 

 resembling the locust borer, was beginning to attack the locust 

 trees in that region. Dr. Trimble thought that it was the same 

 insect that has been so injurious to the locust trees in this part 

 of the country for so many years. 



Mr. Dickinson said that a tree could be preserved from the 

 attacks of insects by placing a quantity of common soft soap in 

 the crotch, which, whenever it rained, would wash down and 

 thus cover the body. The soap need be put on only every spring, 

 and the tree might be w^ashed in the fall with ley, to prevent its 

 forming a coaling. 



LONG ISLAND WHEAT. 



The Secretary presented a specimen of wheat grown by Valen- 

 tine Frost, of Glen Cove, L. I., whose family have occupied the 

 same farm for two hundred years. This sample proves that Long 

 Island is still capable of producing first rate wheat, thirty bush- 

 els per acre. 



AN ORNAMENTAL EGG-PLANT, &C. 



Wm. S. Carpenter showed the new Chinese scarlet egg-plant, 

 which is a very ornamental one in the garden. The whit© egg- 

 plant is ornamental, and also very good for cooking. 



THE JERSEY SWEETING APPLE. 



Mr. Carpenter thinks this one of the best sweet apples ever 

 grown. Mr. C. also shoAved a variety of other apples in season. 

 The Belleflower he finds to sell equal to any variety in this mar- 

 ket this season. He also showed a great variety of flowers. 



Adjourned. 



October 8, 1860. 



Present, 44 members. Mr. Wm. Lawton, of New Rochelle, in 

 the chair. 



Mr. Secretary Meigs gave notice to the society that the British 

 International exhibition would be held in London in 18G2, under 



