78 Mixed production of the Spanish Chesnut, fyo, 



might be thus produced, that would stand the cold of our 

 climate, and combine the prolificacy of the indigenous with- 

 the flavour of the finest exotic kinds. 

 I am, with respect, 



Your obedient servant, 



WILLIAM PRINCE. 



(ANSWER.) 



New-York, Oct. 16, 1820, 

 My Dear Sir, 



I beg you to accept my thanks for your valuable com- 

 munication of yesterday. The articles susceptible of pre- 

 paration in a herbarium, have been placed there for the 

 inspection of my friends and visitors at home, and of my 

 class at the college. The capsules and fruits have already 

 been exhibited to such agriculturists and cultivators as have 

 called upon me. They, who have tasted them, admire the 

 new product, as an excellent variety for the table. 



It is a curious and memorable fact, that the farina fKCUti- 

 dans of the European chesnut, does, in the manner you 

 describe, impregnate the American chinquapin. 



I believe, with you, the principle is capable of extensive 

 application. Hybrid plants, possessing qualities worthy of 

 being known and perpetuated, have often appeared. I am 

 inclined to think, they are more frequent than is generally 

 supposed. I hope vines may be found susceptible of im- 

 provement by such an intermarriage ; and that all interested 

 may experience the benefit, in the better quality of grapes, 

 and of the precious liquid they afford. 



The world stands very much in need of faithful observ- 

 ers, to ascertain facts. Another class of persons is quite 

 as necessary, I mean those who write and register their re- 

 marks, for pubhc instruction. Unless the things we know, 

 are thus put upon record, to travel far and wide among our 

 contemporaries, and forward a long line to our successors, 

 they will perish with our failing memories — die with us, or 

 at farthest, be imperfectly remembered a generation or two 

 by tradition. 



I rejoice that you have set so good an example ; and re- 

 commend it to diligent imitation. 



Health and respect, 



SAMUEL L. MITCHILL. 



