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PROCEEDINGS

NORTH AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL

CONVENTION.

Keld at Syracuse, Septemtoer 14, 1849.

Printed by V. W. SMTH & CO., Syracuse.

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PROCEEDINGS

NORTH AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL

CONYENTION.

Held at Syracuse, Septemlber 14, 1849.

Printed by V. W. SMITH & CO., Syracuse.

PROCEEDINGS.

The members and delegates of this, the second meeting of the N. A. Po-
mological Convention, assembled at the Common Council Room at 9 o'clock
A. M.

The collection of Fruits was far better than expected, from the fiict of
there being very few this season, grown in any of the Western or Eastern
States, as compared with Uiuxl seasons. Splendid collections of Apples
were sent from Illiaois, and fine collections of Pears, Peaches, and Grapes,
were presented by gentlemen from various parts of the States and Canada.

JAMES DOUG ALL, of Canada West, called the Convention to order, and
nominated Col. BENJAMIN HODGE, of Bufililo, as temporary Chairman.

On mo ion of Dr. Herman Wendell, Mr. M. B. Bateiiam, of Ohio, was
appointed temporary Secretary, who proceeded to read the call of the Con-
vention, from ihe proei!ediiigs of last year's Convention, as follows: —

Mr. J. D. G. Nelsck, Chairman of the Committee of seven, appointed to
take into condder.iiiou the propriety of holding future Pomological Conven-
tions, reported the foUov/iug reiolutions, which were unanimously adopted.

The Co;nml;;tee appointed under the resolution enquiring into the expedi-
ency of calii.ig future Po:n)logica! Conventions, having had the same under
eonsider.Uio:;, m ike the following report: —

Whereas, The N. Y. State Agvicultural Society in drawing together this
present Convcation, have brought together an assemblage of men and fruits
which proniiios great advantage to the public at large, it is thought beat to
perpetuate the same, therefore,

Resolved, That hercafer an annual assemblage or Convention shall be
held under the name of " North American Pomological Convention."

ResoheJ; That this Convention shall be held in the coming year of 1849,
in the town or city in which the New York Stiite Agricultural Fair may be
held — -to con\eiie its session the first day succeeding the closing of the Fair
— and that the Recording Secretary of the N. Y. State Agricultural Society
Bhall be entrusted with the charge, and respectfully solicited to give due no-
tice of the rime of meeting, by means of Agricultural Journals, and cards
of invitation to genilemsn Fomologists and Horticultural Societies through-
out the iJnion and the Canadas, that they may send delegates, or attend, and
bring or send specimens of Fruits for exhibition.

On motion of Mr. Goodsell, of Greece, a Committee of five persons was
appointed by the Chair, to nominate officers for, and also to report rules and
regulations for the guidance of the Convention. The following gentlemen
constituted that Commhtee : —

N. Goodsell, of Rochester; F. R. Elliott, of Ohio; Charles Downing, of
Newburgh ; A. Bryant, of BuiFalo ; J. P. W. Allen, of Oswego.

On motion of Herman Wendell, all gentlemen present, who took an
interest in the subject of Horticulture, were invited to sit as members.

The following gentlemen reported their names : —

IVames of I^Iaisabsrs.

Dr. Herman Wendell, Albany, N. Y.

Charles Downing, Newburgh, N. Y.

George Ellwanger, Rochester, N. Y.

P. Barry, Rochester, N. Y.

J. A. Keknicott, The Grove, ill.

C. M. HovEY, Boston, Mass,

James Dougall, Amherstburg, C. W.

n. P. Byram, Louisville, Ky.

F. R. Elliott, Cleveland, Ohio.

M. B. Bateham, Columbus, Ohio.

B. Hodge, Buffalo.
A. Bryant, Buffalo.
W.R.CoFPOCK, Buffalo.
John B. Eaton, Buffalo.
Lewis F. Allen, Black Rock.
R. L. Allen, N. Y.

Dr. A. Thompson, Aurora.
David Thomas, Aurora.
J. J. Thomas, Macedon.
James M. Whitney, Rochester.
Lewis Eaton, Buffalo.
H. W. Rogers, Buffalo.
Thomas B. Chase, Buffalo.
W. H. SoTHAM, Black Rock.

C. F. S. Thomas, Buffalo.
Alanson Thorp, Syracuse.
Wm. B. Smith, Syracuse.
J. C. Hanchett, Syracuse.
N. Goodsell, Rochester.
Daniel Dana, Syracuse.

Jas. H. Wright, New Haven, N. Y.
Electus Board man, Rochester.
Wm. Newcomb, Tomhannock, N. Y.
M. A. Richardson, Howardsville, 111.
P. Bronson, Geneva, N. Y.
W. Ward, Lenox, N. Y.
P. Barber, Homer, N. Y.
Wm. T. Mosely, Onondaga, N. Y.
E. L. Leavenworth, Wollcott, N. Y.
Calvin Chamberlain, Foxcroft, Me.
W. G. Verplanck, Geneva, N. Y.
E. P. Prentice, Albany, N. Y.
Hon. S. Miller, Rochester, N. Y.
James J. Mapes, Essex Co., N. J.
Dr. N. T. SoRSBY, Havanna, Alabama.
M. D. Burnett, Syracuse, N. Y.

J. G. Tracy, Syracuse.
Hamilton White, Syracuse.
Wm. M. Sloxe, Rochester, N. Y.
J. T. Whipple, Greenwich, N. Y.
Chakles p. Cowles, Syracuse.
T. C. Maxwell, Geneva.
G. B. Jastram, Providence, R. I.
Archibald Stone, Lampsons, N. Y.
Aiwos Briggs, Schaghtieolte, N. Y.
J. G. Barnes, De Ruyter, N. Y.
N. B. Rogers, Lockport, N. Y.
D. S. Mosely, Skaneateles, N. Y.
Charles Lee, Penn Yan.
James H. Hooker, Rochester.
Miller Moody, Bellville, O.

A. Saul, Newburgh, N. Y.
S. Yeomans, Rochester.

F. H. Hastings, Chicago, 111.
RuFus CossiT, Onondaga, N. Y.
J. W. P. Allen, Oswego, N. Y.
Samuel B. Parsons, Flushing, N. Y.

B. K. Bliss, Springfield, Mass.

C. B. Sedgwick, Syracuse.
H. P. Penniman, Syracuse.

Adam Fergussen, Watertown, C. W.

James R. Lawrence, Spacuse.

V. W. Smith, Syracuse.

A. Z. McCarty, Pulaski.

A. C. YouNGLovE, Rushville, N. Y.

The Committee appointed to nominate officers, reported the following:

For President, J. A. KENNICOTT, of 111.

For 1st Vice-President, Jas. Dougall, C. W.
" 2nd " " Herman Wendell, N. Y.

" 3d " " C. M. Hovey, Mass.

" 4th " " M. B. Bateham, Ohio.

" 6th « " H. P. Byram, Ky.

" 6th " " James J. Mapes, N. J.

Secretaries, F. R. Elliott, of O., and B. Hodge, of N. Y.

The President on taking the Chair, expressed himself grateful for the
honor conferred upon him in appointing him to preside, and regarded it as a
compliment to the West. Seeing the venerable Pomologist, David Thomas,
present in the room, he desii-ed that he be invited to take a seat beside him.

On motion of Dr. Herman Wendell, D. Thomas was invited to take a
seat with the President.

The Committee on Rules and regulations, reported the following :

ORDER OF PROCEEDING.

1 That a Committee, consisting of Chas. Downing, P. Barry, and S. B.
Parsons, be appointed — whose duty it shall be to bring up varieties of fruits,

6

in order for an expression of members of the Convention, as to qualities, &c.

2. That members shall be desired to make bri^f remarks, and comport
themselves to advance the rapid performance of the business of Convention
and when otherwise the President shall at once call to order.

3. That when any fruit is brought up aud introduced by the Committee
as first, second, or third rate, if any msmber of Convention knows it other-
wise, he will so express himself, or it will be p;isc;od by Convention, under-
standingly, and wi.hout remark, as introduced by the Committee.

4. That a Committee of three be appointed to examine fruits exhibited,
report their names, the names of their exhibitors, and when any varieties are
fxh'bited under local names or synonyms, let it be mentiored in order that
the. exhibitor as well as the public be informed of the true names of such
variety.

5. 'rhat a Committee of three be appointed to examine all Seedlings ex-
hibited, to judge of their characters, and in such judgment to be guided
strictly by the 1st rule of the series of Pomological rules, adopted by the N.
A. Convention of 1848. When Committee judge a fruit to fall below the
standard, let them summon before them the exhibitor or originator of the
fruit, in order that he may be made satisfied by comparison with others of
its unworthiness to name and introduction.

6. That the two last named Committees perform their du'.ies before the
Morning Sessions, after adjournment, or during recess.

7. That the reports of State Committees be presented to the Secretaries,
and by them incorporated in the proceedings.

On mo'.ion, the Chair appointed the following persons to make up the two
remaining Committees not provided for in the report of the Commiiee.

On Exammation of Names — N. Goodell, of Rochester, Jas. Dougall,
of Canada West, C. M. Hovey, of Boston.

On Seedlings — A. Saul, of Newburgh, J. J. Thomas, of llaccdon, and A.
Bryant, of Buffalo.

Letters and reports from State Frait Committees were handed in, and in
accordance with the 7th rule were deposited with the Secretaries.

The follo\ving preamble and resolutions were tlien, after a few explanato-
ry remarks, introduced by Dr. Herman Wekdell, of Albany, and unani-
mously adopted:

Whereas, The National Pomological Convention, held at Buflalo in Sept.,
1848, under the auspices of the New York State Agricultural Soi-iety, com-
posed of delegates from fifteen States and the two Canadas, was the first
general Convention of such character ever convened in the United States ;
and whereas that Convention unanimously resolved, that hereafter an annual
Convocation of like character should be held under the title of the North
American Pomological Convention, and that the first meeting with that
title should be held in the autumn of 1849, at the place where the great fair
of the New York State Agricultural Society was to be held, and on the day
succeeding the close of said fair; therefore we consider this Convention
entitled by courtesy to perpetuate itself; but being aware that a Convention
of an analogous character was held iii the city of New York in tlie autumn
of 1848, and also that said Convention organized itself into a permanent as-
sociation, under the title of the American Congress of Fruit Growers, which
is to assemble in said city of New York on the 2nd day of October next, and
believing that the advancement of Pomological science as well as inclination
and interests of Pomologists throughout this continent will be most promo-

ted by a merging hereafter of the two apparent conflicting associations into
one general organization for future operations ; therefore, be it

Resolved, by this Convention, that a Committee of tive be designated by
its President, whose duty it shall be to attend the coming session of the
American Congress of Fruit Growers, and confer with said congress, or a
committee whom they may select, in relation to the merging of the two asso-
ciations, and so far as this Convention is interested, the settling of questions
of priority or organization, place of next meeting, and title of association
shall be left to the committees whom the two organizations may appoint,
and that we will exert ourselves to induce a general attendance of those inter-
ested wherever the joint committee determine the next Convention shall be
held ; but we cannot omit giving it as our opinion, that the cause of Poraolo-
gical science Vv'ill be most promoted, and the feelings of the great mass of
Fruit Growers better satisfied, if the meeting should be held at Cincinnati, or
some other western city.

The President remarked that he was sent here by the Fruit Growers of Illi-
nois. It was a general feeling among them that they could not attend but one
Convention — they could not do without the western people — they therefore
wished to merge the two Conventions, and throw themselves upon the the
generosity of tlie people of the east.

In conformity with the resolution just introduced and adopted so unani-
mously by the Convention, he would appoint the following named gentlemen
as delegates to meet in conference with the N. Y. Congress of Fruit Growers :

Herman Wendell, Benjamin Hodge, Fbanki/IN R. Elliott, Charles
Downing, Jas. J. Mapes.

On motion of Dr. Herman Wendell, the President, J. A. Kennicott, of
Illinois, was added to the Committee.

The Committee appointed to introduce Fruits for discussion by members
of the Convention, then proceeded with their duties by introducing the

Smiths' Orleans Plum — as first rate.

No remarks made ; therefore according to the rules of proceedings, adopted.
It was silently passed, and as introduced by Committee.

The Duane Purple Plum, — as second rate.

Mr, Hodge had no objection to its being presented as second rate, but for
size and beauty it ranked high.
The Committee stated that they would agree with Mr. Hodge.

The Lawrence Favorite, — as first rate.

Mr. Elliot remarked that this fruit had not been sufficiently tested in O-
hio.

Mr. CoppGCK was understood to endorse the remark of Mr. Elliot, saying
that it was one of those new varieties of plums which had not been tested
at the West.

Long Scarlet,

A second rate plum, but handsome and fine for cooking.

Mr. J. J. Thomas considered it third rate, which opinion was expressed by-
several others.

Lucombe's Nonsuch, — nearly first rate.

David Thomas had cultivated this variety of plum for several years, and
counted only about second rate.

Mr. HovEY considered the plum of as good flavor for eating as Smith's Or-
leans, though he had not had much experience in regard to it. It was said
not to be a good bearer and rotted on the tree.

Mr. Saul remarked that the specimens presented were not fair ones by
any means. He could pronounce the plum first rats as far as its eating quali-
ties are concerned. It was a very large fruit, and a very good beai'er, though
not so profuse as many. It was a good grower, and in every respect might
be considered as a first rate plum, with the exception of its bearing qualities.

The Fondante D'Antomne Pear, — first rate.

The Dutchess D'Angouleme, — second rate.

Mr. HovEY thought it could not have been seen in its best condition to
have been presented as second rate. It had not acquired quite as rich a fla-
vor as other pears. The pears brought one dollar a bushel in Boston. Gen-
tlemen had set thousands of trees for supplying the market. It was fully
equal to the Williams Bou Chretien, and although it was not considered first
in all respects, it deserved to be rated as high as those ordinarily ranked as
first rate.

Mr. Barry said he took the gi-ound that it could not clearly be called first
rate. It was in size a magnificent pear, and it grew very well. The fruit
was enormously large — the largest fine pear he knew of. It was as free
from diseases generally as any other pear. Although in quality it was not
considered first rate, it was a pear which would be useful in the smallest col-
lections. In accordance with the views expressed, the Committee ranked it
as second rate.

3Ir. CoppocK. This gentleman's remarks were not fully heard, but he
was understood to say that this variety succeeded finely in Western New
York — superior to many Belgian pears of late introduction, and the Commit-
tee should be careful how they cast a bad reputation upon it.

Mr. IIoDGE had grown this pear for several years, both on quince and free-
stocks, and was hardly willing to see it classed as second rate. In size and
beauty, it was first rate, and it was very productive. He apprehended if it
was classed as second rate, it would go out to the world as not worth prop-
agating. He knew of few so worthy of being propagated, especially on
quince stock.

Mr. Parsons remarked that if the Committee presented a pear as first rate,
which proved in some localities second rate, they would disappoint those in
those localities. They did not speak for the whole country, and he did not
tlunk tliat they could say that the pear was first rate in all localities.

]Mr. Barry explained that there were three persons appointed on the Com-
mittee to pass upon the fruits; if two of them agree, it was presented. If
all others of the Convention differed with the report of the Committee, it
was not right that the fruit should go out as having the character given to it
by the Committee. Hence it appeared how important it was to take hold of
these characters given by the Committee, and discuss them ; for if two of
them presented a fruit as second rate, and one of them as first rate, it waa

important that the Convention, if they agreed with the minority of the Com-
mittee, should so express themselves.

Mr. DouGALL said that in Canada it was always fair and handsome, and
considered fully equal to the Williams Bou Chretien.

Mr. Bryant had had it fruited on its own bottom, on two healthy trees»
during the two or three past years. It was hardly a fair fruit, but on the
quince it grew perfectly well. He would like to know of gentlemen if it
produced good fruit with them on its own bottom ?

Mr. DouGALL said it had produced good fruit on the pear stock.

Mr. HovEY said the same.

Mr. J. J. Thomas said it was a pear exceedingly variable — sometimes quite
good, but generally and oftener quite poor.

Mr. Barry remarked that on the pear stock, the chances were against it in
Western New York. On the quince stock it was every where good. Long
before this fact was known of the Dutchess D'Angouleme, it was recojnmend-
ed by Pomologists as exceedingly fine on quince stock. A gentleman (now
dead) who lived at Lockport, once said to him, that he thought nothing in the
fruit world so fine as this pear on the quince stock.

Mr. HovEY coincided with the remarks of Mr. Barry, as to the importance
of the expression of opinion by the members of the Convention when they
did not agree with the majority of the Committee, by stating fiicts to the con-
trary— especially where the fruit was pronounced as second rate, when it was
known to be first rate in some localities. He would say that only last week
he was at several places near Boston where they cultivated the Dutchess D'An-
gouleme on the quince, and he never saw such fine pears and in such abund-
ance. It was always good, and must rank more than second rate as a grower.
Every one knew that it was one of the most vigorous growers upon quince,
and bore every year. All things considered, it was a variety which could not
be dispensed with.

Mr. Hodge understood the Committee to say that they reported it as second
rate, because it was not always first rate. Sometimes it was first rate, partic-
ularly on the quince stock.

Mr. CoPFOCK could not sec how they could pass upon the qualities of a fruit
by taking only one locality. Varying localities materially change the charac-
ter of the fruit, hence there was a great diversity of opinion in regard to it in
different portions of the Union. It was not the same in the Eastern as in the
Western States.

Mr. Mapes inquired what would be the objection to saying that a fruit was
first rate in most localities, leaving it to be inferred that in some it was not
so? Would not that be all the Committee wished to express? If the only
objection were, that in some localises it was not first rate, but in most that it
was so, it seemed to him the decision of the Committee, accompanied by such
a remark, would cover the whole ground.

Mr. Barry remarked that it was to be borne in mind that the expression o^
the Committee was not entitled to any more influence than the opinions of
other persons recorded in the report of the proceedings. The purpose was,
to bring the fruit before the Convention for discussion, and it was necessary
in presenting them to mark the fruit somewhere.

Mr. J. W. P. Allen, of Oswego, stated that experience in his own locality
was limited. Two years ago it was put down third or fourth rate, and again
as second.

Mr. Hodge enquired whether it was grown on the qmnce or pear stock?
Mr. Allen, on the pear stock.

10

GaNSELL's BeRGAMOTTE — ^FIRST RATE.

Mr. Barry, of the Committee, remarked that when it was first rate it was
first rale, and exceedingly fine.

Mr. Bryant had never yet been able for five, six, or eight years in succes-
sion, to grow any one kind of pear and produce perfect specimens. The Ber-
gamotte was a first rate pear, and grew finely. Last year they were perfect —
this year miserable.

Mr. Allen, of Oswego, said they had had many years experience in relation
to this pear at Oswego. They found it first rate in quality, but not as a
bearer.

Mr. Barry said it would not succeed on quince stock, except when double-
worked.

Mr. IIovEY regarded it as always first rate when grown well ; but as the
gentleman of the Committee well expressed, it was always first rate when it
is so. The whole aspect of the tree was wild. The underside of the leaf
was mealy, and one could tell the tree at the further side of the nursery. —
While it was young it required care to raise a handsome tree. At a certain
age it grew off well, and bore a fair crop. The best specimen he ever saw
was in ihe collection of J. P. Cushing, of Boston. The tree might have eon-
twined 100 pears, Mr. Cushing, whose opinion was good, considered it one
of the best pears in his coUeciions, alihougii it was rather a poor bearer — ^bet-
ter growing than Winter Nelis. It was very ehort-jointed, whereas the Win-
ter Nelis was very long-jointed, like thft Willow. It was of slender growth;
but the Gansell's Bergamotte made a short, stumpy growth.

Mr. Hodge had been acquainted wiih this fruit for a number of years. Some
four or five years since he received some fine fruit from Canada West, called
the Dickson Pear. On cultivation, he found it to be the same pear they were
now discussing. It was very highly recommended. He had seen the fruit at
St. Catharine's, Canada, where many individuals cnlled it very superior — one
of the best in that country. Col. Dickson raised it, and it was c;;lled by his
name. He did not think it was a full bearer, and would prefer to class it aa
nearly first rate.

The Chairman enquired if tlie Dixon Pear was a synonym of the present
specimen.

Mr. Hodge said it was.

Mr. GooDSELL considered it a first rate pear — the best of the Bergamottes.
It was a b^id grower in the nursery.

Napoleon — good second rate,

A beautiful grower on quince stock — succeeds admirably, and bears bounti-
fully. In a moderately Lirge collection it was a very desirable pear.
Mr. Goodsell thought it should be ranked simply as second rate.

St. Giiistain,

By two of the Committee as first, and by one as second rate.

Mr. Barry. — A beautiful ' grower — bears moderately. The Commit-
tee had knowniLforanumbcr of years, and always found it unsurpassable —
quite as good as the Seckle or any other.

Mr. HovEY thought if there was a first rate pear in the country it was this.

Mr. Downing had grown bushels, and never saw a first rate one in his life.

Mr. HovEY was not sure it would succeed at all on quince, nor that it was a
good bearer, his trees being young. All the trees he had seen were young,

11

and the fruit invariably tine — a number one. There could scarcely be better
fruit, it was of moderate size — about as large as the Tyson.

Mr. We.xdell remarked that the specimen was from his tree, and he had
found it a free grower. It was a beautiful tree, and bore well. It was as
near fir^t rate as could well be.

Mr. Saul had never himself tested the St. Ghistain ; but he had learned
from the judges in Boston that it has proved first rate there. He had tasted
them repeaitdly in the locality where he resided, but had never found them
first rate, lie had tasted of both specimens presented, and found neither of
them first rate. One of them, he observed, was cracked, and was getting
mellow and decaying. He had seen lots of them fall oif green, which were
mellow and decayed at the core. He had no doubt that what was stated by
Mr. Hovey was true in those localities.

Mr. D. riio.AiAS hdd cultivated the St. Ghistain, and had never seen any of
the defects just mentioned; consequently he supposed there was a difference
in difiere.it localhies. In reference to his own locality, his experience found
it to be first rate.

BuFFUM Peak,

First rate by one of the Committee, second rate by the other two.

Mr. Barry considered it first rate. Wherever he had seen it ripen, it was
much like the White Doyenne, and he preferred it to that pear. It was a good
bearer wherever he had known it.

The Preiident had always understood it as only 2nd rate. Ke had trees for
sale, and should be glad if it really was a first rate fruit.

Mr' Bakey thougntif the people of Illinois could just taste this fruit, he
was satij.iicd that llie Doctor would sell his trees.

Mr. Brya.nt had three or four beautiful trees, which grew finely, and pro-
duced well. He had had them six, eight, and nine years in bearing, and though
he had ripened them at different times, he never could get a sv.'eet, good fruit
from them. The subsoil of his ground was clay, and at the surface the soil
was rich ; yet he found it impossible to get sweet fruit.

Mr. Hodge agreed ■with jMr. Barry, that it was a first rate grower.

Mr. Allen, of Oswego pronounced it first rate, but not quite as melting as
White Doyenne.

Long Green — second rate.

Mr. Barry. — Pk.emarkable as a grower, juicy, worthy of a place in large col-
lections.

jVIr. Hovey remarked that the Long Green of Autumn was often sent from
Fra'nce for Long Green. They were quite different, but one was equally as
good as the other. He stated this only because some might think they had
this when they had the other. He considered the Long (ireen as first rate,
though not among the best. About all the Pomologists in his vicinity consid-
ered it BO, and us cultivation was becoming more and more extended every
year.

Mr. Allen, of Oswego, said it was a remarkably thrifty tree — a good bear-
er— good, but not always first rate.

JuLIENE SECOND RATE.

Mr. Parsons said that a first rate specimen was sometimes seen, but very
rarely.

12

Mr. Barry said it was a fine grower and bearer — ^the only trouble was its
variability. Though sometimes first rate, it was at others not worth being
eaten at all.

Mr. Hodge remarked that the specimen before them was from his own
grounds, and was one of the most productive pears on his premises. It was a
long time in ripening. Frequently specimens would be ripe two or three
weeks before others. They were never first rate unless gathered before they
became yellow. Though often nearly first rate, they were generally second
rate. He had frequently known them worthless.

Mr. J. J. Thomas thought it ought to be rejected for general cultivation.

Mr. HovEY considered the opinions expressed very correct. It was occa-
sionally first rate, but not often. Worthless was a character that did not cer-
tainly belong to it. It was a great bearer, and a prettily growing tree. They
could always depend upon it for a crop. It was sometimes almost first rate,
and about always second rate — never worthless. For years together they
had no summer pears ; but now they had the Tyson, the Ott, and other pears
of recent introduction. It was considered once a first rate pear ; but gentle-
men were aware that their taste was progressing, and what wa? good ten
years ago, was not so now — because they had other and better fruits. He
was glad they had reversed the opinion of last year, which he considered very
hasty and inconsiderate.

Fredrick of Wertemburg — second rate.

Mr. Parsons. — A poor grower, and may sometimes be considered valuable,
but should not plant it.

Mr. Barry. — It is a moderate grower, sometimes one of the most be auti-
ful — is very variable — cannot depend on it — for large collections should still
be retained — not in small.

Mr. Hovey agreed w ith the Committee. He had seen the pears when
they attracted more attention than any other in the Mass. Horlicultural Socie-
ty. No wax imitation could be so beautiful. The specimen presented was
one from Mr. Bryant, of Buff'alo. When they were in their best condition, of
beautiful size and shape, with their proper color — a pale yellow and scarlet
cheek — there could be no better. It was a variety which he should never
want to throw out of his collection. It required a high cultivation. The
small ones when about half grown, must be picked, and also those which
look rusty, and the remainder will attain a large size.

Mr, Bryant had fruited this pear for a good many years, and had found it
very variable, but a very good pear. He would notice a fact that transpired
last year in their Convention. They had compared Mr. Manning's with his
own, and Col. Hodge's with Mr. Elliott's. Mr. Elliott produced a specimen
twice as large as any of the others, and he informed him that he did it by feed-
ing his trees with bone dust. He had never seen the like of those produced
last year.

Mr. Allen, of Oswego, said it was one of the earliest bearers, but the most
variable pear they cultivated — varying from first rate to worthless. The most
beautiful specimens were only equalled in size by the largest pears.

Mr. DouGALL said it was a pretty fiiir grower, but not handsome. It had
always been inferior with him.

Fulton Pear.

First rate by two of the Committee, second rate by one.

Mr. Barry considered it first rate, and had found it so as loner as he had

cultivated it. It did well in the Eastern and Northern regions of the country,
and in his opinion was very valuable, and entitled to a place in small collec-
tions.

Mr. HovEY had a good deal of knowledge of it for a long time. It was a
variety that originated in Maine. He had seen it in Mr. Manning's garden
and elsewhere. He was inclined to consider it as nearly first rate. Taking
all its qualities — the productiveness of the tree, and its hardiness, it should be
so denominated. It should be in every collection, however small. It had a
dark, russet skin. Although it matured about the 1st of October, those
which were picked up from the tree as early as the last of August would ri-
pen. This fact ,would recommend it everywhere. His attention was first
called to it by Mr. Manning, whose opinion he had usually found correct in
relation to fruits.

Passe Colmar — second rate.

Mr. Bryant had cultivated it a great many years, and found it a very ex-
cellent, early winter pear ; and he had never had any that he thought better.

Mr. HovEY was surprised at the report of the Committee. It had received
the first premium of the Mass. Horticultural Society, 1848 — he believed, at
their exhibition ; or what was the same thing as the first, because they did
not give the same kind of pear the first, second, or third premium. They had
specimens presented of the largest size, and as yellow as gold. In that state
no pear can be better — very few as good. It was different from any pear ;
there was no acid about it — nothing but sugar. He thought if there was any
pear entitled to be considered as first rate, it was the Passe Colmar. It has
a tendency to produce two crops the same season, and unless well supplied
with food, by a rich soil, the tree may be injured for the succeeding year's
crop. With good cultivation, it was decidedly the King of Pears.

Mr. Bryant said that as far as his experience went, it would not ripen in a
cellar or cold room ; but only in a moderately warm room.

Mr. Doug ALL had not succeeded in ripening it perfectly.

Mr. D. Tho:\ias had seen a notice in the " Farmer's Chronicle," which his
friend Bateham had sent him, that a person had taken one of these green win-
ter pears and put it in a warm room. In about a week or ten days it ac-
quired a fine golden color, and was matured. He (Mr. T.) immediately
brought up some fruit from a cold cellar, and in just about that period of time
they bt'came very fine indeed. He had always understood that there were
many more pears that required to be ripened at a higher temperature than
was attained in cellars.

Mr. DouctAll had always endeavored to ripen his in a warm room, and had
found no trouble even with the Easter Beurre.

Mr. D. Thomas said they could ripen the Vergalieu, as it was called, just
when they pleased in a v/arm room in the fall of the year ; but the Easter
Beurre ripened only in spring — such ought not to be brought into a warm
room until their period of ripening arrives ; otherwise, their ripening dries
them up.

Mr. HovEY said the subject of ripening pears was little understood. Whe n
varieties, now counted as almost valueless, were properly grown and ripened ,
he thought we should find that we had more good pears than were now gen-
erally supposed. He made these remarks, merely for the purpose of inducing
gentlemen not to mutilate and cut off their trees too fast. They had better
wait till they find out how to ripen the fruit.

Mr. Saul classed this among the variable pears. He had seen it occasion-
ally first rate, and then again pretty hard and knurly.

On motion, the Convention took a recess until 2 1-2 o'clock P. M.

14

AFTERNOON SESSION.

Two AND One-Half, P. M.
After the Convention was called to order, the Committee presented the

BeURRE DiEL, — NEARLY ALWAYS FIRST RATE.

Mr. Barky. This pear bore well on the quince stock.

The President said the quince stock was recommended when pear stocks
were scarce.

Mr. Allen of Oswego considered it second rate on young trees, and first
rate on old.

BeURRE D'AmATIS SECOND RATE.

Mr. Barry. It was generally found first rate, but the specimen presented
was only second rate, if that.

Mr. HovEY thought the report of last year's Convention on this variety
about correct. Upon a tree with an excessive crop, the fruit would be small,
otherwise fine.

Dix Pear, — first rate.

Mr. CoFPOCK asked of Col. Hodge if it was known in this part of the coun-
try?

Mr. Hodge said he knew but little about it.

Mr. Barry said it had a high reputation eastward, but had not been tested
to his knowledge in the Western part of New York.

Mr. Hovey. The specimen here shown is from the collection of Mr. Elli-
ott. It was not usually ripe until December. The specimen was wormy, but
all who tasted it said it was first rate. From one parlicular cause it had not
become very well known in New England? It originated in Boston, and was
first brought to notice in 1828 or 1829. It was supposed to have sprung from
the seed of the St. Germrdn, which it resembled in quality and habits. In nine
cases out of ten it required at least eight years growth. It had been stated
to him tluit it was known to bear before that time, but he had known it to bo
twelve to eighteen years before bearing. The tree bears in some years 2 1-2
bushels, and they have been sold at $2 a dozen, or .$30 a bushel. They are
very scarce from the fict that the trees generally are not yet bearing. It
would not make good trees directly upon the quince — at least not in ten years.
It would scarcely keep alive. It was in every respect a first rate fruit. He
would assure the Committee that the specimen was prematurely ripe, yet even
now it possessed those excellent qualities attributed to it. It "was a pear that
should bo in every collection, and in large quantities.
Mr. Barry said it would not grow on the quince stoclc.

Easter Beurre, — second rate.

The President had fruited the Easter Beurre in Illinois. It seldom re-
mained on the tree long enough to ripen, and he supposed it would take until
spring to do so. It bore well at the West, and tlie fruit was very Mr.

Mr. Hovey could not allow the opinion of the Committee to be recorded,
without at the same time having his own recorded, — that it was not a second
but a first rate pear, and not only first rate but the best winter pear they yet
had seen. Beurre Ranz and some others, have a liigh reputation, and may bo

15

better ; they knew little of them. But if Easter Beurre conld be properly
ripened, and properly grown, it stood at the head of all that had been cultiva-
ted. There were some new pears of Belgian origin lately introduced, of
which they liad no knowledge. They had some well ripened Easter Beurres
and others shrivelled, but every year good specimens were to be found in plen-
ty. The only fault in not attaining perfection, arose from the want of knowl-
edge of the ripening process. They required to be kept in a cool tempera-
ture until within a fortnight of maturity, and then brought into a warm room,
and when it was ripened, it would become as rich and melting as any pear they
possessed.

Mr. Hodge could hardly agree with the gentleman from Boston, in regard
to this pear. He hid fruited it for eight years, and though he found it a very
good bearer, he could hardly class it higher than second rate. He had found
a good deal of difficulty in ripening it. It was frequently gritty, and he had
almost dispensed with cultivating it for the last two or three years. It was
inferior to Winter Nelis or Glout Morceau.

Mr. Barrv said that it fell so far short of attaining maturity on pear stock,
that it could not be ranked as first rate. On the quince, it was one of the best
of pears. In France, it was one of the finest grown on the continent, but was
grown entirely on quince stock. In the winter, they might see them in all the
cafes, large and fine.

Mr. Wendell remarked that the specimens he had grown had been alto-
gether on free stocks, and not on quince.

Jlr. Allen of Oswego said that at Oswego it v/as found to be an early bear-
er. He had found a specimen last year which ripened. They put them aa
Becond rate, but as more melting than the Beurre Diel.

Bleeker's Meadow, — second eate.

Mr. J. J. Thomas thought it not better than fifchrate.

Mr. Barry remarked that a gentleman pref^ent in the meeting who cultivat-
ed a great many of the best pears known, said that this was his particular fiv
vorite — one of the finest for premiums. His ov/n experience however led him
to differ from the gentleman, and he did not consider it worth much.

David Thomas said he had had a large sized tree of this variety, and he be-
came satisfied that it required a more southern latitude.

Mr. Byram said that though it was one of the most productive pears inKy.,
it was accounted hardly Vv^orth bringing to market.

Mr. Hodge considered it unworthy of cultivation.

Mr. Hovey would not go so far as to say it was unworthy of cultivation. —
It wanted to be ripened properly, and then it was a very decent pear, but per-
haps hardly second rate.

Mr. Allen, of Oswego, said it was a very abundant pear, and by some ama-
teurs accounted first rate. He thought he should put it as second or third
rate. It was an early bearer.

The Committee now took up the subject of

APPLES.

The first variety considered, was the '

RoxBURY Russet — first rate.
No objection was offered to the opinion of the Committee.

16

Hawthonden.

First rate for cooking, second quality — productive and handsome.

Mr. J. DouGALL considered it a profitable variety. If a person has but one
tree, plant this, because he would always be sure of a crop — a great and early
bearer. In England or Scotland they are in the habit of planting their orch-
ards, every other tree, of this, or Keswick Codlin.

Mr. Barry made remarks similar to Mr. Dougall's.

Dr. Kennicott. — Valuable in productiveness,and so also vdth Keswick Cod-
lin. Not fit to eat, but useful as a kitchen fruit.

Mr. HovEY. — It has good qualities in everything but eating — bears young,
and profusely. There was much demand for the fruit in his vicinity, from
amateurs, who wanted them for show.

Beurre Bosc — Pear.

Dr. Wendell said a free grower and bearer — first rate in every respect.

Mr. IIovEY mentioned one quality — it would not grow well on quince, un-
less double-worked. Does well upon the pear stock, though rather a tardy
grower — no necessity of grafting it on the quince.

Maiden's Blush — second rate.

Very beautiful. The President remarked that it was said to bear well in
Southern Illinois.

Mr. Barry said that this year it bore a good crop — scarcely any other apple
trees liaving borne. It resembled the Hawthonden very much.

Autumn Swaar,

Presented for information.

Mr. Goodsell had been acquainted with it for many years. It was a very
handsome, second rate. Autumn apple.

Albert Gallatin Peach.

Presented for information.

Mr. Barry remarked that it was a very delicious peach.

Mr. Thorp, who presented this specimen, said he obtained it from Mr. Yeo-
mans, of Wayne Co., but could not tell where that gentleman got it. He
supposed it was a kind that had been cultivated for some time.

Rambo Apple.

The President said it was the fall and early winter apple of Illinois. It
was generally abundant and fair, though the specimen was not so fair as usual .

Mr. Bateham said that in Oliio it was esteemed more than any other apple.
It was said to have originated in Pennsylvania. It kept until near the mid-
dle of winter.

Rawle's Janette.

The President said that this apple was much praised in middle Illinois. —
It succeeds well there, from its habit of late blooming, and thus escaping
spring frosts. It was said to be a constant and good bearer, and an excellent
keeper.

17

Mr. Bateham stated, that in the valleys of southern Ohio, where their other
fruits were liable to decay, from ripening too early, this fruit was admirably
adapted. It kept well, and was becoming greatly esteemed.

Mr. Byram stated that it was one of their standard fruits in Ky., and they
had frequently to make up their store of fruit from this alone, in consequence
of the injuries by frost to the other varieties. It was very productive — bear-
ing, generally, every year. He had kept specimens of it till the fourth day of
August.

The report of the Committee on Seedlings was then received by Conven-
tion, from the Chairman, Mr. A. Saul, of Newburgh, N, Y., as follows :

ON APPLES.

1st. Fink's Seedling — Of the Report of Ohio Fruit Convention. Speci-
mens presented of 1848 and '49 ; second rate in flavor ; and from examination
of specimens present, valuable only for remaining juicy and keeping remar-
kably.

2d. Heickes Sweet — ^Of Ohio Fruit Convention. About third rate, and
not worthy of cultivation.

3d. Summer Russet — From Parsons & Co., Flushing; size, below medi-
um ; form, roundish conical ; color, yellow, partly russetted. A pleasant,
rather sweet, and of a moderately rich, spicy flavor ; worthy the attention of
Pomologists.

PEACHES.

Seedling Cling — From W. G. Verplanck, Geneva ; large, beautiful yellow
peach, of medium quality. The Committee cannot discover that it is worthy
of general introduction.

Seedling — From Mr. Taylor, Amherstburgh, C. W. ; color, red, white
flushed ; freestone, medium size ; melting, of good quality, but having been
kept several days, could not decide on its value.

PLUMS.

Dorr's Seedling — From Albany ; a very productive, nev/ sort ; the speci-
mens very imperfect, but the Committee were favorably impressed \vith its
value.

Col. Young's Seedling Egg — An improvement in flavor on the White
Magnum Bonum ; smaller in size. The Committee can only commend it to
further examination.

Denxistons' Yellow Seedling — Mottled Seedling, and Pear Shaped Red
were in such an imperfect state, from having been kept several days through
the fair, the Committee could not decide on the quality.

Madison — Rather below medium; yellowish green; broadly blotched with
reddish brown, rich, sweet and excellent ; well worthy of public notice.

Two Seedling Plums — From Cazenovia; immature, and the Committee
could not discover valuable qualities in them worthy of recommendatioiL

PEARS.

Hegerman — From Flushing, L. I.; closely resembling Buffiim in appearance
and flavor, if not identical.

In conclusion, the Committee must remark, in justice to themselves, and to
the fruits presented to them, that it is impossible to decide satisfactorily on the

18

chaviicter of a new variety, from a single examination ; especially if immature
or partly decayed, or injured by long carnage, and therefore the Conmiittec
would not wish these reports to be regarded as more than partly conjectural.

Many of the members in incidental Convention having signified their inten-
tion not to remain in attendance upon the Convention another day, owing, in
many cases, to flitigue in attendance on the State Agricultural Fair. It waa
next deemed advisable to provide some plan for the publication of tlie pro-
ceedings. The Secretary haraig made some little calculation of tiie expense,
the President stated tliat to enable the Convention to publish these proceed-
ings, it would require a contribution of two dollars from each member.

Mr. HovEY moved that the reports of proceedings in this Convention, to-
gether with State Fniit Reports, Letters, &c., be prepared and published by
the Secretar)', under the suerpeintendence of the other officers. Passed.

Many members of the Convention then came forward, and paid the amount
assessed by them as above.*

After the usual resolution of thanks to the presiding officers, &;c., the Con-
vention adjourned, to meet in accordance with the rule adopted in the resolu-
tion of Dr. Herman Wendell, viz : to meet at each time and place as should be
designated by the Committee.

In making up this report, the Secretary omits the list of varieties of fruits
exhibited, as a matter of no particular benefit to the public, and attended with
considerable expense m the publishing.

The following description of a very valuable, new seedling pear, was re-
ceived from Proffesor J. P. Kirtland, of Cleveland, Ohio. A painting also ac-
companied the description, for which, see fronticepiece.

Kirtland — Synonymes — Seedling Seckle — Kirtland's Seedling.

Size, medium ; the circumference six and a half inches ; length, including
stem, two and a half; form globular ovate ; exterior color rich crimson russet,
varying to a dull green; texture fine, melting, juicy and rich; color of flesh
white ; flavor, aromatic, sweet, and in the highest degree delicious ; seeds, usu-
ally full, short and blackish ; stem, six-eighths of an inch in length, thick, and
somewhat curved ; eye, small, moderately deep, with the sedgments of the
calyx short, reflexed and persistent ; season, September ; color of wood and
growth ; the wood is of the same color as the fruit, and the general habit of the
U-ee resembles a thiifty White Doyenne.

Remarks. — ^In the close of the year 18191 furnished my brother, H. T. Kirt-
land, with a few seeds of the Seckel Pear, grown in the State of Connecticut.
From these he raised several trees on his farm, in Poland, Mahoning Co., Ohio,
one of which he gave me in the year 1826, and which produced the fruit exhi-
bited at the New York State Fair last Autumn, at Buffalo, and noticed in Vol.
VIII, pages 108 and 109, of Transactions of N. Y. State Agricultimd Society.
It is no novelty in Mahoning Co., Oliio, but is well known by every cultivator
of fruit, and is esteemed as one of the finest varieties. In hardiness and pro-
ductiveness it far excells the parent Seckel, and in point of flavor is esteemed
as superior by many people.

The name attached to it, has designated it for years, and was applied by the
public as a compliment to the originator of the seedling, Henry T. Kirtland.

*The Secretary would here state, to the gentlemen who not hearing this stateinent.and therefore?
nnknowing the requiremeBt,neglected to pay their assessment, that Ihey can forward their due*
to him, atClevelmid, Ohio, and receive in reiurn the amount iu copies of the "Proceedings."

REPORT

OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE NORTH AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL CONVENTION
FOR THE STATE OF ILLINOIS,

By J. A. KENNICOTT, of The Grove, Chairman.
Gentlemen of the Convention:

Your Committee for the State of Illinois has directed me to report, person-
ally, as it has been found impracticable for us to meet in session. I would
observe however, that I have seen all the members, (with one exception,) and
have corresponded freely with them, and with many of our professional breth-
ren, in Northern and Middle Illinois. But I am sorry to be obliged to add,
that I have obtained no reliable information from the Southern portion of our
State, and which I fear, has in more ways than one, established an indubitable
right to the local synonym of " Loioer Egijptr

It should be borne in mind, that our State extends through more than five
degi-ees of latitude ; and that the general aspect and character of the country,
tlaough somewhat diversified, is very unlike any of the older States. Its great
and distinguishing, or generic features, are its Prairies. They extend witJi
few interruptions from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi, west and south, and
are the principal lands devoted to cultivation in the State of Illinois.

We have no mountains, and few elevations of sensible note. We are in
the habit, when speaking of our lands, of dividing them in the first place, into
" Timber " and " Prairie Lands." The timbered lands are again known as,
" River Bottoms," — Groves, Burr Oak Openings, and Barrens. The Prairies
are known as " wet " and " dry," — or high and low, — and " Level " or " Roll-
ing Prairies."

The River Bottoms are often composed of deep, alluvial deposits, and rich
natural soils, left from the subsidence of the watei's, when our Great Lakes
abandoned their southern outlet ; and perhaps annual additions from floods;
and from the vegetable accretions of unknown years since that event. But
much of the timber lands near the streams, are of a different and less desira-
})le order, ranging from those which produce the burr oak, hickory, butternut,
black walnut, and basswood, to those covered with the white and black oak.
The former of these are always good ; the latter generally poor, and often
barren, and worthless for agricultural purposes:

It is worthy of note that the timber is always found on the easterly side of
the streams, in the Prairie country ; and where you find natural timber, ther*
\\i\\ you find water, more or less permanent and abundant.

The Groves, or " Islands," as they were fimcifuUy called by the old squat-
ters, are scattered over the whole face of the country, and are the only " land
marks," and the most beautiful feature of pr.iirie land, as God made it. The
Groves are in size from the solitary clusters of trees, that you might count in
.•1 breath, up to those of miles in extent, and furnishing fire wood and fencing
fur hundreds of prairie farms.

The soil of the Groves is, in gencnd, better than that near the lakes and
streams, (the alluvion excepted,) partaking more of the nature of the surroun-
ding prairie.

Burr-oak Openings are intermediate in their characters: They are found in
detached Groves, or as the skirts of the heavy timber, of the water courses.

20

and basins. The burr-oak soil is always good, and often excellent. " Bar-
rens " are found every where ; some are sandy, others clay ; they are fortu-
nately of small extent, thougli of frequent occurrence, in the timber region.
The sandy barrens produce well when highly manured; the clay is avoided by
all cultivators of American origin.

The best, and fortunately for immediate agricultural purposes, the largest
sample of wet Prairie, is to be found at and near the lake end of the Illinois
and Michigan Canal, along the ancient outlet of the lake, in the vicinity of
Chicago. Much of this prairie, where underlaid with sand or gravel, is easily
drained, and makes good land though apt to sutfer from drouth. That over
clay wnth very deep and peaty soil is liable to the same objection; but after
thorougli ploiighings, it is more retentive of moisture, and produces constant
and most abundant crops.

Many small tracts known as " wet prairie " fifteen years ago, and rejected
by the "first settlers, have become dry, by being annually mown and fed down
by domestic animals, without other than its natural drainage, and exposure to
to sun and air, by the destruction of the impervious screen of tall " slougli
grass."

The " Dry Prairies " are generally very similar in appearance so far as sur-
face is concerned. Small portions of " level prau'ie " are found every where,
but to constitute dry prairie it must be " rolling." Between the waves on
this great ocean of God's own beautiful sod, are the " sloughs," the terror of
the early emigrant, and the most valued possession of his successor, as often
affording water, and always an unfailing and most luxuriant natural meadow.
These sloughs are the drains of the dry prairie. They are in general nearly
parallel, and oftenest at about a right angle witli the coure of the rivers ; they
are from 40 to 160 rods asunder, and sometimes of many miles in length. The
soil of the dry praiiie is from 12 to 18 inches deep, in this region — the wet
prairie, in general, much deeper — and the alluvion, as in all countries, of irreg-
ular, and often astonishing depth.

SOIL, SUBSOIL MANURES, &c.

C. R. Overman, Pomologist, of Canton, III, writes me "That the natural
soil of our country is evidently an alluvial deposit, abounding more or less
with lime ; that of the praines is a rich black loam, on an average two feet in
depth with a trace of fine sand. In the timbered lands, a strong clay soil, of
less depth, generally predominates, though in some places it is a deep rich pli-
able loam, similar \o that of ' river bottoms.' "

Mr. E. Harkness, writes — " My locality is 20 miles west from Peoria, Lat.
40 deg. 30 min., on the table lands, elevated about 250 feet from the Illinois
River. The soil is a rich dry mould, resting upon a bed of yellow clay, slight-
ly mixed with fine sand. 1 have found the roots of young apple trees, not
more than 4 inches in diameter, which had penetrated /t«n-/ee^ downwards in-
to this clay, and ten feet from the collar of the tree, — so that this may be re-
garded as pei-meable to the roots of trees," &c., &c.

M. L. DuNLAP, says — " The whole country north of the ' The Coal Region'
appears to be underlaid with lime rock, of various qualities, of unequal stra-
ta, and irregular dip. It occasionally crops out, and furnishes an excellent
caustic lime for building, and agricultural purposes, while, in some places, it is
magnesia, and highly charged with sulphate of iron."

That the surface soil is every where " highly impregnated with the salts of
iron," says Mr. Dunlap, " is easily shown by driving a green oak stake into it,
and letting it remain a few weeks, when it will be found that the iron has unit-
ed vdth the tannic acid of the oak, and given it a fine blue black color."

21

There is a great abundance of lime in our subsoil, every where, through this
region, and I doubt not iron and potash, in a liberal proportion. But as I have
specimens of soil and subsoil now in process of analysis by Professor Blaney
of Rush Medical College, I shall await his report, hoping to append it to this
paper in season for publication. Professor Blaney's analyses have been inter-
rupted by the prevailing epidemic in Chicago. But it will come in good time,
and will be scientific and reliable.

I will merely say that probably, nine-tenths of this region has a claij subsoil
— the balance, sand and gravel. The white clay is of various deptlis ; I have
found it from 15 to 25 feet ; and then blue clay to the depth of 40 feet ; after
that quick sand, above the lime stone. Our soil is, in general, very dark color-
ed,— in fact, black, from carbon probably. The soil becomes lighter colored
by cultivation, and as our English neighbors say, " sadder "; and then it requires
manure, — and manure is at all times m^eful — in no country more so — though
not always necessary. We are not in the habit of curing or using our ma-
nures with much care ; further south, the cattle yard is removed, instead of
the manure heap.

For fruit trees, especially the apple and quince, I have found barn yard
manure, half decayed chips, charcoal, and ashes serviceable. I have tried
lime, but except on a small peaty spot, without benefit. Mr. Dunlap says
he has killed apple trees by ashes: perhaps he gave them too much. I have
found it decidedly serviceable, — and so says Mr. Miller. Many seem to think
that the annual burning of the prairie furnishes potash. They forget that
this potash comes from the soil to which it is returned in a free state, and
immediately taken up agaia. The combustion probably furnishes most of
the carbon in the surface soil, and this is taken from the atmosphere. The
soil is generally blackest, where deepest ; and dryest, where the subsoil is
sand or gravel, or as clay or sand predominates in the surface. Generally,
that soil which contains the least undecomposed vegetable fibre, suffers the
least from drouth, and vice versa. But deep and constant cultivation and ju-
dicious drainage, soon equalize and regulate evaporation, infiltration, and
absorption, on most of our lands over clay ; and judicious manuring, and
occasional " seeding down" will keep them good, though they will gradually
lose their dark color in the process, and doubtless much of their natural fer-
tility.

Few orchards recieve much manure, and it is highly probable, that more
trees (taking all sorts) are injured than benefited thereby, in our rich prairie
country. Mr. L. Montague writes Anson S. Miller, thus, "I will here remark
that there is not one foot of land in Illinois that requires manure for fruit
trees, other than ashes and lime, and old compost," &c., &:.c. " Peaches, plums,
and cherries, should never taste manure."

CLIMATE.

The climate of Illinois is extremely variable. Our winters, though com-
paratively short, are very cold, and we have, in general, little snow to pro-
tect plants, at and below the suriace of the earth. The ground, some sea-
sons, freezes deeply, — others, not at all, except in exposed situations. Our
winter is often a double one, — a " cold snap" in December, mild in January,
and then cold again in February. The changes of temperature are sudden
and violent, and fruit trees suffer therefrom in various ways. We can not
plant in autumn with any degree of safety, as the constant freezing and
thawing of the ground throws the plant from its bed, unless artificially pro-
tected, by a deep covering of litter, or a mound of earth ; and then, the
shock tha't the vital principle receives, from then* removal, renders them lesa

22

xible to withstand the effects of our sudden and violent alternations of cold
and heat, and a liability to disease, or actual death is the result.

In this corner of the state, the influence of the great Lakes is beneficially
felt during fall and winter, and reversely in spring and early summer. Our
coldest winter winds are from the west ; and those of spring and summer,
from the north and east.

As you go south, the climate, thougli still variable, is much milder, until at
its southern extremity we find it as propitious as that of some of the south-
ern states, — the cotton plant maturing a partial crop, aud the indigenous cane,
though dwarfish, surviving the winters.

I have received no figures from the South, and cannot therefore give the
range of the thermometer from below our Lake region. But the Report
from Missouri will doubtless supply this deficiency.

I regret having to say that I have kept no register, and that the figures fur-
nished me by my friends in northern Illinois, are so widely different, that I
am inclined to believe that some of their instruments must be imperfect. I
merely state that the range, as given me (for 1849) by men of science and
observation, is from 30 deg. beloio to 102 deg. above zero, in the shade.

I will give a few figures from the most reliable sources only :

1849. For Chicago : by Professor Blaney, Coldest day, 15 deg. below 0

Near the Grove: by M. L. Dunlap, " 16 deg. " 0

1848. AtElgin: byMr.Truesdell; Dec.Tth, " 16 deg. " 0

1849. » " January 20th, " 19 deg. " 0
1849. AtNaperville: byMr. Elsworth, " 20 deg. " 0
1849. Near Galena: (questionable authority.) " 30 deg. " 0

I have the most complete report from our Member, Hon. Anson S. Miller,
of Rockford, Winnebago Co., Illinois, (some 50 miles north west of The
Grove,) and which may be taken as an average standard for northern Illi-
nois. Mr. Miller writes me, that he is indebted to Doctor Haskell, of Rock-
ford, for his figures, and that the Doctor is minutely regular and correct in
his observations. I condense as follows :

1848. March : From 10 deg. to 40 deg. above zero, at sunrise.

But one day, March 3d, after the 20th Feb.,— below 20 deg. above 0.

1848. April : Average, 35 deg. above 0, at sunrise.

1848. May: " 45 deg. " 0, "

1848. June ; " 60 deg. " 0, " Hottest day, 19th, 92 deg., at noon.

1848. July: " 00 deg. " 0, " Hottest day, 10th, 96 deg., at noon.

1849. Coldest day, February 19th, 18 deg. below zero, sunrise.

1849. Average of January and February, 20 deg. above zero at sunrise ; warmest winter day
48 deg. above zero ; One of the coldest winters since the settlement of the country.

I have no record of the quantity or depth of the snow— both were considerable— though not
equal to some winters. The ground was but little frozen.

The proportion of clear sun-shiny days, during our summer and autumn
months — an average of seasons — is as more than two to one, and believed
to be nearly one-third more sunshine than east of the Lakes.

From the weight of testimony, and all the figures received, I am inclined
to believe that the range of the thermometer for 1849 may be set down, at
117 deg., or from 19 deg. below zero at sunrise, to 98 deg. above, at noon,
*'in the shade"; and where the transitions are as rapid and considerable as
in this latitude, you may readily infer, that none but the hardiest trees, with
wood fully matured, are i\i all times safe from the influence of such great
and sudden changes of t iiioerature. The past winter and the present sum-
mer furnish the most abi, ,il;)nt and discouraging proofs of this i-Mi. Per-
haps at least three-fourtUs ui Ihe peach trees were entirely, or partially wm-
ter-killed, throughout this entire region. Pears have suffered very conside-
rably, especially those which made a large growth the preceding season.
Plums have been injured in some places, and even apples. Nectarines and

23

apricots are mostly dead. Cherries, where but little wood was made, have
withstood the winter as well as usual. But shrubbery has been badly cut
down ; nearly all the hardy June Roses killed to the snow, — and even Li-
lacs dead, " root and branch."

Our summer has been a cold one — the few hot days to the contrary nev-
ertheless— and the early growth in the orchard and nursery has not been
large ; and the occasional very hot days, or some other malignant influences,
have seared and blighted the early foliage, as with fire. Nearly all the fruits
— the locust, and some hardy forest trees, even — have shown more or less of
this partially scorched appearance, in the June and July leaves, though the
growth at this time (August 30th) is good, and the foUagc healthy.

But, notwithstanding all these grave disasters, and natural drawbacks, it
will be seen that Illinois " is bound to be," perhaps, the greatest fruit country
in the world. Labor is dear, and trees have heretofore been difficult to pro-
cure. Still Ave have persevered, and shall continue to plant trees, until the
bleak and naked prairie swells, shall become a rich and varied landscape of
dotted fruit groves, gemmed and glowing with Pomona's ruddy treasures,
drawn from the well wrought mine below, the ardent sun, and the free air
above, which shall then come to all with

" The Breath of orchards big with bending fruits ;"

With health in its breezy sigh, and luscious promise in its grateful odors —
more delicious than "the perfumes of the east," and more healthful than all
the nostrums from the days of Hippocrates down to this — par excellence —
the age of patent medicines.

It is nearly 200 years since the first settlement of this State by the French,
at Kaskaskia and Kahakia ; yet I have no certain evidence that there is a fruit
tree of a cultivated variety, 40 years old in Illinois, — and I am well assured
that there are but very few of even half that age.

There were a few squatters in northern Illinois — possibly a dozen or more
families — at the time of the Black Hawk War in 1832. But as the Indian
title was not extinguished until the spring of '35, no permanent settlement
was commenced until the summer and autumn of that year, so that in reali-
ty the country is but from 14 to 15 years old, counting from the date of the
first considerable immigration. When I first visited this region, only fifteen
years ago, there were not ten families where there are ten thousand now ; and
I did not see a fruit tree, or even so much as a currant bush, this side of the
present capital of the State, though I was told that there were some seedlmg
trees near Peoria ; and afterwards I saw apple trees near the garrison ground,
Chicago, planted by General Beaubian, while Chicago was our remote trad-
ing post ; and there were also a few trees set by Doctor Harmon, probably
about 1833 or '34, — but except some worthless Morello cherries, these have
all disappeared.

The first occupants here were mostly of the true squatter breed — genuine
frontier's men — that, like " the white man's fly," the honey bee, always precede
the actual settler, — so that no attention was paid to orcharding; and in truth
favf of us cared much about planting trees, until we could be tolerably cer-
tain that we were planting upon our own lands ; and of this, we had no evi-
dence until after the surveys, — and no security, until after the land sales.
The last of these events occurred only about 8 years ago ; and the former,
the year before. From this era, we date the commencement of fruit culture
in northern Illinois, though for some years thereafter we were all poor, hav-
ing been drained by our land purchases, and more especially by the 60-100
to " cent per cent," per annum, which we had pay those who /cmdZ?/ loaned us
a good share of the money.

24

Now, let us see what has been done, in these nine years, at most. I am a
son of New York, and love my native state ; and yet I declare without fear
of contradiction, tnat we, in northern Illinois, have done more to create good
orchards in the last nine years, than you had done, "west of Cayuga Bridge,"
up to the date of our commencement. Go where you will over these broad
prairies, which fifteen years ago were the homes of the " Red Men," and
were tenanted only (except along the streams) by the wolf and the badger,
the prairie chicken and sand hill crane, and you will find orchards and gar-
dens, not equal, of course, to yours 7702^!, but betler than the majority of yours
nine years ago ; not larger, for you have many orchards of large seedling
trees — or had then ; I see you are working the tops of some of them now,
and for this you deserve much credit. But we are doing better still. We
are planting the best known sorts, and we are planting them liberally, and
they will liberally, — aye, abundantly, repay the care and expense. The best
evidence of what an insular region may be doing in the way of planting or-
chards, with the certainty of ample profits, should be sought in the number
and extent of her Nurseries, and the amount of trees imported from abroad:
but of tliis in its place.

We have here some seedling orchards from 10 to 15 years old; further
south tliey are more numerous, as well as older. It is generally remarked —
and with truth — that our seedlings are better than the same class in the eas-
tern states. Soil and climate have doubtless much, if not most, to do witli
this fact; still I am led to believe, despite the VanMon's theory, that the se-
lection of seeds may have had its influence. We reason from analogy, and
are apt to believe that like should produce like. We know that the rule does
not hold good with regard to fruits; still we follow it, — at least here, and we
have seen some astonishingly favorable results. I will state an instance : My
Ijrother, H. Kennicott, purchased a part of his farm from a man who had a
peach orchard on it, from the pits of " Hoosier Peaches," to wit : Small, worth-
less, late varieties, principally clingstones. These trees have borne 6 or 6
years, and have Avithstood the last hard wnter. I have annually seen and
tasted the fruit, for they produce abundantly, — and they are actually worth-
less, except for the seeds. Illinois hogs would not eat them, and they are all
alike, and lil<e their originals. Now for the reverse: Another neighbor while
cast, some ten years ago, ate a few good early peaches, probably Barnard's
early. He planted the seeds — about a dozen, — they grew, and have borne
6 or 7 years — two of the crops very large — and sold readily at $3 50 to $4
per bushel. Of these, I have eaten annually ; they are large, and all good and
early, and all alike, — and as the others, like their progenitor, as nearly as tho
person can recollect. These, of course, are extreme cases, — still, I think they
will find their parallels in all parts of the state; and I have certainly tasted
un passing good seedling apples here, where I have one in New York: and
from my position I have the tasting of many.

There is a few miles from The Grove, quite an orchard of seedling pears,
14 years from seed, planted here. All are bearing, and what is curious, are
bearing abundantly this year : the only ones I have seen. These trees came
into bearing from the 9th to the 12th" year, and the fruit is said to be good,
though I do not remember ha\ing eaten of it.

The most of trees planted in Northern Illinois, until within the last five or
six years, were either from grown seedlings, or " Hosier Trees," generally
from the region of the Wabash, though some came from Southern Illinois.
These are often seedlings or sprouts, though sold " under name " by the tree
pedlers. These trees have made a famous growth, but they show very little
IVuit ; and when eventually worked, are too often found no better than oar
own seedlings. Indeed, my neighbor, Mr. Talcott, has quite a number of size

25

to produce 16 or 20 bushels of fruit each, and I do not believe that they have
borne one bushel each, all counted, since they vi^ere planted 14 years ago ; and
what is somewhat characteristic of " Hocsier Trees " — or pedler's trees — they
are all of the same worthless, if not nameless, variety. But for their lack of
fruitfulncss, I cannot account — it being a general complaint urged against
fluuthern trees in Northern Illinois. I have thought that this might be owing
to the ftict that most of these early trees, were woi'ked on sprouts, or small
portions of the root, of large seedlings ; but it is more likely that the change
of climate is the cause of this unfruitfulness, joined to their astonishingly
rapid and uninterrupted growth. Most trees brought from the north and east,
have come early into bearing, and have not made wood with great rapidity.

OF NURSERIES.

There is no part of the world better supplied with nurseries than Illinois,
though few of them in the north are as yet ftiirly operating "on their own
bottom," — most of them being either connected with, or purchasing largely of
Ohio and New York nurserymen. As I am somewhat deeply interested in
the business, I have taken great pains to come at the nursery statistics of the
North West. I have visited many of the nurseries, — in fact most of the lar-
ger ones, and believe that there are now, either partially operating or about to
operate, or in some stage of actual inception, not less than 50 establishments,
within a space of from 50 to 60 miles north, west, and south of The Grove,
Lake Michigan being on the east. Twelve of these nurseries are in this coun-
ty, and most of the others within 25 miles of me, " as the crow flies."

Of the nurseries in this county, I can say from personal inspection, that at
least five of them are quite respectable, and though I am not positively cer-
tain, containing, I should judge, from 30,000 to 80,000 trees, not including
young seedlings, of which one nursery has perhaps over 100,000, and all have
more or less. And in addition to fruit trees, the most of us are well suppli-
ed with ornamental trees, shrubs, and plants, of which some of us have cer-
tainly as great a variety as most eastern nurserymen.

Of the nurseries in Kane Co. (one of our best and richest interior counties,
by the way) I will let Mr. Truesdell of Elgin speak. He says in a late letr-
ter, " Six nurseries are already established in our county, setting annually
100,000 grafts or more. How much budding is done, I know not. I intend
setting this summer about 30,000," &c.

'' North, west, and south, nurseries are established, or being commenced,
in nearly the same ratio. So that, with what our eastern brethren are doing
for us, and the 'right smart chance' of southern trees, annually peddled
through the country, it will come to pass, one of these years, that fruit trees
and ornamental shrubs, will be about as plenty on the Prairies, as burr oaks
and hazel brush are on the barrens." Mr. T. is wrong there ; " burr oaks and
hazle brush" do not flourish "on the barrens." It is always comparatively
good land where they predominate.

Mr. Hurkness of Peoria writes me, of recent date, " Our operations in start-
ing young stock this season have been very successful. We have started
31,000 root grafts; 80,000 young seedlings for budding; 40,000 stocks for
grafting ; and about 200,000 Virginia Thorn plants ; and 350,000 wild orange
plants, — all of which look remarkably well."

There are many large nurseries in Mr. H.'s vicinity, and through the entire
central portion of the State. One nurseryman, not two degrees south of us,,
sold the past season, as I have been informed, (though it needs confirmation)
not less than 20,000 apple trees, under name. John Slater of St. Albans,
writes me that he sold 13,000 the last spring, and the season was bad, and

26

competition active. Mr. S. propagates all except peaches, nectarines, &c., hy
layers, which root and are fit for planting in about 3 to 4 years. The best are
then sold, and the balance set in rows in the nursery and relayed. He sells
at $40 per 1,000, or at 6 1-4 cents each, "all round," apples, pears, plums,
shrubbery, &c. — Not much chance for successfnl competition there, if his
trees are, as he asserts, better rooted, larger, finer, healthier, and earlier, and
better bearers, than worked trees of the same varieties.

All the nurserymen through Northern and Middle Illinois, with whom I
have communicated, as well as those in Southern Wisconsin, (our own neigh-
borhood— where roads were impassable, alone excepted) write me, that tliey
have " sold bare," and that the business promises well ; &till I fear that some
of us must " wind up " or do worse. It strikes me that we are, at least about
here, as they say south, " running the thing into the ground " ; and yet, this
one foct speaks volumes for the good taste and intelligence of our inhabi-
tants, and the adaptation of our soil and climate to the cultivation of fruits.

Nurserymen, are I believe always intelligent men, and should be shrewd
observers, though I fear we are not all good " business men." Our " bumps"
of benevolence grow with our trees, and we are very apt to think that we
are benefiting ourselves when we are doing good to others. Our " hope is
large " ; our fruition small. We create the plant ; others eat the fruit, or en-
joy the profits. But the practice of our beneficent profession humanizes us,
and simplifies and refines our tastes, and makes us better and happier, if not
richer and wiser men. Why then should we not be satisfied with our share of
the good we create?

The price of nursery trees varies much in different portions of our State ;
from Mr. Slater's tariff of charges, viz : " Sixpence a tree for all sorts, and
two trees given for every twenty purchased," up to our rates, which are sub-
stantially the same as in Western New York ; though pears and plums and
choice cherries (vvhichare all imported) have sold at from 50c. to $1 each ac-
cording to size, and not often in reference to scarcity of variety, or the pojiu-
lar demand. Apples and peaches only are abundant with us ; other fruits are
never found equal to demand. South of Joliet the ruling rates are low^er
than ours — say about 12 1-2 cents each for apples and peaches, and about 25
cents for pears, plums, and cherries, when of choice sorts ; but as here, these
latter are not abundant, and their varieties are limited.

In the North, our catalogues are based upon those of New York and Ohio,
though some of us have many southern names, unknown to you, and I fear,
some worthless fruit ; and I have seen near fifty synonyms given as varieties
in one catalogue, the true name being there also ; and I have counted forty-
seven new names in a southern catalogue. Nurserymen, as well as orchard-
ists south, complain that they have received many trees not true to name,
some of them from eastern establishments. Our lists need purging, and some
of our orchards, like Mr. Allen's pears, may need reworking. Still, we think
that we are not worse oflf in this particular, than you of Western New York.

THE APPLE.

Here, as elsewhere north of 36 deg., the apple is the principal fruit. We
have tested, or are now testing, all the varieties of Western New York and
Ohio, and some of our nui-serymen have introduced the most approved of the
Southern Illinois and Lnir.na varieti<^s. Mr. Overman of Canton, 111., sent
me a box of their early ]ol',:1 sorts, and I am compelled to acknowledge that
to my taste, the apples scni vrere fully 2nd rate, and at least as good (I think
much better) as some now generally cultivated as the Oslin, Hawthornden,
&c. ; and as they are set down as free growers, early and abundant bearers,

27

&.e., it is more tlia,n probable tliat some of these sorts are worthy of g-eneral
cultivation in the West.

I shall not attempt a description of these loc;il sorts: 1st, Beeanse I have
seen but little of them ; 2nd, Because I hope to be able to present the later
ones with this paper to the Convention ; and 3rd, I shrewdly suspect that
some of them will prove to be old varieties under new names, though most
of those sent me by Mr. Overman are known western seedlings.

We have fruited about 50 sorts under name, here at the Grove, and some of
my friends have fruited more. Ours that have come into bearing are not all
true to name ; but are mostly so. Some varieties, that are said to bear well
at the east, are miserably unproductive here. The Oslin, Harrison, (worthless
any way,) Newtown Pippin, Roxbury Russet, &c., &c. ; and I am afraid
that the universal Rhode Island Greening will prove a shy bearer, though the
specimens we have had are all very large and fiur. The Spy, Spitzenberghs,
&c., have not yet fruited with me : neither has the Baldwin, and this, also, is
much distrusted with us. From all parts I hear complaints of some of these
varieties, the Newtown Pippin particularly, as untitted for a hot and dry cli-
mate ; and the Kho Greening and Roxbury Russet as cracking at the collar
of the nursery tree, and as shy bearers in the orchard. All that have fruited
it, speak highly of Rawle's Janette as the apple for Illinois ; and say that the
White and Yellow Bellefleur are "perfectly at home," on our rich prairie
soils. Most Southern men speak of " Limber Twig" in terms of great praise.
It is said that the Carthouse or " Red Romanites," of the South, is one of
the most profitable market varieties "from one end of the Mississippi to the
other." Here, of all keeping apples, the Poughkeepsie,or Winter Russet,has
produced the largest crops.

Of Autumn Apples. — The Rambo receives the most praise further south.
Here, all the varieties that have come into bearing, appear to be as good, or
better, than at the east ; and, with the exception of the Oslin, the summer fruits
are all at home here. The Yellow Harvest is rather a shy bearer as yet, but
the fruit is large, and generally fair, and most excellent ; and we hope that
older trees may produce better crops. Of all early fruits, that not over good
sort, the Keswick Codlin, is the most early, uniform, and enormous bearer. —
With regard to the season of maturity, I am fully persuaded that early
FRUITS, if differing at all, are rather later here, in the Lake Regions, than in the
same latitudes near the Seaboard; and that most winter fruits mature ear-
lier than at the east. In the former, I may be mistaken, as my opportunities
for observation have not been great ; and here, when they first come into
bearing, are apt to be a little anomalous in their fructification. I account for
the fact by the character of our late spring, and early summer weather, which
is comparatively cold near the Lake, and generally wet; while our mid-sum-
mers and autumns are hot and dry — the sun acting fiercely upon foliage and
fruit, and upon our black, permeable soil, producing premature maturity in
late fruits, while the previous condition retards those of earlier habits. In
tlie south<'rn part of the State, the winter apples are very liable to the black
rot "spots," &c. ; but I have seen very little of this here.

Insects. — The Borer is rather troublesome near the timber, in all parts of
our State. He is native, and is found in the thorn, and many other native
trees. I have seldom seen the marks of this insect nearer than 18 inches
above the ground ; and have never seen him "at, or near the collar of the tree.'
Ours may be a different species. We find from one to four in each mark —
genei'ally two or three. He never enters the wood until the second year, and
I tiiink comes out during the third and fourth summers. The Borer is not

plentiful except near the timber . We always endeavor to cut him out before

he has time to bury himself in the wood. He is easily destroyed.

We have a few Canker Worms — imported ones, 1 think, as I have never no-
ticed them except on imported trees. And we have an abundance of the
small, native Catterpillar ; and I have seen a few nests of the large ones, on
imported trees. The Bark Worm is found on most eastern trees, especially
those that produce inordinate crops of fruit. I have not observed this insect
on thrifty, native treea The Green Aphides are very troublesome. Last
year these pests choaked the mid-summer growth of seedling apples, so as to
make budding impracticable. I have seen none to speak of this year, except
on my tender rows.

Some years ago, apples here and south, were worked on sprouts and sec-
tions of the roots at large — and often, old seedlings — now, on the entire
voung seedling plant. There is much more budding than grafting done — at
least in Northern Illinois. Nursery trees south, and in the middle of the
State, make an astonishing growth. Here, the early growth is but little bet-
ter than in New York — though the late growth is sometimes dangerously
rapid and luxuriant, causing the bark to burst in winter, and subjecting them
to the risk of winterkilling altogether.

In speaking of the " Fulton Apple," one of the best Illinois seedlings, Mr.
Harkness says he measured the original tree (in the orchard of Elijah Cappe,
Esq., near Canton) when 19 years old, and it gave 36 1-2 inches in circumfe-
rence, 3 feet from the ground ; 28 feet across the top, and 25 feet high. It had
borne large crops for ten years in succession. The same gentleman says, in a
letter just received : — " I can now take at least ten bushels of fruit from trees,
which in the spring of 1840 were mere switches, and have produced their en-
tire crop since that time."

We commenced our orchard eight years ago last May. We had a few seed-
lings before, and my brother some Hoosier trees planted out in 1835, (which,
by the way, have never borne much,) and we had from a Kemick Codlin, six
bushels of apples the sixth year, and about the same quantity from a Pough-
keepsie Russet. We purchased our trees of Col. B. Hodge, of Bufi'alo, and
they were of the ordinary nursery sizes. Some of these trees have borne
every year since the second after planting. Those that never fail are the Kes-
wick Codlin, Summer Rambo, Hawthornden, Pound Sweeting, Sapson, Black
Apple, &c. These instances are sufhcient to show the productiveness of the
apple tree in Illinois.

In planting our orchard trees, we dug holes 4 or 5 feet across and 18 inches
deep, at least ; we mixed in a little manure and refilled the holes — planting
near the surface so as to cover the roots in their natural position, and withui
tlie influences of light, heat, air, and moisture. We keep the ground in good
condition as to cultivation and manure, wash the trees with soft soap and wa-
ters, and destroy most nf the insects, &c., but otherwise leave them to na-
ture— no " hand saw " or " Jack knife " ever mutilating their luxuriant and
beautiful heads.

PEARS.
Few pear trees were planted in Illinois until the last three or four years.
Those that have shown fruit promise very well. My White Doyenne's, the
last year, were truly delicious. One tree but seven years from the nursery,
produced near a bushel of large, perfectly fair, and very excellent fruit ; and
it bore perhaps a peck or more the preceding season. A Stephen's Genesee,
Easter Buerre, and a few others of doubtful names, have borne \vell, — and ex-
cept one, which I take to be a " Mouse Jean," were good. My Dwarfs have
not yet fruited ; but in Chicago some have produced well, especially aBartlett
in the garden of I. T. Seammon, Esq.

Pears are apt to make too much wood here, late in the summer. Many of

29

mine, in the orchard that had made great growth, were winter-killed down to
the snow. The trunk being black and dead, the branches green, and the foli-
age opening well, when they were discovered and amputated below the line
of demarkation, and a few of them have sent up a fine shoot from above the
bud.

I have twice seen what I presumed to be " frozen sap blight," consequent on
late growth. I carefully removed the diseased bark, in May, and covered the
wound. All the trees recovered, and two of them have borne fruit. I think
the affection is not uncommon here, but may in general be avoided.

I have never seen what is known as " Ins-ct Blight," or " Fire Blight," or
— par excellence — "Pear Tree Blight," though the aft'eetion is said to be well
known far south of us, and possibly west near the Mississippi. A letter from
R. Montague, addressed to Mr. Miller, would seem to fevor this idea. Mr.
Montague says, that " of ninety-six pears in my orchard, all are dead or dying
from blight."" He is in latitude 42 deg. 30 min., and says that many of his
" a})'ple trees are dead from the cold of last winter;" I therefore conclude that
his pears are winter-killed, not " blighted." But I will not dwell on this op-
probrium of our science now ; suffice it to say, that I believe we are in the
habit of confounding several distinct diseases, of different origin, and requir-
ing different treatment — both preventive and curative — under this dreaded
name of " Blight." The one disease, or phase of the disease, most deprecat-
ed may be " epidemical," like the potato rot and the cholera, and may possibly
like these disappear to return again after an interval (God send it be a long
one) ; or it may be " endemical," and find its origin in a deficiency of some
necessary principle, or in the excess of some noxious one, entirely local. The
remedy will yet be discovered. We cannot consent to risk even the partial
abandonment of the most popular and delicious fruit in the catalogue ; and
we are approximating so near to a reasonable certainty in Agricultural, and es-
pecially Horticultural science, that we shall for very shame, be compelled to
investigate and determine this vexed question.

During the last summer our seedling pears were for the first time badly af-
fected with " Leaf Blight." We received them from the East, and they had
suffered from the disease there. This summer our own seedlings, as well as
some healthy ones from Canada, lost their foliage from the '20th July to the
10th of August. A few put out new terminal leaves, but the most of them
are now, September 1st, entirely naked. Can this disease be contagious? I
should think not ; and yet this "has a sensible leaning that way. The soil on
which our seeds were planted was worked two feet deep, and was sufficiently
moist. We sjainged with solution of sulphate of iron, but without benefit.
Pear trees of choice varieties ;ire in groat demand in our State, and will soon
be abundant if we can rear stocks. A few avaricious or ignorant nurserymen
have used sprouts, — or worse still, the apple as stocks, to the evident damage
of their reputation, and the great disappointment of many who deserved bet-
ter treatmont at the hands of nurserymen. But there are quacks in all pro-
fessions, and true men sometimes humbug themselves, and very innocently
cheat their best customers.

But, Gentlemen, for the eradication of all false notions, and the prevention
of error, we look to you, and the action of National Fruit Conventions. We
are all a very little given to credulity, and we rnust believe each other. And
a book before the eye was never yet equal to " the subject" in hand, or under
the dissecting knife of the operator.

THE PEACH.

Next to the apple, the peach from the ease with which it is produced from
eeed, and its early fruitfulness, has been most extensively cultivated through-
out the West. Few however are found in our markets except seedlings, and

30

some seasons these have been abundant and really excellent, — and yet have
never sold so far as I know, for less than $1 50 to $•! 50 per bushel in the
orchard, and often at frona $3 50 to $4 00 when taken to market. Mr.
Schenk (eighteen miles north west of The Grove) has had four or five crops
in the last nine years, two of them very large. One year (1847?) it was in
proof in court that the value of $2,000 was sold from this orchard ; and sev-
eral others in this region have sold from $500 to $1,000 worth in a season.

I think that about here we get one full crop in three years, on an average,
— and perhaps always a few specimens in the intermediate years. Further
south and in the middle of the state, they do much better, — say, three crops
in five years.

And yet, were it not that the peach bears young — sometimes the second,
and often the third year — we should be discouraged ; for from much obser-
vation,! conclude that the average age of the peach, heretofore, has not been
over six or seven years in northern Illinois ; not dying from premature old
age, but like the cherry, from the eifects of our soil and climate, and natural-
ly faulty cultivation. Of perhaps one hundred trees planted in my orchard
between 1836 and 1845, but one, and \\\ixi my oldest seedling, \^ now alive,
all my worked ones dead, over three years from " bud," and at least half of
the younger ones.

The Inst winter was very hard on the peach ; nearly all those " in the bud "
were killed in some nurseries, and few of any age escaped where cultivation
had been high, or the lands deep and rich. Ours that survived, were all on
our poorest and dryest soil, and with a northern or western aspect, and re-
ceivedyw(/ic/ows cultivation.

The peach will not bear liberal culture here, and will not long survive if
sparsely planted on black deep soil whh a southern exposure. We now se-
lect the highest elevations, and the least sunny aspect, and plant but eight feet
apart " in quincanx," raise a crop of early potatoes perhaps the first year, and
then no crop but peaches. A neighbor whose peach orchard is on a high white
oak " clay barren," not cultivated, has always had some fine fruit, and lost
very few trees last winter. '

I have found but one " peach grub " in my native trees. We find a few
in imported trees which we are very careful to destroy. I have heard of a
few doubtful cases of " yellows " for south. The " curl " of the 1 eaf is very
common in June. Our worst affection is the " gum." This, I think, is some-
thing like " frozen sap blight" in the pear. A sort of g"an^reni?, or rather
^^ erysipelas " caused by sudden alternations of cold and heat, acting upon a
too luxuriant and immature growth. We usually pare out the gangrenous
bark, and cover the wound with clay or wax ; but they generally die in a year
or two at most, when badly affected.

We now cultivate our peach trees (nfter the first year) during the spring
and first summer month only, and give tliem a northern or western aspect,
when practicable. Trees thus situated live thrice as long as those receiving
a reverse treatment. We prune but little, — merely "shortening in" occasion-
ally, and removing dead wood. The varieties cultivated are the same as tliose
in Ohio ar.d W^estern New York, though a few native sorts of promise have
been introduced.

THE PLUM.

The plum tree succeeds to admiration on our deep prairie soils, . 'Hid " sets"
enonncus crops of fruit. Eutalas! tlie curculio makes sad havoc, and of-
ten leaves us scarce a single unmarked specimen. Most of our best siiils sir;
light " sandy loam" and this is the proper home of this huir.pbr.cked '• little
Turk," where he winters unharmed, and breeds and multiplies to an extent
which threatens the ultimate abandonment of this and the other beautiful and
delicious fruits of its class, unless a more practicable remedy than any now

31

attempted, should be discovered. The Curculio, like the Apple Boror, is na-
tive here, and he finds the nidus for his young in the oceans of native plums
every where indigenous, and unfortunately, every where preserved, or intro-
duced into the fields, for their cheap and tolerable fruit.

I had flattered myself, that from the fact that my choice plums in the im-
mediate vicinity of my Groves of wild ones, suffered most from the Curculio,
that this depredator was not inclined to emigration ; and that our prairie or-
chards, distant from his native home, might escape his ravages. But 1 fear
not. I have this summer seen a fine young plum orchard (near half a mile
from the timber), the trees for the first time covered with swelling fruit, and
so far as I could pe^'ceive, every one bearing the crescent mark of the inevita-
ble destroyer.

I have noticed' the fact heretofore reiterated by plum farriers, that in our
heavy clay soils the wild plum comes to perfection, while in the light soils all
are dropped. By selecting the clay soils, faving the light ones, and making
" hog pastures " where we are too poor to pave, and shaking and hand pick-
ing, when we have but few trees, after the destruction of the native trees, we
may have a sufficiency of choice plums; but with our present knowledge, not
otherwise.

My plum trees have borne since the fourth year from the nursery. The
fruit is seldom injured by the frost, and one year we had a very large crop of
perfect plums, — and last season a good crop, on trees most remote from the
Grove of wild ones. Further south, I learn that few escape the Curculio, and
that its cultivation is nearly abandoned in some places.

The Black Knots. — The wild plums and cherries are often much disfig-
ured, and sometimes destroyed by this affection ; and I have observed that it is
beginning to attack the blue and purple sorts in the orchard. We practice
excission in this disease, (which is not only hereditary but may be propagated
by contact and perhaps contiguity,) and we are trying the effect of arsenic and
corrosive sublimate as topical applications, and as alteratives applied in a ve-
ry diluted state to the roots and foliage. Our experience is not enough to de-
termine the safety or value of this treatment, and we would not advise it ex-
cept in "desperate cases," until after further and more successful trial.

We do not believe that this cutaneous disease is of insect origin, though
we have frequently found grubs in the warts, which had evidently entered
after their formation.

For stocks, on which to work the finer plums, we are now testing a very free
growing, native sub-variety, of the Prumes Americano, with large yellowish
fruit, and rich scrai-flesliy pulp. In spite of the Curculio, plum trees are in
great demand licre, and owing to the high rates East, importations have been
insufficient. But we shall soon have a supply of our own creation.
OF CHERKIES.

The cherry with us has thus ftir been the most uncertain of all fruits exten-
sively cultivated. The whole state is liberally supplied with varieties of the
MoRELLO, and the Kentish cherry disseminated almost entirely in the shape
of suckers. These are all hardy, and make a rapid and handsome growth, but
are in general unproductive and worthless.

The class of Duke Cherries is, comparatively, tolerably hardy with us, and
they are usually good bearers, and the fruit excellent. The Heart and Big-
gareau cherries thrive well in the nursery, bear early, nnd excite hopes ofn
rich fulure, which ^o^le f-ix or eight years at most, show to be utterly illuso-
ry. The 'rej is sonr.^ imes, to ;ill ;;ppe;i ranee, merely " icinter-kilkdi" ar oth-
er ', it dies gnidually during summer, from extensive ulcerations or " sloughs"'
of the bark, on the south and most sides of the trunk, and large exposed
branches ; but the greater part of these trees die suddenly, during the month
of June, from a malady which commences apparently in the inner bark of the

32

trunk — ^the branches and roots being healthy — the latter sending^ up healthy
suckers, and the former making good scions when cut in season. The greater
part of my trees have died soon after showing their first flowers in the orchard
— ^the foliage often withering as completely and suddenly as though the tree
were divided from its root.

In all these cases, even when there is but little external sign of disease, the
inner bark will be found discolored and gangrenous — much the same as in the
"frozen sap blight," with which we think it identical.

We can do nothing except in the way of preventive ; and I am inclined to
believe that the proper preventive is the one which best enables the tree to
withstand the effect of our extremes, and sudden alternations of heat and
cold ; and to do this, we must retard and equalize the growth, and protect the
susceptible trunk of the growing tree. For this, I have found low heads, a
poor dry soil, with early cultivation, as with the peach in the nursery ; and if
removed to a better soil in the orchard or garden, permitting a sod to form,
and merely " forking" or hoeing a small circle in the spring only.

So far as we know, nature never voluntarily puts her subjects in " corsets,"
this being a civilized barbarism of " reasoning " beings ; still there may bo
much truth in the notion, and much good sense in the practice of Professor
Turner and others, Avho advise stripping otf the tough cuticle of the cherry,
or dividing it by reversed spiral incisions extending from the branches to tho
ground.

THE QUINCE.

The quince is as much at home in our deep rich prairie soils, as the apple.
We manure highly, and give a little salt early in the spring or late in the au-
tumn. A friend of ours has had some very large crops of the Orange Quince,
This tree sometimes winter-kills, and is very obnoxious to attacks of the Bo-
rer.

NECTARINES and APRICOTS.

These fruits have scarcely been proved here. We lost the most of our
trees the last winter. Some friends have had better luck with their trees ; but
tJie Curculio stings all the fruit.

THE VINE.

Native grapes are every where abundant and prolific, through this entire re-
gion, " wherever water runs or trees grow." Besides the common '"frost
grape" of the East, we have some excellent native varieties, producing beau-
tiful clusters of large rich berries. I have two or three of these varieties from
near the " calumet," but which have not yet fruited in my garden. Tlie prin-
cipal kinds cultivated here are the Isaballa and Catawba. In the middle of
the State they cultivate an excellent variety called the " Rhenish," supposed
to be of European origin, though doubtful I think : for I have never seen or
heard of n. well authenticated case, where a strictly foreign grape has produc-
ed like this, in the open border in this country.

Our best grapes are all native ones, and foreign varieties have universally
failed. The Catawba grape has appeared less hardy here than the Isabella,
and both are occasionally winter-killed ; and the crop sometimes foils from
late spring frosts — occasionally ruined by the mildew. Farther south, ibis
last is their chief enemy, though I have heard of plague from the Rose bug.
Still I think the grape crop nearly as sure as the apple.

GOOSEBERRIES.

The native gooseberry succeeds to admiration, and is rendered larger and

finer by cultivation ; but, out of Chicago, I have seen few fine gooseberriea

of the cultivated sorts — the Mildew ruining the entire crop, which alway*

promises well until attacked by this disease. In the city of Ciiicago, I bar*

33

annually seen the largest and finest crops of perfect fruit, grown on their semi-
alluvial aandy soil ; and am told that this fruit succeeds all along the Lake
shore ; but every where from the interior I have received the most discourag-
ing accounts of Mildew. Can the Lake winds make this difference ? Or is
it the soil ?

RASPBERRIES

Do well where the land is moist, rich, and partially shaded. Unless pro-
tected, some of the sorts are apt to winter-kill. Native sorts are found ; the
common black producing good crops; the red, so far as I have seen, is not
productive. The Blackberry is found every where in the timber, and bears
finely. Whortleberries, in variety ; Cranberries, &c., are abundant and
productive.

STRAWBERRIES

Are met with in the open prairie, along the borders of the timber, and on
the edges of " sloughs " and " saggs," where the soil is deep and moist, — and
the fruit is often large and fine, and was formerly abundant. Cultivation, the
feeding of cattle, &.c., and especially untimely fires, are destroyining the na-
tive fruits ; and we are just beginning to experiment with cultivated varieties,
and witJi glorious success. Very fine specimens of many choice sorts have
been shown at our June Fau-s in Chicago, and that market has been reasona-
bly supplied at fair prices.

CURRANTS

Are here, as every where in the same latitude, hardy, and abundant and uni-
form bearers. I do not remember that there has ever been a failure of this
useful and cheap berry. Plenty of manure, and deep and good cultivation
render all the varieties large and fine ; neglect will reduce the finest sorts to a
level with the poorest.

I had intended to attempt a creditable Report from our young and beautiful
Prairie State ; but I have delayed it for promised information, until the " sickly
season" is upon us , and I have written by snatches, when fatigued in body
and mind by my hard duties of a " Country Doctor." I have had neither time
nor inclination to select my words, or to arrange or revise my matter. My
facts I believe to be in the main, truthful, and the matter must go as it is, hop-
ing that another year may be more prolific in statistics, and that my successors
may have more ability, and more leisure ; more love for the subject, more en-
thusiasm, few can possess.

Before closing this paper, I must be indulged in a few remarks on a partic-
ular " hobby " of mine, viz :

THE PROPHYLACTIC AND CURATIVE PROPERTIES OP
RIPE FRUITS.

It has long been known to a few observing men, — and now and then a wri-
ter has glanced at the fact, — ^that fruits in season possess remedial virtues.
Ripe grapes have cured epidemic dysentery. In vine countries, they speak
familiarly of the " grape cure." Physicians have occasionally ventured to
recommend the use of " cooling acid fruits ;" and the earliest writers have di-
rected the sugary ones, as " figs," for food in convalescence. But it is known
to all that many are prejudiced against fruits, and consider them as very
questionable luxuries at the best. And it must be admitted that they have
often proved mischievous, especially when immature, and taken by stealth, or
in too large quantities, when but occasionally accessible.

Thus, in 99 cases out every hundred, it will be found that the abuse, and not
the free use of fruits, has produced the mischief. Good fruits are always
grateful, — even to the sickly or pallid appetite — and in the young, and the

34

healtliy, its promisingf appearance, or its delicious aroma, often excites the
most ungovernahlo appetite, and they gorge themselves — and suffer there-
from— no worse than from a surfeit of fisli, flesh, or vegetables, perhaps — but
still enough to aid in perpetuating the vulgar error, that the unrestricted use.
of fruits is dangerous. Who ever heard of the children of men ^\ ho provide
sciisonable fruits in abundance, — and permit their habitual use, — eating too
much? or becoming sick therefrom ? I never did. I have had a little expe-
rience in this matter — and I have taken pains to collect information, and I know
that the families where fruit is most plentiful, and good, and most highly
prized, as an article of daily food — are most free from disease of all kinds,
and more especially from fevers and "hoicel complaints^

I have theories to account for this — but I love not theorizing — and will not
inflict my crude notions on you at this tune — I merely state the gi-ave facts,
and defy contradiction. I may add, however, that most fruits aid digestion —
some directly — some indirectly by restraining the appetite for more gross
and stimulating food and condiments — by keeping the "bowels soluble" — in
other words acting as mild '-laxatives," &c. &c. The juicy ones act as "dilu-
ents," and all as '■'■diuretics" — the free acids neutralizing or rendering soluble
the earthy matters in the blood, and carrying them olf rapidly through the natu-
ral channels.

All this you can understand and appreciate. But let us glance at another
phase of this universal remedy. It is the best, the cheapest, and the least ex-
ceptionable cure for inte:wperance. It not only lessens the desire for alcho-
ic drinks, but supplies their place, and removes their effects.

Eve was tempted by an "apple." A good God has given to us the object
of "the primal sin," as a gi*eat blessing. If disease and death came from the
eating of "the forbidden fruit" — health and length of days may be found in
the assiduous cultivation and regulated enjoyment of that from which the
interdict of the Creator has been taken, and which his open hand has lavishlj
scattered over the face of tliis fan- earth.

I am, gentlemen, with sentiments of respect and esteem for you individu-
ually — and gratitude for the honor confeiTed upon me in this appointment —
most sincerely

Your friend and humble servant,

JOHN A. KENMCOTT, of the Grove,

Chairman of the Com. for Illinoia.

REPORT

OF DR. HERMAN WENDELL, OF ALBANY, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE FOR
THE STATE OF NEW YORK .

In compliance with the second rule of instructions to State Committees,
which prescribes, "that eac^i member of a committee shall collect all the in-
formation in his power, as to the value of various fruits, in his particular sec-
tion of State, and also as to the value of new seedling varieties," the under-
sio-ned, residing in the city of Albany, bsgs leave to report, that he has con-
fined hi^ observations mainly to the productions of the vicinity of that city,
but occasionally, to the character of particular varieties from other parts of
the State, which will be mentioned when treating of such varieties. When
writing of well known fruits, it is deemed unnecessary to describe them mi-
nutely, because reference can always be made to standard works and con-
sequently it is only done when varieties of recent introduction or seedUngs
are under consideration.

APPLES.

The specimens of this fruit which have been examined were grown at
Greenbush in Rensselaer County on a gravelly loam : at Niskayuna, about
eight miles north of the city, in a sandy loam ; at ray own place about a mile
v/est of the city on a sandy loam with an admixture of clay, well supplied
with lime, ashes, and stable manure — and also in a few instances from Colum-
bia County, near Kinderhook, where the soil is gravelly loam.

In all these several localities I find that the Yellow Harvest — Sweet
Bough — Early Strawberry — Baldwin, Roxbury Russet, Yellow and Green
Newtown Pij)pins, R. Island Greening, Vandervere, Swaar, Esopus Spitzen-
burgh, Fall Pippin, Dominie, Westfield Seeknofurther, Yellow Bellefleur.
thrive and bear large crops of fair fruit, and are not troubled with diseases of
any kind ; the same is the fact at my own place — and some others in the vici- ' ' ' •

nity of this city, where the soil is of 4«ct character, — with the Gravenstein, "^^Vyv.jX**J
Rambo, Holland Pippin, Herefordshire Permain, Ladies' Sweeting and Ladv •.

Apple. My attention has been called to the Norton's Melon Apple, a deli-
cious Winter variety which originated in Western New York, in the vicin-
ity where that valuable and favorite variety the Northern Spy, was first dis-
covered ; when first disseminated, the Norton's Melon vras said to be an Au-
tumn and early Winter fruit ; but specimens retaining their pristine appear-
ance, juiciness, flavour and consistence, kept without extra care, were eaten
and examined by myself, about the middle of February last, and the same has
been done by several persons in Rochester,which proves the variety to be a good
keeper, and consequently a more valuable one for general dissemination than
it was first supposed. A full description, with an outline, will be found in the
transactions of the New York State Agricultural Society for 1848, to which
I refer the Convention; also to the Wagener Apple, which originated in Penn
Yan, Yates County, New York. This was also until recently thought to be
an early winter variety ; but the experience of several seasons, prove it to be
without extra trouble, a late keeper, and one which retains its juiciness and
good character until March and April. A full description, together with a
beautiful coloured engraving, and an outline will also be found in the same
volume of the transactions of the New York State Society. I will only add
in relation to it, that all within the description referred to can be strictly re-
lied upon, and that in my opinion it fully merits the praises bestowed upon
it by the Committee of that Society. Also, to a new seedling apple to wliicli

I have given the name of Kingsley apple. This variety orginated on the farm
of a Mr.Kingsley, in Pittsford, Monroe County in this State, and as it comes
np to the standard required by the Pomological rules adopted by the Conven-
tion for the guidance of its Committees, I annex an outline, and full descrip-
tion of the fruit.

KINGSLEY APPLE.

Size — Medium, being usually about two and an half inches broad and two
and a quarter in depth.

Form — Nearly globular, but slightly inclining to an oval.

Exterior Colour — On a dark yellowish ground, pinkish red stripes and
splashes diverge in every direction from the stem end of the fruit, while the
calyx end is surrounded with light russet, and the exposed side nearly cover-
ed with irregular patches of pinkish red, profusely sprinkled with whitish dots.

Texture — Fine grained, and melting.

Flavor — Of a peculiarly rich, pleasant sub-acid, and supplied with an un-
usual quantity of delicious juice.

Core — Of medium size, and open.

Seeds — Small, of dark brown colour, and few in number.

Stem — Short, not quite half an inch in length, slender and inserted in a re-
gular cavity.

Eye — Small, closed, and set in a shallow basin.

Growth — The tree is moderate in its growth, erect in its habit, hardy,
and a profuse and early bearer — thirty bushels of fruit were gathered from
the original tree in the autumn of 1848 ; itis gi-owhig in a pasture lot, uncared
for and neglected.

Season — From November until July.

Remarks — The fruit above described has a peculiarly rich and agreable
flavour, an unusual supply of delicious juice, and is in eating order at a season
of the year without extra care, when very few other varieties are in good
condition. The specimens from which the above description was written,
were eaten on the tenth of June, and were as fresh and free from defect as
when taken from the tree. This alone would entitle it to consideration, but
taken in connection with its other qualhies, renders it well worthy of recom-
mendation and name. The original tree is now crowing in Pittsford ; it is

37

owned by Dr. Moses Long, who recently purchased the farm on which it
stands, and to whom I am indebted for the aljove information in relation to
its history, as well as for the fruit from which I have written the description.
My attention has also been directed to several other varieties of seedlings,
none of which, without further information and trial, do I consider worthy
of especial notice. Among those included in this notice, are the Stannard,
grown by Col. Hodge of Buffiilo ; a seedling grown by Thomas R. Peck, of
West Bloorafield, Ontario Country ; a seedling resembling somewhat the
Yellow Bellefleur, said to be a long keeper, received from George Bristol
Esq., of Oneida County ; a seedling from Henry Snyder of Columbia County ;
a seedling from Jacob Teller of Rensselaer County ; one from J. D. Coe
Esq., of Seneca County ; and one from DeRuyter, Madison County, called
there the Enos apple.

PEARS.

My attention to Pears has been confined principally to those grown by
myself on a sandy loam. I have a very large collection, many of them in full
bearing; but a great number too young to enable me to judge of their qual-
ities, as I consider it necessary in order to enable us to form a correct opin-
ion of the character of a variety, that the tree have age sufficient to give it
vigor of constitution. The blight — that seriously felt destroyer of the Pear,
in nearly all regions of our country — is as prevalent in the vicinity of Albany,
as in any other section of the State, and notwithstandnig some gentlemen
have fancied that they had discovered that certain varieties were more ex-
empt from its influences than others, I cannot bring myself to agree with
them, because, having been a close observer of the disease for several years
past, in various sections of the State, I have seen it in all its virulence, destroy
ing numbers of those supposed to be exempt, while those presumed, from
their foreign orgin, enervated constitution, or other cause, to be peculiarly
liable to its attacks were spared when growing in the same gardens or or-
chards. The cause of the disease seems to be as much a matter of dispute,
and discussion now, as it was years since ; scarcely two growers agree in their
opinions in relation to it. I shall therefore take up no time in its discussion,
but must be indulged in being allowed to recommend a course to cultivators,
which from analogical reasoning, seems to be rational and sound, and since
the adoption of which whether from the plan pursued, or accident — I do not
pretend to decide — I have certainly suffered very little comparatively to what
I did previous. It is a settled and an undisputed fact, that persons as well
as animals, when enervated in constitution from any cause, are more liable
to the attacks of epidemic or contagious diseases than those not so circum-
stanced. Why may it not be the same with trees 1 Thinking that I had
discovered blight to be either contagious or epidemic, (which, I shall not as
yet say) — from the fact, that when a tree Avas attacked, others in its imme-
diate vicinity were apt to be alTected in a similar manner, I determined to
try what the application of crude iron filings, to and among the roots, both
when planting out, and afterwards, would effect. Iron I knew to be a tonic,
and tliat when applied in the form of filings or turnmgs it could not injure,
because it becomes oxidised gradually, and consequently but a given quan-
tity would be taken into the circulation of the tree ; threfore, 1 applied it,
and now while trees of neighbors are badly affected with the disease, mine
suffer but slightly. I of course do not depend upon this remedy ; but the
moment a tree is discovered to be attacked, that moment I amputate the limb
far below the least appearance of disease. I am also careful that the blade
of the knife is perfectly clean ; and that it has none of the sap of a diseased
tree adhering to it ; because I have known many valuable trees destroyed
by having been inoculated in this manner with the vitiated sap of a diseased

38

tree. The well known, and already described varieties which flourish, bear
well, and are not attacked by disease, — except the blight — in the vicinity of
this city, are the Citron des Carmes, the Bloodgood, the Rostiezer — (the most
delicious summer variety with which I am acquainted) — the Williams' Bon-
chretien, the Flemish Beauty, the Beurre Bosc, the Doyenne Gris, the Mus-
cadine, the Beurre Diel, the Duchess D'Angouleme, the Seckel, the Gansel's
Bergamot, the Beurre de Capiaumont, the Bleeker's Meadow, the Inconnue
Van i\Ions, the Winter Nelis, the Beurre Gris D'Hiver Noveau, — a very va-
luable variety, in eating about January ; the Louise Bonne de Jersey, on Pear
or Quince, equally well, and the Urbaniste. A large number of other less
known varieties have borne m my collection on young trees, and promise to
be valuable additions ; but before recommending them I would prefer a few
more seasons' experience ; among them are Doyenne D'Ete, a beautiful and
delicious early variety, ripe on the sixth of August this year — 1849 — the St.
Dorothee an autumn variety — the Beurre IMortefontaine, an autumn variety,
the Belle et Bonne de Hee, an autumn variety, the Beurre Goubatt, an autumn
variety and great bearer, Leon Le Clerc Van Mons— a large and beautiful
variety — the Corapte de Lamy an autumn variety,and several otliers ; a num-
ber of which were received by me with strong recommendations are now
under trial ; several I apprehend Avill be discarded for want of merit when
more fully known. I have seen sufficient to induce me to cease cultivating
the Easter Beurre — on Pear roots, — on Quince it is said to be better, the
Beurre Cadette or Benuchamp, the Beurre de Louvain, the Beurre Knox, the
Julienne, the Doyenne jMu?que, and Nouvelle Mabile. The White Doyenne
in most collections in the vicinity of Albany, is nearly worthless, while in
some it is as beautifvd and valuable as in its 'palmiest days. The cause of
this difference of character is probably owing to some deficiency in the soil ;
what that is, must be discovered either by analysis or experiment — I am at
present engaged in various experiments to test the matter, and if successful
in recovering trees on which the fruit borne, has been diseased, I will commu-
nicate the fact in a future paper.

STEVENS' GENESEE PEAR.

I embrace the present opportunity to correct an error in relation to the his-
tory of this valuable variety, into which the Fruit Committee, of the New York
State Agricultural Society, were led during the winter of 1847, by a gentle-
man who professed himself familiar with the history of the fruit ; and which
is introduced in their report of that year, as well as'published in the transac-
tions of the society. The Stevens' Genesee Pear originated on the farm of
Mr. Francis Stevens, of Lima, Livingston County, New York, and was intro-
duced to public notice by Mr. Guernsey, of Pittsford, Monroe County, who
gave it the name it now bears. A full history of it may be found in one
of the early volumes — ^the 5th I think — of the Genessee Farmer, which may
be relied upon as being strictly accurate, and to which I beg leave to refer
the reader.

PLUMS.

The vicinity of Albany, having long been known as a region of the State in
which plum trees have grown and bore fruit in great perfection, I may be ex-
pected to treat more voluminously of them than of some others. The soil
apparently best adapted to the well doing of this tree and fruit, being that
which contains in it a large proportion of argillaceous matter ; and as nearly
every locality in the immediate vicinity of the city, is well supplied with that
ingredient, the reason of the success in the cultivation is very obvious. All
varieties of hardy constitution grow well, and bear abundantly, notwithstand-

39

ing that pest to plum cultivators— the Ciirculio, destroys every year a large
proportion of the crop. Various remedies have been recommended for the
protection of young fruit from its attacks. I would therefore recommend the
{^TOwers to try such as they consider most rational, and communicate the re-
sult of their experiments to the public, through the Horticultural journals of
the country. Plum trees are also with us liable to the Canker or Black
Wart ; the poorer varieties and those of dark colour, are thought to be most
apt to be affected with it. Planting on well drained lands, thorough cultivation
around the trees, and manuring them with lime, ashes, and a small quantity
of salt, will by the tonic effect induced, render them more likely to escape the
disease than if left to themselves ; but if the trees are attacked, notwithstand-
ing this course be pursued, free amputation of diseased limbs must be resort- | _jL'a
ed to. The varieties which are cultivated,3iardy, and bear abundantly are the ^V'^j I ^'^^*''
Drop D'or, Reine Claude, Washington, Red Magnum Bonum, White Magnum '
Bonum, Yellow Egg, Virgin, Coe's Golden Drop, Nectarine, Prince's Imperial
Gage, Lombard, Lawrence's Gage, Bleecker's Gage, Deniston's Red, Albany
Beauty, Mulberry ,Buers Favourite,Jefi'erson, Peter's Large Yellow,Columbia,
Schenectady Catherine^ — a delicious purple plum equal to Reine Claude —
fully described in volume 13th of Hovey's magazine, and copied therefrom into
the volume for 1847, of our State Agricultural transactions, — Ickworth's Im-
peratrice, Coe's Late Red, Prune D'Agen for Prunes, Purple Favorite, Red
Gage and a few others. The Prune Peche, or Peach Plum, is not sufficiently
hardy to withstand our winters,as is the case with the Orange, the River's Seed-
ling— so highly recommended by Rivers in a recent number of the Horti-
culturist— the Roe's Autumn Gage, the Bingham, the Fotheringham, the Roy-
al Hative, and Louis of Orleans. The Waterloo, the King of Plums, and
the first importation of Reine Claude de Bavay, prove to be Coe's Golden
Drop. This was predicted by Mr. Rivers, in relation to the latter, as some
mistake had occurred with it by ignorant continental nurserymen ; the se-
cond importation may be correct, and meet our expectations; it is now under
ti-ial.

GuTHRiEs' AppacoT Plum, — a beautiful variety has fruited for the first
time in Albany this season — 1849 — Its size varies from medium to large ;
its FORM is oval, but slightly flattened at cither end ; its exterior colour is
of a rich lemon yellow, with fine crimson dots around the stem, and on the
exposed side ; its texture is rather firm, but juicy and rich. The colour
of its flesh is yellow ; its flavor is of an apricot character ; its stone is
small and adherent to the flesh ; its stem is inserted in a narrow but deep
depression. The colour of the young wood is light greenish red ; its growth
upright and quite thrifty ; its season of ripening, from the 25th of August to
the 1 st of September. It originated from seed plantedJ^'Guthrie of Scotland,
and as it proves to be hardy and prolific, and is also' a handsome fruit.it
may bo considered by some, a desirable acquisition ; although its season of
ripening is the same as many of the finer American seedlings, which far sur-
pass it in size and deliciousness, as well as lusciousness of texture and juice.
I myself do not consider it worthy of general dissemination; notwithstanding
it well deserves a place in the amateur's collection. There are a large num-
ber of seedlings, possessing more or less excellence ; some of them but very
little inferior to many of the well known varieties above named — growing ia
the vicinity of the city ; but as the standard of excellence, which new varieties
nuist attain in order to entitle them to name or notice is,that they are superior
in some particular to a»i/ now under cultivation ; and as none of them come
fully up to that high requirement, I cannot give them further attention.

40

CHERRIES.

Nearly all the finer and well known varieties of the cherry are grown by
cultivators in the vicinity of Albany ; it, as well here as in other places, flour-
ishes and bears best when grown in well drained, warm, deep, and rich
gravelly loam. As the varieties grown are all described in Pomological
works, and to which reference can be made, I will merely name those which
bear fine crops and are the best fruits, viz : May Duke, Early White Heart,
Belle de Choisy, Black Tartarian, Black Eagle, Graffion or Yellow Spanish,
Elton, Elkhorn or Tradescants, Black, Bigarreau Couleur de Chair, Napoleon
Bigarreau, Holhind Bigarreau, Downer's Late Red, Late Duke, Waterloo,
and Wendell's Mottled Bigarreau, a new, large, delicious and late variety,
recently grown from seed by myself ; and which is fully described in the
first volume of the Horticulturist, and the thirteenth volume of Hoveys'
Magazine. A large number of otlier foreign, as well as native varieties are
under cultivation, but a few years must elapse before their characters can be
fully tested.

PEACHES.

To the cultivation of the peach, little attention is paid in this vicinity, as
owing to the vicissitudes of our winters, they are an uncertain crop, and liable
to destruction. I therefore do not consider it worth my while to devote any
time to their consideration.

APRICOTS.

I have tried numerous varieties of this fruit, and found none of them ex-
cept the Bred;i,able to withstand many of our winters; it does however, and
I would reeonnnend its cultivation to growers of fruit, as it is a delicious, as
well as beautiful variety, though small in size.

NECTARINES.

The same must be said in relation to this fruit, that I have said of the
peach, as it is only in protected enclosures that they appear to do well ; in such
situations I would recommend the Boston and Downton, as varieties which will
not disappoint growers.

CURRANTS.

Several new varieties of the Currant, have been introduced to the attention
of cultivators, within a few years past, viz : the Knight's Sweet Red, of a
beautiful red colour, with large clusters and berries, and much more palat-
.■ible than any other of the red varieties ; the Cherry Currant, having large
and beautiful berries, but more acid than the above. The Victoria, a red
variety coming later to maturity than either of the above, and also more acid.
The White Grape, of a greenish white colour, with long branches, and large
berries of the flavor of the Old White Dutch ; a desirable variety. The above
new varieties, together with Black Naples — a large and very fine black va-
riety,— the Old Red Dutch, and the White Dutch, are grown in great perfec-
tion in our whole vicinity.

RASPBERRIES.

The Raspberry requires slight protection, in order that it may withstand
our variable winters ; with such care, and proper cultivation, it succeeds ad-
mirably. The best varieties grown are the FastolflT, the Franconia, and the
WJiite Antwerp ; other varieties, as the Red Antwerp, the Victoria, the
Beehive, and May's Giant, are grown to some extent ; but are in my opinion,

41

inferior to the above. The Ohio ever-bearing is a variety worthy of culti-
vation, by the amateur ; the berry is of medium size, of bluish colour and
pleasant flavor.

GOOSEBERRIES.

Tiie Gooseberry suffers severely in some gardens, witli blight or mildew :
various of the re'iommended remedies have been tried with more or less of
success ; but that course in their management, which is most successful is
to dig, trench, and manure the earth deep, before setting out the plants ; and
then covering the eai'th around and under them with salt meadow hay. This
course keeps the roots cool, allows them to penetrate deeply into the earth ;
gives the plant vigor to withstand disease, and the saline atmosphere, which
surrounds the bushes, probably destroys the germ of the insect, which is by
some supposed to cause the mildew. A large number of varieties are grown
in this vicinity : among the best of which are Sheba Queen, Lady of the
Manor, Lord "Creve, Golden Walnut, White Eagle, Edward's Jolly Tar, and
Woodward's Whitesmith.

STRAWBERRIES.

This fruit is grown extensively in the vicinity of Albany. The varieties
mostly cultivated for market are the Hovey's seedling and the Virginia Scar-
let. Nearly all the other valuable, or supposed to be valuable varieties, are
grown by different individuals, and as the peculiarity of flavor in the various
varieties is about as different as is the tastes of different persons, most of them
have their several advocates. I shall not attempt to describe, or even men-
tion tlie names of the varieties grown, but will only allude to one or two of
which much has been said. The Burr's New Pine has fruited in Albany two
seasons ; it has proved to be hardy, very prolific, and a very delicious variety.
The other seedlings of Mr. Burr, possess more or less of merit, but the above
is the best. The Aberdeen Beehive has fruited this season — 1849 — in three
collections ; it is prolific when grown in single hills ; but not more so than
many others ; the berry is of medium size, of very good flavor ; but taken as
a whole, when compared with many other varieties, is unworthy of extensive
cultivation. It is said to be valuable as a forcing variety ; but of this I have
had no experience.

GRAPES.

The only Grapes cultivated to any extent without the protection of a
Grapery, are the Isabella and Catawba ; the first being the earliest is most
certain to mature its fruit ; but in order to insure a crop in other situations than
the sheltered enclosures of our cities, it is necessary that they be protected
during the winter months.

■ From the different members of the Committee for the State of New York,
I have received the annexed, which, by the printed instructions of the Gen-
eral Committee, I am directed to embody in my report. I give them in the
order they have been received by me. The following is from J. W. Knevels.,
Esq., of "Fishkill, Dutchess county :

Mr. Knevels' report being voluminous, and mostly descriptive of fruits al-
ready known, and unfortunately rather illegibly written, the Secretary has
found it necessary to give only the following extracts :

Mr. Knevels' notes —

Patterson, a pleasant new apple from the place of that name , in this county,
where it is said to have originated from the intermixture of the Pearmain and
Spitzenbergh ; winter, good size, red color.

42

Losey, large, fine apple ; local name ; oval, in size between Fall and New-
town Pippin ; a Seedling originating here, and not much known ; a good market
fruit.

Verplanck- Golden Ritsaet, or ReineUe, a delicious little winter apple only
found within my knowledge, at Mt. Gnlian, the homestead of the family of
the late Judge Verplanck. I have not been able to identify it with any des-
cribed sort. The tree, a very large, old one, with drooping branches. A deep
yellow, with a lacerated outwork of russet on tlie lower half (in towards
the eye end) ; not very juicy, and without acidity, agreeable to those who like
a mealy sugary pulp.

Baldwin, a specimen received from Mr. Downing, was fine, but our own
experience in growing it leads us to condemn it for general cultivation ; grafts
received from Mr. Manning, and inserted in old trees, 18i2, have not yet
shown a full crop ; the fruit does not hang well, is apt to be pierced and de-
fective, and apparently ripens too early in our latitude to attain its high quali-
ties, or to be ranked as a late keeping spring apple. Inferior altogether to
Spitzenbergh. •

Oa the cultivation of the pear tree and the diseases applicable to it, Mr.
Knevels writes as follows : —

It may be well to remark that, in my vicinity, this fruit is not cultivated by
any means on so extensive a scale as many others. Few have collections and
I am not aware that there is much planting going on in this line, for which
several reasons may be assigned, among which are — The great length of time
required to bring the pear tree into bearing ; the quince as a stock for the
pear not having been much tried— Secondly, The idea that other fruits are
better adapted to our locality, and— Tliirdly, The ravages committed by the
fire blast, no doubt deter many from its cultivation.

To these a fourth may be added ; most of our best and generally known
pears ripen in autumn when there is a complete glut of fruit ; peaches espe-
cially, being almost universally preferred when there is a choice of the two
kinds.

Winter pears are not much known ; at least, in their state of perfection, as
the process of ripening, to which they should be submitted, requires more skill
and experience, as well as attention, than our people have, as yet, attained, or
are willing to bestow. I have, within a few days, witnessed a most deplorable
destruction among the Pear trees in my neighborhood, — Dr. Rumsey's Col-
lection— all occurring -this winter from the Fire-Blast ; this is a most appro-
priate and descriptive name for the disease, as the appearance of tlie affected
brandies is precisely that of fire ha\ing passed over them and blackened the
outside. Large limbs are thus killed, and in this form of the disease cutting
off the part attacked, does not seem effectual to preserve the tree. I can find
no trace of insects leading me to fix on them as the authors of the mischief,
(which they could not perpetrate in winter) ; neither can I perceive anything
of that offensive odor of which the partizans of the " Frozen Sap Theory"
speak.

A peculiar feature, and one which it is hard to account for on any theory,
is the circumstance here observable — that the lower part of the branch shall
be affected, as also many of the thriving plump slioots of the last summer's
growth, while many of the same shoots entirely escape the infection, but of
course, also finally perish, the communication Avith the trunk being finally cut
off by the denth of the main branch. This winter phase as here seen, resem-
bles that of the summer in all respects, as far as I have observed, and is analo-
gous, I presume, to the similarity of appearance which two opposite agents —
Frost and Fire, respectively induce. To speak of the cause as owing to a
freezing of the Sap, appears to me to be very superficial and unscientific ; at

43

any rate, the summer fire-blight cannot originate from frozen Sap, and yet Hie
two forms, summer and winter, are apparently exactly similar. If the sap be
frozen so us to become actually foetid, can it be supposed for a moment that
it could carry on vegetation even to the point of lealiiig, flowering, and bear-
ing fruit .' And yet this is observable in branches, that in the course of a day
will turn black and perish. The subject has been rendered more complicated
by the hypothesis of there being three distinct diseases known by one name —
Insect, I'rost, and Fire bliglit, which allows two modes of escape from the
force of every observation which does not tally with the theory assumed. If
the appearance militate with the supposition that it is occasioned by the at-
mosphere, why it is easy to refer it to insects or frost. My impression is, that
the disease known as Fire-Blast, is a unity ; and if I may venture an opinion,
perhaps not as yet demonstrated, I should say that the moving cause, whatever
it be, operates by producing the death of the -porenchyvia, the vital part of
every plant, all others being only subsidiary, and much, if not all, that we re-
gard as vegetable being the product of vegetation, such as wood. Woody
fibre is entirely mineral matter, peculiarly arranged by insects, and trees are
according to my " Theory," insect structures as much as Coral. On this point
I might speculate at great length, but will not so far wander from the subject
in hand. You may however well ask "what occasions the death of the por-
enchyma?' To this I can only plead ignorance; but still I think I can see
how cold, or excessive, or any other interruption of the current of Sap which
feeds the porenchyma might produce the appearance and effects we see before
us. Somthing will be gained, however, if we can fix upon the particular
organ which first becomes deranged; and without this knowledge, the pre-
scribing of remedies is mere empyricism. Dr. R.'s collection is one of our
largest; and his trees are planted in various aspects and soils; he has them
both on Quince stocks, and on their own roots ; yet he can perceive no differ-
ence in the liability to take the disease, from these circumstances. Yon know-
that the infection sometimes seems to strike through a plantation in a strait
line, forcing the idea of its being a blast or current of air peculiar in its na-
ture.

When a black spot appears on the bark of a tree, not passing around, it
may be cut out and will spread no farther ; this is within my own expf-rience ;
but I cannot say it is so universally. This is not, however, what is spoken of
as the Jire-blast. In all our speculations upon the barrenness and diseases of
our trees, I think sufficient stress is not laid upon the violent and sudden al-
ternations to which they are subject ; our Thermometers ranging from 20°
Farenheit below Zero, to 96 above in the shade ; making a range of 116 de-
grees ; and they are exposed also to excessive drought, and such in the course
(if a week or two, and often to a dazzling, oppressive Sun, breaking out sud-
denly from almost utter darkness. Even the Strawberry question, in my
opinion, depends a good deal more on the sort of weather we have in April,
(the season of impregnation,) than the sexualists seem at all aware of.

The following from John W. Bailey, Esq., of Plattsburgh, Clinton county :

In compliance with the second clause of instructions in the printed Circu-
lar of the General Committee, of the North American Pomological Conven-
tion, I beg leave to submit the following remarks and observations, respect-
ing the culture of fruit in the Northern Counties of this State, and particular-
ly in Clinton County.

Clinton County has long been abundantly supplied with orchards cf natur-
al apples ; but until quite recently, there has been no general advancement in
the culture of choice fruits. Although some few gardens and orchards of
very superior varieties have been in bearing for the last forty years, — and I

44

will here remark, "that it is the opinion of those best acquainted with Apples
and Plums grown in this section of the State, that they are generally of
higher flavor than the same varieties grown in Southern or Western New York ;
although the fruits of the West surpass ours in size.

REMARKS ON THE APPLE.

Fameuse. — In eating from October to January, and considered the very
best desert apple of its season. The tree is hardy, and the fruit (having been
cultivated in Plattsburgh for forty years,) has always grown /air, until within
four or live years past ; since whicli it has been very much spotted on old
trees, and sometimes aftected witli the bitter rot. I am applying wood ashes,
as a manure to the tree, wliicli I think may restore tlie fruit to its former fair-
ness. It is an abundant bearer, and a profitable fruit in this section of the
State. It was introduced here from Montreal previous to 1810.

Eakly Yellow Bough. — This Tree thrives well here, and bears regularly
every year ; the fruit is always fliir, and of the best quality. Profitable.

Yellow Harvest. — This Tree is -hardy, the fruit fair, regular bearer, and
valuable ; perhaps tlie most profitable early apple.

INDIA^' Rare-Ripe. — The Tree is hardy, and a good bearer ; the fruit always
fair, and of excellent quality, both for the desert and kitchen. It ripens here
about the 1st September. Profitable.

RossEAU — A beautiful and high flavored fruit, large, very dark red,the color
sometimes extending through to the core ; but generally, not extending be-
yond the skin. A part of the fruit is apt to wither on the tree before it is
half grown, causing the fruit to be very irregular in size and quality. The
fruit ripens about the first of October, and when perfect, is excellent ; but will
not keep many days after attaining perfection. Unprofitable. Tli e trees to
which these remarks apply, are growing on sandy soil. First introduced here
from Montreal previous to 1810.

Westfield Seeknofarther. — The Tree here is hardy and very produc-
tive ; the fruit grows fair ; it is regarded here as of second quality, and is only
moderately profitable.

Esopus Spitzenbekgh. — This is considered, in this section, No. 1, among
winter Apples. The tree bears well every other year. In good cultivated
orchards, the fruit is always of good size, fair, and of the highest flavor. The
tree is moderately vigorous, not long lived. Quite profitable.

RjiODE Island Greenlng. — The tree is vigorous, a good bearer, the fru it
always fair, and is one of our most Profitable Apples.

PoMME Gris. — The tree is hardy, the fruit of the very highest flavor — ^the
richest of all winter apples ; not profitable to much extent, on account of its
small size, but should be found in every garden. From Montreal.

Bourasa. — A very high flavored and beautiful fruit. In eating, from De-
cember to February ; apt to wither if kept too warm. Not certain as to profit.
Introduced at the same time of tlie Fameuse, Rosseau, Pomme Gris, &c.,
from Montreal, previous to 1810.

Swaar. — Tlie tree hardy : bears well every other year ; fruit /air, produc-
tive and profitable.

RoxBURY Russet. — The tree hardy ; fruit f.dr ; bears regularly every year ;
excellent and profitable, on account of its long keeping and quality.

Yellow Bellefleur. — The tree thrives well ; the fruit is fair and excel-
lent, and promises to be profitable ; it has been but lately introduced here, and
is not generally known.

St. Lawrence. — The tree vigorous and good bearer; fruit large, fair, and
beautiful, — too acid for the desert, but profitable for market as a cooking ap-
ple.

45
GENERAL REMARKS.

Many other excellent varieties of apples are cultivated in this section ;
many of which are known only by local names, and will undoubtedly prove
synonymous with kinds known in other parts of the country ; it is therefore
my intention to exhibit such of them, as 1 can obtain in a proper state of per-
fection, to the Convention.

With respect to Seedhngs — I exhibited one from my orchard to the Fruit
Committee of the New York State Agricultural Society, at their October
meeting, which they reported us first-rate, and worthy of cultivation. I shall
present specimens of the Fruit, with a description and name, to the Conven-
tion. It ripens about the 20th September.

REMARKS ON THE PEAR.

Pears have been cultivated by a few persons only in this county for the
last thirty years, principally by sprouts and suckers, which have always proved
perfectly hardy and quite productive. Never , up to this time, have any of our
native pear trees, within my knowledge, been subject to any disease ; and the
Pear Blight isunknowu among us, unless, in the instance named hereafter.

In the spring of 1847, 1 purchased at Flusliinga quantity of Trees; and
among them, some twenty Pear Trees, of extra size ; half of them, ou'each,
Pear and Quince, and of ten varieties. On the first of May last, these trees
appeared in perfect health, generally thrifty, and nearly all well supplied with
fruit buds; and I was rejoicing in the prospect of seeing good specimens of
fruit on them this season. On the 15th May, my attention was dravyn to one
of these Pear trees ; the bark on the South- West side of the trunk, was
cracked and spongy, blackish, and evidently diseased. Supposing it to be the
frozen sap blight, I cut the tree off below the part affected. In the course of
ten days after, I found every one of this lot of trees similarly affected;
many of them in spots the whole length of the stem. I cut off several of
them below the part affected, (as I supposed), and others I found diseased to
the root, but without any benefit. The trees are now all dead or past recov-
ery. Now, what was the cause ? was it the extreme cold of the winter,
without the usual protection of snow ? (see Meteorological abstract attached)
or by the unseasonably cold weather of the 15th and 16th of April, (20 de-
grees above 0.) after the sap was in motion ? was the injury entirely in the
stem ? or were the roots injured ? I regret that I did not examine the roots at
the time. What inclines me to think the roots were injured by the winter
frost, is the fact, that about a dozen Plum trees in the nursery rows (of suit-
able size for planting) withered and died when the leaves were about half e.\-
panded, and on taking Ihem up, I found the roots evidently frozen to death.
Also many two year old root-grafted apple trees were killed out in the same
manner. I submit the foregoing facts with a meteorological abstract of the
last nine months, and call your notice to the fact, that heretofore we have
been exempt from the frozen sap blight on Pears in this region.

ON PLUMS.

This fruit succeeds well in this section, particularly on strong clay soils.
Many choice kinds are grown here ; among them are the Green Gage, Bleeck-
er's Gage, Washington, Yellow Gage, "Lombard, \Vliite Magnum Bonum,
Damson, &c., all of which are productive and profitable. The Egg Plum is
apt to rot on the tree ; a remedy which has been attended with success, is to
bore a hole in the tree and put in a dose of sulphur and plug up tight. The
Curculiois the only very troublesome insect that attacks the plum in this sec-
tion.

46

ON CHERRIES.

Very little attention has heretofore been paid to the culture of choice vari-
eties of cliorries. The Morello is abundantly raised ; and witliin the last
few years, a great many of the finest kinds have been introduced, and begin
to bear and promise well.

ON QUINCE.

The Quince will not succeed in this part of the State without care, and
some slight protection. A neighbor of mine has had a few bushes in bear-
ing for many years ; they bear a few this season, and had no protection last
winter.

ON PEACHES.

They require protection in this section. A few trees in this county are
bearing a little fruit this season ; these were protected by evergreens stuck
around the tress and tied close in the fall and left till the first of May. I bud-
ded some three hundred seedling trees last August; the winter was unusu-
ally severe ; the Themometer in January and February, was, for nineteen days,
below Zero, and once as low as 20°, and the ground bare of snow ; the stocks
were killed down generally to within six inches of the ground, and most of
the buds killed out, — leaving, however, about twenty living, which have made
a good growth ; these had no protection whatever.

I woulfl request your attention t^ these facts, with reference to the degree
of cold necessary to kill all fruit buds; and inserted buds. I would merely
remark further, that I think the degree of cold that buds will endure, depends
very much on the previous warmth of the weather, and whether the buds have
been affected thereby.

GOOSEBERRIES.

Tiiese are cultivated in many gardens with success ; they are, however, fre-
quently mildewed, but probably not more than in other sections of the coun-
try. We have found manuring them with leached ashes a preventative.

RASPBERRIES.

The Wliite and Red Antwerp Raspberries are cultivated in Gardens gen-
erally in our villages, and vrith the best success ; they are generally grown
without protection. I have sometimes laid them down and given them a light
covering of earth, and am of the opinion that the latter course is necessary to
ensure a good crop. My Fastolff 's bore heavily this season and were very
fine.

STRAWBERRIES.

Many valuable kinds are now cultivated with success ; among those moat
approved, are the Hovey's seedling, and Ross Phno^ix. They bore well Ihid
eeason.

GRAPES.

The Isabella. — The Isabella, is perhaps the best Grape that lias been cul-
tivated in this county successfully. It does very well trained on the South
Bide of buildings ; requires pruning, although not closely, and should be taken
down and covered every fall ; in this way we can depend on a good crop of
Grapes with a certainty. I have known instances of large crops of Isabellas
from vines that have not been pruned for a number of years ; except so far

47

as it has been pruned by the frost ; a case of this kind occurs this year with-
in my observation.

White Sweetwater. — This Grape does well on open trellises ; but not
so well on a wall, being apt to mould ; they must be laid down every winter,
and require close pruning.

MuscADEL. — This Grape is perfectly hardy here, and is fine for training
over buildings; it is a good grape, and requires but little pruning: and three
weeks earlier than the Isabella. Valuable for this climate.

CovvAN. — A hardy native Grape, of good size and quality, brought into
this county by the late Judge Cowan. Valuable for this climate.

INSECTS.

The Aphides, and the Caterpiller, are the only insects that prove destruc-
tive to the apple in this section ; the Apple Borer, as far as I am aware, haa
not anacked our trees ; and the Canker Worm is but littli known here. The
Aphides have sometimes attacked our Pear Trees ; we apply the usual reme-
dies. The Curculio is the only insect that has proved destructive to Plums. I
have been unable to make any observations on insects, that will be of value to
you. Plums in this section, as far as my observation extends, have been al-
most entirely free from the Curculio this season ; the Aphides have prevailed
much less this season, than last year ; Caterpillars about as usual.

REMARKS ON THE WEATHER.

Last season we lost all our Peaches, Plums and Cherries, as it has been said,
by the extreme cold, — the Thermometer having sunk as low in different sec-
tions of the country, as from 10 to 17 below 0.

The present season our Plums and Cherries are bearing in great abundance,
and a very few Peaches, even here, have escaped the extreme cold ; exceeding
by three degrees in intensity, and as compared with 1847-8, twenty days be-
low Zero, to seven of the former year.

We have been suffering intensely from the drought for the last six weeks, —
previous to 1st August, — which has caused apples to fall, and has shortened
the Strawberry and Raspberry season here. Our Pears and Plums, however,
I hope will not be injured by it now, — 10th August, — we hav^, rain in abun-
dance.

FRUITFULNESS OF THE YEAR.

Apples — Blossomed very full and set; but in consequence of unfavorabhi
weather afterwards, the fall from the trees leaving quite a light crop.
Pears — Abundant bearing.
Cherries — Abundant bearing.
Plums — Abundant bearing.
Peaches — l'''ailure
QuiN'CEs — Failure.
Gooseberries — Abundant bearing.
Raspberries — Somewhat less than last year.|
Grapes — Abundant bearing.

48

METEOROLOGICAL ABSTRACT.

Frok 1st November, 1848, to 1st August, 1849.

November Coldest day, 11th, 10° above O.

Warmest day, 5th, 57°

ZL .
Ram Gage, 2ioo in.

December Coldest day, 23d, 10'^ below O.

Warmest day, 18th, 50° above O. 'i

^ 67^ . > One dav below Zero.

Ram Gage, 2ioo m. V

January Coldest day, 19th, 13° below O.

Warmest day, 26th, 48° above O.
3 inches snow.

3»2<> 1° 11» 4» 6° 13» 7-

Thermometer was 8 day below Zero, 2, 4, 10, 11, 12, 18, 19 &, 22.

February Coldest day, 17th, 20° below.

Warmest day, 26th 44° above —
8 inches snow.
Thermometer was 11 5^ 2° 5= 1° 7° 10° 12= 20"= 14=* 13° 7"
days below Zero, g^ §; 10,72,13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22,

March Coldest day, 5th, 9° above.

Warmest day, 31st, 50° above —
2 mches rain.

April Coldest days, 15th and 16th, 20° above.

Warmest day, 4th, 62° above —

lioo in. rain.

May Coldest day, 4th, 35°.

Warmest day, 20th, 72°—

2 in. rain.

June Coldest day, 10th, 45°

Warmest day, 22d, 93°—

1^
lioo in. rain,

July Coldest day, 1st, 64°.

Warmest day, 15th, 100°—

3_

lioo in. rain.

MEMORANDUM OF COLD WEATHER, 1848.

JANUARY AND FEBRUARY.

January 4, 9, 10, 11. January 1st, warmest day,

10^10^155 TF S2°.

February 11, 12, March 13th,

45 4^ i 0°

Rain.— Water fallen for 12 months ending 31st December, 1848, is thirty-
two inches.

Water fallen for 9 months ending 31st July, 1849, not exactly ascertained,
but will not exceed 15 inches.

A lively interest is springing up among people generally in Clinton county,
and appearances indicate a steady advance in fruit culture. _ _

Li Essex county, there has also been some considerable advance ; and it is
presumed they will not stop.

49

In Franklin county, but little has yet been done ; but the People are be-
ginning to enquire for trees and information ; and it is presumed they will not
long be left without good fruit.

Plattsburg, Clmton County, August, 1849.

Report of W. R. Coppock, Esq., of Buffalo, Erie County:

As one of the Committee, appointed for this State, to examine and report
Tipon the progress of Horticulture, in the western portion of this State ; and
in the County of Erie, and adjoining towns, on the lake border more parti-
cularly, I beg leave to oifer the following report : —

In taking a retrospective view of the past season, it may be well to
premise, first, our winter has been even more than usually severe, — the mer-
cury frequently below zero, — Avith strong prevailing winds, and but little
snow for any continuous period. The months of January and February
were peculiar from the sudden transitions of temperature ; March, April and
May were generally cold and cheerless, with much rain, at, or near, freezing
point. The Peach suflFered much, and generally, the drizzling cold rains
with occasional warm vernal weatlier put a sad check to this delicate
fruit, whose leaves, ever extremely sensitive to transition, were blistered,
and crumpled and eventually died, together with such young wood as had
been made up to June. Many various opinions were entertained as to the
true cause, — cold was undoubtedly the agent ; other fruits were more gen-
erally spared, and the season may be generally considered as a fruitful year.
Plums are abundant, as also apples, pears, apricots, cherries, with an oeca-
sional exception ; indeed, generally speaking the various fruits have been
fairer, and less attacked by the usual depredatory insects. The curculio has
certainly appeared vastly less. The apple borer we know but little of, and
the frozen or sap blight in Pears, and the yellows in Peaches, are entirely
unknown to our localities. The Gooseberry grub and the Rose bug.
however, together with an infinite variety of the Aphides, are well known
and abounding with us.

The progress of Horticulture is rapidly onward ; zeal, skill, and success-
ful enterprise is becoming general, and amateur and professional labors arc
becoming very extended throughout our whole section. Perhaps it miglit
not be unsafe to aver that fruits generally have increased in quantity in tliis
section of country, at least 300 per cent, during the past five years.

Our soils are very varied in their character, chiefly upon a limestone base,
and embrace even in small localities, all the requisite peculiarities neces-
sary for the proper culture of our general fruits. The latitude of Buffixlo
is 42' 53' N. and at an altitude of between 500 and 600 feet above tide
water. The proximity of the lakes, and the prevailing winds having pas-
sed over those large bodies of water, I have no doubt the climate becomes
temperate, and yields a humidity admirably adapted to fruit culture ; nci
where does the apple, or pear, or indeed any of the fruits which usualh
ripen in this meridian, succeed better than with us. The Grape, too-^
Isabella, Catawba, Miller's Burgundy, with the White Sweetwater, and
other native grapes — generally ripen their fruit with us. We are also, in
many instances, cultivating the finer foreign varieties of the grape by the
aid of glass, in what is termed the cold vinery ; and indeed the routine of
Horticulture, in all its varied departments, is becoming not only a source of
infinite pleasure in its stimuli, but, through our markets, a source of large
profit.

In enumerating our standard fruits, I will begin with the Strawberry-,
and remark en passant,that perhaps no one fruit has so many dissenting opin-
ions, as to successes and reverses in their culture. The fiiilures, however, are
more chiefly confined to the large varieties, and are I feel satisfied attributable

D

50

to bad management and impoverished soils. There is a fact in vegetable
Physiology, that is sadly overlooked by too many of our fruit growing
friends, viz : That high bred, and hybrid, and cross bred varieties require a
corresponding high feeding and careful cultivation ; and this is in evidence,
not only, with fruits and vegetables, but alike also with animals. Thus,
much diversity of success, and of course opinion, has prevailed with regard
to the variety — ^Hovey's Seedling, as a bearer, yielding a full and fair crop.
With myself, heretofore, it has failed, but only from the causes before mien-
tioned ; with others, where suitable strong and rich soil, and a proper system
of pruning the runners, has been carefully followed, immense crops both
in quantity and size have followed. A too common fault of persons growing
these vines for sale, lies in their mapping them for runners, year after year,
and rarely growing them for fruit. By these means, the constitution of so
high a bred plant becomes sadly degenerated ; in truth, its fructifying
powers have become nearly extinct. The same remarks will apply to all,
or nearly so, of the large varieties. The most proper variety with us, are the
misnamed '■'Large''' Early Scarlet — Hovey's Seedling, Burrh New Pine, Rival
Hudson and Boston Pine.

APRICOTS AND NECTARINES.

These fruits are cultivated to but a limited extent, in our vicinity ; and yet
they are to be found in many gardens in the vicinity of the city. A too gene-
ral mistake in their culture has given them a warm aspect, the South, well
protected, where they suffer from our late spring frosts ; Dubois' Golden and
the Moor Park Apricot, and the Large Early Violet, and the Downton Nec-
tarines are in cultivation with us ; subject of course to the same evil that the
plum is — the curcuHo.

CHERRIES.

The cherry family grow with us in profusion, and are rendered a large
source of profit. Single trees in our neighborhood yield from $15 to $18,
per year for fruit. Black Tartarian, Elk Horn, Belle de Choisy, Yellow
Spanish, and the May Duke are among the most popular. We had hoped
this season to have fruited some of Dr. Kirtland's seedlings from scions
he very kindly furnished us. The specimens we have tasted of several of
his varieties have led us to anticipate a valuable accession to the Cherry family.
The large varieties require strong cultivation, in rich loams, to mature well.

Of the diseases to which this fruit is subject, perhaps that of being " bark
bound," is the most prominent, and has led many persons into a barbarous
practice of tattooing and scouring the bark, and other mutilations for a cure
entirely empyrical and unnecessary. The bark-bind of a tree is analogous
to the hide-bound of an animal, and simply requires the same treatment,
emollients — an application of warm soft soap, well painted on the tree, early
in the season, will generally prevent the malady. There is however, another
and more thorough preventive for this trouble, equally applicable to the
whole range of fruit culture, which is this — grow the tree low, avoiding a
long surface of trunk for a midsummer sun, to dry and evaporate the juices
which ought otherwise to be used elsewhere. Depend upon it this is the grand
secret of successful health and growth, of very many of our fine fruits.
Take for instance the past summer, which has been one of long drought, and
with hardly a particle of humidity in the atmosphere ; such a season is pe-
culiarly trying to all vegetation, but especially so to tall frees. It is from
this great exposure of a large surface to a searching and drying sun, that so
many of our forest trees when left isolated die off! Another advantage of
low heads, is the shading, and of course, cooling, the roots, so very genial to

51

summer growth. Mulching is then not necessary, the powers of the soil
readily receive fresh streams of air ; moisture is readily attained by capillary
attraction, and constitution and vigor attends the tree.

PLUMS.

The Plum,no less than the Cherry, flourishes well with us ; it riots in good
living in a not too light soil; indeed both the Cherry and the Plum luxuri-
ate in a s1ii!" clay loam that is well worked and drained, and contains a full
share of the inorganic constituents which composed it. The chief and only
enemy it. has to contend with, is the Curculio. Of the many receipts that
have been chronicled as certain cure, none with us other than the mesmeric
manipulation of that veteran Poraologist, David Thomas, '■•stays jnil." That
is, catcli them and draw, if you please, their proboscis — Paving, salt, sulpliur,
&L(i. &c., are of no avail ; the truth is, the animal flies, and is abundantly found
in our Western woods. In close settled districts, cities and towns, would our
plum-loving friends be industrious for a few seasons, the race, I am satisfied,,
might be anniiiilated. In n;y ovvn case, where, a few years since, they ruined
every plum and apricot, they have by this method of the spread sheet, &c.,
nearly disappeared ; last season I paid a penny each for every specimen ; this
season I can well pay in plums.

We have, I am sorry to see, harbored among us, a great many mongrel
seedlings, many of which, I have no doubt, are from the Green Gage, being
somewhat larger,some resembling Bleeker's Gage,others Prince's yellow Gage,
and again like the Drap d'Or. None, however, are equal to the parent, or
the varieties mentioned, and whose good name they have pilfered. In flavor,
they have no marked character, but a sickish, clamray,unwholesome dry flesh.
The varieties most esteemed are — Washington,Lawrence's Favorite, Bleek-
er's Gageji, Garden Gage, (seldom found true,) Purple Favorite, Coe's Golden
Drop, Prince's yellow Gage, Diapree Rouge, and for a late plum for preserves.
Frost Gage, and for the same purpose we might add the White Magnum Bo-
num, from its fine size and color. The balance of the Magnum Bonum and
JGgg family are coarse, tasteless, and valueless cumberers of the ground.

PEARS.

In Pear culture, a new era has dawned upon us. A truly valuable, whole-
some and nutricious edible, which, in former years, was planted for the bene-
fit of the succeeding generation, has by the genius of man been so rejuvina-
ted, that the old man may plant witli a fair assurance tliat to him shall revert
a reward for his labor ; and neither shall he be obliged to hazard his neck
upon a crazy ladder to attain it : but, go forth, putting out his hand, pluck
the ripened fruit. Without forther hyperbole, T allude to tlie Dwarf, or
Quince stocks so admirably adapted to garden culture. Here they may stand
within six feet of each other, and under a proper system of pruning, the crop
may be gathered within reach of the hand. This" is indeed the true acme of
fruit-growing. There are but few varieties of the Pear but what grow ad-
mirably upon the Quince, and indeed the few refractory, such as the Dix.
Beurre Bose, and others, do well when double worked, that is, budding or
grafting upon a stock already worked upon the Quince. These dwarfs usu-,
ally come into bearing the second or third year from working, and some of the
varieties, the Bartlett, for instance, frequently the first season. This fruit has
rapidly accumulated around us, and the varieties are nearly, if not equal in
numbers, to the Pear mania districts of tlie Eastern States. In their care,
however, we have learned a serious lesson, viz : money and time both wasted.
The heads of hundreds of our carefully nursed trees are becoming decapita, .

52

ted in order to replace them with, perhaps, a less euphonious name — but a
more intrinsically valuable fruit. The varieties which we more especially rely
upon, are — Stevens^ Genesee, Onondaga, Seckel, Dearborn^s Seedling of the
American varieties ; of the foreign, Bartlett,Dutchess d'Angouleme, Louise
Bonne de Jersey, Wliite Doyenne, Beun-e d'Aremburg, Maria Louise, Glout
J\Iorceau — with some others.

APPLES.

This fruit may well be deemed one of the staples of both the orchard and
the garden ; its reliable crop and the many valuable uses to which it may
be put, alike demand our attention and skill, prompted too, by strong motives
of domestic policy, as a marketable and exportmg product ; one indeed of
growing magnitude and profit. The apple is peculiarly, and like the peach,
an American fruit. Our seedling varieties find no rivals in Europe ; adapted
by climnte and temperature to our northern, and especially the western and
middle States, we are becoming exporters to all portions of world. The
varieties chiefly in cultivation with us, are the NorthernSpy, Westfield Seek-
nofurther, Swaar, Rhode Island Greening, Early Strawberry, Early June,Rox-
bury Russet, Esopus Spitzenberg, Baldwin, jMidder, Green Newtown Pippin,
Talraau's Sweeting, Detroit Red — with many others ; but these may be con-
sidered the most favored varieties. Heretofore we have had an excellent mar-
ket for apples at Chicago and other ports in the Upper Lakes ; but such has
been the rapidity of enterprise in those sections, that ere long they will u=-
come rather exporters than importers of fruits generally.

Before closing this too, perhaps, desultory report, I would respectfully urge
upon the members of the Convention, the necessities and advantages that
would accrue, did they cultivate enquiry and concert of action upon those
branches of entomology which treat of an almost innumerable tribe of depreda- "
tory insects so destructive to fruit trees; as well also should the attention of
the Convention be directed to the analysis of the various woods composing the
great routine of fruit culture ; the nature and effects of special manures in
ameliorating what are considered worn-out soils, by supplying those inorganic
constituents which compose the plants ; the peculiar effects of climate and
hybridation upon their vitality and longevity, and as far as practicable, an expo-
sition of vegetable physiologj' as connected with the phenomena of vegetable
economy.

These, and indeed other subjects, are fully comprised in the practice and
spirit of Horticulture, and it is to this Convention that we must look for that
wisdom and direction so necessary to beneficial and successful results.

Vine Cottage, Buffalo, N. Y., September, 1849.

KEPORT

OF F. R. ELLIOTT, CLEVELAND, OHIO, TO THE PRESIDENT

AND MEMBERS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL

CONVENTION.

Appointed as Chairman of a State Fruit Convention for Oliio, I find myself
compelled, as it were, to offer a short report, without, in fact, having much
material whereon to build the same.

No communication having reached me from any of my colleagues in Com-
mittee for the State, coupled with an almost unprecedented scarcity of fruits
throughout the State, I shall consider myself as having good and sufficient
cause for brevity.

As all may know the geographical position of our State by reference to the
map, I shall not consider it necessary to say aught upon it, but confine myself
simply to remarks upon the times of ripening, and general character of fruits,
in various sections of the State.

The Strawberry being the first to ripen, I may write that a variety received
(and which I think correct,) as Southboro' Seedling, has ripened among our
very earliest. Two seasons it has perfected its fruit along with Large Early-
Scarlet ; and is, I think, a more prolific variety — equally large berry and
hardy vine.

The new varieties of Strawberry originated by Mr. Burr at Columbus, of
which reports have been made and published, have not, with one exception,
fruited sufficiently to my knowledge, in this part of the State, to enable any
person to speak confidently of their ultimate qualities.

The " New Pine" and Ohio IMammoth, have both produced a few berries
of fine size, — the latter variety however, producing only imperfect fruit, and
promising little for productiveness. Burr's Old Seedling is a variety that may
be recommended to fruit growers who desire a hardy vine, and prolific for
culture in gardens, simply for family use, and where it is not intended to
devote much tmie to their care. This and Southboro' Seedling, Dundee,
Large Early Scarlet, and a variety known as the Willey, are all such as will
produce profitably, with little care.

The latter named variety, " Willey," for a history of which I refer to the
" Reports of Ohio Fruit Convention," page 40, for 1848, and have again this
season examined with some degree of attention, and connected with informa-
tion gained from Mr. Edward Thompson, formerly gardener to Mr. Willey, I
am more and more induced to think is now as distributed, not uniformly a
distinct variety, but that the bed of Mr. Willey's, in which the variety of Mrs.
Lord's was planted, no particular care was taken to eradicate seedlings, and
therefore while some cultivators have a new and distinct berry for this variety,
others have one which it is difficult to distinguish from the Hudson.

Connected with the noting of a few varieties, comes the subject of profit
and loss in growing the same.

While Cincinnati ranks first of all in the quantities of berries sold in her
markets, I do not recollect any particular statement as to the profit of growing
the same. That it has proved profitable we know, from the fact of cultiva-.
tors continuing the propagation, and extending the quantity of ground. The
amount of profits of course, must depend, from year to year, on the quantity
produced, and the demand.

54

I have not myself entered much into the culture of them for markets, and
cannot give a f;iu- estimate of the profit of one variety over anotlier, when
grown to any extent. I will however give the following, from which some
data may be obtained, and will also add, that I question, whether the variety
I used is any more productive than would be Dundee or Burr's old seedling.
Upon one-fourth of an acrej light loamy sand, rather poor, not highly
manured, I planted in 1846, the variety known as Willey, in rows two feet
apart, and plants one feet apart in the row.

In 1847, 1 gathered during twenty-six consecutive days, 1345 quarts for
sale, and for which I received one hundred and forty dollars, when taken to
market.

In 1848, 1 gathered for sale, 615 quarts, for which I received sixty-three
dollars, fifty-five cents. These amounts are exclusive of what were gathered
from time to time for family use, of some twelve persons.
I estimate as follows : —

Use of one-fourth acre of land, 3 years, $6 00

Labor planting and hoeing first year, 4 00

Labor planting and hoeing second year, .... 3 00

Labor planting and hoeing third year, 3 00

Labor gathering first year, 20 00

Labor gathering second year, 12 00

$48 00
Receipts first year, — cash, $140 00
Receipts second year, — cash, 63 35
Receipts, say for family use, 10 00 213 35

Nett profit, $165 35

The culture of fruits for individual use, as well as for sale, is rapidly
extending in Ohio. A general taste for reading upon Horticultural and
Agricultural subjects, has become so prevalent, that aside from the numerous
journals, devoted exclusively to the subject, circulating among us, there is
hardly a newspaper of any account, but what has witliin the past three years,
found it advisable to success, to devote a portion of its columns to this
particular subject. Large orchards are being planted in the northern portion
of our State, consisting of Apples, Pears, Cherries and Peaches.

In the southern portion, orchardists confine themselves principally to apples
suited to the southern market. The shores of Lake Erie being generally
exempt from late spring frosts, a crop may be counted upon, say five years
out of six.

The proprietors of Kelley Island, situate in Lake Erie, nearly opposite of
Sandusky, are planting orchards of Apples and Pears, with a view to shipment
to England, — Chen-ies and Peaches for lake and southern markets. The
opening of Railroad communications, between the lake and river, will tend
to increase the growth of fruits at the north, and lessen the culture of early
vegetables, inasmuch as the one can be grown more surely here than at the
south, or central part of the State, and the other can be grown on the river
borders, in open culture, ready for sale, about as soon as here, by means of
glass. The culture of the Rhubarb or Pie-plant, has been found one of great
profit at Cincinnati and elsewhere, by gardeners ; but the variety, Victoria,
has not been found as profitable to pull from as some, considered more com-
mon varieties. Visiting the garden of Mr. Thompson, this season, I noticed
one among hundreds of seedling roots, that if it is found to bear pulling
from freely, will doubtless excel anything as yet noticed. It is of fine grahi
— large round stalks, and equally as long as Victoria, and of a much more
agreeable acid than any variety I know.

55

The culture of the Cherry has become one of doubt in the central and
southern parts of the State, so much so, that although yearly, there are more
or less planted, and some successfully grown ; yet the deaths have been so
numerous, that many are deterred from planting, and substitute the Apple
where they would prefer the Cherry. The disease which affects the tree, by
some called sun-blight, by others plethora, or a kind of asthmatic aflection,
has been treated upon by Professor Turner, in the " Horticulturist," and also
by the present writer. As I can say no more than I have there done, I will
not occupy space here, but refer to that article all who wish to know my
views upon it. Numerous are the new seedling varieties yearly produced ;
some of which are fully equal to most of older well known kinds, others not
deserving a passing notice, only to condemn.

E. Cushing, M.D., of Cleveland, has also originated several new seedlings,
which are some of them reputed valuable. Not having had opportunity of
examining and'' comparing them, I cannot say how much they deserve
commendation.

Mr. M. Lindley, of Euclid, Ohio, has in like manner some new seedlings,
and so also Mr. D. Proudfoot, of Cleveland; but not having seen fruits of
them, I cannot speak of their value.

Professor J. P. Kirtland, the pioneer fruit cultivator in Ohio, has grown
numerous seedlings, of which some notices and descriptions, have been from
time to time published. The cherries, of which notice has been made, were
grown from pits of the Bigarreau,Graffion, or Yellow Spanish. The parent
tree standing in close proximity with a Black-heart, and Black-mazzard;
while most of the seedlings have borne a strong resemblance to the Bigarreau,
some few have proved only good Mazzards, and two or three resemble the
Black-Heart. '

The decay of the fruit upon the trees this season, coupled with the depre-
dations of the Rose-bug, taking in connection with the injury the germs
received while in flower, from a long continued cold wind, has given little
opportunity for examining and testing varieties. Sufficient however matured,
to enable us to become satisfied, that a variety originally introduced by Prof.
Kirtland to Ohio, in 1844, under name of Swedish,* by which name it was
billed at an Eastern Nursery, is identical with Early White Heart. It is some-
times known in Ohio as Swedish Ked-heart; Bowyer's Early Heart, we also
consider identical with the foregoing. A variety introduced into Ohio, as
" German jMay-duke," fruited this season, side by side, with Early Purple
Guigne, and is identified with the latter.

A valuable Morello CheiTy, which originated with Professor Kirtland,
some 20 years since, but which has never before been described, is the
" Shannon," named so in respect to the Hon. Wilson Shannon, once the
Governor of this State.

SHANNON.

* In McMahon's American Gardener, Edition 1806 — this variety is named as Swedish :-
djuestion, whether tliis name has not priority.

56

Form — Globular, flattened at junction with stem.

Size — Above medium, or rather larger than May Duke,

Stem — Long and slender, inserted in an open cavity.

Color — Dark purplish red.

Flesh — Somewhat stained or marbled, with purplish red, tender, juicy,
acid.

Pit — Small in proportion to size of fruit.

Ripe— July 12th to 15th.

Tree from which the specimen and description was taken — stands in grass
ground, and without culture.

With the decay in the fruit previous to, or about the time of maturity, I
have at various times attributed it to various causes, and am yet fully unset-
tled as to the true cause. Malaria existing in the atmosphere may be the
])rime cause, and to this I have before attributed it, but why that cause
should continue from season to season, and also from the ripening of Cher-
ries, until the most of Peaches are gone, I am not able to determine.

It is not improbable that another cause, and the same which I am induced
to think causes leaf blight in Pear and Plum, may be' the one that produces
the decay in fruit. I mean a want of some material in the soil — chemical
analysis of some few particular varieties — analysis of both wood and fruit,
and application to the tree of the component parts such analysis shows
needed, will test the truth of this theory.

The leaf blight has been more extended in the Pear and Plum this season,
than that of any previous one in Ohio. Application of common salt and
wood ashes to one tree, and of wood ashes alone to another Plum tree, has
rendered tiiem free from leaf blight, and a continued healthy appearance
throughout the season. Application of Poudrette, ground bones, ashes and
lime — all mingled, have rendered Pear trees, side by side, or say thirty feet
distant each, healthy, and free from leaf blight, while those without such
application have been aifected.

Insects have been more numerous this season than before in Ohio. The
Curculio leaves but few fruits unpunctured. The Rose-bug devours Cher-
ries, Peaches, Apricots and Plums, with an earnestness that dismays by its
hundreds and thousands, the most sanguine pomologist.

The Slug in his slime, unknown hereabouts, until last season, has been
very destructive this year, and for all these various insects, the various reme-
dies advised have been used, and by some with success — by others with
failure.

The culture of the Peach in northern Ohio is increasing fast, and it may
be said to be a variety of fruit that repays culture and occupation of land,
as well as any other. In seasons like the present, the ripe fruit along the
Jjake-shore commands readily two to three dollars per bushel, and in the best
fruit seasons, rarely falls below one dollar per bushel. The dried Peach is
also an item of no inconsiderable note, when estimated from the books of
dealers therein, — dried Peaches usually commanding ready sale at three dollars
per bushel. Numerous seedlings are almost yearly being produced, many
of them very fine, and yet none that are sufficiently superior to varieties
already named and described, as to render them worthy a place in a list of
the best varieties.

From Lorain and Tuscarora Counties, I have received some very fine
new seedlings, but as before remarked, not of any superior character, to place
them above varieties already known.

Many cultivators in Ohio are now planting out orchards of seedling Peach
trees, grown from pits of the most choice varieties, under the impression
that the trees will be more hardy than those budded. This of course will
tend to introduce almost innumerable new seedlings, doubtless many of them

57

of great excellence ; but under such circumstances, it also requires, from
whoever may introduce any variety to notice, close discernment and intimate
acquaintance with existing named kinds.

The disease termed Yellows is almost unknown in Ohio, and I may be
thought bold and presuming, when I assert that I do not think it ever was
fomid existing in a tree planted in rich virgin earth ; biit always in trees in
some old garden, or some badly cultivated orchard, with worn-out soil.

Apricots rarely endure our climate more than three to four years ; although
of course many instances are found of large trees, either budded upon the
Peach or Plum stock, if united near the ground, they have proved failures as
a whole.

If however, the Plum or Peach stock, is formed with one tier of branches,
and the Apricot inserted above, they are successful and durable.

Nearly every named variety of this, a* well as all other fruits, are kept by
our western nurserymen, for sale, and therefore are all on trial.

The Breda and Peach varieties, are however those most generally dissem-
inated.

The Nectarine in fruit is rarely known here, — some cultivators planting
trees, but the fruit being so preyed upon by the Curculio, it is rare to meet
with it in a ripened form.

The Plum of some variety may be found in all townships, and nearly all
gardens, owing more to the fact of so many Germans being among our
population, than the pleasure any one has of the ripened fruit. The Curculio
presents himself at almost all points, being however less destructive upon
strong clay, than on sandy soils.

Not having any specimens this season upon which to remark,! should refer
to what was published in the Transactions of Ohio Fruit Growers' Conven-
tions for 1848, where any one desii-ous of information relatmg to it in Ohio,
will find it.

I may however remark here, that the decay in the fruit, of which I have
made note on a previous page, and which I half ascribe to atmospheric
influence, has existed this season in trees upon dry, and on moist soils alike.

In fact a tree supplied with all known requisites to cause its perfection of
fruit, has lost nearly all by decay, while at same time the tree has appeared
healthy and vigorous.

With tlie Pear and Apple, as most varieties will probably come up for
discussion in the Convention, I shall pass over any comments, preferring
rather to record them at that time, and in connection with others, than at this
present. For some early varieties, I refer again to the Ohio Fruit Reports,
not having anything further to note of them.

KEPOKT

OF F. S. PHOENIX, AS CHAIRMAN OF WISCONSIN STATE HOR-
TICULTURAL COMMITTEE, TO THE NORTH AMERICAN
POMOLOGICAL CONVENTION.

This new State from its great size, presents quite a diversity of soil and
climate. A large portion however, being as yet unsettled, remains practically
" terra incognita^'' to the Horticulturist. It is only the southern portion that
has been as yet reclaimed from its native wilderness. The surface of this
portion is gently undulating, with but little very flat or very rough land, —
though there is occasionally a gravel ridge, or group of gravel knolls. From
one third to one half of its surface is praine,the rest timbered land or openings,
mostly the latter. Oak is the prevailing timber. The soil is mostly a loam
from SIX inches, to as many feet in depth, resting generally on a gravelly sub-
soil. Near the surt;ice the sand predominates, but as you descend to the
gravel, the soil becomes more clayey and heavier. On the prairies the soil is
generally blacker and richer than in the openings. There seems to be in
much of our soiI,a principle that proves peculiarly exciting to Peach and Eng-
lish Cherry trees, and more or less so to all trees, causing a rankness and
immaturity of growth, that is very susceptible to injury from the cold. Our
soil is easily worked, and is admirably adapted to withstand severe drouths or
heavy rains.

But the great peculiarity of this country in a horticultural point of view,
lies as I think in its climate which is quite different from that in the same lat-
itude in the Eastern States. This difference may be generally stated as fol-
lows : — There is here much more sunshine — much less rain and snow, and
hence a dryer atmosphere — more constant winds (though none so severe) and
perhaps more changes and greater extremes in the weather. But winters va-
ry much — from quite mild, and with almost no snow and many thaws, to long
and severe ones, with two feet of snow, the thermometor sometimes ranging
as low as 26® below 0. These severe winters are the great source of trouble
to nursery-men and Fruit-growers here ; operating as they do not unfavora^
bly upon all trees and plants not perfectly hardy. It would be very interest-
ing to inquire particularly into the occasion of those peculiarities in our cli-
mate ; but having neither the time nor ability, I can only remark that I think
them owing to our far inland position, our propinquity to the great Lakes
and the great plainnesss or champaign character of our surfiice.

The prevailing amount of wind may have much to do with them. They
are the more striking from the f;ict that in going a little distance, (say 120
miles) East or South, we find a very different climate. The capabilities of
our soil for growing fruit have been as yet but slightly tested, as the country
has been much settled only some six or eight years. But had even that time
been rightly improved, we might have made far greater advancement in Hor-
ticulture than we have. As it is other and more immediately passing wants
and interests have been suffered to engross our attention until lately, as the
tide of Horticultural progress has broken over us, we are being aroused to a
sense of our backwardness and a determination if possible to make up lost
time.

We can therefore report but few attainments in Horticulture ; yet enough
has been done, to enable us to form a pretty correct idea of the rank and
character this country will probably assume among fruit producing sections.
There are many young orchards planted out, some of which have been in
bearing four or five years, uniformly producing, where of good kinds, lair and
unusually fine-grained, high flavored fruit. In regard to the production of

59

apples, I do not hesitate to record it as my deliberate opinion, that it is des-
tined to rank among the very first fruit-growing sections. Common red
Cherries also succeed admirably. Plums and Pears also flourish, but will not
be perhaps so generally or easily raised as they have been at the East. —
Peaches, English Cherries, Quinces, are decidedly more uncertain and difficult
to raise by reason of the occasional severity of our winters injuring the trees
or the frnit-buds. With care however they may be made to succeed tolera-
bly well in favorable locations. Peaches, I am quite confident will yet be
grown here in large quantities in favorable seasons. As to the smaller fruits,
they do exceedingly well, though the more tender sorts require protection. —
In regard to the quality of our fruits, it is of the very finest kind ; decidedly
superior as I think, and were it not for the occasional severity of our winters,
we might challenge the world to excel us in the production of fine fruit. —
As it is, we can have, and shall have soon, much excellent fruit, and as the
country grows older, and our inhabitants find more time and facilities to care
for and make experiments with the more tender sorts, we may reasonably
expect them to become comparatively abundant.

The injuries to fruit trees, by our winters or the cold, may be classed as
follows : —

1. A bursting of the bark in the Fall, at the base of young apple trees,
grafted on the root — more particularly of the tender sorts. This is sometimes
very troublesome, especially to Nursery-men, before they ascertain which
those tender sorts are.

2. A corruption or decomposition of the tissues of the trees, by which the
heart-wood decays, wounds as in trimming canker, and the bark decays in
spots. All sorts are liable to this species of injury. If severe and not over-
come by a very rigorous outside growth, the top soon decays.

3 Mechanical freezing down of the extremities, often combined with the
preceding. To this. Peach, Quinces, and English Cherry Trees are most li-
able. The liability to all three of those is greatly increased by a late, rank
growth.

4. The destruction of Peach, and English Cherry blossom buds by severe
cold or sudden changes in tlie winter, which happens with Peaches almost ev-
ery other year, or three years out of five. Thus we see the two great horti-
cultural desideratums to be accomplished here :

1. To so modify and cultivate the soil, as that the growth of trees shall be
moderate and perfectly matured.

2. To protect and shelter tender trees as far as possible from injury in our
winters.

These objects will be best attained as I conceive by the following consid-
erations— the selection of the hardiest sorts — elevated locations for fruit trees ,
and a soil not too rich — cultivation early in the season only, and protecting
them by buildings, fences, hedges,&c.,from ouy piercingly severe, drying loin-
ter winds. I am also inclined to think that some applications may be made to
the soil, to induce anearly mature gi'owth. Old, well-rotted manure moder-
ably applied, seems to have this eftect at least upon apple trees, so far as I
have tried it.

The diseases of fruit trees with us, are of course few as yet ; their ene-
mies being mostly external, such as worms, bugs, aphides &c., in which the
West is remarkably fruitful.

THE NURSERY BUSINESS AND PRACTICE— HARDIHOOD ^
OF VARIETIES.

Nurseries are being thickly established among us, so that there is no dan-
ger but there will be a fair trial of the merits of the fruit and fruit-tree busi-
ness here. Thousands of trees are also annually shipped from the East, and

60

brought up from the South ; many in so miserable a condition, that they are
only put out to die, to say nothing of their utter destitution of correctness in
name. Apple trees are sold at from 18 to 25 cents, and $16 to $20 per 100..
Plum, Pear, and English Cherry 37 1-2 to 50 cents. Apple trees are general-
ly propagated by root-grafting, though many sorts thus worked are so ten
der as to be utterly worthless (as Nurserymen are learning to their cost,) and
must therefore be worked well up in the stock, and carefully managed for the
first year or two. Prominent among these tender sorts are the R. I. Green-
ing, Roxbury Russet, Baldwin, Rambo, Esopus Spitzenburg, &c„ &c. Plum
trees are mostly root grafted ; the wild Plum making an excellent stock. Ma-
ny sorts are comparatively tender.

Duane's Purple, Smith's Orleans, Emerald Drop, Imperial Gage, and Long
Scarlet, prove tolerably hardy. Of Pears, the hardiest sorts I have found have
been the Urbaniste Flemish Beauty, White Doyenne, and Beurre Easter. —
The for famed Bartlett seems more than usually tender here. Of English
Cherries, the May Duke, and if I have the genuine, the Arch Duke, and Dow-
ner's prove the hardiest. Amongst Grapes, the Clinton is perfectly hardy,
while the Isabella and Sweetwater do best to be laid down, trimmed and cov-
ered with litter in the Fall. From the above remarks it may readily be in-
ferred, that this is not "the Paradise" of nurserymen, but that in raismg young
trees, they sometimes have " a hard row" of it ! Of fruits tested I would
name of Plums; Imperial Gage, Smith's Orleans, Duane's Purple, Emerald
Drop, Long Scarlet, and a variety I think to be the Lombard. Of Apples,
Early Harvest, Keswick Codlin, Dutchess of Oldenburg, Drap D'Or, Fa-
meuse, Yellow Ingertrie, Autumn Strawberry, Spur or Spice Sweet, Dun-
low's Seedling, Pomme Gris, Vanderveer, (doubtless I think the Newtown
Spitszenburg of the West,) all of which maintain about their Eastern repu-
tation with me. I have also fruited a few variety of pears and peaches, and
several other plums and apples, nearly all of wMch are unknown to fame, and
have need not now to be mentioned.

REPORT

OF J. C. HOLMES, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE FOR MICH-
IGAN, TO THE PREiSIDENT OF THE NORTH AMERICAN POM-
OLOGICAL CONVENTION.

The fruit crop in Michigan is this season almost an entire failure. We
have but little fruit worthy of exhibition ; but it being our wish that Michi-
gan may continue to be known in this assembly, a few of our fruit-growers
present herewith some specimens of fruit gleaned from their scanty crops.

By the following extracts from letters I have received from diflcrent parts
of our State, you will see what proportion our fruit crop of 1849, bears to that
of 1848.

From Linus Cone Esq., Troy, Oakland County : '[I regret to say that I
" have no fair specimens of fruit ; few of my trees are in bearing this season;
" I have no early or fall apples ; the trees are thrifty, and making a great
" growth of wood, but the fruit is unfair , small and late. Last season from
" sixty trees, I sold 212 barrels of apples, and had a large supply for my fam-
" ily besides. It was mostly winter fruit, and sold for 15s per barrel. _ This
" season I have not enough for my own use, the fruit has been continually
" dropping, and few specimens now remain upon the trees."

From A. V. Prouty Esq., of Kalamazoo :

" Apples are not abundant this season, owing as I suppose to the cold
weather in May last. We have never been troubled with the Borer in ap-
ple trees in this section of the State."

PLUMS

"Are abundant,not injured by the Curculio in the least. Treee not subject
to the black wart or Imot. 1 have observed that in Washtenaw County,
plums are nearly all destroyed by Curculio.
PEARS

"Are very promising as to crop and thrifdness of the trees. The* blight
has never made its appearance here to my knowledge.
PEACHES

"Are scarce in Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Calhoun and Branch Counties. But
as you go West and North into Cass, Berrien, Van Buren and Allegany
Counties, there is a great abundance of them. The winter here being so se-
vere (27'^ below zero lltli of January last) as to nearly destroy the trees, —
Mildew or Yellows have not been prevalent in this section of the State.
CHERRIES

"Have been scarcely sufficient for the birds, as the choice varieties are not
grown to a great extent as yet. Trees have suffered somewhat by the very
warm weather in April, causing the sap to tlow, and the severe cold of May,
(as I suppose). My trees were also injured by the hot weather in July, Mer-
cury 104" above zero, 11 th July."

REPORT

OF C. GOODRICH, CHAIRMAN STATE FRUIT COMMITTEE FOR

VERMONT, TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE NORTH AMERICAN

POMOLOGICAL CONVENTION.

Sir : — I expected until to-cla3\ that Mr. Albert Chapman, of Middlebury,
would attend your Convention, as a representative from our Committee. —
Failing in sending a delegate, (unless Rev. Mr. Bingham may be present,)
I shall send a few hasty notes.

Our Committee have called a State Fruit Convention, which I think may
be Avell attended, on the 18th of October, at Montpelier, and hereafter we
hope to be able to make a more satisfactory State report.

The past season has been a peculiar one. The past fall and winter were
dry, so that all ordinary drains were last Spring useless. The quantity of
rain from —

First January to May, was, 3.81

.vay, . . - - 2.74

First June to August 6 , 3.14

August 6 to 14, 4.16

and since occasional showers.

This unprecedented drought, accompanied with uncommon heat, (the
thermometer having been over 100* some days in succession), has greatly
lessened the quantity of fruit, still there is a full average. Autumn and win-
ter apples, although smaller thr.n usual, have grown rapidly since the rain in
August, and are ten days later than an avei'age of seasons, compared with
other garden and farm productions.
Of Peaches, we have none this season.

Of Plums, but few ; the Washington and other delicate varieties, being
injured by a very cold Avinter, while the Lombard, and all hardy sorts, are
very abundant.

Of (h-apes, we have large crops, and free from mildew.
Among well-known varieties of Apples —

The Yellow Harvest grows in great perfection, and is here our best early-
apple — first-rate in every respect.

The Sweet Bough — same for a sweet apple.

The Porter and Gravenstein have been recently introduced, but are
becoming great ftivorites.

The Fameuse, Pomme de Niege, or Snow Apple, is more cultivated than
any other nutunni apple — is an universal favorite — but even in Vermont it is
greatly inferior to those grown in their native locale, (Montreal,) and ripens
a month earlier.

The Rhode Island Greening, is a general favorite, especially for cooking —
very liardy.

The Esopus Spitzenburgh, is much cultivated, but the fruit is apt to be
spotted. It is a favorite apple, but not as vrell adapted to our climate as the
Baldwin, which grows in great perfection, and is in every respect first-rate.
Roxbury Russet, first-rate.
Hubbardston's Nonsuch, first-rate.
Danver's Winter Sweet, first-rate.

The Newtown Pippin greatly varies. It is not suitable for gener.d culture
in our climate, and in the best locations tlie fruit depends mucii on the season.
I have never before seen them as perfect after the hot dry summer which, has
injured our native northern apples..

63

The Pomme Gris a native of Montreal, is a favorite apple ; and, though
email, has no superior for high flavor. It grows quite as well here as in
Lower Canada, where it is called the best apple grower, and would probably
succeed well for the South.

The Bounssa, a native of Quebec, is another Canadian variety of high
flavor — its greatest objection is, that it is liable to melt or shrivel in re-opaning.

The Northern Spy has not yet fruited. Scions were introduced three
years since, which have been extensively distributed. It has so far, in all
situations, proved a very heallhy, vigorous grower.

This li-it might be continued indefinitely, but that is sufBcient for all prac-
tical purpOS :S.

Another season we hope to present some native sorts.

But liitle attention has been given to Pears until a few, years past, not
enougii to speak with confidence of many new varieties which promise well.
Among our old trees, the White Doyenne, is one of the most common. It
is hardy — produces very pL-rfect fruit, and has never been subject to disease.

A report was also received from David Miller, Esq., of Carlisle, Pennsyl-
vania, but as it embraced simply descriptions of well known varieties of
fruits, and was of a nature which had been stricken out of their reports, the
Secretary did not feel justified in inserting.

Communications empowering delegates from the Buffalo Horticultural
Society, the Queens County Agricultural Society, and the Pennsylvania
Horticultural Society were also received, but the Secretary does not think
them of importance to benefit the public, and therefore they are not embo-
died in the proceedings.

JOH^f A. KENNICOTT,
President N. A. Pomological Convention.

F. R. Elliott, Secretary.

The Secretary, to whose superintendence was left the publishing of the
foregoing proceedings, and as one of the Committee appointed to confer
with the American Congress of Fruit Growers, begs leave to report, on the
part of the Committee, the following, viz. : —

That said Committee, appointed by Convention, as per resolution of Dr.
Wendell, presented themselves, through their Chairman, to the Congress.
That after their object had been stated, the Congress immediately, and with-
out hesitation, appointed a Committee of a like number to meet us ia
Conference.

That at such meeting there existed the utmost harmony and good feeling,
and that without any dissension, the following preamble and resolutions were
■concocted, and agreed to upon the part of bo;h Committees; afferw;n-d were
introduced in order to the American Congress, and unanimously adopted : —

" The Committee appointed for the purpose of conferring with the Com-
mittee sent to this Congress, by the N. A. P. Convention, on the propriety
and practicability of uniting, or consolidating the two associations, respects
fully report : —

That finding that Committee fully convinced of the advantage in all
respects, to the Country at large, and to the cause of Pomology, of having

Note. — The Secretarj' would acknowledge having received aid in making up this report
of pro eedings, from the report taken by Mr. W. H. Burr, for the " Syracuse Journal ;" and
begs leave also to remark, that while he has en leavored to be impartial, and deal h^m ]rably
with all, in thus performing a task not especially desired, if he has erred, he trusls it will be
rather ascribed to inability to perform the same, rather than, to any motives unpleasant to the
inind.

64

but one National Convention of this kind, wliich should, if possible, embody
all the talent and experience in the country as far as possible, a conviction
which this Congress always firmly held, they had great pleasure and unani-
mity in immediately adopting the following resolutions ; —
^^1. Resolved, That the two Conventions, known as the " North American
Pomological Convention," and as the " American Congress of Fruit Grow-
ers," be hereby consolidated.

2. Resolved, That the consolidated Association shall hereafter be known
as the " American Pomological Congress."

3. Resolved, That the next session of the Pomological Congress be held
at Cincinnati, in the autumn of 1850, and that the time be fixed by the Presi-
dent of this Congress, in conjunction with the President of the Ohio State
Board of Agriculture, and that notice of such meeting be given to all Horti-
cultural and Pomological societies throughout the continent.

4. Resolved, That the meetings of this Congress, after the next session
shall be held biennially, and that the meeting of 1852 be held at Philadelphia.

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