ZdS TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE, 



The question for deliberation of the meeting next Monday will 

 be the same as to-day : " Fruits — how to grow and preserve 

 them," Adjourned. 



HENRY MEIGS, Secretary. 



October 15, 1860. 

 Present — Forty-three members. Mr. Adrian Bergen, of Long 

 Island, in the chair. 



FOREST TREES FROM SEED. 



Dr. Peck, of Brookl}^!, showed specimens of hickory and chest- 

 nut trees about a foot high, which grew from seed purchased 

 upon a street stand in November last, which he buried about one 

 inch under the surface, and left them there until April first, when 

 they were planted, covered an inch deep, and every seed appeared 

 to grow. The chestnuts were in that condition known as sweet 

 ■ — that is, somewhat shrunken. He earnestly recommends all 

 who desire such trees to plant the seed now, this present month. 



THE LANDS OF LONG ISLAND. 



Dr. Peck gave an interesting account of the "barrens" of Long 

 Island, and showed by a mass of of evidence that in all cases 

 where these lands have been reclaimed they become very pro- 

 ductive. The price of these lands has risen from $1 an acre, the 

 price before the railroad was built, to $15 to $40 an acre. Still, 

 there are large tracts uncultivated, and there is still the same 

 ancient prejudice against these vacant lands that has ever exist- 

 ed among the inhabitants, and kept such a tract as that of 

 Hempstead Plains a barren waste for two hundred years. Many 

 peach, apple and pear orchards have been planted, and are very 

 productive. Grapes, too, are doing finely; so are plums. Dr. 

 Peck considers this region one of the most perfect natural garden 

 soils anywhere in the vicinity of this city. The soil of Hemp- 

 stead Plains is dark, like that of the western prairies. The soil 

 of the oak barrens is a fine yellow, clayey loam, and has an abund- 

 ance of potash, but is deficient in phosphates. The season on 

 Long Island is longer than anywhere else near the city. No frost 

 all this fall has been hard enough to kill tender vegetables. It 

 is estimated to average ten deg. lower in winter, and ten deg. 

 higher in summer, 



William S. Carpenter — There are many persons now anxious 



