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PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

SECOND SESSION

OF THE

AMERICAN POIOLOGICAL CONGRESS.

HELD IN THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,

ON THE

13th and 14th of September, 1852.

REPORTED BY

ARTHUR CANNON, OF PHILADELPHIA,

PHONOGRAPHIC REPORTER.

PHILADELPHIA;
FEINTED BY STAYELY & McCALLA;

No. 12 Pear Street.

1852.

PROCEEDINGS

In compliance with a resolution passed at the first session of the
American Pomological Congress, held at Cincinnati on the 2d, 3d,
and 4th of October, 1850, Dr. W. D. Brinckle, the President, is-
sued a circular announcing that the second session would take
place at the Museum Building, in Philadelphia, at 10 o'clock,
A. M., on the 13th of September, 1852.

Before the appointed hour had arrived, the delegates began to
assemble, and unpack their several collections. These being very
numerous and extensive, some little delay was occasioned in ar-
ranging them on the tables.

MORNING SESSION.

At 11 o'clock, the President, Dr. W. D. Brinckle, of Pennsyl-
vania, took the chair, and called the Congress to order. The Sec-
retaries, Messrs. F. R. Elliott and Dr. John A. Warder, of Ohio,
and P. Barry, of New York, being present, took their seats. The
credentials of the delegates having been called for, were handed
in to the Secretaries.

The Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, of Massachusetts, moved that all
gentlemen present, who are not delegates from any Society, but
who take an interest in the science we are desirous of promoting,
be invited to take seats as members of this Congress; which
motion, being seconded, was unanimously adopted.

ADDRESS.

The President then rose and delivered the following
Address : —

Gentlemen, —

The American Pomological Congress being now
fully organized, the first business that will engage your attention
is the election of officers for the ensuing biennial term. Highly as
I appreciate the honor of presiding over the deliberations of our
National Society, and flattering as is such an evidence of confi-
dence and regard, I nevertheless wish it to be explicitly under-
stood that I decline being a candidate for re-election to this ex-
alted station.

Before, however, vacating the chair to which your kind partiali-
ty so unexpectedly elevated me, you will, I trust, indulge me with
the privilege of making a few remarks ; especially inviting your
attention to some suggestions that appear to me, if carried into
operation, calculated to render our proceedings more interesting
and efficient, and our exertions to advance the Science of Pomol-
ogy productive of greater practical utility.

Most of you are aware that in 1848, two National Pomological
Institutions almost simultaneously sprung into existence. The
manifest incompatibility of more than one body of this kind, was
soon perceived ; and a hope was entertained by prominent mem-
bers of each, that, by a mutual understanding, a consolidation of
the two might be brought about ; so as to concentrate the ener-
gies of Fruit-Culturists in a single organization. The first move-
ment towards the accomplishment of this object, was made in the
" North American Pomological Convention" of 1849, by delegat-
ing from that body a committee of conference, invested with
plenary powers. A reciprocal impulse prompted the " National
Congress of Fruit-Growers" cordially to respond to this procedure,

by the appointment of a similar committee. The two delegations
met ; the kindliest feeling prevailed ; and a coalition of these,
in some measure rival Institutions, was happily, and with entire
unanimity, consummated. The new Society thus created, was
named the " American Pomological Congress ;" and assembled,
for the first time, in the autumn of 1850, at Cincinnati. By some
fortuitous inadvertence, however, no provision was made, at that
meeting, for the adoption of a Constitution and By-Laws for our
government. The necessary action on this subject will now,
therefore, commend itself to your consideration.

Your attention is also respectfully solicited to the expediency
of requiring a Pomological Address or message from the President,
at the opening of every Congressional Session. The well-known
intelligence and ability of many of the members of the Congress,
give ample assurance that the obligation would be discharged, in
a manner eminently instructive and profitable. Among the many
interesting and important Pomological topics, that would come
within the legitimate scope of such an Address, may be mention-
ed : — A condensed view of the progress of our science during the
preceding biennial cycle ; suggestions and recommendations de-
signed to increase the efficiency of our combined efforts to promote
the great objects of our Association ; obituary notices of distin-
guished Pomologists ; observations on manures — the proper period
and most advantageous mode of applying them — the kinds best
adapted to the different species of fruit — and the circumstances and
requirements necessary to enable plants to take up and assimilate
the elementary principles that are essential to their vitality and
growth ; researches into the science of Vegetable Histology, of late
so abundantly enriched by the wonderful developments of the
microscope ; remarks on the offices and functions of the various
organic structures of plants, and the pathological appearances at-
tending their abnormal condition ; an investigation into the decline
and even entire extinction of certain fruits once renowned for
their excellence, in order to determine, if practicable, how far
this deterioration is justly attributable to the several causes usually
assigned in explanation of the fact, especially those which refer
it to an exhaustion from the soil of one or more of the inorganic
elements indispensable to their physical perfection — to the agency

of thermometric or other meteorological phenomena — and to the
existence of an innate constitutional tendency in all varieties, soon-
er or later, to decay.

The timely appointment of a Standing Committee on Seedling
Fruits, clothed with some special powers, is also worthy of your
consideration. The National Congress of Fruit-Growers and the
North American Pomological Convention, severally called into
requisition a temporary or provisional committee on this subject.
But, in more than one instance, it was not constituted till near the
close of the proceedings of those bodies. Even under the most
favorable circumstances, the time allotted was not sufficient for
it to make a thoroughly satisfactory examination of the specimens
placed on the tables. An early organization of the committee, by
enabling it to enter on its appropriate duties at the opening of the
Session, would insure a more complete and accurate report. But,
as occasionally happens at other Horticultural Displays, Seedling
Fruits may be exhibited before they have attained their perfect
maturity. Concerning the merits of these, however intrinsically
valuable they may be, no definite judgment can be formed by the
committee, unless invested with a more permanent and extended
jurisdiction. By conferring on it authority to act, not only while
the Congress is in session, but also during its vacation, such seed-
lings, and others that might be forwarded for examination or come
in any way under the cognizance of the committee, could be sub-
jected to a careful scrutiny, and a record made of the result in an
ad interim Report. Native fruits of merit would, probably, in this
way, be brought into notice, that otherwise might long remain in
obscurity, or perhaps be permitted to perish unrecognized and un-
revealed.

In order that the Reports of the State Fruit Committees may
possess greater interest and value, and convey a true and just
conception of the Horticultural condition of their respective Dis-
tricts, I would suggest to every Pomologist the propriety of co-
operating with the committee, within whose bounds he may re-
side, by communicating to it such important facts as are in his
possession. These facts may embrace information in regard to
the kinds of fruit cultivated in his vicinity, and their period of ma-
turity ; the varieties that succeed well with him ; those that, on a

partial trial, are promising ; the kinds not adapted to his locality ;
the diseases and casualties to which they are peculiarly liable ;
the qualities of his soil ; his mode of culture ; the destructive
insects prevalent in his region, and the most effectual means known
to him of counteracting their depredations ; the best mode of ma-
turing fruits and preserving them from decay ; interesting Pomo-
logical reminiscences ; meteorological observations, &c.

A thorough examination of the Horticultural resources of each
State, chiefly with the view of developing its native Pomology, is
earnestly recommended to the several State Committees. Various
portions of our widely extended domain have given origin to many
fine fruits, possessing, for the most part, a greater constitutional
adaptation to the peculiar exigencies of our climate than those that
are exotic. Some have long been familiar to us, and are now ex-
tensively disseminated at home and abroad. Explorations of a
recent date have also revealed to us other indigenous varieties
equally valuable, which were previously wholly unknown, except
in the immediate vicinity of their original locality. These inves-
tigations, however, have hitherto been prosecuted only to a very
limited extent. Indeed, so little has been done, in this respect,
in many parts of the country, that some of the States of our Con-
federacy, so far as their native Pomology is concerned, are virtu
ally lands unknown.

And now, gentlemen, with painful emotions I advert to a recent
appalling and heart-rending catastrophe, which terminated so sor-
rowfully the earthly career of one of our ablest and most efficient
members. The overwhelming announcement, that A. J. Downing
was among the victims of the lamentable disaster to the Henry
Clay, on the 28th of July, startled the country with a sudden and
affecting appreciation of his rare abilities, and great services in the
expansion and elevation of those pursuits most immediately connect-
ed with the happiness of the human race ; and impressed all in-
telligent classes, and in an especial manner those devoted to hor-
ticulture, with a profound and melancholy sense of the calamity
which the community has, in this afflictive dispensation, sustained.
Suavity, sincerity, magnanimity, and kindness, were among the prom-
inent traits of Mr. Downing's character that endeared him to those
with whom he was on terms of intimacy. He possessed, as you all

8

know, a classically moulded intellect of a high order — an imagination
vivid and brilliant — a taste pre-eminently characterised by purity,
elegance, and refinement — a judgment sound and discriminating —
and a thoroughly practical and philosophic acquaintance with all
subjects connected directly or collaterally with horticulture. His
vigorous and comprehensive mind was richly stored with varied and

// useful knowledge, drawn from every department of the physical
sciences, and highly embellished with the choicest treasures of
/ literature. His views and feelings were ever truly American ;
\ and triumphantly have his writings vindicated the horticultural
I claims of his countrymen. The numerous and able productions
I of his pen have also largely contributed to the advancement of
I Pomology in the United States, and materially aided in diffu-
sing among us a refined and elevated taste for horticultural
avocations, rural architecture, and landscape gardening. During
the course of Mr. Downing's useful career, we watched his
labors with interest and his triumphs with pride, and honored
the diversified abilities and genial enthusiasm that conferred
benefits so inestimable on rural life ; that elevated and improved
every branch of its economy, and gave an ampler affluence, and a
more luxurious value to the bounties of nature ; that imparted varie-
ty to abundance, added elegance to comfort, and threw a new and
m-agie" charm over country enjoyment, by refining its occupations
into grace, and softening its aspect into beauty. In his death, we
mourn a bereavement that has torn from us a valued friend, an
able colleague, a diligent and honored associate; that has de-
prived horticulture of its brightest ornament, and the country at
large of one of its least obtrusive but most efficient benefactors.

The national reputation of our deceased fellow-member, his ex-
alted position, rare attainments, sterling integrity, and many vir-
tues, not only demand this brief tribute to his memory, but require
from a far abler pen, a worthier and more eloquent commemora-
tion. Believing that I acted in full accordance with your wishes,
although it involved an assumption of authority not delegated to
me, but which, I trust, will receive your approval, I extended to
his intimate friend, the Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, an official invi-
tation to prepare, and deliver before the Congress, an Eulogy on the
life, character, and services of our lamented colleague. The invi-

9

tation was promptly and kindly accepted, as you will perceive by
the accompanying documents containing the correspondence that
passed between us.

' Other melancholy intelligence has also reached us. The Hon.
Isaac Hill, late Governor of New Hampshire, and chairman of the
Fruit Committee of that State, Dr. Samuel A. Barker, a well-
known, zealous, and successful fruit cultivator, and member of the
State Fruit Committee of Ohio, and Dr. Virgil M. Dow, an active
and prominent member and officer of the New Haven County Hor-
ticultural, and the New Haven Pomological Societies, as well as
chairman of the State Fruit Committee of Connecticut, have gone
to their final resting place, since the last meeting of the American
Pomological Congress.

Afflictive dispensations must necessarily be encountered by usj
in our passage through life. An ever kind and beneficent Provi-
dence, however, is unceasingly smoothing their asperities, by dis-
pensing to us, individually and socially, innumerable blessings. —
Although our sorrowful feelings and human sympathies constrain
us deeply to lament and deplore the irreparable loss of such able
co-laborers as Downing, Hill, Barker, and Dow, yet have we
abundant cause for an expression of gratitude, on account of
another circumstance which we all anxiously and ardently de-
sired. A propitious season has supplied us with a profusion of
choice fruits from all parts of our country. Some of these are
now seen, by many of us, for the first time. With unfeigned
pleasure, therefore, I tender to you my sincere and cordial con-
gratulations, on our being pefmitted to assemble, on this occa-
sion, under circumstances peculiarly favorable to the accomplish-
ment of the purposes for which we are convened.

In conclusion, allow me to express an earnest and fervent hope
that our discussions may be carried on harmoniously; and our de-
liberations be so imbued with wisdom, science, and enlightened
experience, as necessarily to exercise a marked and controlling
agency in promoting the onward career of Pomology.

2

10

The President's Address was received with enthusiastic ap-
plause.

The Hon. B. V. French, of Massachusetts, then obtained the
floor and said — Mr. President, up to Saturday, the time I arrived
in this city, I had received no intimation that it was your intention
to decline a re-election to the Presidency of this Institution ; but,
on the other hand, gentlemen in every quarter looked to you, as
the individual of all others, who should receive this distinguished
honor. And it was with sincere regret, sir, the announcement
came to me, and all around me, that you were sincere in your de-
termination to retire from the presidential chair. After an inter-
view with you, I ascertained for a certainty that it would be in-
compatible with your professional duties to serve another term.
And, gentlemen of this Convention, while Dr. Brinckle declines
being a candidate for our highest office, you will have the best
services he can bestow on the cause in which we are at present
engaged.

In order to facilitate business, Mr. President, I move the ap-
pointment of a committee of five to report a list of officers for the
ensuing biennial term. The motion was seconded and unani-
mously carried.

The President asked, how shall your committee be constituted ?

Voices — by the chair.

The following gentlemen were then announced as composing
the committee :

Hon. B. V. French, Massachusetts ; P. Barry, New York ; A.
H. Ernst, Ohio; General Patterson, Pennsylvania; E. Tatnall,jr.,
Delaware.

During the absence of the committee appointed to nominate
officers, the President requested the Secretaries to read the list of
delegates, and desired those that were present to answer to their
names. The gentlemen present responded ;

Maine. — Fruit Committee. — Steph. E. Goodale, Ezek. Holmes^
Benjamin F. Nourse, Alexander Johnson, jr.

Massachusetts. — Massachusetts Horticultural Society. — Hon,
J. S. Cabot, Hon. Samuel Walker, Hon. B. V. French, Hon. M,
P. Wilder, C. M. Hovey, Cheever Newhall, A. D. WilUams.

Connecticut. — Mew Haven County Horticultural Society. — 0,
F. Winchester, E. E. Clarke.

11

New York. — JVem York State Agricultural Society. — Benjamin
Hodge, A. Saul. Buffalo Horticultural Society. Jno. B. Eaton,
Isaac F. Bryant, Wm. R. Coppuck, Wm. R. Manley, Benjamin
Hodge, Lewis F. Allen, Charles Taintor. Flushing. Wm. R.
Prince. Columbia County Agricultural Society. E. G. Studley,
S. K. Hogeboom. Albany and Renssalaer Horticultural Society.
Louis Menand, C. P. Williams. Staten Island. Frederick 01m-
stead. JVew York Horticultural Society. Wm. Reid, S. B. Par-
sons, R. B. Parsons, Townend Glover, Thomas Hogg, jr., J. E.
Ranch, Alfred Bridgeman, Francis Briell. Genesee Valley Horti-
cultural Society. J. J. Thomas, H. P. Norton, A. Frost, Joseph
Frost, George H. Cherry, James H. Watts, Zera Burr, P. Barry.
JYiagara County Horticultural Society. William P. Townsend.
JYewburgh. Charles Downing.

New Jersey. — JYew Jersey Horticultural Society. — H. W. S.
Cleveland, R. S. Field, Thomas Lavender, J. J. Mapes, J. W.
Hayes, George B. Deacon, David Petitt. JYewark. Samuel J.
Gusiin. Salem Agricultural and Hoi'ticultural Society. Dr. Q.
Gibbon, R. P. Thompson, Samuel Abbott, Dr. J. H. Thompson,
Wm. B. Otis, Thomas Shourds, James M. Hannah, Emmor Reeve,
J. Ingham, Thomas Sinnickson, Benjamin Acton, jr. Burlington
County Agricultural Society. Peter V. Coppuck, Samuel Burtis,
Benjamin B. Woodward, Dr. Charles Ridgway, George B.
Deacon.

Pennsylvania. — State Fruit Committee. — Thomas P. James;
Dr. J. K. Eshleman, Chester county; A. W. Corson, Montgomery
county; Wm. G. Waring, Centre county, and David Miller, jr.,
Cumberland county. Chester County Horticultural Society. J.
C. Baldwin, Paschal Morris, Thomas Harvey, Rev. J. B. Clemson,
Alexander Marshall, David Townsend, Joshua Embree, Dr. Geo.
Thomas. Chester county. Jno. J. Monaghan. Catawissa^ Columbia
County. Wm. J. Eyer. Berks County Agricultural Society. Dr.
J. P. Heister, David Schall, A. F. Boas, Thomas Penrose,
Charles Kessler, Gen. W. H. Keim, Henry S. Kupp, Adam Leize,
Solomon Kirby, Wm. D. Hains, Dr. P. G. Bartolett, Wm. Knabb,
Samuel Zieber, J. T. James, Jacob S. Ebling, Ezra Griesemer,
Herman Beard. Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. General
Patterson, Caleb Cope, Thomas Hancock, David Landreth, E.
W. Keyser, P. Mackenzie, Dr. Robert Hare, Isaac B. Baxter,

12

Robert Buist, T. P. James, J. E. Mitchell, James D. Fulton, Dr.
Thomas McEuen, J. R. Brinckle, Edward Harris, John Perkins,
Dr. W. D. Brinckle. Lancaster County Fruit Committee. J. B.
Garber, Jacob Frantz, Daniel Rhoads, Casper Hiller, A. M. Span-
gler, Frederick Hiller. Philadelphia Society for Promoting Jlgri-
culture. Anthony T. Newbold, George Blight, A. L. Kennedy,
Jno. S. Haines. Montgomery County Agricultural Society. Alan
W. Corson, H. N. Wickersham, Peter Weaver, Robert Iredell,
Peter Kuser, Samuel W. Gumbes, Peter C. Evans, Wm. Barton.
Delaware County Institute. John Evans, Jacob Painter, J. Hewes,
Thomas Pratt, James Andrews.

Delaware. — Delaware Horticultural Society. — E. Tatnall, jr.,
Dr. H. F. Askew, E. Bringhurst, George Sayers, Thomas Stapler,
Jno. Gorgas, Wm. Canby, Dr. J. F. Wilson, Ashton Richardson.

Maryland. — Horticultural Society of Maryland. — Samuel
Feast, Sr., E. Rusling, Wm. C. Wilson, Wm. Corse, N. Popplien.

District of Columbia. — Joshua Pierce, W. D. Brackenridge,
J. P. Klingle, Jno. F. Callan, Thomas Blagden, Jno. A. Smith.

Virginia. — Loudon County Agricultural Society. — Oliver Tay-
lor. Fredericksburg. H. R. Robey.

Ohio. — Ohio State Pomological Society. — A. H. Ernst, Dr. J.
G. Jones, Dr. J. A. Warder, M. Kelley,F. R. Elliott. Cincinnati
Horticultural Society. A. H. Ernst, Stephen Mosher, Michael
Kelley, Dr. J. A. W^arder. Columbus Horticultural Society. John
Miller, Dr. J. G. Jones, Lucien Buttles.

Kentucky. — Kentucky Horticultural Society. — Lawrence Young,
Ormsby Hite, H. P. Byram, Arthur Peter, Jno. P. Morton.

Georgia. — Southern Central Agricultural Society. — Richard
Peters, Atalanta.

The Committee appointed to nominate officers, now made the
following Report :

President. — Honorable M. P. Wilder, of Massachusetts.

Vice-Presidents. — Caleb Cope, of Pennsylvania ; A. H. Ernst,
of Ohio; S. L. Goodale, of Maine; Col. B. Hodge, New York;
Lawrence Young, Kentucky.

Corresponding Secretary. — Thomas P. James, Philadelphia.

Recording Secretaries. — F. R. Elliott, Ohio* James H.
Watts, New York.

13

Dr. W. D. Brinckle. — Gentlemen, you have heard the Report
of the Committee, what order will you take on it.

A motion was made and seconded, that it be adopted, which
was unanimously agreed to.

The President-elect, on being conducted to the chair by the
Hon. B. V. French, of Massachusetts, and General Robert Patter-
son, of Pennsylvania, was warmly received and cordially con-
gratulated by the ex-President.

The Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, on assuming the duties of the
Presidency, made the following remarks :

Gentlemen : Before we proceed further, permit me to tender to
you my grateful acknowledgments and thanks for the distinction
you have conferred upon me, in electing me as your presiding
officer. It was my fortune, in connection with gentlemen whom
I see around me, to have taken a leading part in the organization
of the " National Convention of Fruit Growers." I had the
honor, also, to preside at its first and second sessions, and I did
not expect that the present high office would be tendered to me
again.

Your favor and regard has placed me in this chair, a position
worthy of the ambition of a man much better qualified than my-
self to take charge of the deliberations of this intelligent and
enlightened assembly. I therefore feel deeply sensible of the ob-
ligations which rest upon me, and for these renewed manifestations
of your confidence and respect ; and I assure you of my earnest
desire to discharge the duties of this office with impartiality and
fidelity. I much regret that the distinguished gentleman who
has just vacated this chair, could not be prevailed on to occupy it
for a longer term, and to discharge those important offices which
he has so appropriately laid down as relevant to the duties of
President.

Gentlemen, permit me to tender to you my thanks again, and to
say that I will serve you with as much ability as I possess. It is
not proper for me at this moment to proceed with further remarks.
I beg, however, your indulgence in the discharge of the duties of
the chair, and I ask your permission to join in the discussion of
any topic that may present itself.

The gentleman's remarks, and acceptance of the office of Presi-
dent, were received with enthusiasm and applause.

14

Mr. Newall, of Mass. — I beg leave to offer the following reso-
tion :

Resolved, That the thanks of this Association be presented to
Dr. Wm. D. Brinckle, for the satisfactory and able manner he has
discharged the duties of President for the past two years, and also
for the interest he has taken in providing ample accommodation
for the present session.

The resolution was seconded and unanimously adopted.

Hon. J. S. Cabot, of Massachusetts. It seems to me, Mr. Pre-
sident, that in view of a recent occurrence, a duty has devolved upon
this Convention that though not wholly foreign from its purposes,
is yet somewhat out of the usual routine of its business. This
duty is of a somewhat melancholy character because it must ne-
cessarily awaken a sad recollection ; but it is one that I feel cer-
tain this assembly will readily fulfil, as it requires but a merited
tribute of respect to the memory of one to whom we must all feel
ourselves under obligation.

We are, sir, all aware of the recent catastrophe on the Hudson
River, when the Steamer H. Clay was destroyed by fire, and many
valuable lives sacrificed. And we, too, are all aw^are that among
those who then perished was one who had done much to promote
the objects that have now called us together. Cut off* in the midst
of his usefulness, in the full vigor of manhood — with his faculties
not having yet even approached their culminating point — sur-
rounded by his friends, and almost in sight of the home that he
loved. I need not say that I refer to A. J. Downing.

It is not for me here, sir, to pronounce the Eulogy of Mr. Down-
ing. Suifice it to say that he was a man who to strong natural
powers, brought the aid of a highly cultivated intellect, and to a
genuine appreciation of the beautiful in nature and art — that of a
taste refined by the study of the most classic models. These high
endowments and attainments enabled Mr. D. to do more towards
moulding the public taste — to encourage the love of Horticultural
pursuits, and disseminate a knowledge of Horticultural Science,
than almost any other individual. And although upon that ill-fated
ship many perished whose loss made many a happy home sorrow-
ful, many a hearth desolate, who themselves were centres around
which all the kindly and gentle affections clustered ; who were the
stay and support of those bound to them by domestic ties, and

15

who, in the communities among whom they dwelt, were objects of
affection and respect ; yet still I feel, sir, that it is not too much to
say that among those who thus perished there was no one who
will be more sincerely mourned — no one whose loss will be more
widely felt, than A. J. Downing.

At a meeting of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, held
soon after the occurrence of this catastrophe, resolutions were
passed expressive of the sense of the loss entertained by its mem-
bers, and also that at some fitting time and place an Eulogy should
be delivered on Mr. Downing. The Society having passed these
resolutions, as its organ I addressed your late President, Dr. Brinc-
kle, in relation to them, suggesting to him, should it meet with
his concurrence, that this service to the memory of Mr. D. should
be performed at this time and place ; and he has, I believe, taken
measures to carry this into effect ; and now, sir, I would move you
that a committee be appointed to prepare resolutions expressive of
the sense of the members of this Convention at the loss that they
have sustained, and adopt such measures in relation thereto as they
may think proper.

The motion, being seconded, was unanimously carried ; and the
following gentlemen were appointed on the committees Messrs.
Cabot, Massachusetts ; Hancock, New Jersey ; Cope, Pennsyl-
vania ; Warder, Ohio ; and Hodge, New York.

The President — Will you allow the chair to suggest that the
appointment of a Business Committee is important; and if it meets
your views you take measures to have such a committee appointed.

The suggestion was adopted, and the following gentlemen were
chosen to constitute the committee : Messrs. J. J. Thomas, New
York ; Samuel Walker, Massachusetts ; A. H. Ernst, Ohio ; H.
W. S. Cleveland, New Jersey ; and J. Pierce, District Columbia.

The Business Committee reported for the action of the Congress
the following subjects :

1. To revise the list, recommended by the former session of the
Congress, for general cultivation.

2. To revise the list of rejected varieties.

3. To recommend such varieties as are worthy of general cul-
tivation, or adapted to particular localities.

4. To add to the rejected list such as are unworthy of cultiva-
tion.

16

5. To appoint a temporary committee of seven on synonyms,
who shall sit during the Convention.

The report of the Business Committee was unanimously adopted,
and the following gentlemen were appointed to constitute the
Committee on Synonyms : Messrs. Walker, Massachusetts ; Hovey,
Massachusetts ; Barry, New York ; Young, Kentucky ; Downing,
New York ; Saul, New York ; and Ernst, Ohio.

The President. — Those gentlemen who have not presented to
the secretaries a list of their fruits, will be kind enough to do so.

Hon. Samuel Walker, Massachusetts ; — The Committee on Sy-
nonyms, have considered the subject referred to them, and would
report (in part), that they recommend, in order to facilitate their
duties for further action, that the members be requested to place
in the committee-room specimens of all fruits of which they have
any doubts as to their true name.

Mr. Thomas Hancock, of Burlington, New Jersey, submitted
the following resolution, which was adopted :

Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to report a
Constitution and By-Laws for our government.

The following named gentlemen were constituted the committee:
Messrs. Hancock, New Jersey ; Dr. Brinckle, Pennsylvania; Pe-
ers, Georgia ; Barry, New York ; Young, Kentucky.

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE NATIONAL
POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

, CONSTIUTION.

Article 1. The name of this Association shall be the National
Pomologicol Society.

2. Its object shall be the advancement of the Science of Po-
mology.

3. It shall consist of Delegates appointed by Horticultural, Ag-
ricultural, and kindred Societies in the United States and British
America, and of such other persons as take an interest in the wel-
fare of the Association, and are desirous of promoting its aims.

4. The meetings shall be held biennially, at such time and place
as may be designated by the Society ; and special meetings may
be convened at any time on the call of the President.

17

5. The officers shall consist of a President, one Vice-President
from every State, Territory and Province represented, a Treasurer
and a Secretary ; and shall be elected by ballot or otherwise at
every biennial meeting.

BY-LAWS.

1. The President shall have a general superintendence of the
affairs of the Society during its vacation ; giye due public notice
of the time and place of meeting; preside at its deliberations;
deliver an address on some subject relating to Pomology, at every
biennial meeting ; and appoint all committees, unless otherwise
directed.

2. In case of the death, sickness, or inability of the President,
his official duties shall devolve on one of the Vice-Presidents, ac-
cording to the order in which they stand on the minutes.

3. The Treasurer shall receive all moneys belonging to the So-
ciety, and pay over the same on the wTitten orders of the Pre-
sident.

4. The Secretary shall, w^ith the assistance of a reporter ap-
pointed by him, keep a record of the transactions of the Society
for publication.

5. There shall be an executive committee of five members, who
shall confer wdth the President and assist him in conducting the
affiiirs of the Society daring its vacation.

6. State Fruit Committees, consisting of five members each, for
every State, Territory and Province represented, and a general
chairman over all, shall be appointed biennially ; it shall be the
duty of the several State Fruit Committees to forward to the gen-
eral chairman, one month before every biennial meeting. State Po-
mological Reports, to be condensed by him for publication.

7. A Standing Committee on Native Fruits, consisting of seven
members, shall be appointed by the President immediately after
his election. It shall be the duty of this committee to report an-
nually on Native Fruits, and also to examine, and, before the close
of the session, report on all new seedling varieties that may be
exhibited, and to make an ad interim report on those that were
exhibited in an unripe condition at the meeting of the Society ; but
had subsequendy attained a state of maturity ; and on such other

18

seedlings as may have been submitted to their inspection during
the Society's vacation.

8. A standing committee on Foreign Fruits, consisting of seven
members, shall be appointed, whose duties shall be similar to the
committee in by-law seven.

9. A standing committee on synonyms, consisting of seven
members, shall be appointed biennially.

10. Vacancies occurring in committees shall be filled by the
chairman of each, and in case of his death or inability to serve,
his place shall be supplied by the President of the Society.

11. The members of this Society shall pay two dollars bien-
nially, and twenty dollars paid at one time shall constitute one
life-membership.

12 — ORDER OF BUSINESS.

1. Credentials of Delegates presented.

2. Address of the President.

3. Election of Officers.

4. Reports of State Fruit Committees.

5. New Business.

13. The Constitution and By-Laws may be altered or amended
at any regular biennial meeting, by a vote of two-thirds of the
members present.

By order of the Committee.

THOMAS HANCOCK, Chairman.

Honorable Mr. French, from Massachusetts. It is now almost
the dining hour, and I suggest whether it would not be better to
leave the adoption of the Constitution, &c. until the afternoon ses-
sion, when it can be read once more, and we shall then under-
stand more fully what action we are taking; though, for my own
part, I see nothing in it whatever that is at all objectionable.

Honorable M. P. Wilder. The chair fully concurs with the
gentleman's remarks, and further suggests that the Report be re-
committed into the custody of the Committee, to be submitted
again for more due consideration ; which course, on motion, was
adopted.

The President, I am requested, gentlemen, to give notice that

19

appropriate ceremonies in relation to the death of Mr. Downing,
will take place this evening, at the Musical Fund Hall, in Locust
street, at 8 o'clock. The room will be open for the members of
the Convention. I have also to present to you the compliments
of the ex-President, Dr. Brinckle, who authorizes me to invite
you to honor him with your company at his residence, 335 Chest-
nut street, to-morrow evening, at 8 o'clock.

Caleb Cope, Esq. I beg leave, also, to add, that all members
of this Convention are invited to pay me a visit at my place, where
they will find a table provided for them, with a full opportunity to
see the grounds connected with my house, in my absence as well
as when I am present.

Dr. Brinckle moved an adjournment of the Convention until
4 o'clock, P. M., which was unanimously carried.

afternoon session.

The President called the meeting to order at 4 o'clock, P. M.

The Constitution and By-Laws of the National Pomological
Society were again reported by the Committee.

Mr. S. B. Parsons, of Long Island. I will move that the adop-
tion of that Constitution be deferred until to-morrow afternoon,
and that the Printing Committee be requested to have it put in
type in order that each member may have a copy of the same, and
thereby be the better enabled to express his opinion upon its vari-
ous points, understandingly. My reason is that the adoption of
the Constitution of a Society, which is to accomplish such vast
results as this, is an important act, and I see no reason why the
business of the Society cannot go on now as well without its
adoption as with it ; and members will then have a better oppor-
tunity of ascertaining what they are passing upon.

Mr. Walker, of Massachusetts. If I had a week to spare. Sir,
and the proposed Constitution could be printed and laid upon the
table, I probably should consent to it, but as we have a great deal
of business before us, and many members will, I have no doubt,
wish to leave the city to-morrow morning or afternoon, I think it
will be better to take the question now.

Mr. Hancock, Burhngton, New Jersey. As far as I am con-
cerned, I think we had better adopt the Constitution now. For if,

20

at the expiration of two years, it does not coincide with our views,
it can be altered, and, for my part, I am willing to live under it
during that space of time.

Mr. French, of Massachusetts. I have a great deal of faith in
the Committee, and trust the gentleman will withdraw his motion.
The motion was withdrawn.

Mr. J. J. Thomas, of New York. I would move, instead of
adopting the title of " National Pomological Society," that the
caption '^American Pomological Society," be substituted.

The motion was seconded and unanimously adopted. The
Constitution and By-Laws were then adopted with the alteration
of the name.

Honorable Samuel Walker, Massachusetts. In relation to the
first, second, third and fourth articles reported by the Business
Committee, I shall make no motion, but shall suggest, merely, that
there may be some alteration made in the list adopted for general
cultivation. I will suggest the propriety of cancelling from that
list the " Dearborn Seedling." I am ready to admit that when
you have a fine large specimen, well ripened, it has very few
equals, and I was almost about to say, has no superiors. I have
found it, however, to be a very small pear as regards the average
crop, and not well fitted for the market. My next reason is that
it is a very poor grower, and in order to get fine specimens of it,
the grafts must be put into large stocks, say from twelve to twenty
years old, then it must be very well cultivated. I make these
remarks to ascertain the experience of other gentlemen in regard
to this pear.

Mr. S. B. Parsons, Flushing, Long Island. I am sorry the
" Dearborn Seedling" proves so bad near Boston. With us, on
Long Island, it is the best pear of the season, although not very
large.

Mr. Hancock, Burlington, New Jersey. It has done very well
with me for the last six years ; but I find one objection to it, and
that is, if you have a large crop the pears are inferior. For my
own section of the country, I hope it will not be stricken out ; I
speak of New Jersey.

Colonel Hodge, of New York. I have known this pear six or
eight years, and have made up my mind to strike it out frorii my own

21

collection for two years past, and for myself move it be stricken
from the list.

Mr. Hayes, of New Jersey. I have found, from actual experi-
ence, that it has been more profitable to raise it for the market, this
season, than any other early pear, and I am very much opposed to
striking out pears and other fruit until they have been thoroughly
tried. I trust it will not be stricken out.

Mr. EsHLEMAN, of Pennsylvania. With me the ^' Dearborn
Seedling" in the interior of this state is prolific to a fault and
small, but as good as anything we have of its season.

Honorable B. V. French, Massachusetts. When that pear first
made its appearance in our horticultural rooms I thought it un-
worthy, but I believe I shall now do something with it. How-
ever, I don't think much of any early pear ; but notwithstanding,
thouo^h I voted against its admission, I shall let it remain in.

Mr. Ernst, from Ohio, thought little of the pear, and said that
for worse pears, in his estimation, he had obtained a better price.

Mr. Barry, of New York. I am quite surprised to hear, that
the Honorable gentleman from Massachusetts recommends that
Dearborn Seedling should be stricken out, for in New York it is
a good pear.

Mr. HovEY, of Massachusetts. I, for one, am opposed to going
back, and taking out anything we have already recommended ;
and I trust we shall not, during this Convention, adopt any one
fruit for general cultivation in regard to which there is the slightest
doubt. I always am opposed to retrograde motion. The Dear-
born Seedling is one of the best small pears, and I feel it my duty
to say a word in favor of it. It is a full medium-sized pear, and
I have seen specimens from Western New York and Massachu-
setts, from Utica and Rochester, as large as the average Seckels
that we see. We had better let it remain just where it is. It
ripens on the tree, and does not rot at the core, I therefore, trust
it will not be removed from this list.

Colonel Hodge, of New York. I am glad to hear good reports
of it from diflferent parts of the country, but with me it has proved
quite indifferent, and I w^as glad to hear the Hon. Mr. Walker
make the remarks he did in regard to it. However, seeing so
much opposition, I withdraw the motion.

22

Mr. HovEY, of Massachusetts. I move that the Duchess D'Or-
leans be added to the List for general cultivation. I know it is a
good pear, and will do well every where. The pear is well known
around Boston, and came from France, with a high reputation. It
is large in size and delicious in flavor. It is precisely the same as
the Beurre St. Nicholas, and Mr. Rivers says he considers it fully
equal in flavor to the Bergamot.

Mr. Saul, of New York. This pear has proved very good in
our locality, but we hardly know enough of it, to recommend that
it should be brought into general cultivation.

Mr. Walker, of Massachusetts. I have had the Duchess
D'Orleans in my collection for three or four years, and think it
should be annexed to the List of pears that promise well, but I
have no doubt it will find its way upon the List for general culti-
vation when better known.

The President, Hon. M. P. Wilder, of Massachusetts. On
the quince it is not a good grower with me ; but on the pear, it is,
and produces a fine and handsome fruit. It has not been with me
a great bearer, although I have a pretty fair crop this year, and
perhaps enough for the tree. I should judge my experience does
not agree with that of Mr. Manning, who has called it great bearer.
But as regards the quality and beauty of the fruit, I think there
can be no doubt.

Mr. Barry, of New York. We have tested it on the quince
and pear, and its quality is very fine, and I believe it is going to
be one of the finest pears for cultivation. I think, however, it
would not be doing the pear justice at the present time to put it
on the List for general cultivation, as it is not sufficiently well
known, for many to vote understandingly in regard to it.

It was agreed that the Duchess D'Orleans remain on the List as
promising well.

Mr. Saul. I move that the Brandywine and Chancellor stand
on the List as giving promise of being worthy.

This motion was agreed to.

Mr. Harvey. I move that the Doyenne d'Ete, be placed on
the List for general cultivation.

Mr. Ernst, of Ohio. It has proved to be an exceedingly beau-
tiful fruit, and I can cheerfully vote for it as far as my experience
goes.

23

Mr. S. B. Parsons. We consider it in Flushing the first good
pear.

Mr. Saul. It has proved to be one of the very best small pears.

The President. I enter into the views of those who have
already spoken, but think it will be better on the pear than on the
quince.

Mr. Hancock, of New Jersey. I think it is better on the pear
than on the quince.

Mr. HovEY, of Massachusetts. It don't make that vigorous
tree on the quince that it does on the pear.

Mr. Walker, of Massachusetts. From such a mass of evi-
dence in favor of this pear, I would hardly venture to say that I
differ, but yet I cannot be silent. It does not strike me as being
so delicious as represented, and on the quince stock it is decidedly
a poor grower. It drops its fruit, and it bears rather the reverse
character to a first rate grower with me. On its own stock it does
better and the fruit is larger, but I think the gentlemen overrate
the pear ; if my specimens are a fair sample of the fruit, I venture
to say that in two or three years hence they will change their views
of the matter. I hope the chair will give his opinion, in full.

Hon. M. P. Wilder, of Massachusetts. I have already ex-
pressed an opinion, that on the pear stock it is a desirable variety,
and the remarks that have been made in regard to it, on the
quince, correspond with my own experience. It should be picked
before the season of its ripening. It comes at a period when there
is nothing so beautiful. We have the Madeleine at nearly the
same time, but I still think it a desirable variety in rich soils.

Mr. Barry, of New York. The impression we have got is,
that is decidedly the best early pear. At Utica, the other evening,
there was a small Convention of fruit growers, and they decided,
unanimously, that this was the best early pear. It ripens with us
before the Madeleine, and is decidedly better. It is a splendid
grower on the quince, and so it is on the pear, and when it comes
off the tree it is full of juice and luscious.

Mr. Nourse, of Maine. We have had but little opportunity to
test in Maine, but it is there regarded as the best pear, and is con-
sidered better than the Madeleine. It ripens about the same time.
It was decided that the Doyenne d'Ete is worthy of general
cultivation.

24

Hon. M. P. Wilder. As the chair intimated he might join in
the debate, he would now express the views he entertains in re-
gard to the Beurre d'Anjou ; and there will be, he thinks, a unani-
mous opinion in favor of recommending it for general cultivation.
It is the best pear I have imported for ten years ; it grows freer,
and grows equally well on the quince and pear stock, and is a
remarkably hardy and delicious fruit. It ripens in November, and
we keep it until January and February of the next year.

Mr. Hancock, of New Jersey. It ripens with me in October ;
I think it is a most valuable pear, and a strong grower. The fruit
is very fair, and is distributed throughout the tree very regularly.

Mr. HovEY, of Massachusetts. I agree with the remarks which
have been made in relation to the merits of this pear. With me
it does well in any soil. It might be called with us a November
pear, and it may be kept until the next year.

Mr. Walker, of Massachusetts. I must bear testimony to
what has bt^en said in favor of this Pear, and it has, in my estima-
tion, all the qualifications of a first-rate Pear.

Mr. French, of Massachusetts. If any gentleman saw it grow-
ing in your garden, Mr. President, or in mine, they would say
that it was the very tree they, would like to have.

Dr. Jones, of Ohio. What has been said in regard to this
Pear, entirely coincides with my experience.

The Beurre D'Anjou, it was unanimously agreed, should be
placed upon the list as worthy of general cultivation.

Mr. Hovey, of Massachusetts. I would propose the Man-
ning's Elizabeth as worthy of general cultivation. It is a great
bearer and perfectly delicious, and only to be objected to, if at all,
on account of its size.

Mr. Elliot, of Ohio. I would ask if it is a tardy grower.

Mr. Hovey, of Massachusetts. Yes, Sir.

Mr. Hancock, of New Jersey. I have tried it for four or five
years. It is a great grower, and is considered among the best
pears in our locality, though not very large.

Mr. Hovey, of Massachusetts. I had no idea it was so exten-
sively grown.

It was agreed, that Manning's Elizabeth remain where it is,
among those that promise well.

25

Hon. M. P. Wilder. 1 call on Mr. Cabot, of Massachusetts,
for his opinion of the Brande's St. Germaine.

Mr. Cabot. I don't think it is one worthy of cultivation, gen-
erally ; last year I had not one on my trees, but the year before
they were very good.

This pear it was voted should remain on the list of those that
promise well. The same disposition was made of the Pratt pear.

Mr. Saul, of New York. I move that the Ott pear be placed
on the list of those worthy of general cultivation.

Dr. W. D. Brinckle, of Philadelphia. The Ott pear is at this
meeting. Having had an opportunity of tasting it for four succes-
sive years, I have no hesitation in stating that I consider it the best
summer pear known. It has the full seckel flavor, and ripens one
month earlier than that variety. The specimens now before you
have been kept in the fruit-preserver, to give you a correct idea of
its size, form, and color. Its period of maturity is the middle of
August.

Mr. Thomas, of New York. Some pears that Dr. Brinckle
showed me last season in Philadelphia that were fine, do not suc-
ceed at all in Western New York ; and there are some pears here
that we know nothing about there. The Ott has not yet fruited
with me. The question was then put, and the motion decided
affirmatively, by a majority of two votes.

Mr. Cabot, of Massachusetts. I move a reconsideration of the
vote. I think it better to let it continue among those that promise
well, than to have it placed, by so close a vote, in the list of those
worthy of general cultivation.

The question was reconsidered, and it was decided unanimously
that the Ott pear should remain where it was before the discussion,
until it is more extensively known.

Mr. HovEY. I move the Ananas d'Ete remain where it now
is, as promising well.

Mr. Saul, of New York. I consider it one of the best pears
of the season. It ripens about the same time with the Bartlett,
though its texture is finer, I would prefer it for eating, and I think
it worthy of general cultivation.

Mr. Elliott, of Ohio. I wish to say a word in favor of this
pear, and am so partial to it, that I am willing it should go upon
the list for general cultivation.

26

Mr. Saul, of New York. It is one of the very best growers
on quince stock.

Mr. HovEY. Let it stand where it is.

Mr. Barry, of New York. I think it promises well, and should
be glad to let it remain where it is.

Mr. Olmstead, of Staten Island. I find it cracks with me
very much.

Mr. Elliott, of Ohio. I would ask if it is not disposed to
overbear, and the tree become thick and stunted.

Hon. M. P. Wilder. My estimate of its value would not be
satisfactory, perhaps, when compared with that of gentlemen from
the west.

Mr. Walker, or Massachusetts. I find it cracks somewhat,
but many things may be said in favor of it.

Mr. Saul's motion prevailed, and the Ananas d'Ete was placed
on the list for general cultivation.

Mr. Ernst, of Ohio. I move that the Van Assene pear remain
w^here it is.

Mr. HovEY, of Massachusetts. I would say, for the informa-
tion of gentlemen who do not know the fact, that the present year
I have seen it under two different names, the Vanaees and Van
Asshe. It is of good size and beautifully spotted, and I know of
few varieties that surpass it in delicious flavor. It ripens about
the middle of October. I think it promises well, and ought to
remain where it is.

Mr. Hancock, of New Jersey. It has cracked with me every
year ; I have grown it on the pear stock.

Mr. Cabot, of Massachusetts. I have had some five speci-
mens, and the tree is a fair grower. I think it ought to remain.
. On the vote being taken, it was unanimously agreed that it
remain where it is for the present, viz : as promising well.

Mr. HovEY, of Massachusetts. I move that the Doyenne Gou-
bault be added to the list for general cultivation.

Mr. Cabot, of Massachusetts. It is a very large, handsome
pear, and very juicy, but in my experience Tacks flavor ; though I
think it is worthy of cultivation. It is a pretty good bearer, and
a great grower.

Mr. J. J. Thomas, of New York. My experience is the same ;
and I think it will become a very valuable pear.

i

27

Mr. tiovEY, of Massachusetts. I have fruited it several years-,
^nd I think it is one of the best that has been introduced for ten
years; I don't except the Beurre d'Anjou. It possesses every
quality a good pear ought to possess. The Massachusetts Horti-
tjultural Society have awarded the premium for it, as being the best
pear presented at their annual Exhibition ; and it ranks among the
highest though not at the top of the list. In flavor it cannot com-
pare with the Seckel, but is much superior to many other pears ;
and I know of no one that will be so much grown among ama^
teurs, and market gardeners.

Mr. Walker, from Massachusetts. I fully agree with what
has been said, but I think it is not good enough for general culti-
vation. It has been known as the '' Chapen" pear, of Providence.

Dr. W. D. Brinckle, of Philadelphia. The Doyenne Bous*-
sock has been disseminated under two other names, the " Provi-
dence" and the " Plymouth." It possesses a combination of fine
qualities, and is eminently worthy of general cultivation.

After these remarks it was agreed the pear should be placed in
the list for general cultivation.

Mr. Robert B. Parsons, of Flushing Long Island. I move-,
that the " Lawrence" pear be placed upon the list for general
-cultivation. Taking all its qualities into consideration, we think
it is as good as any pear. It never cracks or wilts, and I have
planted out four acres for marketing.

Mr. Ernst, of Ohio. I must bear testimony to the correctness
of what Mr. Parsons has said of the Lawrence. It is a good
keeper, and has a remarkably fine flavor ; and I should be in
favor of putting it on the list for trial.

Mr. HovEY, of Massachusetts. I, also, fully agree with what
Mr. Parsons has said in regard to this variety, and I am cultivat-
ing it more extensively than any other pear. I am perfectly wil-
ling it should be placed on the list that promises well. It has
been generally introduced, is handsome and bears young. I would
be glad to have it on either the first or second list.

Mr. J. J. Thomas, of New York, I have never fruited this pear,
but I think it is a very beautiful one, and Robert Manning told m6
he considered it one of the most valuable of all pears. Never-
theless I think we should be exceedingly cautious in recommend-

28

ing pears for general cultivation, and for my part 1 am in faVOf of
its being placed on the list of those that promise well.

On the question being put, it was decided, that it should be
placed on the list of pears that promise well.

Mr. Hancock. I move that we now adjourn to assemble this
evening, at 8 o'clock, in the Musical Fund Hall, to join in the
solemnities in commemoration of our lamented colleague, the late
A. J. Downing, Esq., and to meet in this place, at 9 o'clock, to*
morrow morning, for the transaction of business.

The motion was unanimously adopted.

SECOND DAY.

An able and eloquent Eulogy on the life and character of our
lamented colleague, the late A. J. Downing, Esq., was delivered^
last evening, by the Hon. M. P. "Wilder, before the Pomological
Congress, and in the presence of a large and attentive audience.
On this occasion the Right^Rev. Alonzo Potter, of Pennsylvania,
offered up an appropriate, feeling, and impressive prayer.

The Congress re-assembled at 9 o'clock, A. M., for the trans-'
action of business.

The President, on taking the chair, proceeded in accordance
with the provisions of the Constitution and By-Laws, to appoint
the following gentlemen on the several standing committees.

Committee on Foreign Fruits. — C. M. Hovey, Massachusetts ;
P. Barry, New York ; Charles Downing, New York ; J. P. Kirt-'
land, New York; R. Buist," Pennsylvania ; S. L. Goodale, Maine;
C. B. Lines, Connecticut.

Committee on JYative Fruits, — Dr. W. D. Brinckle, Pennsyl-
vania ; F. R. EUiotty Ohio ; E. Tatnall, jr., Delaware ; Thomas Han-
cock, New Jersey ; Colonel Hodge, New York ; H. P. Byram,
Kentucky ; Robert Manning, Massachusetts.

Committee on Synonyms. — Hon. J. S. Cabot, Massachusetts ;
J. J. Thomas, New York; A. H. Ernst^ Ohio; Dr. J. A. Kenni-
cott, Illinois ; S, D. Pardee, Connecticut ; A. Saul, New York ;
J. D. Fulton, Pennsylvania.

The Committee appointed to draft resolutions commemorative
of the death of Mr. A. J^ Downing, report the following resolu*
tion :

Resolvedy That this Congress sincerely lament the death of the

^9

lale A. J. Downing, of Newburgh, and, in view of his taleiits and
acquirements — his labors and services in forming a correct public
taste in all matters appertaining to high art — in promoting a love
of Horticultural and rural pursuits^ and in extending a knowledge
of Horticultural science, that his loss cannot but be deemed a
public calamity ; and, as expressive of the sense of the members
of this Congress at this melancholy bereavement, that the resolu-
tions passed by the various societies in relation to that event, be
adopted by this Congress, and published with its procedings.

Resolved, That this Congress heartily approve of the action of
its late President, Dr. W. D. Brinckl*, in taking measures for the
delivery of an Eulogy on Mr. Downing.

Mr. Cleveland, of New Jersey, made a motion that a committee
be appointed to present a list of olficers, authorized by the Consti-
tution, and who have not already been chosen, which was unani-
monsly carried, and the following gentlemen were named to carry
out the motion.

Messrs. Cleveland, New Jersey ; Jones, Ohio; Nourse, Maine;
Townsend, Pennsylvania ; and Parsons, of Nelv York.

The following report was submitted and accepted :

The Committee appointed to complete the list of officers required
by the Constitution, report the following :

Vice-Presidents. — New Hampshire (Meredith)^ H. J. French j
Vermont, Frederick Holbrook; Massachusetts (Roxbury), Samuel
Wjdker ; Rhode Island (Providence, Stephen H. Smith ; Connec-
ticut (New Haven), Dr. A. S. Munson ; New Jersey (Burlington);,
Thomas Hancock ; Delaware (Wilmington), Edward Tatnall, jr. ;
Maryland (Baltimore), John Feast; Virginia, (PencelPs Store^
Loudon county,) Yardley Taylor ; District of Columbia, (Wash-
ington) Joshua Pierce ; North Carolina, Joshua Lindley ; South
Carolina, (Beaufort) Robert Chisholm ; Georgia, (Atalanta) Rich-
ard Peters ; Alabama, (Mobile) George G. Coster ; Florida, (Apa-
lachicola) Benjamin F. Nourse ; Mississippi, (Washington) Thos.
Afflick ; Louisiana, (New Orleans) Henry E. Lawrence ; Arkan-
sas, (Choctaw Mission) Rev. C. H. Byington ; Missouri, (St. Louis)
Thomas Allen ; Iowa, (Davenport) James Grant ; Wisconsin, N.
P. Talmadge ; Illinois, (The Grove) Dr. Kennicott ; Indiana, (Ver-
sailles) S. S. Connett; Tennessee, (Nashville) D. W. Yandell;
California, (San Francisco) Dr. Henry Gibbons; Utah, (Great Salt

3D

Lake) Edward Hunter; Upper Canada, (Sandwich Post-Oi!iCd|
address Detroit, Mn.) James Dougal ; Lower Canada, (Montreal)
Hugh Allen.

For Secretary — H; W. S. Cleveland, Burlington, New Jersey^

For Treasurer — Thomas P. James, Philadelphia.

H. W. S. CLEVELAND, Chairman,

Mr. Williams, of New York. I move that Mr. Elliott be Trea-
surer pro tem., and be assisted by Colonel Hodge, of New York)
in obtaining the names of those wishing to become members.

A number of gentlemen then came forward, subscribed their
names, and w^ere enrolled as members of the "American Porno-
logical Society."

On a motion, originating with Mr. Buist, the President) nomi-
nated the following gentlemen, with power to add to their numberj
if desirable, to procure subscriptions from one dollar and upwards,
in order that a suitable testimonial should be presented to the
widow of the late Mr. A. J. Downing : Messrs. Wilder, Buist,
Cope, Cleveland, Hodge, Elliott, Young, Breckenridge, and Ken-
nicott.

The chair then announced the following gentlemen as constitut-
ing the Executive Committee : Dr. W. D. Brinckle, Pennsylvania*
Hon. B. V. French, Massachusetts. Richard Peters, Esq., Georgia^
Dr. Herman Wendell, New York. Dr. John A. Warder, Ohio.

Mr. Elliot. I move that the President and Vice-Presidents be
ex-officio members of this Committee, and that five members con^
stitute a quorum.

The above motion was unanimously adopted.

On motion of Mr. Elliott, the printing of the proceedings of this
Society was referred to the delegation of the "Pennsylvania Hor-
ticultural Society," v/ho, it is understood} have already commenced
the work.

The Committee appointed to select the Chairman of the State
Fruit Committees, presented the following report :

General Chairman— Samuel Walker, Roxbury, Massachusetts.
Chairman for New York — P. Barry, Rochester. Pennsylvania —
Thos. P. James, Philadelphia. Delaware — Dr. Lewis P. Bush, Wil-
mington. Dist. of Columbia — Joshua Pierce, Washington. Geor-
gia—-Rt. Rev. Stephen Elliott, Jr., Savannah. Virginia— Yardley
Taylor, Purcell's Store, Loudon Co. Maine==^H. Little, Bangor.

31

New Hampshire — H. F. French, Exeter. Massachusetts — Ebene-
zer Wight, Boston. Vermont — C. Goodrich, Burlington. Rhode
Island — Stephen H. Smith, Providence. Connecticut — George
Gabriel, New Haven. New Jersey — Wm. Reed, Elizabethtown.
Maryland — Samuel Feast, Baltimore. South Carolina, Wm.
Sumner, Pomaria. North Carolina — Henry K. Burgwyn, Jack-
son. Ohio — R. Buchanan, Cincinnati. Illinois — J. A. Kenni-
cott, Northfield. Indiana — J. D. G. Nelson, Fort Wayne. Cali-
fornia— Captain F. W. Macondray, San Francisco. Alabama —
Charles A. Peabody, Gerard. Florida — A. G. Sems, Quincy,
Gadsden Co.. Kentucky— E. D. Hobbs, Louisville. Mississippi
— Thomas Affleck, Washington. Iowa — James Grant, Davenport.
Missouri — Thomas Allen, St. Louis.

On motion of Mr. Walker, but afterwards amended, it was
unanimously resolved that no Fruit should be placed on the list
for general cultivation, unless two-thirds of the members voted in
the affirmative.

Mr. Saul. I move we proceed with the unfinished business
of yesterday.

This motion was agreed to.

Mr. Elliott, from Ohio. I propose that the Kirtland Pear be
put upon the list of those promising well. I can say but little
more than what has already been published, in regard to it, and I
would ask if any gentleman has grown it on the Quince stock.

Mr. Saul, of New York. It succeeds very well on the Quince.

Mr. Hancock, of New Jersey. I have grown it one year on
the Quince, and it answers very well.

The President. That is my own experience.

Mr, TowNSEND, of New York. I have seen some in Rochester,
N. Y., and they have grown very well.

Mr. Ernst, of Ohio. I have grown it on its own stock, and on
the Quince, and it grows very finely on both ; but I have not yet
fruited it.

Mr. French, of Massachusetts. I hope the motion will be
adopted.

Colonel Hodge, of New York. I have seen it frequently, and
think very well of it.

The question being taken, the Kirtland Pear was unanimously
placed on the list as promising well.

32

Mr. Reid, of New Jersey. I move that the Duchesse d'Angou-
leme be placed upon the list as being worthy of general cultiva-
tion.

Mr. French, of Massachusetts. The Duchesse d'Angouleme is
a very excellent Pear of its size, but in other respects not w^orthy
of cultivation.

Mr. Hayes, of New" Jersey. In New Jersey it is not a good
Pear.

Colonel Hodge, of New York. With us it succeeds very well
on the Quince, and I think very well of it. It is, however, rather
a coarse Pear, but all things combined places it in the estimation
of many as a desirable variety.

Mr. Baxter, of Pennsylvania, I can confirm what has been
already said in favor of it. I have grown it four or five years, and
a better Pear I don't think I know.

Hon. M. P. Wilder, of Massachusettss. The chair would
state that the fruit is difficult in New England to set, and it very
often fails in bearing a crop. I could never see any difference
in it whether grown on the Pear or Quince stock.

Mr. Miller, of Pennsylvania. On the Quince, I think it is
a very desirable variety. I never got more than two Pears on a
single tree, and what may be the cause, I cannot tell ; I give my
experience as it is.

The question being taken, and two-thirds not voting affirma-
tively, it was lost; and the Duchesse d'Angouleme was not placed
on the list for general cultivation.

Mr. Saul, of New York. I move that the Beurre Giffard be
put on the list of Pears that promise well. This year I have had
very good specimens. I consider it one of great excellence. It
is an abundant bearer, and will be a great addition to our early
Pears.

Mr. Norton, of New York. I have seen a specimen in Western
New York, and I believe it is a good Pear.

Hon. M. P. Wilder. The chair will state that it is a new Pear
from France. I have fruited it for two years. It is of good size,
and acute pyri form in shape ; and my impression is, that if picked
before ripe, it will be a valuable Pear. It is rather a poor grower,
as far as my experience goes, on the Quince.

Mr. Baxter, of Pennsylvania. I have found it an excellent

33

«

Pear, and for an early Pear, there is no better, as regards its beauty
and growth.

Dr. EsHLEMAN, of Pennsylvania. I have found it a most excel-
lent Pear. It has fruited in our County, and has proved with us
decidedly the best early Pear we have.

Mr. Cabot, of Massachusetts. I have fruited it two years on
the Quince, and I coincide entirely with the preceding remarks.
The vote being taken, it was decided unanimously, that the
Beurre GifTard be placed on the list of Pears that promise well.

Mr. Hogg, of New York, proposes that the Compte de Lamy
be put on the list of Pears that promise well.

Mr. Cabot, of Massachusetts. I have raised it for the last ten
years; it is a medium sized Pear, and of a pleasant flavor ; a great
bearer, and I think it an excellent variety. It is larger than the
Dearborn's Seedling.

Dr. EsHLEMAN, of Pennsylvania. I have fruited it for three
years, and with me it grows vigorously, and bears well. The
fruit is of a medium size, and the quality I consider good.

Mr. J. J. Thomas, was opposed to placing this Pear on the list
of those that promise well.
The motion was withdrawn.

Mr. Olmstead, of New York. I move that the Soldat Labour-
eur be placed on the list of Pears that promise well.

Mr. Hogg, of New York. It has proved with us a pretty good
Pear.

Mr. Cabot, of Massachusetts. It seems to me we had better
pass it by for the present.

The President. The tree is of remarkably fine growth, but
the fruit is spotted.

Mr. TowNSEND, of New York. I fruited it last year, for the
first time, and this year it is spotted.

Mr. J. J. Thomas, of New York. I think it is too often too small
to be valuable.

Mr. Olmstead withdrew his motion.

Mr. Walker, of Massachusetts. I should like to introduce the

Paradise d'Automne, one of the strongest growers in the catalogue,

a pretty good bearer, and certainly one of the best pears in No-

vember.
5

34

Mr. Saul, of New York. My experience is the same as that of
the gentleman who has just spoken.

The Chair coincides with the remarks that have been made.

Colonel Hodge, of New York. I think it is among our very
best pears, and superior to the Beurre Bosc.

Mr. Cabot, of Massachusetts. I have grown it some years, and
have found it a handsome pear, but a little smaller than the
Beurre Bosc. For some cause or other, it was not so good one sea-
son as I have known it.

Mr. J. J. Thomas, of New York. I have conversed with a
number of persons who have fruited it for many years, and they
all agree that ,it is a pear of first-rate quality.

Mr. Hayes, of New Jersey. I have tasted the Beurre Bosc
and the Paradise d'Automne, both at once, and could not discover
any perceptible difference.

Messrs. Walker and French stated that the trees were entirely
different.

Mr. J. J. Thomas, of New York. I have observed a slight
degree of astringency in the Paradise d'Automne, which the othei
does not possess.

Mr. GooDALE, of Maine. I have fruited them two years, and
they have done very well.

Hon. M. P. Wilder. The astringency is owing to the soil. —
Near New Bedford, it has not that flavor, and I have found that
to be the case generally with pears grown in that vicinity.

Mr. J. J. Thomas, of New York. On account of its extensive
circulation, I move that it be recommended for general cultivation.

This motion was carried unanimously.

Mr. Cabot, of Massachusetts. I move that the Duchesse de
Berri, be placed on the list of pears that promise well.

Hon. M. P. Wilder. It is a pretty Summer Pear, and of good
size. I have fruited it for two years.

Mr. Townsend, of New York. I can certainly coincide with
the chair in the opinion just given.

Hon. M. P. Wilder. The Chair can answer for Mr. Hovey of
Massachusetts, who has fruited it, and who thinks it a good pear.

The motion was carried, and the Duchesse de Berri was ad-
mitted into the list of those that promise well.

Mr. Walker, of Massachusetts. I propose to place on the
list for trial the Limon, a pear which has been cultivated under

35

the name of Beurre Haggerston. It is a fine summer pear, and
its size only prevents its going on the list for general culture. It
is one of the best pears I have tasted this season, and am satisfied
it will find many friends. I think it is larger than the Dearborn's
Seedling on an average, and much more uniform.

Mr. Saul, of New York. The Beurre Haggerston is a good
grower, but the Limon is not — if they prove the same, I go for
putting it on the list of pears for trial.

Mr. Reed, of New Jersey. I know the pear, and am in favor
of it.

Mr. J. J. Thomas, of New York. I have seen specimens of this
pear, and accord fully with the high commendation awarded it.
They are of rather a small size, but I do not consider that an
objection.

The question was decided affirmatively, and the pear placed on
the list of those that promise w^ell.

Mr. Cabot, of Massachusetts. I would propose the " Belle
Lucrative" for discussion.

Hon. M. P. Wilder. The Seigneur d'Esperin is the same.
I have received it from many sources, and it has always proved
similar.

Mr, Cleveland, from New Jersey. I move that the St. Michel
Archange be placed on the list of pears that promise well. It
has proved a very excellent pear with me. I have had some as
large as the largest sized Bartlett, and it is one of the most deli-
cious fruits of the season. It ripens about the last of September
and first of October. The two trees which I first had w^ere im-
ported by Mr. Perkins of Boston.

Mr. Cabot, of Massachusetts. It is a pretty good pear. The
tree is an upright grower, and the Pennsylvania Horticultural So-
ciety for two or three years have awarded it a premium.

Hon. M. P. Wilder. At New Bedford it was considered the
best pear exhibited, and I should be in favor of putting it on the
list for further trial.

On the vote being taken, it was placed on the list of those that
promise well.

Mr. Saul proposed the Sterling pear, but afterwards withdrew
his motion, merely stating that it was a first rate grower, and a
good early pear, w^hich was corroborated by the chair.

36

Dr. EsHLEMAN, of Pennsylvania. I move that the Diller pear
be placed on the list as worthy of trial. Report says it was im-
ported from Germany by the Diller family many years ago, and
the tree is still standing.

Mr. Walkek, of Massachusetts. A sight of it is enough to
make your mouth water ; I am ready to state it is one of the very
best pears I ever tasted ; and am also pleased to state that it is a
native of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Saul, of New York. That was the unanimous opinion of
the whole Committee, and several other gentlemen who were
present.

The question being put, the affirmative vote was unanimous.

Mr. Saul. I move we pass from the subject of Pears, and
discuss the Plums.

This motion was agreed to.

Mr. NouRSE, of Maine. I move that the McLaughlin be taken
from the list of plums that promise well, and be inserted among
those worthy of general cultivation. It is almost an improvement
on the Green Gage, larger in size, but perhaps lacking in delicacy
of flavor. The flesh is a little coarser as it naturally would be in
a larger fruit. It is easily raised, and is a thrifty and regular
grower. It is a profitable plum, and one of the very best.

Mr. French, of Massachusetts. I have not fruited it, but have
tasted it, and can confirm all that Mr. Nourse says about the plum.
I understand that many spurious scions have been disseminated.

Mr. Nourse. It originated in the grounds of an amateur, and
its propagation was not attended to with proper care.

Mr. GooDALE, of Maine. It is very good, and we hardly think
it worth w^hile to cultivate anything else.

Hon. M. P. Wilder. The chair suggests whether it had not
better remain where it is.
The motion was withdrawn.

The Penobscot plum was mentioned, and without discussion
was withdrawn.

Mr. Saul, of New York. I move that Prince's Yellow Gage
be placed on the list with those plums that are worthy of general
cultivation. It is an early, large and sweet plum, although not a
very juicy one. With that exception, I think it as good as any
other on the list.

37

Mr. Hodge, of New York. I perfectly coincide with the re-,
marks of Mr. Sauh

Hon. M. P. Wilder. The chair entertains the same opinion.

Dr. Jones, of Ohio. We have cultivated the plum, and there
is something peculiar about it ; we don't consider it first rate.

The question was taken on Mr. Saul's motion, and decided in
the affirmative.

Mr. Nourse, of Maine. I propose the Lawrence's Favorite for
general cultivation. It is closely allied to the Green Gage. The
tree bears well, and the fruit is equally distributed over the tree.

Mr. Saul, of New York. We have known it since it origina-
ted ; it is a plum of the very best flavor, is a great bearer, a good
grower, and I think worthy of general cultivation.

Mr. Ernst, of Ohio. We think very favorably of it.

Mr. Wilder. It stands very high in my estimation.

The motion was adopted.

Mr. French. I don't like to name a plum, without having had
personal experience in regard to it, but I merely mention the Early
Morocco ; it is an early plum, and has a fine flavor.

Hon. M. P. Wilder. I have found it to be a pretty good
plum ; it is not, however, with me, a good bearer, and not quite
juicy enough, but considering its season, there is no variety so
large.

Mr. Saul, of New York, recommends the Imperial Ottoman,
the Hudson Gage, Coe's late Red, and the Blue Imperatrice.

Hon. M. P. Wilder recommends the Reine Claude de Bevay.

Mr. Robert Parsons, Flushing, Long Island. I propose for
general cultivation the Belle de Choisy. It is one of the most
beautiful and delicious cherries in the catalogue.

Mr. Hodge, of New York. It is a sweet, delicious and good
cherry.

Dr. Jones, of Ohio. We have fruited it pretty extensively, and
think it deserving that position, not so much for its intrinsic merits
as for the hardiness of the tree, and the beautiful appearance it
presents.

Mr. Embree, of Pennsylvania. I believe it is a good cherry,
but am not in favor of it for general cultivation.

Hon. M. P. Wilder. It has proved with me a shy bearer.

Mr. Miller. I have never seen more than half a crop on a

38

tree, so that I think we should be careful of putting it on the list
for general cultivation.

Mr. Saul, of New York. I think everything has been said of
it that can be said. It is handsome, and of a good flavor, but
whether it is advisable to put it on the list for general cultivation,
is rather doubtful.

Hon. M. P. Wilder. That is the opinion of the Chair.

The motion was withdrawn.

Mr. Walker, of Massachusetts. I would suggest that the Bi-
garreau Monstreuse de Mezel be put on the list for trial.

Hon. M. P. W^ilder, of Massachusetts. In relation to the
cherry in question, I have found it to be synonymous with the
Waterloo ; it is a desirable cherry, and I think worthy of cultiva-
tion. It is an old cherry and may be American.

Mr. Saul, of New York. I think it a desirable cherry, and
that there would be no impropriety in placing it on the proba-
tionary list.

Hon. M. P. Wilder. I think Mr. Knight raised the Water-
loo forty years ago.

The vote was unanimous to place it on the list of those that are
promising.

Mr. Robert Parsons, Flushing, Long Island. I propose that
the early Richmond, or old Kentish, be placed upon the list for
general cultivation ; it is a very excellent preserving cherry.

Mr. Ernst, of Ohio. With us the cherry is difficult of cultiva-
tion, owing, probably, to the changes in our climate. It is a great
and uniform bearer, and answers a very good purpose for a table
cherry, though I cannot speak with confidence of its flavor. I
should be glad to see it recommended for general cultivation. It
is a good cooking cherry.

Dr. Jones, of Ohio. There are many others I should prefer to
it in point of appearance and flavor.

Mr. Reed, of New Jersey. I think it is worthy of cultivation
for culinary purposes.

Mr. J. J. Thomas, of New York. Several of my neighbors have
recommenced its cultivation, and they have come to the conclu-
sion it is one of the best for cooking purposes.

Mr. Walker, of Massachusetts. I will vote for it for cooking
purposes.

39

The Early Richmond was voted in, as worthy of general culti-
vation, for cooking purposes.

Mr. Hodge, of New York. I move that the Heine Hortense
be placed on the list for trial. It is a large cherry, of a light red
color, and very excellent.

Mr. Barry, of New York. I have fruited it for four years, and
believe it to be a first-rate variety. It bears very regular crops,
and I think particularly desirable.

It was voted into the list of those that are promising.

Mr. J. J. Thomas, of New York. I would like to have the
Governor Wood placed on the list for trial. I think it ripens
earlier than the Black Tartarian.

Dr. Jones, of Ohio. I would suggest Kirtland's Mary be placed
with it. We believe them both worthy of very extensive tiial, if not
of general cultivation ; they are both very desirable varieties, and
I feel confident w^ill take the place of some already approved.

Mr. Barry, of New York. I believe it is one of the best Cherries
we can have, and it immediately succeeds the Cleveland Bigarreau
in ripening.

Hon. M. P. Wilder. The chair would remark that it is hardly
desirable, with the experience of one section of the country, to put
them on the list for trial. I have no doubt that they are very de-
sirable varieties, but the question is, whether we had not better
take the expressions of opinion, by the gentlemen, and let them
stand for what they are worth. This course was adopted.

Dr. Jones, of Ohio. I should like to introduce the Early Purple
Guigne as worthy of trial. It is ten days earlier than any other
grown, according to the late Mr. Downing, and many other fruit
growers. It has ripened with me, uniformly, about the 10th "of
May. It isa heart Cherry, full medium size, and nearly black,
when matured. I consider it equal to the Black Tartarian.

Mr. J. J. Thomas, of New York. I have cultivated it for
many years. I regard it as beyond comparison, a most valua-
ble early Cherry, ripe nearly ten days before any other kind.

Mr. Hodge, of New York. This Cherry is pretty generally
known, and I think well of it.

Mr. Miller, of Pennsylvania. I have fruited it a good many
years, and the only fault I find, is that it comes too early.

It was voted to place it on the list of those that promise well.

40

Mr. Spanglek, of Pennsylvania. I move that the Cumberland
Seedling be placed on the list, as worthy of trial, and call on Mr.
Miller for information.

Mr. Miller. It vi^as first called the "Cumberland Seedling,"
afterwards the "Triumph of Cumberland," and as to the Cherry,
when I tell you it is one of the best Cherries we have in Pennsyl-
vania, it is all that I know about it. It is supposed to be a native of
this State, ripens with the Black Tartarian, is larger in the average,
and when ripe is nearly black, or a very dark purple.

Mr. Spangler, of Pennsylvania. In our vicinity, it is con-
sidered the finest Cherry we have. I have had them measure
nearly three and a half inches in circumference, and is a very pro-
lific bearer.

Mr. Barry, of New York. I would like to know from Mr. Elliott
what Cherry I got from him or Dr. Kirtland under that name.

Mr. Elliott, of Ohio. The Cumberland Seedling, which we
received, proved to be a Cherry well known ; we got it first from
Lancaster County, Pa. The one you got from us is the '* Elk-
horn."

Mr. Elliott then moved an adjournment till 4 o'clock, P. M.,
which was unanimously agreed to.

SECOND DAY.
afternoon session.

The President called the Society to order at 4 o'clock.

Dr. Eshleman, of Pennsylvania. I propose to put on the list
for trial, the Smoke-house Apple. It originated in Lancaster Co.,
and is like the Vandervere in its general appearance. It is very
excellent for cooking, and it will keep until April. If I were con-
fined to one variety it should be the Smoke-house.

Mr. Hewes, of Pennsylvania. I have known it for eleven
years.

Mr. Taylor, of Virginia. I am acquainted with it, and think
it the most crooked growing tree I ever saw.

Mr. Peirce, of Washington, D. C. It is very crooked in grow-
ing, but has fruited very well with me. It was highly recom
mended to us, and I have known it for twenty years.

"Mr. Corson, of Pennsylvania. I have known it for forty-eight

41

years. It is a constant bearer, in the section of country where it
originated, and no one should start an orchard without it.

Mr. Miller, of Pennsylvania. So far as I have seen the Smoke"
house tested on every class of soils, I have never seen it otherwise
than a good Apple.

Mr. Spangler, of Pennsylvania. In relation to that Apple, I
have it growing, and consider it unsurpassed for culinary purposes.

The question was taken, and decided in the affirmative.

Mr. Walker, chairman of the Committee on Synonymes, re*
marked that, on account of some papers having been mislaid, he
was compelled to report verbally that all the Fruits placed before
the Committee, and which were supposed to be synonymes, had
been attended to, and the names handed over to the applicants ;
he said the few memorandums made were not at all necessary,
and asked for a discharge on behalf of the Committee, which was
unanimously agreed to.

Mr. Ernst, of Ohio. I move that the Melon Apple be placed
on the list for trial,

Mr. Barrv, of New York. I think it should be placed on that
list ; it is a good bearer.

Mr. Saul, of New York. It is a remarkably poor grower, so
far as I have seen it ; otherwise I think there is no better Apple,

Mr, J. J. Thomas, of New York. Last winter, at Rochester,
there was an informal vote taken on the flavor of this Apple, com=
pared with others, and it received the largest vote.

The motion to admit this Apple on the list of those promising
well was carried.

Mr. Watts, of Rochester, N. Y. I would propose the Hawley
Apple, for trial, and call on Mr. Barry for his opinion.

Mr. Barry, of New York. It is very highly esteemed, and I
think worthy to be placed on the list for trial. It is productive,
the tree is a good grower, and the quality is very good, though
perhaps not firstrate.

Mr. HovEY, of Massachusetts. From the specimens I have
seen, I should class it among the very best apples we have. It is
tender and refreshing, with an agreeable mixture of acid and
sweet.

Col. Hodge, of New York. I think very well of this Apple,
and have never heard any thing disparaging said in relation to it

42

Mr. Hooker, of New York. I have known it for some years,
and there is but one opinion expressed in our vicinity, with regard
to it. It is considered firstrate.

Mr. J. J. Thomas, of New York. I have known this Apple a
great many years, growing on old and young trees, on light and
lieavy soils, and the fruit is uniformly good and fair.

The vote being taken on Mr. Watts' motion, it was decided
that the Hawley Apple be admitted in the list of those promising
well.

Mr, Watts, of Rochester, N. Y. I propose the Canada Red,
which is the Massachusetts Nonesuch, for general cultivation,

Mr. J. J. Thomas, of New York. It has been widely cultivaled^
and I think it is almost worthy of it. It has proved good in Ohioj
and in New York, but whether or not far south I am unable to

say.

Mr. Watts, of Rochester, N. Y. At Rochester, it is consider-^'
ed one of our best Western growing Apples, and is particularly
fine as a desert fruit. (Mr. Watts here presented a painting of the
Apple beautifully colored.)

Mr. Robert Parsons, of Long Island. On Long Island, we
think it is one of the best we have.

Mr. Barry, of New York, It has been tried a long time, and
is an excellent Apple.

Mr, Walker, of Massachusetts, All I have heard has been
favorable to it. It is very excellent, but overbears itself.

Mr. GooDALE, of Maine. It is well known in our markets, and
it is almost uniformly spotted, and is the last fruit we should want
there.

Mr. Downing, of N'ew York. I am told that is the case through
the State of Connecticut.

Mr. Hooker, of New York. In Western New York, three-
fourths of the crops have been worthless, but under good cultivation
it is excellent.

The motion was amended so as to read that it be recommended
for general cultivation, in certain localities, and then unanimously
adopted.

Mr, Saul, of New York, I would suggest the Northern Spy
as worthy of trial.

CoL HapGE, of New York-. There is but oi^e opiniou In regard.

43

to that Apple with us. We consider it one of the very best win-
ter varieties. It has been said to be spotted, but with us it is not
so. I esteem it so highly that for two or three years, I have been
planting out large orchards of it.

Mr. Miller. It has been fruited in Pennsylvania, and has be-
come knurly.

Mr. Walker, of Massachusetts. It has not proved in the
neighborhood of Boston what we expected of it. When I first
saw it, I thought it the best Apple I had ever eaten, but now I
think it suited only to certain localities. I hold it in the highest
estimation, but think it wants the warm generous soil of Western
New York.

Mr. GooDALE, of Maine. My father has it, and it is pretty
fair.

Dr. Jones, of Ohio. It has with us all the reputation given it
in regard to quality, though it is not so great a bearer as I supposed
it to be.

Mr. Watts, of Rochester, N. Y. One day previous to my
coming from home, I went ten miles from Rochester, where there
were twenty-three trees growing. I found the trees full of fruit
about half-grown. It generally bears well, and is a thrifty grower.
Those that do not grow on the end of the limbs of the tree, or where
the sun cannot get at them are often inferior. About Rochester,
they are commencing to cultivate it very extensively, and orchards
in the vicinity of Lockport, have been all grafted with this fruit.
They have been known ten or fifteen years with us, and the price
farmers receive in market for them is two dollars and a half per bushel,
— and they will sell sometimes for five dollars, — in the spring some
sent to New York, brought nine dollars. The reputation in Wes=
tern New York is high, and if the gentlemen saw it growing, they
would be perfectly satisfied with it.

It was voted that it be recommended for general cultivation in
certain localities.

Mr. Cabot, in behalf of the Massachusetts Horticultural So-
ciety, invited the members of the American Pomological Society
to meet in their rooms in A. D. 1854, which invitation was ac=
cepted, by a resolution offered by Mr. Elliott, of Ohio, which was
unanimously adopted, namely :

Resolved, That the next session of the American Pomological

44

Society be held in the city of Boston on the day designated by
the Executive Committee, in A. D. 1854.

Mr. Robert Parsons, Long Island. I should like to recom-
mend for trial the Autumn Bough, We find it one of the very best
of apples.

Mr. Downing, of New York, I consider it one of the finest
apples eaten in October,

On motion, it was decided to place it on the list with those that
promise well.

The Committee on Native Fruits, through Mr. Elliott, made the
following Report, which was unanimously adopted.

Committee on JYative Fruits

Have examined and report on the following :
Apples. — Jeffries — Roundish, flattened, yellow ground, striped
with red ; sprightly, tender, juicy and pleasant. Regarded as
"best" — ripe Septeuiber.

Brennaman — Regarded as " good." September.
Willis'^ Sweetirig — Regarded as " very good." September.
Autumn Sweet Bough — Regarded as "very good." September^
Cox^s Seedling — From Joshua Embree. N&t worthy attention.
Red Grove — From Joshua Embree. Regarded as " very good."
Myers"* ^pple — Imperfect specimens. Worthy further attention.
Carter Apple — From Virginia — passed as in too imperfect a state
to decide upon it.

Zimmerman — Regarded not worth attention.
Seedling, No. 3 — From H. R. Roby,Virginia — passed as "good."
.• Greenes Choice — From Mrs. M. A. Fulton ; a handsome fruit-
red striped, sweet; passed as "very good."

Howard — From G. P. Howard ; regarded as " very good."
Richards — From E. G. Studley ; regarded as " best."
Melt'in-the-Mouth^— From Paschall Morris & Co. ; regarded as
" very good."

Rohy'^s Seedling — From H. R. Roby ; passed as "very good."
White Cain — From Joshua Embree ; passed as " good."
White Queen — From Joshua Embree ; (not the White Queen of
Cumberland Co.,) regarded as valueless.

Birmingham — From Joshua Embree ; regarded as " good."
Summer Cheese — From H. R. Roby ; passed as unworthy.

45

Virginia Cat Head — A red apple, unworthy culture.

CornelVs Favorite — From Joshua Embree ; regarded as " very
good."

Peaches. — MuJilenherg Cling — From A.M. Spangler; regarded
as " very good."

Pettit — From David Pettit ; large, yellow, irregular, yellow flesh,
sweet and fine. Passed as " very good."

Seedlings No. 1 — From I. B. Baxter ; white flesh, dull whitish
green skin, juicy and fine. Passed '' very good."

Susquehanna — From H. Randall; very large, yellow. Regarded
as " best."

Pears. — Moyamensing — Regarded as " best."

Howell — From E. E. Clarke; regarded as " very good."

Styer — From A. W. Corson ; resembles somewhat the Gan-
sell's Bergamotte in appearance. Regarded as " best."

Henrietta — Regarded as "very good."

Wiest — From Charles Kessler ; regarded as " good."

Citron — Regarded as " good."

Edwards^ Elizabeth— Regarded as " best."

Seedling from the garden of the late Gov. Edwards ; presented by
E. E. Clarke. Regarded as "best," and recommended by Com-
mittee to be named the Quinipiac.

Grapes. — Seedling from Dr. Valk ; bunches fine, large, com-
pact, but too unripe to allow the Committee to decide on its merits.

The subjoined communication was received from Dr. Valk.

To the Coramittee on Fruits of the Pomological Congress.

Gentlemen : — As my engagements do not permit me to visit
Philadelphia during the sitting of the present Congress, I send for
your examination, by the hands of my friend, Mr. Samuel Par-
sons, several bunches of the fruit from my seedling grape. I sub-
mit them to your inspection and impartial judgment, and furnish
you with a brief history of their origin. You will find on page
444, vol. 6, of the late Mr. Downing's Horticulturist, some re-
marks by myself on the present subject, and his notice of a speci-
men of the fruit sent him last year.

Directing your attention to those remarks, it becomes only ne-
cessary to say here, that, with all possible precaution, a vine of the

46

Black Hamburgh grape was in 1845 fertilized with the pollen of
the Isabella. From the seed there came fourteen plants, and these
were kept in pots for two years, at the end of which time there
remained but two alive ; for, from being absent from liomc; the
young plants had been very much neglected. In the spring of
1847 both these seedlings were planted at the north end of my
garden, one having an eastern exposure, the other a western. The
soil was not in any way prepared for their reception, nor have they
received the least attention by cultivation. On the contrary, I
have suffered them to grow wild, and to take their chances in
summer and winter, and in all kinds of weather, without any sort
of care or looking after. In 1850 they fruited for the first time,
and had then been exposed to the frosts and snow of four winters.
Before I could give it a thought the poultry ate all the fruit, and
much to my regret, for it was of good size and appearance. In
1851 they bore still more fruit, but during my absence in Septem-
ber last, all of the best fruit, but one bunch was stolen, the thieves
only leaving a few bunches on one of the vines, because I sup-
pose they were a little mildewed. This one bunch I sent to Mr.
Downing, and he spoke of it thus :

" At first sight the bunch resembles that of the Isabella, the
grapes being hung somewhat loosely upon it. But the berries are
round — blacker than the Isabella, and totally distinct in flavor
from our native grapes, resembling the dark colored foreign
grapes. There can be no doubt that this is the first genuine cross
between the foreign grapes and our natives, and if the cross real-
izes the promise of this single bunch — evidently a poor sample of
the product of the vine— this new seedling of Dr. Valk's will
soon become widely sought Rftev.'^'^— Horticulturist, October,
1851, page 445.

Last fall I removed the vine having a western aspect to the front
of my house, (facing S. E.) and had to cut it back severely ; con-
sequently, this year it has not fruited. The other vine has upon
it eighteen bunches : and it is from this I cut the fruit now trans-
mitted. It is, as you will perceive, in a purely natural state, for
I have purposely left it to grow as it would. The vine has not
been manured, nor the branches thinned ; consequently, they do
not look as well as I might have made them ; but I chose to submit
them just as they are, and you will judge them accordingly.

41

For five years have these plants stood unprotected, and last
winter gave them a trial as to the quality of hai'dmess. The vines
grow strong, ripen their wood well, and the foilage is *'very
deeply serrated." Of their true worth I give now no opinion.
They are submitted to the Congress for approval or condemnation,
as shall be deemed most proper. You will, of course, take a just
view of the circumstances I have narrated, and announce your
verdict. Let it be what it will, I shall have the satisfaction of
knowing that I have done all I could to improve a valuable and
delicious fruit.

I remain, gentlemen, your obed't servant,

WM. W. VALKj M, D.

Flushing, L. I., Sept. 12, 1852.

N. B. The fruit is not fully ripe. Its time of ripening is about
1st October. I have to send it as it is.

On motion of Mr. Lines, of Connecticut, the subject of Straw-
berries was introduced.

Mr. French, of Massachusetts. I move that the Jenney seed-
ling be admitted into the list for general cultivation. It is a large,
hardy strawberry, a great bearer, and thrifty grower. It is a litile
too acid for some, but not for me. It will bear carriage very well,
and the vine keeps the fruit concealed from the birds.

Mr. Lines, of Connecticut. It is a very solid fruit, and much
esteemed. It is acid, but when quite ripe Very delicious.

Mr. R. Parsons, of Long Island. We think none can super»
sede it.

Mr. Miller, of Pennsylvania. I have found it very fine, and I
believe it can be eaten even without sugar.

The motion of Mr. French to admit it into the list for general
cultivation was agreed to.

Dr. Jones, of Ohio, moved that Burr's New Pine be recom-
mended for general cultivation, which was unanimously adopted.

Mr. French, from Massachusetts. I propose the Willie. It is
a first rate strawberry, and all in my vicinity, who have grown it,
speak in the highest praise of it with one exception.

Mr. Lines, of Connecticut. I find when the vine has been stand-
ing three years, it is difficult to get it as large as it was before, how-
ever it is a fine fruit and enormous bearer. It has a decided ten-
dency to get small, .^

Two-thirds of the members not voting in the affirmative, the
motion was lost.

Mr. Robert Parsons asked for information in regard to the
Crescent seedling, and said, that the White Bicton Pine was a
large strawberry, of a high flavor and beautiful color.

Mr. Lines said he would like to know something about the Mc»
Avoy seedling*

Dr. Jones said, it has a fair reputation in Cincinnati, though
not yet much cultivated.

Mr. R. Parsons said he knew very little about it, but thought
it was better than the English strawberries generally.

Dr. Peirce, of Washington, D. C, said he had cultivated the
Princess Alice Maud, an English strawberry, and had written to
Mr. Slater in order to obtain some information in regard to it, and
from whom he received a letter, which was read, and will be
found in the Report of the State Fruit Committee for the District
of Columbia.

Mr. French said he found it too tender for his part of the
country.

Mr. Young, of Kentucky, next proposed for the consideration of
the meeting the following resolution, which was adopted without
dissent :

Resolved, That this Society tender to the officers and members
of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and to the citizens of
Philadelphia, unfeigned thanks, for the generous and hospitable
provisions which have been made for their wants, and for the kind
and cordial feeling with which they have been received and enter-
tained during their session, now coming to a close.

Mr. S. B. Parsons said he thought that the use of lime was
highly desirable for the purpose of killing the curculio.

Mr. Young, of Kentucky, stated that he had used it success-
fully.

Mr. Mines, of Connecticut, said that several gentlemen had
used it with entire success.

Mr. Saul, said that sulphur used with lime was better than the
lime itself.

Mr. Thomas, of New York, said he had not been so successful
in the use of it, and he thought it less trouble to send his man to
kill them, and less diifguring to a rural lands-z^pe.

49

General Patterson, speaking for the Pennsylvania Horticul-
tural Society, of which he is President, invited the Delegates,
with their families, to attend their Exhibition on Wednesday,
Thursday and Friday of this week. He stated they could receive
tickets gratis of Mr. James, of this city, and Treasurer of the
American Pomological Society ; and also that they would be re-
ceived and treated with the utmost kindness and consideration.
The General then offered the following resolution, which was
most enthusiastically received and agreed to.

Resolved, That the cordial thanks of this Association be ten-
dered to the Hon. M. P. Wilder, for the impartial and dignified
manner in which he presided over our deliberations ; and for his
able and eloquent Eulogy on our lamented colleague, the late
A. J. Downing, Esq.

Also, Resolved, That we tender to the Secretaries our hearty-
thanks for the very efficient services they have rendered the So-
ciety.

The Hon. Marshall P. W^ilder said : Gentlemen — I will not
detain you at this late hour, except to express my obligations for
the esteem in which you have held my services. Your uniform
courtesy and indulgence have afforded me great facilities in dis-
charging the arduous duties of the Chair. If I have aided in the
despatch of business, or have advanced in any way the objects of
the Institution, I am amply repaid for all my labor. The consoli-
dation of the two national associations so ably referred to by the
ex-President of this Society, has increased the interest of our de-
liberations, and it no longer remains a problem whether success
shall crown our efforts. Our commencement was begun with a
determination to succeed ; and, gentlemen, you have well re-
deemed the pledge. To whatever scenes of duty I may hereafter
be called, I shall ever entertain a lively sense of gratitude for the
confidence and support I have received at your hands ; and, I
shall never cease to cherish a most sincere desire for your health
and happiness, and for the prosperity of this Association. [En-
thusiastic applause.]

Mr. James then moved an adjournment till the year A. D.,
1854, in Boston, which was unanimously carried.

50

LIST OF THE CONTRIBUTORS OF FRUITS,

The subjoined is a List of the Contributors of Fruit, with the
number of varieties exhibited by each at the present Congress :— -

Jonathan C. Baldwin, Downingtown, Chester Co., Pa. : — Ap-
ples, 25 varieties.

Isaac B. Baxter, Philadelphia : — Pears, 32 varieties, — Grapes, 11
varieties — Plums, 2 varieties — Seedling, 2 var. — Quinces, 2 var.

Robert Buist, Rosedale Nursery, Philadelphia : — Pears, 40 var.

Thomas Blagden, Washington, D. C. : — Pears, 12 varieties-
Grapes, 8 varieties.

John Briell, Newark, N. J. :■ — Pears, 22 varieties.

Francis Briell, Astoria, Long Island, N. Y. : — Apples, 1 variety,
Newtown Pippin.

E. E. Clark, New Haven, Ct. : — Grapes, 3 varieties.

Wm. R. Coppock, Buffalo, N. Y. : — Apples, 6 varieties.

Hon. Joseph S. Cabot, Salem, Mass. : — Pears, 122 varieties.

H. W. S. Cleveland, Burlington, N. J. : — Pears, 20 varieties —
Grapes, 1 variety. Black Hamburg.

George B. Deacon: — Apples, 62 varieties — Pears, 33 varieties.

Charles Downing, Newburgh, N. Y. : — Apples, 120 varieties —
Pears, 40 varieties — Plums, 5 varieties.

A. Emerson, Bangor, Maine : — Plums, 19 varieties.

J. Embree, Chester Co., Pa. : — Apples, 15 varieties — Pears, 3
varieties.

Dr. J. K. Eshleman, Downingtown, Chester Co. Pa. : — Apples,
4 varieties — Pears, 26 varieties.

Lewis Eaton, Buffalo, N. Y. : — Apples, 10 varieties — Pears, 15
varieties.

A. H. Ernst, Cincinnati,Ohio : — Apples, 43 varieties — Pears, 39.

Ellwanger & Barry, Rochester, N. Y. : — Apples, 30 varieties —
Pears, 140 varieties — Plums, 2 varieties.

Hon. B. V. French, Braintree, Mass. : — Apples, 154 varieties —
Pears, 128 varieties.

A. Frost & Co., Rochester, N. Y. :— Apples, 42 varieties-
Pears, 45 varieties.

Townend Glover, Byrnesville, Fishkill Landing, N. Y. : — Col-
lection of model Fruity embracing — Apples^ 26 varieties — PearSj
50 varieties.

51

Samuel J. Gustin, Newark, N, J. : — Pears, 42 varieties.
Thomas Hancock, Ashton Nursery, Burlington, N, J. : — Pears,
108 varieties.

Thomas Harvey, Jennerville, Chester Co., Pa. : — Apples, 10
varieties — Pears, 36 varieties — Peaches, 1 variety.

Henry Harbold, Reading, Pa. : — Apples, 1 variety, the Keim.

N. Holeman, gardener to Charles Bispham, Mount Holly, N. J. :
Apples, 23 varieties.

Jacob Hewes, Leiperville, Delaware Co. Pa. : — Pears, 11 va-
rieties.

Thomas Hogg & Son, New York : — Apples, 4 varieties — Pears,
37 varieties — Plums, 1 variety.

Hovey & Co., Boston, Mass. : — Pears, 66 varieties.
Thomas P. James, Philadelphia : — Pears, 13 varieties.
Charles Kessler, Reading, Pa. : — Apples, 3 varieties — Pears, 5
varieties.

C. B. Lines & E. E. Clark, New Haven, Ct. : — Pears, 9 native
varieties.

A. Marshall, & Co., Westchester, Pa. : — Apples, 18 varieties — =
Pears, 3 varieties.

Paschall Morris & Co., Westchester, Pa. : — Apples, 3 varieties
— Pears, 43 varieties.

Mahlon Moon, Bucks Co., Pa. : — Pears, 33 varieties.

Frederick L. Olmsted, Staten Island, N. Y. : — Apples, 1 va-
riety, Imperial — Pears, 28 varieties.

D. Miller, Jr., Cumberland Nurseries, Carlisle, Pa.: — Apples,
154 varieties.

Parsons & Co., Flushing, Long Island ; — Apples, 78 varieties — -
Pears, 133 — Grapes, foreign, 8.

Joshua Peirce, Washington, District of Columbia ; — Apples, 16
varieties ; — Pears, 21 — Madeira nuts — Butternuts — and specimens
of a seedling walnut, said to have originated from an English
Walnut, but evidently a cross between the English Walnut and
the Butternut, partaking of the character of both.

John Perkins, Moorestown, New Jersey : — Apples, 92 varieties.

William Reid, Elizabethtown, N. Jersey: — -Pears, 95 varieties.

A. Saul & Co., Newburgh, New York: — Pears, 73 varieties-
Plums, 11.

52

A. M. Spangler, Lancaster, Pennsylvania : — Pears, Doyenne
Blanc — Peaches, 1, a Seedling.

E. G. Studley, Claverack, Columbia county, New York :— Ap-
ples, 17 varieties — Pears, 10 — Plums, 1.

E. Tatnall, jr., Wilmington, Delaware : — -Apples, 18 varieties —
Pears, 46.

Oliver Taylor, Loudon county, Virginia: — Apples, 12 varieties
— Pears, 5 — Peach 1, Forney's Free Stone.

W. P. Townsend, Lockport, New York : — Pears, 16 varieties.

Dr. W. W. Valk, Flushing, Long Island : — Grape, 1 variety —
a seedling hybrid.

Peter Weaver, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania : — Apples, 2
varieties — Pears, 2 — Plums, 2 — Grape, 1.

J. H. Watts, Rochester, New York : — Apples, 3 varieties —
Pears, 1 — Paintings of Northern Spy, St. Lawrence, Oswego,
Beurre and Yellow Spanish Cherry.

Hon. Samuel Walker,* Roxbury, Massachusetts :■ — Pears, 67
varieties.

Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, Boston, Massachusetts : — Pears, 200
varieties.

Lawrence Young, Louisville, Kentucky : — Lemon, 1 variety,
the Picola.

Several other collections, some quite large, were exhibited, but
the contributors neglected to hand in a list of them. And several
lists were handed in without the name of the contributor.

FRUIT CATALOGUE OF THE AMERICAN POMOLOGI-

CAL SOCIETY.

FRUITS WORTHY OF GENERAL CULTIVATION.

APPLES.

American Summer Pearmain, Gravenstein,

Baldwin, Hubbardston Nonsuch.

Bullock's Pippin, Large Yellow Bough,

Dan vers Winter Sweet, Lady Apple,

Early Harvest, Porter,

Early Strawberry, Red Astrachan,

Fall Pippin, Rhode Island Greening?

Fameuse, Roxbury Russet,

53

Summer Rose,

And for particular localities.

Swaar,

Canada Red,

Vandervere,

Esopus Spitzenburg,

White Seek-no-Further,

Newtown Pippin,

Wine Apple, or Hays,

Northern Spy,

Winesap,

Yellow Belle Fleur.

PEARS.

Ananas d'Ete,

Madeleine.

Andrews,

Paradise d'Automne,

Belle Lucrative or Fondante Rostiezer,

d'Automne,

Seckel,

Beurre d'Anjou,

Tyson,

Beurre d'Aremberg,

Urbaniste,

Beurre Bosc,

Uvedale's St. Germain, for

Bloodgood,

baking,

Buffum,

Vicar of Winkfield,

Dearborn's Seedling,

Williams' Boncretien or Bart-

Doyenne d'Ete,

lett.

Flemish Beauty,

Winter Nelis,

Fulton,

And for particular localities.

Golden Beurre of Bilboa,

, Grey Doyenne,

Louise Bonne de Jersey,

W^hite Doyenne.

APRICOTS.

Breda,

Moorpark.

Large Early,

NECTARINES.

Downton,

Elruge.

Early Violet,

PEACHES.

Bergen's Yellow,

Grosse Mignonne,

Cooledge's Favorite,

Morris White,

Crawford's Late,

Old Mixon Free,

Early York, serrated^

And for particular localities;.

Early York, large,

Heath Cling.

George the IVth,

54

PLUMS.

Bieecker^s Gage,
Coe's Golden Drop,
Frost Gage,
Green Gage,
Jefferson,
Lawrence's Favorite,

Belle Magnifique,
Black Eagle,
Black Tartarian,
Downer's Late,
Downton,

Purple Gage,

Purple Favorite,

Washington,

And for particular localities.

Imperial Gage.

CHERRIES.

Elton,

Early Richmond, for cooking,
Graffion or Bigarreau,]
Knight's Early Black,
May Duke.

GRAPES.

Under Glass.
Black Hamburg,
Black Prince,
Black Frontignan,
Chasselas de Fontainebleau,
Grizzly Frontignan,

White Frontignan, '

White Muscat of Alexandria,

Open culture^
Catawba,
Isabella.

Fastolf,
Franconia,

Boston Pine,
Hovey's Seedling,

Black Naples,
May's Victoria,
Red Dutch.

RASPBERRIES.

Red Antwerp,
Yellow Antwerp.

STRAWBERRIES.

Jenney's Seedling.
Large Early Scarlet.

CURRANTS.

White Dutch,
White Grape.

Crown Bob,
Early Sulphur,
Green Gage,

GpOSEBERRIES.

Green Walnut,
Houghton's Seedling,
Iron-monger,

55

Laurel 5

Red ChampagnCj

Warrington.

Woodward's White Smith.

NEW VARIETIES WHICH PROMISE WELL,

APPLES.

Mother,
Northern Spy,

Autumn Bough

Hawley,

Melon,

Smoke-house.

PEARS.

Brandywine,

Brande's St. Germain,

Beurre GifTard,

Chancellor,

Doyenne Boussock,

Doyenne Goubault,

Duchesse d'Orleans,

Duchesse de Berri,

Dilier,

Jalousie de Fontenay Vendee,

Kirtland,

Limon,

Manning's Elizabeth:,

Nouveau Poiteau,

Onondaga,

Ott,

Pratt,

Paradise d'Automne,

St. Michel Archange^

Stevens' Genessee,

Striped Madeleine^

Van Assene.

PLUMS.

McLaughlin,
Prince's Yellow Gage,

Rivers' Favorite,
St. Martin's Quetche,

CHERRIES.

Bigarreau Monstreuse de Bavay, Reine Hortense.
Early Purple Guigne.

Diana.

Knevett's Giant.

GRAPES.

-RASPBERRIES.

STRAWBERBIES,

Burr's New Pine..

56

REJECTED FRUITS<

APPLES.

Beachemwell,

Gheeseboro' Russet,

Caroline (English),

Cathead,

Dodge's Early Red,

Egg Topp,

Fenouillet Rouge,

Gloucester White,

Golden Reinette,

Gray French Reinette

Grand Sachem,

Henry's Weeping Pippin,

Hoary Morning,

Irish Peach,

Kirke's Lord Nelson,

Large Red Sweeting,

Marmalade Pippin,

Muscovia,

Pennock,

Priestly,

Pigeonette,

Red Ingestrie,

Red Doctor,

Red or Royal Russet,

Rowland's Red Streak,

Salina,

White Ingestrie,

Woolston's Red Streak.

Woolston's White Sweet.

PEARSt

Admiral,

Aston Town,

Angers,

Autumn Bergamot,

Alexander of Russia,

Ah ! Mon Dieu,

Bon Chretien, Spanish,

Bon Chretien, Brussells,

Bergamotte Sylvange,

Bergamotte Fortunee,

Beauty of Winter,

Belmont,

Beurre d'Angleterre,

Beurre Seutin,

Beurre of Bolwiller,

Beurre Knox.

Bezi Vaet,

Bruno de Bosco,

Blanquet a Longue Queue,

Burgomaster,

Bleecker's Meadow,

Citron of Bohemia,

Cuvelier,

Chat Bruce,

Chair a Dame,

Charles Van Mons, (Old),

Cassolette,

Compte de Fresnel,

Copea,

Caillot Rosat,

Clara,

Clinton,

Clapp,

Citron de Sierenz,

Croft Castle,

Crassane,

Dearborn of Van Mons,

Downton,

Duquesne d'Ete,

Doyenne Mons,

Deschamp's New Late,

Dumbarton,

Doyenn6 Dore,

D'Amour,

Elton,

Endicott,

Famenga,

Frederick of Prussia,

Forme Urbaniste,

Fantasie Van Mons,

Forme des Delices,

French Iron,

Franc Real d'Hiver,

Green Yair,

Grise Bonne,

Garnstone,

Green Catherine,

Green Sugar,

Gros Blanquet,

Green Chisel,

Hays,

Hawthorne's Seedling,

Horticulture,

Hastiveau,

Hessell,

Huguenot,

Ipswich Holland,

Jargonelle (of the French),

Kramelsbirne,

Lederbirue,

Louise Bonne,

Lansac,

Lincoln,

Louis of Bologne,

Madotte,

Madame Vert,

Miller's Seedling,

Marquise,

Marcellis,

Michaux,

Navet,

Orange,

Orange Tulipee,

Petit Muscat,

Princess of Orange,

Piatt's Bergamotte,

Passe Long Bras,

Prince's Portugal,

Pope's Scarlet Major,

Phillips,

Pitfour,

Pitt's Marie Louise,

Rousselet de Rheims,

Rousselette St. Vincent,

Royale d'Hiver,

Swuss Bergamotte,

Souvereine,

Swan's Egg,

St. Bruno,

Sans Pepins,

Surpasse Meuris,

Summer Rose,

Thompson of New Hampshire,

Tucker's Seedling,

Trubcherdy Dulle,

True Gold of Summer,

Whitfield,

Winter Orange,

Wurzer d'Automne,

Winter Crassane,

Yutte.

68
KEPORTS OF STATE FRUIT COMMITTEES.

REPORT FROM MAINE.

Although a portion of the State of Maine has been permanently
settled since A. D. 1630, and apples, pears, and other fruits were
early planted in some sections, yet the systematic cultivation of such
fruits, and of improved varieties, has, comparatively speaking, but
recently begun to attract attention among our people generally.

It is true, that in some towns you will find the good effects pro-
duced by the zeal and taste of some enterprising person or persons,
who planted orchards, and took pains to introduce the select and
choice fruits of their time many years ago. But these were the
exceptions, and their exertions were isolated, in a certain degree,
and confined mainly to their immediate neighborhood. Among
the fruit pioneers were the late Hon. Dr. Vaughan, of Hallowell,
and the Hon. Ephraim Goodale, of Orrington, still living at an
advanced age.

The Territory of Maine is large, extending about 300 miles
from east to west, or through more than four degrees of longitude,
and from south to north through nearly five degrees of latitude. —
This extent of surface would, of itself, cause quite a diversity of
climate. The peculiar location, and the face of the country also,
adds to this diversity. In the first place we have more than 300
miles of sea-coast, with all its incidents of creek, and bay, and
cape, and promontory, and islands. In the next place, we have
extending, far into the interior, plains and mountains, lakes and
rivers, with all the accompanying changes of soil, from primitive
upward, and from rich alluvion to barren heath. From these
causes there must, inevitably, be quite a difference of climate in
diflferent localities, sufficient to vary essentially the times of ripen-
ing of many kinds of fruit — we can introduce you to a portion of
the State, where most of the choice varieties of the apple grow
and mature in perfection, and without traveUing beyond our boun-
daries also introduce you to the very northern limit of the apple
region, or at least where it is difficult to mature more than a very
few varieties of that fruit. In one section, extending from the
western boundary to the central portions and along most of the
sea-board, the well-known Roxbury Russet grows and matures in
abundance and perfection, while in the north-eastern section the

59

a utumnal season is not long enough or warm enough to allow it to
mature ; yet some of the earlier varieties of northern origin, such
as the Red Astrachan, Duchesse d' Oldenburg, and also the Fara-
euse and Ribstone Pippin, exhibit a condition of growth and flavor
deemed by many to be superior to any raised in other parts of
New England.

It will, therefore, be borne in mind that the notes on fruits here-
with submitted as fl^ourishing and ripening in Maine, have refer-
ence to the first named portions of the State, and not to the north-
easterly part on the valley of the St. John. The latter is as yet but
sparsely settled, though it has a fertile soil, and is still a region
where the hardy pioneer is making way for future improvements
in the culture of field and garden products. During the first 25
years of the present century, almost every farmer planted an or-
chard, and some of them very large ones. The trees were mostly
seedlings, and the principal object in view was the manufacture
of cider, which then commanded a ready market and high price.
In process of time the supply o£ this article far exceeded the
demand, and consequently attention is now turned to engrafting
these trees into varieties of established reputation in the market as
table fruits. Those who now plant orchards are careful to select
the best varieties. From the immense number of seedling trees
which compose the older orchards among us, some very excellent
varieties have been found, and are worthy of propagation, and
though they may not yet be widely known or fully proved in other
localities are nevertheless highly valued in the vicinity of their
origin.

The present season has been a fruitful one, and marked by some
peculiarities. Very little rain fell from the middle of May until
the latter part of August — in some parts of the State, the drought
was severe and crops suffered. The value of mulching has been
seen in an eminent degree in the case of newly planted trees,
which have made a fine growth, while of those not so treated
many failed and others barely survived. The heat and drought
combined have caused some fruits to ripen prematurely, and we
notice considerable variation from the usual period of ripening in
pears, especially Doyenne d'Ete and Madeleine ripened as usual
the first half of August — we have now (Sept. 1st) Dearborn's
Seedling, Rosdezer Bartlett, Beurre d^Amalis, Belle Lucrative,

60

Flemish Beauty, Marie Louise, and others, which usually furnish
a supply during two months, all ripening together. The later sorts,
as Aremburg, Vicar of Winkfield, Napoleon, &c., which just be-
fore the late heavy rains parted readily from the tree and seemed
on the point of ripening, are now firmly attached and rapidly
swelling, and bid fair to mature at the usual period.

The crop of Apples is large. Of fine Pears more will be
grown than in any previous year, and so of choice Plums in the
central and Eastern parts of the State, particularly in the vicinity
of Bangor, where the Curculio seems to have suspended opera-
tions for this season at least. In the Western part of the State
the blossom buds, which were never more abundant, shrivelled
and fell in spring, from some cause, without opening. [Query^
What was the cause ?]

APPLES.

BelPs Early^similar to, if not identical with, Sopsavine or Sops
of Wine — best — productive and highly esteemed.

Early Sweet Bough — best.

Red Astrachan — good— productive and profitable.

Dutchess of Oldenburg- — good — productive and profitable.

Williams' Favorite— very good — ^needs high culture.

Porter — best — productive and fine.

Vermont — very like the Porter in form and color, flesh more
tender, of milder flavor, and a week or ten days earlier — probably
same as the apple more recently known as Walworth, and also by
other names — has been cultivated here upwards of forty years,
and considered highly valuable.

Gravenstein — best — productive, excellent.

Golden or Orange Sv»reet — best — productive — tree of moderate
growth.

Fameuse — ^very good — hardy and bears well.

Nodhead or Jewett's fine Red — best — delicate flavor, skin thin,
and liable to the curculio, its only fault.

Winthrop Greening — very good, if not best — originated in
Winthrop — large, tender, crisp, and sprightly flavor.

Hubbardston Nonsuch — best — of rapidly increasing popularity.

Minister — very good — productive.

61

Baldwin — best, productive and fine — young trees very liable to
be winter-killed.

Rhode Island Greening — very good, and reliable — best cooking
apple.

Roxbury Russet — very good — profitable for its long keeping.

Ribstone Pippin — best — fully sustains its English reputation.

Vandervere — best — -beautiful' and fine.
V Golden Ball — very good — tree hardy and a good grower, but
not an early or great bearer — often supposed to be a native of
Maine, but is not — some fifty years ago the scions were brought
from Connecticut without name, and for thirty years or more
known only as the " Connecticut Apple."

Danvers Winter Sweet — very good, long keeping.

Talman's Sweet — -good, profitable.

Blue Pearmain — very good, fair and fine.

Mother — best — moderate grower and bearer.

Northern Spy — rapid grower and very hardy, has fruited but
two years — specimens not uniform, the well grown ones only be-
ing, very fine — is likely to be well proved, as large numbers of
young trees have been planted.

PEARS.

The cultivation of this fine fruit is rapidly extending in this
State, a great impetus having been imparted by the introduction
of the Quince stock, it being found by the use of the Angers variety,
and the careful selection of sorts adapted to it, many varieties can
be grown in the highest perfection, which either entirely failed on
the pear root, or would not repay the trouble and cost of cultiva-
tion.

Doyenne d'Ete — best early pear — -tree of feeble growth and
overbears.

Dearborn's Seedling — very good, productive.

Bartlett — best — but on pear root trees very tender — hardier on
quince.

Beurre d'AmaUs — good, often very good — perfectly hardy, and
a prodigious grower and bearer on quince.

Louise Bonne de Jersey— best— hardy and productive—on
quince only.

62

Belle Lucrative or Fondante d'Automne — best— productive and
delicious- — pear or quince.

Marie Louise — -usually very good— somewhat variable — pear
root only.

Beurre Bosc— best— so far as proved — pear only.

Flemish Beauty — best — combines more good qualities than any
other pear — -grown so far mostly on pear stock.

Rostiezer — best- — small but fine.

Seckel — The cultivation of this popular fruit is in this state in
four cases out of five, a complete failure — the trees neither grow
nor bear— double worked on the quince it has succeeded tolerably
in some instances.

Fulton — best, a native of Maine, and is here what the Seckel is
in Pennsylvania.

Jalousie de Fontenay Vendee — so far as two years' trial goes we
think very highly of.

White Do^'enne — best, on quince in most localities as good as
in olden time.

Urbaniste— very good— pear or quince.

Napoleon do. do.

McLaughlin— a native of Maine, very good on pear only.

Duchesse d'Angouleme — very good, hardy and fine, on quince
only.

Glout Morceau— very good, more productive on quince than
on pear.

Passe Colmar — -very good, best on quince, very hardy and de-
sirable— liable to overbear.

Winter Nelis — best— productive and equally good on pear and
quince.

Beurre d'Aremb erg— several varieties are cultivated under this
name, two of which are similar, yet we think distinct, and answer
to the description in standard works — best— very productive on
quince, high flavor and much esteemed.

Vicar of W^inkfield— good- — often very good— improves with
age of tree— most productive and profitable— a good cooking pear
also, and can be grown cheaper per bushel, for this purpose, than
any other.

63

QUINCES.

Fine crops of the apple or orange variety have been grown in
the Western part of the State, and in the valley of the Kenne-
bec ; but in other portions the winter is too severe, and they
generally fail.

GRAPES.

The finer foreign grapes, as Hamburg, Chasselas, Muscat, &c.
ripen as well under glass in cold houses as in any other state; but
for open culture we greatly need a good variety at least a month
earlier than the Isabella, which rarely matures perfectly, and the
Catawba never — such an one we are not without hope of obtain-
ing from among the many seedlings now on trial.

PLUMS.

Great quantities of this fruit are raised in Maine, but most suc-
cessfully on the Penobscot river, in Bangor and vicinity, where
plums meet a ready sale, at prices from three to five dollars per
bushel. The following are most cultivated :

McLaughlin — we consider this the best, and is faultless.

Washington — first rate, and a good bearer in Maine.

Jefferson — first rate, and a great bearer.

Green Gage — first rate — w^ell known where the plum is culti-
vated.

Imperial Gage — first rate — very productive and profitable.

Bleecker's Gage — first rate — hardy and a good bearer.

Columbia — good; showy, and a great bearer — large and hand-
some.

Royal Hative — first rate — early plum, preferred here to the
Purple Gage.

Purple Favorite — first rate, productive and fine flavor.

Corse's Nota Bene — first rate — one of the best purple plums —
and hardy.

Lombard, or Bleecker's Scarlet — good in all soils, and produc-
tive.

White Magnum Bonum, or Yellow Egg — second rate, large
plum — very popular for preserves.

Among other plums highly esteemed are the Imperial Ottoman,

64

Drap d^Of; Lawrence's Favorite, Smith's Orleans, Yellow Gage,
Hudson Gage, and Apricot.

CHERRIES.

This fruit is not extensively cultivated in Maine, with the ex-
ception of the Kentish. This is the hardiest and most reliable in
this State, as it will thrive farther north than any other — add to
this May Duke, Belle de Choisy, Black Eagle, Downer's Late,
Elton and Downton.

From experiments in progress we hope that the Mahaleb stock
may do for us with this fruit, what the quince stock has done for
the pear.

GOOSEBERRIES.

This fruit is cultivated by many persons in the State somewhat
extensively, and thousands of plants have been imported from
England, and most of the fine English varieties succeed well in
many localities. They grow to a very large size, but for quality
and productiveness the Houghton's Seedling, an American hybrid
sort, surpasses them all, and as it has never been known to mildew
in any situation, it is deservedly held in high esteem.

Joseph Sinclair, of Levant, in 1848, purchased one plant of
this variety, paying therefor twenty-five cents. He has sold from
layers and slips, which he has multiplied from the said plant, over
fifty dollars worth, and has one hundred plants on hand at the date
of this report. It would be safe to say he has received a profit of
vsixty dollars on his outlay of twenty-five cents.

RASPBERRIES.

Fastolf, Franconia and Knevet's Giant are uniformly fine, and
give satisfaction. Antwerps often fail. River's large fruited
monthly promises well.

STRAWBERRIES

Are not extensively cultivated in Maine. Our fields abound
with the wild ones, which are mostly used. Among those mostly
cultivated are

Hovey's Seedling.

Early Virginia.

Jenny's Seedling.

Boston Pine.

A

65

To conclude, we believe that it is only necessary for us, in
order to produce an ample supply of the most delicious fruit, to
understand what varieties best suit our climate, combining in the
greatest degree the requisites of hardihood, vigor of growth, pro-
ductiveness and high quality, and to act accordingly.
All which is respectfully submitted.

HENRY LITTLE, of Bangor,
EZEKIEL HOLMES, of Winthrop,
S. L. GOODALE, of Saco,
B. F. NOURSE, of Bangor,
ALEX. JOHNSON, Jr., of Wiscasset.

REPORT FROM VERMONT.

The season the past year in Vermont, has been a peculiar one
for fruit culture. The winter commenced at least three weeks
earlier than usual, suddenly, and when trees had scarcely stopped
growing ; consequently, trees were much winter-killed by the most
severe winter in Vermont for many years. Nurserymen suffered
severely, particularly in Seedling Pears ; many, in fact most of
them, were lost by "heaving out," which I had never before
known to any extent.

The spring was cold, late, and very dry — very little rain in
March and April — less than f of an inch in May ; so that as a
w^hole it may be noted as one of the worst season ever known for
planting trees of every description.

The season was about ten days later than an average—apple
trees not in bloom until the last of May.

APPLES

Are the fruit of Vermont, a large portion of the inhabitants out
of villages having no other, excepting the most common Plums.
The crop this season is perhaps less than half an average. The
early part of June was cold and wet, and although they flowered
very full, the cold wet weather caused a large portion to drop
when the size of peas.

PEARS.

The same as Apples.
9

66

PLUMS.

Very abundant. From the most delicate sorts down to the
Canada or native Plum of many parts of the state, the trees are
literally breaking under their loads of fruit.

GRAPES.

Same as Plums^ — no mildew.

Diseases. — The Apple under ordinary culture is healthy, no
special diseases. The borer in some places is troublesome to
young trees, but not generally.

Pears — Old trees uniformly healthy. Young trees sometimes
injured by blight. This is, however, very little known, but in-
creasing. No remedy but cutting off.

Plums — Generally healthy. In some parts of the state there is
some complaint of black knots, but in Burlington and north in the
Valley of the Lake, all diseases of Plum trees are unknown.

Varieties. — The state having Apples introduced from Canada
by Merchants in the lumber trade — and by settlers from Massa-
chusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, without names, has many
sorts cultivated extensively wdth only local names. Among well=
known varieties, the

Rhode Island Greening is most extensively cultivated. Har-
dy and productive in all parts of the state*

Baldwin — Hardy and productive. Were I limited to one sort,
it should be the Baldwin.

Roxbury Russet — Hardy, good bearer, but not as great a bearer
as the Baldwin. ^

Esopus Spitzenberg — Much cultivated, is apt to be spotted ;
too tender for all parts of the state.

Newtown Pippin — Too tender excepting for the most favorable
locations. Some seasons good, others worthless.

Northern Spy — ^Not yet fully proved, no Apple grows better, or
appears more hardy. Fruit this season fair and looks as well as
any sort whatever — ^has not before fruited in the state, excepting a
few specimens.

Summer Apples. — Early Harvest and Bough are among the
most common old sorts, and good in perfection.

• 67

Red Astrachan — Hardy and very fair.

Duchess of Oldenburgh — Same.

Autumn. — Gravenstein — Hardy and one of the best, if not the
best; autumn Apple.

Porter — Hardy and productive.

Many new sorts are in course of trial. Some cultivators can
exhibit more than 100 named varieties, but their culture has not
been extensive enough to speak with much confidence. Of Seed-
lings there are many on trial in various parts of the state, and some
believed to be fully equal to any known sorts.

PEARS.

The White Doyenne is the most common of old sorts, and is
healthy in all parts of the state. Fruit fair.

Dearborn's Seedling — Very hardy and productive.

Bartlett — Grows well near the Lake and warm parts of the
state. Too tender for the colder portions.

Vicar of Winkfield — Hardy, but requires too long a season for
all parts of the state.

Seckel — Very hardy.

Pears on Quince — have only been cultivated a few years. Many
are now planted yearly. They, so far, promise well, and have not
been injured by winter. The various sorts of pears have not been
sufficiently cultivated to speak with confidence of their compara-
tive merits. Large collections of both foreign and native sorts
have been made, and many are bearing ; and in a few years relia-
ble notes may be taken. In no part of the country do they
promise better than in many parts of this State, and generally so
far no disease among them.

PLUMS.

Many parts of the State are the natural places for plums. I have
succeeded in growing every variety tried (more than 50) excepting
the Peach plum, which so far has proved too delicate for our climate.

GRAPES.

Miller'' s Burgundy and White Sweet Water are the most common
foreign sorts and ripen well. The Isabella requires favorable loca-
tions. Catawba^ hardy but too late. The native grapes of New
England are generally cultivated, and seedlings are every year in-
creasing, some of which promise well.

68

There have been introduced, within a few years, pears and apples
from every portion of the United States, which with many seed-
lings are in course of trial. Before another Convention, reliable
notes of a long number of pears and apples may be made which
with notes of climate, will be of general interest.

Burlington, Aug. 26, 1852. C. Goodrich.

REPORT FROM NEW YORK.

A long residence in what is known as Western New York, (at
Rochester,) enables me to give some of the early impressions rela-
tive to Fruit Trees, as well as the numerous Fruits grown there,
within 35 years last past in that location.

Coming from New Hampshire, a State which had hardly grown
peaches, I remember with what zest I ate the first peach I ever
saw at Rochester, and it is a fact worth remembrance that 35 years
ago, the Royal Kensington Peach was grown in the virgin soil of
Monroe, then Genessee county.

My father, in the year 1817, purchased the first dozen of peache^
which he saw there, and as he had just located what he deemed
his home lot, he with great care kept and planted the pits of the
peaches mentioned.

From them seven fine thrifty trees sprung up which at their bear-
ing proved identical with the peaches he bought, and which were
the Royal Kensington Variety.

Those Trees w^ere moved to another lot, and most of them lived
25 years, fine bearing trees, and the variety was very generally
propagated from them.

It is also within my recollection that a tree of the Yellow Me-
lacoton variety was grown in a neighbor's yard, which produced
the best fruit of that kind I have ever seen.

That was also a seedling tree.

It is also well remembered that so spontaneously did the peach
tree grow there, and so plenty was the fruit as early as 1821 to
1825, that growers many times have thrown their peaches from
their market wagons into the river, sooner than sell them less than
twenty cents per bushel.

It maybe asked why peaches now command in ordinary seasons
at this point from two to three dollars per basket.

69

It is because a second planting of trees did not take place till
very recently, and that the trees are more or less affected by the
disease known as the Yellows ^ and by the depredations of the Boiler ^
which all growers should know and exterminate from the roots.

The Curculio, not satisfied with taking the cherries to some ex-
tent, as well as the Apricots and Plums, does not mind the rough
coat of the Peach, but with the daring of a dastardly enemy punc-
tures the Peach, determined to keep himself alive to all genera-
tions.

A great deal has been said of him, but he is fearless of every-
thing but being drummed off' the trees ^ and having his head decapi^
tated, which is the only way to get rid of him, including the des-
truction of all the fruit which falls to the ground, in which he seeks
to perpetuate himself,

I have cited the Peach first because it was one of the fruits most
easily grown, and the trees come into bearing earlier than the
Apple.

To this day no fruit is more highly prized. And in no clime
or latitude do better ones grow both for size, beauty and flavor.

Our seasons vary so much, and the country has been cleared of
the forests to such an extent (except in some locations), that a
good crop cannot at all times be depended upon. Near Lake
Ontario, within a few miles of Rochester, in the light soil of that
region, the best Peaches are grown. This season, from the late
spring and inclemency of the Weather in cold rains, &c., &c., the
crop will prove a failure. The heading in System for the renewal
of the trees, as recommended, is highly approved by all attentive
observers, and carried out to a great extent.

■I subjoin a list of varieties grown there for market as well as
home purposes :

Early Ann, Large Early York, George the Fourth, Lemon
Cling, Yellow Alberge, Crawford's Early, Royal Kensington,
Grosse Mignonne, Morris' White, Old Mixon Free Stone, Red
Cheek Melacoton, Snow Peach, Crawford's Late Melacoton,
Druid Hill.

Crawford's Late is raised mostly for market, and large quanti-
ties are sent to the Canadas, and both east and west of us.

N. B. — It is notorious that the Yellows mentioned was first in-
troduced there in trees imported from New Jersey.

70

Hard winters often injure the trees, and from different causes
they are short-lived now, in the latitude of Rochester, 43°.

CURRANTS.

All the different kinds of Currants have been introduced by the
Nurserymen, and are generally cultivated.

Varieties grown. — Red Dutch, Red Knight's Sweet, Victoria,
Cherry (very large), White Dutch, White Grape, Black English.
Currant Wine is extensively made with it,

GOOSEBERRIES.

Red Varieties. —Albion, Crown Bob, Echo, Haughton's Boggart,
Iron-monger, Roaring Lion.

White.— Chonster, Queen Caroline, Smiling Beauty, White
Murlin.

Green. — Chippendale, Green Mountain, Green W^illow.

Houghton's Seedling, Green and Red prove the best bearers,
and free from mildew.

STRAWBERRIES.

I feel assured that in no portion of our common country is more
attention paid to the good qualities of this choice and valuable
berry. It has been found that a light loam, well enriched, pro-
duces the best crop, and the fruit does not throw out the roots,
causing their destruction in the spring. The placing litter of straw
or leaves over the vines in the winter is a sure and necessary pro-
tection, an(L while growing the fruit the plan of placing straw un-
der the vines not only answers the purpose of mulching, but keeps
the fruit clean for market.

We have noticed this particularly this season in quantities
brought for sale — the fruit was free from sand, and had a lustre
upon it which the sun produces on well ripened berries. The
kinds mostly grown are.

Large Early Scarlet— very productive.

Boston Pine — ^a tolerable bearer and of fine flavor.

Burr's New Pine — esteemed as the best berry grown, and very
prolific.

Hovey's Seedling — -grows large in size, but not always juicy,
and not to be depended upon as a bearer, but should be in all
collections.

71

Burr's Rival Hudson — much esteemed for preserving — bears
"well, and keeps well when preserved.

Bishop's Orange, Black Prince, Jenney's Seedling, and Gush-
ing are grown somewhat, but not extensively.

A judicious committee have recommended — Burros Mew Pine^
Large Early Scarlet, Hovey^s Seedling, Rival Hudson, [late sorts),
and Crimson Cone. I would add Boston Pine and Cushing.
Several new Seedlings have been shown, but time will determine
their merits.

It is conceded, and so acknowledged here, that Burros JYew
Pine, for all purposes, is the best — and it is the only berry sweet
enough without the addition of sugar — a very extensive cultiva-
tion of them is being commenced, so that when fully in the field,
consumers can be satisfied with this great delicacy of the season.

CHERRIES.

Perhaps no country has ever produced the cherry in greater
perfection, and I believe the tree is free from disease, and is never
known to be bark-bound or to crack.

A great number, as many as forty varieties, were shown at the
Horticultural Society's Exhibition. In class No 1, are the

Belle Magnifique, Downer's Late Red,

Belle de Choisy, Elton,

Black Tartarian, Elk Horn,

" Eagle, Napoleon Bigarreau,

" Heart, May Duke,

Burr's Seedling, Reine Hortense.
Bigarreau, or Yellow Spanish, Sparhawk's Honey,
Carnation,

The last named with Belle de Choisy, and Belle Magnifique,
may be put down as the very choicest.

Professor Kirtland's Seedlings will, by the next season, be far
enough advanced to be tested.

The Belle Magnifique, I saw in large quantities on a tree at Ell-
wanger and Barry's this day, August 10. The cherry tree dwarfed
is one of the most ornamental for borders, and is the true way to
cultivate them where a family supply only is wanted, and but a
small piece of ground is cultivated.

72

Morello (English) — for preserving, is one of the most desirable
grown.

APRICOTS.

This fine fruit when perfected there is superior, and the trees
thrive well under the same culture as the Peach.

Trained to a wall or on the south side of a house, is the most
preferable way. The curculio is its enemy, and very much of the
fruit is stung. Varieties grown :

Breda. Orange.

Early Golden. Peach.

Large Early, Purple or Black,

Moorpark.

PLUMS.

The Plum tree has been affected to a great extent by a black
Fungus, which is evidently a disease and certain death to the tree,
although the trees sometimes live a long time after an attack. It
destroys in a great measure the bearing properties. Otherwise
the Plum does well, except some varieties which are subject to rot
while the fruit is maturing.

Varieties grown with us :

Bleecker's Gage. Jefferson.

Bolmar's Washington. Reine Claude De Bavay.

Duane's Purple. Red and Yellow Magnum Bo-

Emerald Drop. num.

Early Orleans. Smith's Orleans.

Green Gage. Winter or Late Damson.

Huling's Superb. Yellow Gage.

Imperial Gage.

The curculio is particularly partial to the Plum, and a half crop
is as much as can ever be expected in consequence of its ravages.

PEARS.

This delicious fruit is being extensively cultivated. Large Or-
chards are being planted, extending from what is known as Cayu-
ga County to the extreme western part of the state — great attention
is bestowed upon the tree.

Over culture is of more danger to the tree than neglect, as it nas

73

been shown conclusively that a too rapid growth in the young
branches makes the tree susceptible to blight.

When possible, trees should be planted running east and west,
giving a free circulation of air. Mulching has been recommended,
and all who have tried the plan agree in its utility. In garden
culture the Pear tree dwarfed is one of ornament, and we know of
no more beautiful sight than long borders of Dwarf Pear Trees
hanging with fruit.

Perhaps no one subject has baffled cultivators so much as the
cause and remedy for the blight. Mr. Downing has stated that
our soil, when too much enriched, gives the trees too rapid growth,
and that the extreme heat of the sun during the season of growth
produces the blight in its worst form. Mr. Barry is sanguine that
it is disappearing. An inspection of E. Barry's Pear trees, Avell
fruited, has been to me a most interesting sight.

The foreign varieties found to thrive with us, have been culti-
vated extensively, and to the nurserymen are all classes indebted
for their introduction. While we claim that our native Pears are
not excelled (if equalled) by foreign ones, we think much interest
and sometimes profit results from the growth of foreign kinds. The
Seckel and Doyenne, the Bartlett and Swan's Orange, with the
Oswego Beurre, ought to satisfy all, as they generally do.

PEARS.

Summer varieties— gYown with us.

Bloodgood, Madeleine,

Canandaigua. Osband's Summer,

Dearborn's Seedling, Tyson,

Doyenne d'Ete,

The Canandaigua is a New York Pear similar to the Bartlett^
and nearly as large — ripens early. Osband^s Summer^ also a New
York fruit, is kin to the Virgalieu or White Doyenne, a delicious
and handsome fruit, and very juicy, ripens by 20th August.

AUTUMN

PEARS.

BufTum,

Duchesse d'Angouleme,

Beurre Bosc, ^

Flemish Beauty,

Beurre Diel,

Henry IV.,

Dix,

Louise Bonne de Jersey,

Napoleon, Seckel,

Onondaga or Swan's Orange, Oswego Beurre,
Stevens' Genessee, Van Mons Leon Le Clerc.

Oswego Beurre, a New" York fruit, of medium size, juicy and

fine flavored, one of the very best, of a Russett brown Color' —

productive.

Onondaga or Swan'^s Osage— di New York fruit, large. Vinous

in flavor J melting, one of the best. Trees productive.

Bartlett — Tree produces well, fruit highly prized — tree is one

of the most thrifty in its growth, as well as beautiful in shape.

White Doyenne, Virgalieu of New York, Butter of Philadelphia,
St. Michael's, of Boston, is grown in large quantities for market —
tree prolific — -no pear ranks higher.

APPLES,

• This important and useful fruit is extensively grown with us
and is exported in large quantities to the Eastern States. Perhaps
it is safe to say that Monroe, Ontario, Livingston, and Orleans
counties produce two hundred to two hundred and fifty thousand
barrels annually. Since Horticulture has been made a study by
the farmer, as it has more or less been — and by the influence ex-
erted over the public by the aid of Horticultural Societies, the pro-
ducers have found that consumers have become more particular
about kinds. Now when orchards are to be planted the choicest
kinds of trees are required and for market the

Esopus Spitzenberg, Baldwin, Roxbury Russet, Rhode Islane
Greening, Swaar, Talman Sweeting, Seek-no-further, Pearmain
Twenty-ounce Apple, and Vandevere are sought for.

Within a few years others than some of the old varieties have
been originated, and a demand follows the growth of them. Of
the new kinds, the Northern Spy, and Norton's Melon, (winter
varieties) have been extensively introduced. The Northern Spy
is a most important variety. The tree is a thrifty grower, and later
by two weeks in its blossoming, than all other but the " Russet"
apples, and thus escapes late frosts in spring. It bears well, needs
good cultivation, and worthy in all particulars of all the attention
bestowed upon it. The fruit attains good size — is a beautiful
striped apple, high colored, and keeps as late as 15th June, in per-

75

fection — commences to ripen in April, and first rate for cooking
as well as dessert. Gentlemen who know the fruit, have planted
large quantities of the trees. Mr. Allen and Mr. Hodge, of Black
Rock, have each put out six hundred of the trees, and are
sanguine of success. When I tell this Congress that it com-
mands from three to five dollars where the apple is produced in
considerable quantities, and has been sold by the barrel, this
season, in the commercial emporium of our country, at nine dollars
per barrel, for the use of the good livers at the '* Astor House,"
it will not be disputed that there is some virtue in the apple.

When the fruit becomes plenty, as it probably will, within two
years more, as large orchards have been grafted with the kind, and
when it, with the Canada Red, or Nonsuch, Norton's Melon,
Pomme Grise, and Waggener can be had plentifully, a new era will
have arrived in apple culture and production — everything de-
sirable will then be attained. I subjoin a list of the different kinds
in their season, as grown with us.

Summer Kinds. — Early Harvest, Williams' Favorite, Red As-
trachan, Early Joe, Early Strawberry, Summer Rose.

Autumn varieties. — Alexander, Autumn Strawberry, Dyer, Fall
Pippin, Hawley or Dowse, Maiden's Blush, Porter, Lowell, St.
Lawrence, Gravenstein, Holland Pippin.

The Hawley and St. Lawrence are two of the best fall apples,
and should be in all collections.

Winter Varieties. — Baldwin, Vandervere, Yellow Bell Flower,
Blue Pearmain, Peck's Pleasant, Esopus Spitzenberg, Twenty
ounce Apple, Swaar, Fameuse, Canada Red, Pomme Grise, Rhode
Island Greening, Norton's Melon, Northern Spy, Winter Pearmain,
Golden Russet, Newtown Pippin, Jonathan, Wagener, Cornish
Gilliflower, Hubbardston Nonsuch, Rambo, Domine, Canada
Reinette, and Roxbury Russet.

Sweet Apples. — Bailey Sweeting, Green Sweeting, Talman
Sweeting, Golden Sweet, and Early Sweet Bough.

The wheat lands, as well as the lighter soils near the lake shore,
produce the Apple in perfection. Disease seldom attacks the
trees. Some seasons black blotches are seen upon the fruit, but
generally it is fair.

?6

QUINCES.

The Apple or Orange, and Portugal, are grown. Blight affects
the trees occasionally, but good crops are had generally.

GRAPES.

In ordinary seasons the Isabella Grapes with us ripen, but not
so with the Catawba ; both varieties when well ripened will com-
pare with the best we have seen from Croton Point.

The Clinton is earlier than the others, and usually ripens here,
dark in color, and highly flavored.

The Sweet-water grows finely likewise.

Our nurserymen succeed well in cultivating the foreign varieties,
and could have presented them vieing with those on the tables to-
day.

In closing my report (which I have deemed a most important
task to complete acceptably to the Congress), I trust that any errors
made may be attributed to inadvertence. If the cause of fruit
culture shall in any way be promoted by my efforts my ambition
will be fully satisfied.

JAMES H. WATTS.

REPORT FROM NEW JERSEY.

To the President and members of the American Pomological
Congress. The Committee for the State of New Jersey beg
leave to report the following list of fruits that have been tested
by us, or under our immediate notice, and have produced well,
are good varieties of their several classes, and are worthy of general
cultivation in our State.

APPLES.

Bough, large yellow, Newtown Pippin,

Early Harvest, Rhode Island Greening,

Fall Pippin, Sheepnose,

Hagloe, 2d rate for table, fine for Striped Harvest,

cooking, Tewksbury Winter Blush, for
Juneating, red long keeping.

Monmouth Pippin, White Seek-no- Further,

Maidens' Blush, 2d rate for table, Woolman's or Summer Rose.

fine for cooking.

77

APRICOTS.

Burlington,
Moorpark,

Peach.

CURRANTS.

Black Naples,
Large Red, Knight's
Large Red, Wilmot's

Sweet Red, Knight's
White Dutch.

GRAPES NATIVE.

Catawba,
Isabella,

Elsinborough.

PEACHES.

Alberge,

Early Tillotson,

Early Red, Troth's

Early York (serrate).

Large Early York,

Late Free, Ward's

Late Heath, C.

Late Melacoton, Crawford's

Andrews, [American)
Bartlett,
Beurre Bosc,
Beurre d'Anjou,
Beurre d'Aremberg,
Beurre Easter,
Beurre, Golden of Bilboa
Bloodgood, [American)
Doyenne d'Ete,
Duchesse d'Augouleme,
Elizabeth, Manning's

Drap d'Or,
Golden Drop, Coe's
Green Gage,
Imperial Blue,

Morris White,

New York Rare Ripe,

Old Mixon, C.

Old Mixon, Free,

Red Cheek Melacoton,

Seedling, Barker's

Tippecanoe, C

White Melacoton, Cole's.

PEARS.

Flemish Beauty,

Fondante d'Automne,

Glout Morceau,

Lawrence, [American)

Louise Bonne de Jersey,

Nelis, Winter

Seedling, Dearborn's, [American)

Seckel, [American)

Tyson, [American)

Urbaniste,

Washington, [American)

PLUMS.

Large Yellow Gage,
Orleans, Smith's,
Washington.

78

QUINCES.

Apple Shaped,
Pear do.

Portugal.

RASPBERRIES.

Antwerp, yellow
Antwerp, red

Fastolff,
Franconia.

STRAWBERRIES.

Late Pine, Turner's
Methven Scarlet,

Seedling, Hovey's.

All which is respectfully submitted.

THOMAS HANCOCK,
DAVID PETTIT,
WILLIAM REID,
H. W. S. CLEVELAND,
JABEZ W. HAYES.

Philadelphia, Pa.,

Sept. 14, 1852.

REPORT FROM PENNSYLVANIA.

The State Fruit Committee of Pennsylvania, respectfully submit
the following Report.

The Chairman believing that the best course to pursue would
be to obtain statistics of fruit and fruit culture from the different
sections of the state, appointed gentlemen in the Counties of Mont-
gomery, Chester, Cumberland, Centre, and Allegheny ; from the
last named no response has been received.

For the better to estimate the value of these reports they will be
inserted under the heading of those districts.

BoALSBURG, Centre Co., Pa. )
August 23, 1852. ]

Thomas P. James, Esq.:

Dear Sir, — At the eleventh hour I render such a report of the
fruits and fruit culture of this region as I can readily call to mind
and arrange.

And first, of our soil and most suitable situation for fruit growing.
The heavy limestone soils of the larger vallies are not so fully
favorable to the health and bearing of fruit trees as the superin-

79

cumbent shaly strata (Hi. to v. of Prof. Rogers). The limestone
clay — most productive as it is of grain — seems too strong and rich
to exactly suit the simpler tastes of fruit trees. Wild fruits of supe-
rior flavor are abundant on the debris of shales and slates around
the vallies, while in the limestone floor they are sparse. In the
lap of the mountains too, some hundred feet above the level of the
vallies, frosts do not occur so late in spring or so early in autumn ;
the steep mountain in close proximity seems to radiate warmth
enough to repel moderate frosts. Yet many sorts of Apple and
Pear, and most Plums and Grapes — fruits that will bear high feed-
ing— are of superior quality in the valley grounds. On rocky hills
and ridges in the valley where the soil is naturally well drained by
the cavernous limestone beneath. Cherries and Peaches do well —
yielding finer specimens of fruit than on the mountain slopes, where
the trees are exhausted by constant bearing,

SUPPLY OF FRUIT.

Within ten years many apple orchards have been planted, and
much grafting has been done. Previously most of the orchards
consisted of seedling fruits, and among the thousands of these
seedlings we find one here and there of fine quality. Of the best
of these I will send specimens with descriptions ; also of the graft-
ed fruits that may be in season.

Apples do well— yielding I should say, two full crops, and fail-
ing entirely once in every five years.

Pears bear whenever apples do.

Cherries and Plums very seldom fail.

Peaches average a failure every other year.

Grapes are very certain.

A family of eight persons, having free use of fruits during the
entire season, consumes three bushels of apples to one of wheat,
and in proportion of other fruits, 'and with the greatest advantage
to their health. But we have scarcely an approach to such a sup-
ply. It would be a vast benefit to the county, morally and socially,
if we had.

We all have strong appetites for fruit, and plenty of it we all
need ; but begging and plundering violate the conscience, and
irregular, hurried gorgings of unripe and green fruit fret the
stomach.

80

DIFFICULTIES OF FRUIT CULTURE.

We have a moderate share of the insects, diseases, &c., which
prey upon fruit trees, and which it is man's present lot to C(l)ntend
against— yet we are exempt from many that are very injurious in
other places.

Apple orchards grow well everywhere, the worst enemies to the
trees is the plough^ crushing through and shearing off the roots, in
the frequent process of summer fallowing for grain ; and the axe
used to hack off the dead limbs produced by the process just spo-
ken of, and usually leaving the stumps split and chipped up suita-
bly for receiving and retaining the water of rains. Caterpillars
are not numerous, and easily destroyed. Aphides seldom injure
any shoots but the over-luxuriant and crowded Ones that follow
the severe use of the pruning knife and grafting saw. Canker-
worms and borers are unknown here. Sawyer worms, however,
sometimes cut off young trees, especially where raw chip-dirt has
been used. I think the most obnoxious pest we have in apple
culture is the worm at the core ; in some seasons but very few
summer or fall apples are clear of it.

Pears — are scarce, but grow well when they are allowed to
grow naturally. There has been no blight (but of rank young
shoots) for many years. Trees trained to long unshaded stems
do not grow well ; the stem dries, and growth gradually ceases.
Raw m.anure, and especially strong animal manure, I have found
to be very prejudicial to the growth and health of the pear tree.
I buried a dead hog near a fine healthy Pound Pear tree, and the
next season it was badly blighted, apparently surfeited.

Plums — are much planted and are very fine. The larger kinds
rot in wet seasons ; the smaller ones do not — -per contra— the lar-
ger kinds (which usually have large leaves) do not suffer from leaf-
blight, while smaller ones do to a very wide extent. The leaves
blight and fall off before the fruit ripens, often leaving nothing at
all on the branches but the fruit. During the growing weather of
August and September the trees commence a new growth, blos-
soming as in spring ; but this growth is arrested in its midst by
frost, which, acting on the trees in this unprepared state, full of
watery sap, destroys them by thousands.

The black knots are occasionally seen on trees brought from
counties north or east of Centre. It has broken out for me at in-

81

tervals during ten years, but I have always cut it away promptly,
and it has never spread ; but I have seen sprouts or seedlings from
diseased trees, in which it appeared to be too deeply seated for
eradication. The curculio, (or ' Sir Kulio,' as I have him styled
in a letter) is as destructive here as in other places, seldom leav-
ing a plum, if suffered to work unmolested. The plan of keeping
small swine, in the plum yard, has been tried here for five years,
and wath' entire success. The insects are not entirely driven off,
but they are reduced so much that they hardly thin out the fruit as
much as is desirable.

Peaches have done but ill with us for some years past. The
yellows have swept off thousands of trees, and those remaining are
weakened so much by the curled leaf in spring (as plums are by
leaf-blight) that we rarely enjcy good peaches. We have some
hope that w^e are through the w^orst in regard to these diseases.

Grapes and Cherries do extremely well.

NOTES ON PARTICULAR VARIETIES.

Slimmer Apples. — American Summer Pearmain is not so fine
here as described — but good. Bough and Blush and Summer
Rose are very fine, fair, and productive. The latter is the best apple
betw^een Yellow Harvest and Summer Queen (both of which are
excellent here), and with us at least it proves to be an excellent
bearer. English Codlin coddles here as well fis in its native land,
w^here it has passed into a proverb for its supreme excellence as a
stewing apple, but it is often blotched and knotty. Summer ap-
ples of the best English sorts invariably become too acid under
our sun. Red Astrachan (from North of Europe) is acid and dry.

Autumn Apples. — We have a Butter Apple here that is valuable
in its season, for cider and apple butter. Sweet Russet is an ex-
cellent apple for cooking in cider — both fair and great bearers.
The Rambo and Smoke-house, and Fall Pippin, are preferred to all
others of the season, for the table (so far as varieties have been
proved here). Republican Pippin seems to bear but poorly, and
the first fruits at least are not fair.

Winter Apples. — Newtown Pippin is often inferior. If the stem
of this tree is trimmed up to full standard height, the bark be-
comes very dry and rough, and the top seems to starve even in
strong soil. Rhode Island Greening, Bellflo\ver, Spitzenberg, are
11

82

fally up to their characters here. Fallen-walder is a great bearer of
very fair large apples, wanting flavor. The Winter Strawberry
and American Golden Russet are fine bearers and excellent fruits.
Michael Henry Pippin, Sweet Vandervere, and Carthouse, and
Golden Russett (so called), are extraordinary bearers. Michael
Henry is a fine, mild, rich, sweet, not high flavored, as Ladies'
Sweet. Carthouse or Romanite keeps very well, but it has more
juice than flavor, and is of small size, yet it is a valuable apple.

I will endeavor to forward specimens of some of the above, and
of some native sorts, of merit, with descriptions.

Cherries. — I note little diflerence in our experience from the
general appreciation of particular varieties. Black Tartarian bears
here even better than Black Eagle, and Elton seems as hardy as
any.

Plums. — lit does not answer, by any means, to judge these by-
one or two years exhibit of their fruit, some sorts vary so greatly :
among these Lawrence Gage and Red Gage. Washington main-
tain its character pretty well, provided it does not rot. Green Gage
varies. So does the Apricot plum, which is always too acid, and
is not fit for culinary use, being a cling.

Grapes. — The Catawba is often too late in ripening. The
rank growth of the Isabella does not always mature, and is some-
times winter-killed. York Madeira is fully equal to either in flavor
(though differing), and is earlier, very hardy and prolific.

I hope the Congress will sanction some substitutes for the worst
of the unmouthable foreign names. The pronunciation of these
is so diverse, and generally so ludicrous and incomprehensible,
that it is greatly to be desired that this source of difficulty and
mortification could be avoided.

I am, dear sir, yours very respectfully,

WM. G. WARING.

Cumberland Nurseries, Carlisle, Pa., ^
September 8th, 1852. I

Sir, — In submitting a report upon the various fruits of this dis-
trict, I would remark that owing to the past unusually severe win-
ter, followed by a cold and frosty spring, many of our fruits have
been injured, and therefore a satisfactory report on many Peaches,
Pears, and other fruits new to this section, must be postponed for

i

S3

another season* I will endeavor to collect such facts with regard"
to the fruits of this district, as my limited experience and observa-
tions may furnish ; and should I, from a sincere desire to have the
course of Pomology pursued honestly, discard or take exceptions
to varieties which other pomologists have spoken more favorably
of, and who from partiality or some peculiar character, consider
them worthy of cultivation ; I would respectfully claim the indul-
gence of such and beg them to believe that my remarks are given
from strictly honest motives. It is to be hoped that such a course
will govern all the Committees of the Pomological Congress, and
if pursued, a mass of facts will be made public which will promote
the cause and inspire confidence, especially in those who will not
be present to participate in the proceedings.

I will commence with some of our Seedling Apples, and such
as are confined to the central portion of the State.

1. Rule's Summer Sweeting— origin on the farm of Jesse Rule,
of Cumberland County, Pa. — much boasted of by some— size,
medium- — color, yellow^-^form, oblong— season, August— tree, fine
grower, in which I presume some of its merits consist. Consider
it third rate, and would not plant it at all.

2. White Spice. — This noble summer apple I have not been able
to trace farther than the orchard of H. H. Bowman, of Cumber-
land County, Pa. — size,large, regular, round, some what flattened,
sub-acid with a peculiar spicy and agreeable flavor, coming in as
almost first rate — season, September — would plant a tree of it in
an orchard of 25 trees for home use, and for market, many more.

3. Lancaster Queen. — I am led to believe that this originated
in Lancaster County, of this State. It is much like Summer
Queen in flavor^ season, and general character, but has a longer
stem, is not quite so large, and the tree grows very differently ; it
has also a peculiar spicy flavor which the Summer Queen has not, ^
in consequence of which some prefer it. It may yet prove synony-
mous with some other.

4. Early Red Sweeting. — This I find throughout the central part
of this State, and have not yet been able to ascertain its origin.
It is rather a fair second rate sweet apple, very early and prolific,
of medium size ; do not consider it w^orthy a place in a small col-
lection.

5. Red Ox Apple — of MiflSin County, this State — much praised

84

by some ; but as it comes at the same time with the Queen Ap«
pleSj and is inferior to them ; further remarks are unnecessary.

6. Cumberland Seedhng— cannot trace it farther than the or-
chard of Mr. Hull, Cumberland County, Pa., where I now think
the original tree stands ; fruit, second rate, always perfect, very
handsome, great bearer, sub-acid, form rather flat, but uniform in
size — October to December- — tree, fine grower- — would consider
it an acquisition for market.

7. Pink Sv/eeting — -quite a small apple, but unsurpassed for
perfect form and prodigious crops ; w4th beautiful red and pink
stripes— of a pleasant spicy, sweet flavor, perhaps only second rate,
yet from its perfect and uniform size, together with its great bear-
ing qualities, it might be considered worth planting as an autumn
sweet apple, and for stock feeding it is certainly one of the best.
Originated with William Keller, of this County — -season, Septem-
ber and October.

8. Imperial Vandervere — of Adams County, Pa.— no doubt a
seedling of the Smoke-house, and as the season is much the same,
also in resemblance and flavor, I therefore do not think that I
would be justifiable in giving a preference to that old and fa-
vorite Pennsylvania Apple. If there be any difference it is rather a
coarser apple M^ith me.

9. Better than Good-^evidently one of the very best early win-
ter, sub-acid) table apples now under cultivation in central Penn-
sylvania—size, medium— color, white — form, regularly round,
with a slight taper towards the calyx—tree, rather slim, and some-
what irregular in growth, but forms a fine and spreading tree which
produces (if it has a fault) too great a crop to give them the flavor
they generally have, yet by judicious pruning this can easily be
obviated ; I first received it from Lancaster County, but cannot
trace it to its true origin, but once received the description of an
apple called Juicy Bite^ which strongly corresponded with this,
and which would certainly be an appropriate name.

10th. Lancaster Greening. — ^This fine, hardy, vigorous and
prodigious bearing variety, was fruiting for years in the orchard of
David Longenecker, of Lampeter Township, Lancaster Co., Pa.,
and from its green and long holding (in spite of frost) character in
autumn, it was never gathered, until on an occasion when apples
were extremely rare, they were gathered (by permission of D. L.)

i

85

by my father for the purpose of trying them. The result was that
when April and May came around again, these apples were prime,
and I need only say, by way of compliment^ that a like privilege
w^as withheld ever afterwards. Size medium, very regular and
fair, tapering considerably to the calyx; color green, with numer-
ous spots and blotches; flesh green, juicy, sub-acid v/ith quite a
a pleasant second rate flavor; fruits very well even when young,
and wnll keep till April and May with ease.

11. Heterich.— Raised from seed by a Mrs. Heterich, of this
county, about tw^enty years ago, and is considered by those of their
friends, w^ho have been propagating them since, as a decided fa-
vorite, but Ij for my part, cannot put it over second rate, yet as it is
of medium to large size, fine bearer, always perfect, and of fine
yellow color, it might be worthy of note as a market apple ; form
regular round, a little flattened, flavor slightly acid, and in use
from November to January. Tree an irregular growler but fine
bearer.

12. Pittsburg Pippin. — Said to have been introduced about
Pittsburg, about fifty years ago, by an old Swiss grafter, who stated
that he brouorht it from his father-land. However, all that I can
trace in this vicinity, and a few counties in Maryland, adjacent to
this State, seem to be about the boundary line of Lancaster and
Dauphin Counties, where it has been in cultivation about thirty-
five years, and the probability is, that the old Swiss is right, and
Was sent from Pittsburg many years ago, to some of the enterpris-
ins: old German Pomoloo;ists. Its character seems at times to be-
token a foreign origin here, from the fact that it is less productive
than some others, as well as a deficiency in its core ; yet its fine
size, and high pleasant sub-acid flavor, makes it a great favorite
for early winter ; and were it as prolific as the Rhode Island Green-
ing, it would supersede that variety. Size large, form flat taper-
ing to the calyx, color greenish %vhite, becoming yellow at maturi-
ty, flesh before ripe breaking, but becoming very tender, juicy and
pleasant ; season November to February.

13. Cut Pippin. — Named from a peculiar mark running round
the fruit, as if a line were drawn round the apple, and had been
overgrown, leaving a distinct seam. Considered by many here
as first rate ; but I do not, I never got it over second rate, and
sometimes only third rate. Size medium io large, color green,

8(i

flesh juicy, sub-Bcid, and of quite a green cast, fruit always perfect,
tree very vigorous and productive, season December to April. It
is here known as West's Spitzenberg, Honemaker Pippin, Hay-
maker, &c.,. &c., and by the old German farmers of this section,
Hommacher apfel. I cannot trace its origin— all I can learn is
that' a man of the name of Hommacher, raised it ; yet where this
person lives, or did live, I cannot ascertain.

14. Fallen-walder. — -One of the largest, most prolific, showy
market apples we now have ; although but second rate in flavor, it
is well worthy of culture ; and this apple, having originated in Berks
county, on the border of a fallen forest (hence its name), is stated
by an eminent pomologist to have originated at Columbia, in this
State, and to be of medium size, which is erroneous, and yet I
would not have this editor to take umbrage at this correction.

15. White Catlin — -Originated, I believe, in Baltimore county,
Maryland, yet there is no doubt the subject, notwithstanding it
is an apple, which, with them, is evidently as fine an early winter
or late fall table apple as can possibly be produced. Size small,
color pure white, form oblong, flesh tender, breaking and abound-
ing with a rich pleasant sub-acid juice. Tree, a fine grower and
great bearer, fruit always perfect.

16. Shipley Green. — Origin so far as ascertained, Frederick
county, Maryland. A medium sized, oblong, red and rusty winter
apple, sour to excess, yet it has its friends, and perhaps when we
consider that it will keep as long as wished^ and whfen fully mel-
low can be eaten with some satisfaction, as well as baking quite
well, which with the perfect growth of the tree and great bearing
qualities, it may still find a place among the long keepers.

17. Herman.— Originated on the farm of Mr. Herman,
of Silver Spring Township, Cumberland county, Pa. Size me-
dium, color fine, red striped, on green gro-.md, form oblong. Tree
fair grower and very prolific, producing uniform fruit, always per-
fect. Flesh rather greenish, tender, juicy and of high flavor. By
some it is considered first rate, but I do not so estimate it ; yet I
think it deserving of wider dissemination. Season, December to
April.

18. Autumn Romanite. — Originated on the farm of Jacob Nicely,
Cumberland Co., Pa. — size, medium— color, a beautiful red — flesh,
yellov7— quite pleasant, but not fully first-rate—form, round, some-

87

what flattened — tree, very prolific — season, September. 1 do not
think, as it comes at ihis season, that it is likely to become a gen-
eral favorite.

18. Red Favorite. — A fine red flat apple, of medium size, and
such a pleasant juicy sub-acid flavor as to gain general favor, but
ripens at same time as the Catlin, Better than Good, Rambo, &c.,
so that I do not think it any better, and not quite so uniform in its
growth, consequently cannot suppose it will be much wilder dissem-
inated. Origin on my father's farm.

20. Mifflin Kino;. — Originated on the farm of Mr. Koflman, of
Kishacoquilis Valley, Mifflin Co., Pa. From the flavor, appear-
ance of the tree, &c., it is evidently a seedling of the Rambo, but
ripens a trifle earlier, is not quite so large, oblong in form and to
my judgment a better and more pleasant apple than its parent. I
do not know of its being tested out of its original section, my trees
not yet being of a fruiting age. Size, small — color of the Rambo,
perhaps a trifle more red — fruit, oblong — flesh, remarkably tender,
juicy, and pleasant — first-rate; I will venture this, and stand the
criticism of others who have eaten it. Season, October to De-
cember.

21. Gully Apple. — A highly boasted apple, which originated in
a field of Mr. Millner, of Lancaster Co., by the side of a deep pully
— thus its name. I have lost the description given me. This
season I had a few apples, but being so imperfect that I cannot
give the form. Size, small to medium — color, white, with fine
blush — flesh, juicy and white. I have no doubt it will prove a
good apple. Season, August.

22. Fronclin. — The original tree is yet standing in Lampeter
township, Lancaster Co., Pa. I know it to be over one hundred
years old, and a few years ago was yet sound, and in full bearing.
About six years ago I cultivated it for sale, but considered it rath-
er acid for a September apple, and stopped its culture ; for
the last few years I find the young trees planted, bending with the
perfect crop, until the whole tree is made conspicuous by the red
beauties. I believe I have never yet seen an imperfect apple of
this kind. Size, medium — form, regular, round — color, a pure
bright red — flesh, yellowish, rather acid until fully ripe, but of a
rich vinous flavor — fruit always perfect, smooth and fair — trees

88

very prolific, even when young, as well as a rapid and fine grow-
er— season, September.

23. Goodyear's Seedling. — Original tree stands at the door of a
gentleman of this name, and produces heavy crops of a fine, perfect
growing apple, of medium size — fine red color — firm, juicy flesh,
of second-rate flavor, but will keep until April, which is a good
quality, and in this section is much esteemed. I do not know but
that it combines as many good qualities as some others. The tree
is one of the finest growers now under cultivation. It has not yet
been fully tested from its original stand.

Cherries. — I will here give you the history of the great Triumph
of Cumberland Cherry.

About thirty years ago, or probably a trifle longer, (as the origi-
nator is not now living,) Henry Lechler raised a few young cherry
trees from some choice seeds, which trees he gave to Mr. Stiles,
who owned a country seat near Carlisle ; Mr. Stiles carefully rear-
ed the trees, and afterwards sold the property to the County of
Cumberland for an Almshouse. These trees still exist, and in the
garden now stands the original tree of this great and noted cherry.
It is disseminated throughout this county under the names of Mon-
strous May, Brenn^eman's May, Steret's May, &c., &c., and some
years ago, it was named by a nurseryman, Cumberland Seedling,
but as he saw we were in an age of humbug, and felt a disposi-
tion to move with the age, he paid it a higher compliment by call-
ing it Triumph of Cumberland, which name I shall recognise it
under hereafter, as it has been most disseminated under the lat-
ter. Yours, truly,

DAVID MILLER, Jr.

DOWNINGTOWN, ChESTER Co., ^

September i5th, 1852. S

Having returned from a short pomological tour through this and
the adjoining county of Lancaster, it becomes my pleasant duty to
fulfil my promise.

Armed with a basket of the best Dearborn's Seedling and Bart-
letts, I was ready for a comparison, whenever that oft-repeated
expression " I have one of the best pears," was heard. But one
man was found who did not acknovv^ledge, after tasting these, that

89

his were inferior to one or the other. You will at once infer from
this, that to find pears in this section, as well perhaps as else-
where, better than those mentioned, in their season, is extremely
difficult. Even he who contended that his was ^' the best ever
grown," had one much inferior in my estimation. It was no doubt,
from its appearance, growth of tree, and wood, identical with the
Schenck's. Specimens of both will be at the Congress.

More than a dozen varieties of reputable Pears, several of
Peaches, and Plums innumerable, were examined. Nothing
found better than Bartlett, Hains' Early Red, and Green Gage.

It may be of some interest to you to know the estimate of va-
rieties fruited here. The Meynard Pear, ripening early in July,
is good, but its fine size, fruitfulness, and earliness make it worthy
of culture. Madeleine — very good. Beurre Giffard — fruited by
Thomas Harvey — best. Should this continue to prove so fine in
quality, its fine size and beautiful appearance will give it the
highest rank among July Pears. Amire Joannet — fruited by Dr.
Thomas — good. Julienne — variable — this season only good. Skin-
less— good. Bloodgood and Dearborn's Seedling — best. Belle
of Brussels — if eaten at the right time — good. Summer Franc Real
— very good. Stevens" Genesee — now ripening — very good.
Bartlett — best — its fine size, delicious perfumed flavor, rapid, vig-
orous, symmetrical growth, early bearing, and prolificacy, make it
the ne plus ultra of pears in its season. Lodge — now ripening
— good. St. Ghislain — best — many prefer it to Bartlett.

Any items in this communication that you deem worthy a place,
you are at liberty to incorporate in your report.

J. K. ESHLEMAN.

MAHLON MOON, of Bucks County, remarks, in a communica-
tion to the late President on the subject of Apples, that the Ridge or
Ridged Pippin (probably so called from its uneven surface) is ex-
tensively cultivated in that county — of third quality, appreciated
only in seasons of scarcity ; its chief merit consists in the produc-
tiveness of the tree. Its origin not known — ^possibly a native of
that section.

Knowles' Early. — A small apple of second or third quality —
ripening with Prince's Early Harvest — tree productive every sea-
son. In 1851 it failed for the first time with him.
12

90

The Maiden's Blush does well and is a good market fruit.

Long Island Russet is an enormous bearer, and a late keeping
variety, on which account profitable.

Roman Stem is unquestionably a very valuable variety for
Pennsylvania — is very productive, and larger and finer, even than
in its native soil.

Smoke-house succeeds well in this section.

Smith's Cider — fair and productive.

The following are well suited to our soil and climate, viz : —

Early Harvest — Early Strawberry — Summer Rose — American
Golden Russet (Sheepnose) — Fallenwalder — Fall Pippin — Town-
send — Wine Sap — Jersey Greening (Winter Bellflower Greasy
Pippin Hollow Core Pippin) — and Kaighn's Spitzenberg. The
last is large and productive.

The fruits of the immediate vicinity of Philadelphia being fully
reported upon at the former sessions of the Congress, need no
comment on this occasion, and thus terminates the report from
Pennsylvania. Very respectfully,

September 13th, 1852. THOMAS P. JAMES.

REPORT FROM DELAWARE.

To the Chairman of the General Fruit Committee of the Po-
mological Congress :

In accordance with the resolution of the Pomological Congress,
at the meedng, held in the city of Cincinnati, on the 4th, 5th and
6th of October, 1850, and my appointment as Chairman of the
State Fruit Committee, for Delaware, I selected John Diehl, Rich-
ard Jackson, Daniel Corbit, and Thomas Stapler, to fill that Com-
mittee. And presuming that we could arrive at more just conclu-
sions, and more practical truths, by a division of the labor, added
to which, the fact that our being remote from each other, would
render it impossible to meet as frequently as would be necessary,
to act in a bodily capacity, we each took a department, and now
humbly submit our several reports.

To John Diehl w^as awarded the Apples : his report follows.—
See report.

Next in importance to apples, and, indeed, first in importance,
of late years, since we have received, and originated, so many

91

fine winter varieties, are the Pears, which constitute my depart-
ment.

It is proper to state that the report is based principally on my
own experience, and on that of persons in my immediate vicinity,
perhaps more than it should have been, but I have found so few
persons who were willing to trouble themselves so much as to put
their experience in writing, that I have only consulted with those
with "whom I have been in almost daily intercourse.

I would further state, that the remarks in the following report
are intended to apply chiefly to pears grown on quince bottoms,
owing to the fact that few persons cultivate any other on account
of the blight, and other diseases to which standard Pears are
more particularly subject.

SUMMER PEARS.

Bloodgood.— The best pear of its season. Tree thrifty, and
tolerably productive.

Bartlett — the most popular summer pear — ^is always large, fair,
handsome and very good. Ti*ee vigorous and productive, even
when quite young, on both pear and quince.

Dearborn's Seedling is a vigorous, rapid grower, more espe-
cially on the pear stock, but has not yet fruited.

Julienne — is cultivated to some extent for market, and succeeds
well on the pear stock : it has not been tried on quince that I am
aware of. Fruit of second quality.

Madeleine has fruited two years on quince, not yet on pear
stock; on light rich soils it is very juicy, rich and fine, but on
those of an opposite character it is small, knotty, cracked and
very astringent. Tree very vigorous and liable to blight.

Early Catharine is the most abundant pear in our market ; and
is very productive, but of second or third quality and scarcely
worthy of cultivation. Not yet fruited on quince.

Summer Bon Chretien — in some localities is a pear of good
quality, but is so variable that it cannot be depended upon out of
the influence of town walls.

It is not much cultivated, and has not been tried on quince that
I know of.

Brandywine — (so called from having originated on the Brandy-
wine battle-ground, at Chadd's Ford, in Delaware county, Pa.) is

92

a large, handsome, and productive pear, juicy and rich, with
sometimes a little astringency, not sufficient, however, to make it
unpalatable. Not yet fruited on quince with me, but very vigor-
ous on either stock.

Souvraine d'Ete is a small russetty pear, lasting but a short time
in perfection ; tree a poor grower on quince. Not tested on pear
stock.

Bonne de Zees— a medium sized, handsome, pear^ much re-
sembling the Washington in appearance, but of rather poor flavor,
much inferior to the latter variety, and with a tendency to crack-
tree not very vigorous, but very productive.

Osband's Summer, Rostiezer, Manning's Elizabethj Ott, Doy-
enne d'Ete, and Tyson not yet fruited.

AUTUMN PEARS.

Ananas is a medium-sized pear, of a roundish form, and un-
attractive in appearance, but very juicy, rich and fine. Rather
slow growth on quince, but apparently healthy. Not fruited on
pear.

Feaster — said to be synonymous with Bleecker's Meadow, is in
some localities a pear of the best quality— it is below medium, and
not very attractive, but specimens from near Nottingham, Mary-
land, were last year pronounced by competent judges to be nearly
equal to the Seckel.

Beurre Capiaumont is a most productive and handsome variety
and a vigorous grower on quince, but is often too astringent to be
recommended for all situations.

Beurre d'Amalis — is nearly first rate with us — very productive
on quince, and quite large. Tree thrifty, but with heavy, strag-
gling side-branches. Ripe in August.

Beurre d'Anjou is a pear of the first order, fully equal to the
Doyenne Blanc, and nearly double the size — it is but a moderate
grower on the quince, and does not appear to be very productive.
Not tried on pear.

Beurre Diel — a stout, vigorous tree, very productive. The
fruit though large and fair is, so far, (trees young) too astringent
for the dessert, although standing on a rich, dry bank. Not tested
on pear stock.

Golden Beurre of Bilboa — does not seem to succeed with us on

93

quince, grows none, and the fruit, though handsome in color, is
knotty and astringent.

Bergamotte Cadette — (double worked on quince), hardly attains
the character given to it in the books : it is tolerably juicy and
buttery, but not very rich. Tree productive, but not very thrifty.

Bezi de la Motte — is scarcely worth cultivating, certainly not in
a small collection.

Doyenne Blanc — on pear stock is an entire failure, cracking
before half grown, and becoming entirely worthless ; whilst the
tree is more subject to blight than any other. On quince stock
in wet or cold soils it is much the same ; but on high, dry,- rich
soils, it is almost entirely free from crack or blight and grows
vigorously.

I suspect the lamented Downing was in error in attributing this
cracking to a diseased stock, since every tree on pear stock (one
excepted), let it come from where it may, is subject to the same
disease, and I have seen trees on quince, all from the same nur-
sery, some of which bore excellent crops of smooth, fine fruit,
while that on others was more or less cracked and disfigured, ow-
ing to the soil in which they were planted.

Doyenne Gray is very much the same as the last on pear stock.
It has not yet fruited on quince, that I am aware of.

Delices d'Hardenpont — is not remarkably thrifty on quince, nor
very productive. Fruit immature.

Duchesse d'Angouleme — seems to be well adapted to our local-
ity, bearing large crops of large and perfect fruit, of superior qual-
ity, especially on dry rich soil. It is a very thrifty, upright grower,
and is altogether a very valuable pear.

Duchesse d'Orleans — on quince is a pear of the first quality ;
it is juicy, buttery, and very rich, with a peculiar aromatic flavor.
The tree is rather a poor grower, but hardy and productive.

Fulton — on pear, is a small round russet pear, which is preyed
upon by ants before fully grown, and almost demolished, which
circumstance prevents a report of its quality this season.

Hewes — is a seedling from the Doyenne Blanc, w^hich it much
resembles except in size, being smaller. The core was planted
by an elderly lady named Wollaston, and subsequently came into
the possession of Aaron Hewes, who first brought it into notice.
It has been in bearing about twenty-eight years. It grows well on

94

quince — ripe in September. The original tree is still standing —
bearing abundantly every season.

Jalousie de Fontenay Vendee — bears young and abundantly.
Tree hardy, but a moderate grower. Fruit not yet mature. On
quince.

Louise Bonne de Jersey — is a very productive and popular pear.
Large, and nearly always fair and handsome, but falling a little
short of the character it has elsewhere obtained, being somewhat
astringent and coarse grained, owing perhaps to the trees being
young.

Beurre Goubault— a medium sized, nearly round, pear ; of good
flavor, gritty at the core. Tree vigorous and productive. Fruit
yellowish green at maturity.

St. Andre — A productive thrifty tree, bearing quite young and
abundantly. Fruit, a dull green, without a shade of yellow, un-^
attractive — flesh, exceedingly buttery, and of excellent flavor — >
not fruited on pear.

Stevens' Genesee- — A productive, thrifty variety ; fruit not yet
mature.

Seckel — is too well known to claim one word.

Washington — a native of Delaware, near the line of Pennsyl-
vania. Succeeds admirably on pear stock, fails on quince-^— bears
regularly and profusely — is quite vigorous when young. Flesh,
very buttery when fully ripe, and remarkably sugary.

Wollaston — a wilding, originated at Wilmington, in this state.
Dug from a hedge row, by Samuel Wollaston, and removed from
garden in the city, where it now stands. It is a late variety, ripe
in November, and bears a strong resemblance to the Glout Mor-
ceau.

Colmar d'Aremberg — is a very poor grower on quince, but tol-
erably productive. Fruit quite large, and about equal in quality
to Beurre Diel.

Triomphe de Jodoigne — is a large showy fruit when mature, of
nearly or quite first quality, very juicy and melting, and very rich.
Tree very productive, though not vigorous with us.

Doyenne Boussock — is a beautiful pear of the largest size — of a
clear lemon yellow, with a red cheek. Flesh buttery, melting,
and very juicy, with a flavor nearly or quite equal to D. Blanc.
Tree productive, but not very vigorous.

95

Belle Epine Dumas — said to be synonymous with Due de Bor-
deaux, is a thrifty and very productive variety. Fruit, medium
size, not yet mature.

A large number of autumn varieties have not yet fruited, and
some others which have fruited, I find to be incorrect.

WINTER PEARS.

Beurre d'Aremberg — maintains its high reputation as a first-rate
winter variety, but does not appear to be very vigorous on quince
stock.

Beurre Easter — ^is one of the best, perhaps the best, pear of its
season — requires more care than some others to ripen it in perfec-
tion— tree quite vigorous, and tolerably productive, on quince.

Beurre Gris d'Hiver Nouveau — has been recently introduced,
and has not since matured its fruit, which is of good size, and fine
appearance. Not fruited on pear.

Glout Morceau — is a vigorous grower, and a most abundant
bearer, on quince, w^ith us ; a tree not exceeding five feet in height
and three years planted, produced twelve hundred and sixty-nine
blossoms, and set two hundred and eighty- two pears, which were,
however, mostly destroyed by a late frost, when about the size of
filberts.

St. Germain — is a large, green, rough skinned pear, which if
well kept, becomes a dull yellow, and is nearly equal to the Easter
Beurre in flavor — but its liability to drop prematurely, renders it
scarcely worthy of a place in the fruit garden. On quince it is
very vigorous and productive, and, from present appearance, bids
fair to overcome the objection just mentioned.

Josephine de Malines — ^has fruited this season for the first with
us. Tree very vigorous on quince.

Soldat Laboureur — is by far the handsomest and most promising
of all our winter pears. It has fruited for the first time this season.
Tree very healthy and thrifty.

Suzette de Bavay — seems better suited to the quince stock
than almost any other ; it forms, without any care, a handsome
pyramid, and grows quite vigorously. The fruit is rather small
and nearly round. Skin somewhat russeted. First fruited this
season.

96

Vicar of Winkfield — on quince stock, is the most vigorous, as
well as the most productive of winter pears, and were the pear fit
for kitchen alone, it is worthy of a place in every garden, merely
as a curiosity ; it is, however, tolerable for the dessert, and is oc-
casionally very fine.

Winter Nelis — succeeds admirably in our soil. On pear stock
the fruit is large and fair, and quite abundant — on quince it is
neither so large, or fine in appearance ; it is, however, very pro-
ductive, and quite vigorous, on either stock. It is the best early
winter pear.

In addition to the blight, slugs, caterpillars, leaf-blight, and oth-
er diseases to which the pear is subject, we are much annoyed by
a species of borer, which, unlike the apple or quince borer, makes
its way between the bark and wood of young trees, and thus gir-
'dles and destroys them. I have never yet observed its depreda-
tions on trees worked on quince, which may be owing to their be-
ing yet too young and destitute of rough bark, which greatly facil-
itates their operations. It is most commonly found in the forks of
the lower branches, and very seldom near the ground. I have
never been able to detect the perfect insect.

We are also much troubled with the Curculio, which, not find-
ing a sufficiency of plums and other smooth-stoned fruit, to answer
their purpose of reproduction (plums, &c., being much neglected
on account of the ravages of that insect), descend on the pears,
apples and peaches, making sad havoc and causing great disap-
pointment and vexation to the cultivator.

Since penning the above remarks on the Doyenne Gray, I have
seen very fine large specimens grown on quince stock, on warm
rich soils, and others not so fine from clay soils.

In addition to the notice made of Bonne de Zees, I can now say
that when fully ripe, it is a pear of nearly first quality.

I have also learned from the owner of the original Wollaston
pear tree, that it has recently been much injured by blight.

Having at this late day (Sept. 10) received no report from
Richard Jackson, whose department comprised the peaches, apri-
cots and nectarines, I have, through the instrumentality of John
S. Hilles, who kindly volunteered to the service, endeavored to
collect such information as could be obtained on the spur of the
moment to supply the deficiency.

97

It is by no means such a report as ought to be expected from the
peach state, but it is all that can be accomplished under the cir-
cumstances.

Thomas Stapler's Report is as follows, on

CHERRIES AND PLUMS.

(See Report.)
Daniel Corbit, whose department includes the smaller fruits, as
Grapes, Currants, Gooseberries, Strawberries and Raspberries,
has also failed to supply his quota of facts ; but through the cour-
tesy of Dr. L. P. Bush, we have been favored with the following report :
All of which is humbly submitted not without much hesitation.
EDWARD TATNALL, Jr., Chairman,

State Fruit Committee for Delaware.

August 30, 1852.

Dear Sir, — I shall deem it incumbent upon myself to be brief
in the report I shall make, on account of the prolixity your gene-
ral report may assume, when they are all incorporated into one.
Being very little accustomed to the use of the pen, I feel myself
inadequate to the task of doing justice to the subject, or of realiz-
ing the expectation that may be excited. I take it for granted
though that in making up your general report you will make such
alteration in the several reports as may seem to you necessary and
proper.

The varieties of apples, to which I shall have reference in the
following report, are mainly grown on my own farm, or in the im-
mediate vicinity. The soil of my orchard is rather a light loam,
well adapted to the growth of either wheat or Indian corn. I have
a great many of the recently introduced sorts, but of the most of
them I cannot express any decided opinion. Of summer apples,
the Yellow Harvest or Prince's Early Harvest stands foremost ; it
is a good bearer, and the fruit is large and fine ; it is more flat
with us than as described by Downing.

The Early Lippincott or Summer Rose, of Downing, I consider
the next best, or if anything, rather a better dessert apple, being
more tender and sprightly.

. The Large Yellow Bough is a fine dessert apple, but too sweet
to be esteemed for the kitchen.

The Early Red Margareti. likewise highly esteemed both for

the dessert and kitchen.
13

98

American Summer Pearmain, ripening later, is a fruit not to be
dispensed with.

We have the Early Red Streak, White Juneating, Summer
Queen and Summer Golden Pippin, but the preceding five, we
deem the best summer apples.

Among autumn apples, the Fall Pippin has hardly its compeer ;
it seems to be rather a shy bearer, while the tree is yet young.
Rambo, universally known and highly esteemed, bears early and
abundantly. . The Gregson, keeping into winter, is an apple very
highly esteemed especially in the lower section of the State.

Maidens' Blush. — This handsome apple is pretty generally
known, and is in high estimation both as a dessert and kitchen
apple.

The Smoke-house— a native of Pennsylvania, and keeping
into winter, is a first rate apple in all respects. The tree is a
rapid grower, and an early and abundant bearer, resembling
somewhat the Rambo, fine for either dessert or kitchen use.

The Caleb Apple — a native likewise of Pennsylvania, we deem
a fine, sweet, early fall variety, and a great bearer, which I think
might be planted with advantage for the feeding of stock.

The Newtown Pippin — is pretty generally acknowledged to be
the first late winter apple that is cultivated in our State. It is true
the tree is a poor grower, and requires extra cultivation, but once
grown the tree is a fine and abundant bearer.

The Bellefleur — generally does fine with us ; the soil that seems
most congenial to it is a sandy loam. I have heard complaints of
its not succeeding so well on soils of an opposite quality ; it is a
sort that is very much inclined to droop in its branches and there-
fore requires to be trimmed high.

Danvers Winter Sweet — we esteem a fine fruit, a good keeper,
and very clear of imperfections — also a rapid grower.

The Roman Stem — is an apple that we have known from our
infancy, and always esteemed it among the best.

The Fallen walder — a variety but recently introduced from Penn-
sylvania, promises to become a valuable apple. In flavor it some-
what resembles the Bellefleur, but in the size of the fruit it is much
larger.

Herefordshire Pearmain, (called here erroneously Winter Pear-
main) — is a fine fruit that does well.

99

We have an apple obtained under the name of the Long Island
Russett, a name not to be found in the books. As far as I have
seen this sort seems to agree very much with the description of the
English Russett, of Downing, and may prove to be identical with
that variety. It is the finest long keeping Russett apple that I am
acquainted with.

The Greening— is a fruit that is much esteemed. It is a great
bearer and the fruit very perfect.

The Baldwin — ^is an apple that seems to be but of recent intro-
duction among us, and if it is not subject to the bitter rot like the
Pennock is, in this region, will undoubtedly prove a valuable ac-
quisition. We have grafts on large trees of this variety, bending
under their burden of large, perfect and fine looking fruit.

The Gilpin — is an apple that some years ago was greatly esteemed,
but it has now become so small, knotty and defective, that it can-
not be recommended for general cultivation in this part of the
country.

The Wine Sap— is an apple that has several fine qualities, that
entitles it to our notice. It is a good keeper, fruit very perfect,
and fine for kitchen use.

The Lady Apple — ^as elsewhere, gives satisfaction ^

The Borer is the most troublesome insect that we have to con-
tend against; there seems to be two varieties, one that works at
the surface of the ground, and the other confined in its operations
to parts of the tree, above the surface, in the forks of the tree and
branches — the latter seems to be rather a smaller insect and making
in its boring operation a more oval hole.

Yours Respectfully,

JOHN DIEHL.

In addition to the above, I would remark that the soil best
adapted to the apple, is the red or yellow gravel, which is more
or less impregnated with iron. The most thrifty trees I have ever
seen, are now growing near Wilmington, in a soil completely
covered with small pebbles, so that a person walking across the
orchard would not touch the soil with his foot. The Gilpin or
Carthouse apple, which has so entirely failed in most soils, is still
in perfection, even on very old trees, when grown on the red
gravel hills of the upper portion of the State.

100

The Ferris Apple — a seedling raised by Benjamin Ferris, of
Wilmington, is an apple of great merit. It is medium to large
size — same size and shape as Newtown Pippin — is a beautiful
red, and is a first rate kitchen apple, not equal to Baldwin for eating,
and a long keeper. Bears every year, one half the tree at a time.

The culture of the Grape in Delaware is as yet in its infancy.
Until recently very few vines could be found in a state of cultiva-
tion, although our woods abounded with the Fox and Frost
Grapes, showing that our soil is not naturally unfriendly to this
fruit. Within ten years, however, the attention of the inhabitants
of Wilmington and its vicinity have been directed to this subject
in some degree, and the Isabella and Catawba are cultivated for
family use in many instances.

Besides these, the Elsinborough and the Alexander are occa-
sionally found, and more rarely the Bland. Of the above-named
varieties, the Isabella, Catawba, and Elsinborough are most wor-
thy of culture among us, especially for their superior flavor. They
seem to thrive best, and ripen their fruit with less injury from
mildew and rot, when on light soil with open subsoil, than when
the latter is clayey. The same result, in part at least, seems to
be attained by carrying their branches some distance from the
ground, under the edge of a porch, or on a high trellis, where,
removed from the dampness of the ground, and enjoying an ex-
emption from excessive rains;, they ripen their fruit in much great-
er perfection. Under these circumstances, the Isabella, when al-
lowed to become fully ripe, attains a degree of perfection which
is enhanced by its rich muskiness, and of which very few among
us are aware, as it is generally plucked before it attains maturity.

The Alexander we do not find fit for culture, as when fully ripe
its hard, acid pulp overbalances the morsel of sweet juice which
surrounds it.

The Bland is almost as uncertain as the foreign varieties. In
almost all seasons it is attacked either in its fruit or its leaf by
mildew, and the fruit brought to an untimely end.

A few varieties native to this neighborhood have been discov-
ered, but have not been sufficiently cultivated to enable us to as-
certain their value.

A very valuable variety has been introduced here from the

101

neighborhood of Kennet Square. The appearance of the vine is
very similar to the Isabella, and equally hardy. The fruit is of
the same color, but of smaller berry and closer set ; musky, but
little pulp when ripe, and ready for use two or three weeks before
the Isabella — so that it is gone when the latter ripens. It was first
brought to public notice by Charles Canby, of Wilmington, al-
though a vine was at the same time in bearing in the yard of an-
other friend.

The Ohio and Missouri have been cultivated but in a few
instances. The former is quite acid, the latter sweet.

The foreign varieties, such as the Black Hamburgh, the Chas-
selas, and the Sweet Water and Black St. Peter's have been tried
among us, but have shown themselves entirely unworthy of an
effort at culture in the open air. Occasionally a rich crop may be
obtained from a young vine in a favorable exposure, but generally
they disappoint the hopes.

There has been, as yet, but little attempt to cultivate them under
glass. But one or two successful attempts are known of, in the
state. Of course they have been productive according to the skill
in cultivating them, in that mode. The mildew and rot are both
liable to injure them, and especially, where there is not a perfect
control of moisture, heat and air. The most perfect house yet
erected in our state, has just been finished in Brandywine Hundred,
in a most favorable situation for perfect cultivation, by Mr. Joseph
Shipley.

The sandier soil of Kent County, Delaware, would doubtless
favor the growth of the foreign kinds, but it is not probable that
they could be grown to advantage in open culture.

But two vineyards are known in Delaware, both in New Castle
County ; one on the farm recently belonging to Wm. Tatnall, and
the other on that of C. P. Holcomb ; the former, four miles w^est of
Wilmington, on a clay sub-soil — the latter, the same distance south,
on a gravel sub-soil. Both are flourishing.

GOOSEBERRIES.

As to the Gooseberry, it fails from mildew and blight, more fre-
quently than it succeeds.

102

CURRANTS.

The red and white Dutch Currants are the most common among
us, and they grow and produce readily.

RASPBERRIES.

A native kind, red and sweet, is commonly cultivated ; but the
varieties recently introduced by Dr. Brinckle, surpass it greatly.

STRAWBERRIES,

The Virginia Scarlet is the prevailing variety of the Strawberry
among us, though the Hautboy^ both the broad and long kinds, are
met with.

The Hovey's Seedling is seen in our market, having been intro-
duced several years ago, and is a noble variety. It is always
grown in the vicinity, or among, the Scarlet, for the purpose of
fructification, but will be rooted out by the more vigorous Scarlet,
if planted together.

CHERRIES AND PLUMS.

In reply to the call made on me for a report on Cherries and
Plums, I make the following remarks :

May Duke — the earliest and best cherry in common cultiva-
tion. It can be relied on as a sure bearer, and not so liable as
others to injury from late spring frosts and snows*

Belle de Choissy — a newly introduced variety, and not yet
extensively cultivated ; but as far as tested, recommends itself as
a cherry of superior qualities. Tree, a free grower, bearing when
young.

Amber Heart— is also a cherry of recent introduction, and has
so far proved a valuable acquisition to the list of early cherries.

Black Heart—the most common cherry of the northern part of
the state, and generally esteemed for its vigor and productiveness,
growing and producing bountiful crops, whether on high or low
situations, and is more generally used for family purposes, than any
other.

Black Tartarian — this saperb fruit is not yet much known with
us, but so far as our observation goes, it fully sustains the high
character that Pomologists have led us to expect.

Yellow Bigarreau—a fruit well known in our markets, making

i

103

a showy appearance, and is of ready sale ; it is one of the hardiest
of cherries, a very free grower, making a strong head.

White Bigarreau — in vigor, productiveness, and the general
appearance, is similar to the last named, and, like it, is a favorite
market fruit.

Elton — ^not extensively known, but where cultivated, has given
entire satisfaction, and will, at any time, command nearly double
price in the market.

Carnation — is a general favorite wherever known, either as a
market fruit, or for family use in town or country. The tree makes
a tolerably free growth, and a round, even, spreading, handsome
head, and bears good crops annually.

English Morello — is the most admired of all that class,
which are in common cultivation, for its many good qualities. —
The tree is a free grower for a Morello, and not subject to the
black knot, which has almost exterminated other Morellos. The
fruit is large and fine, and eagerly sought for in our markets for
preserving purposes.

Common Morello — ^by its facility for self-propagation, is, or has
been, almost indigenous to the upper portion of the state. It is a
good market fruit. The tree is a poor grower, and for the last
twenty years, has been almost destroyed by the black knot, to
which it is particularly subject.

Red Pie Cherry — is, next to the Black Heart, the most abun-
dant in our markets,' and commands good prices. The tree bears
regularly almost every year, and is perfectly hardy — attaining the
age of 50 years, and even more.

Owing to the ravages of the curculio, the cultivation of Plums
is almost entirely neglected. Unless the trees are planted in a
pavement (as by the side of a house, or, if exposed in the garden,
paved as far as the branches extend), there is scarcely a probability
of getting a crop.

The Common Damson — is more generally known than any other,
throughout the state. Owing to its exemption from the attacks of
the curculio, it is a sure bearer almost every year, and enormous
crops are often obtained by attention to its cultivation, in favorable
situations. It seems better adapted to light soils than other varie-
ties, succeeding best in a gravelly or sandy loam. It is, however,
unfortunately, like the Morello Cherries, very subject to the black

104

knot, which destroys it in a few years, unless prevented by the
timely application, and vigorous use of the pruning knife.

Prune Plum — a favorite variety of the blue plum, is a valuable
market fruit, which, like the Damson, is exempt from the curculio,
and frequently bears enormous crops. It is easy of cultivation,
producing suckers of the same.

THOMAS STAPLER.

Besides the cherries above named, we have in partial cultiva-
tion— Early Purple Guigne, May Bigarreau, Knight's Early Black,
Black Eagle, Downer's Late, Downton, Tradescant's Black Heart,
Florence, Late Duke, Rumsey's Late Morello, and some other
varieties, w^hich so nearly agree with the descriptions given of
them in the books, that it is scarcely necessary to write more than
their names.

Of Plums, the Green Gage succeeds better than any other of the
finer kinds.

The Washington — where paved, produces moderate crops of large
fruit, much inferior to the Green Gage.

Coe's Golden Drop — in similar situations, produces large crops
but the flavor is quite inferior, and the fruit rots very much before
mature.

The cultivation of the plum is altogether the most unprofitable
pursuit one can engage in, and has no inducements as a pastime,
it is consequently entirely neglected, and the ground occupied with
dwarf pears, which give more general satisfaction.

REPORT FROM DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

The undersigned, chairman of the Fruit Committee for the Dis-
trict of Columbia, submits the following Report :

Your Committee have great pleasure in assuring your honorable
body, that in the District of Columbia, the spirit of Pomological
improvement has taken a deep hold, as is plainly evinced by the
increase of fruits of all kinds, both in quantity and quality, in our
markets ; by the beautiful and enticing display everywhere exhib-
ited at our fruit stores, and by the general disposition to encour-
age its growth and production, by its becoming an indispensable
requisite at the tables of our public hotels and private families.

105

As an item of profit to the Agriculturist generally, our commu-
nity seem to be wide awake ; the demand for fruit trees is evidently
on the increase. The enterprising and public spirited are making
continual improvement of rare and valuable stock, by importa-
tions from abroad, and by an attentive investigation of the quali-
ties adapted to our soil and climate.

First in importance, in point of economy and profit to the Agri-
culturist generally, stand the apple and the peach ; in the latter it
was thought by your Committee we are but little behind any sec-
tion of our country ; great additions have lately been made to the
Pear, the Plum, the Cherry, and the Strawberry, and our cultiva-
tors look to the Pomological Congress with a deep and confiding
interest. They hail its formation as the source from which light
is to be derived to aid them in making proper and useful selec-
tions adapted to the peculiar soil and locality of each individual,
and best method of cultivation, also the character of the diseases
to which the different fruits are subject, with the best preventives
and cures.

With a view to aid these objects your Committee have made a
call upon our community for communications, and hope at no dis-
tant day to add something to the stock of general information.

The Pear begins to attract much attention. Our cultivators are
beginning to plant largely, both on pear and quince bottoms, and
the success of the present season is well calculated to stimulate to
further enlargement. The cultivation on quince may be said to
have only commenced here (but your committee are prepared to
say that it has successfully commenced.) The same may be said
of the grape in houses, several houses of some extent are already
in operation, and more are in contemplation.

As regards the general fruit crop of the present season with us,
your Committee are well satisfied of the following facts :

That of the Strawberry was abundant and fine, though some-
what affected by the early drought (particularly the later kinds).
The Raspberry crop was short, owing in part to the destruction of
the canes by the unusually severe winter.

The Cherry crop, with the exception of the Morello, was almost

a total failure, occasioned by frost in winter and in the blooming

season.

The Peach crop is below an average. This failure is io he
14

106

attributed, in part, to the destruction df the buds in winter, partly
to spring frosts, and partly to the excess of wet weather during a
portion of July and the whole of August (a statement of the quan^
tity of rain for each of the last six months accompanies this report),
causing many to rot and fall, and though it added much to the size
of the fruit there was evidently a great deterioration in the quality,
showing plainly the importance of hot sunshine in perfecting the
juices and flavor.

The Plum, as usual, suffered much from the curculio, and the
crop, except against walls, was almost a total failure ; we do not
mean to include the Chichasaw Plum, and the common Damson,
which were abundantly prolific.

Grapes, though in some places thought to be injured by the
wet, are, upon the whole, most abundant, and thought not yet fully
ripe, we think we are safe in saj'ing, will be much better than
usual. And as to the Apple, Pear and Quince, the crop in the
District of Columbia is decidedly abundant and fine.

Appended to this report is a copy of a letter addressed to Mr.
John Slater, of Alexandria. His success in the cultivation of the
Alice Maud Strawberry having come under the immediate notice
of your Committee, both by personal examination of his fruit in
market and of his crop on his grounds, induced them to call on
him for a statement of facts, which he has promptly complied with.
Your Committee, from their own observation, and the well known
character of Mr. Slater, are well satisfied with the accuracy of his
statements, and we will add, that we can safely and confidently
recommend this variety for a fair trial, to every cultivator. Here,
in our soil and climate, for its particular time of ripening, it is
certainly '* the Strawberry.^^

In reference to the num_ber of quarts gathered by Mr. Slater,
we think it proper to state, that the measure used by him was the
liquid, or wine measure, the same as is used for everything in our
market, being forty quarts to the bushel.

JOSHUA PEIRCE.

Nursery at Linnean Hill, near Washington,, ^^

August 31st, 1852. ^

Mr. John Seater, — At a meeting of the Committee of the
Pomological Congress held yesterday, I was directed by them to

107

request of you any facts with regard to your Alice Maud Straw-
berry that it may be convenient for you to furnish. You will
please to mention the time it was imported, and where from —
your general success in cultivation — how many days in advance
of Hovey's Seedling it is generally, in the same soil and exposure
— what is the difference in size of your best specimens of each —
how many berries to the quart from you best crops — w^hat has
been the best yield to any given quantity of ground — how have
your plants stood the climate — how affected by the hot suns of
summer and the severe frost of winter ? To this you will add
your method of cultivation. Yours, truly,

JOSHUA PIERCE.

Bella vuE, near Alexmidria^ Va., )
September 5th, 1852. \

Mr. Joshua Pierce : —

Dear Sir, — Your note was duly received. In answer to your
inquiries concerning my Alice Maud Strawberry — first, you wished
me to mention its faults. I answer, none to my knowledge. 2d.
When imported, and who from ? Mr. William Barrat, of Wake-
field, Yorkshire, England, in the fall of '45 and spring of '46.
3d. How many days it ripens earlier than Hovey's Seedling, on
the same soil and exposure ? On an average of 8 days. 4th. My
success in cultivation ? I have missed no crop since I have been
cultivating it ; I believe it to be a surer croper than any variety
I am acquainted with. ' 5th. The difference in size ? I cannot
say I am satisfied ; for size and quantity Alice will beat Hovey's
Seedling or any other variety I have seen, two to one. Note, I
do not say but that a few fruit might be picked out of Hovey's
Seedling as large as Alice Maud ; I speak of the crop in general.
6th. Given quantity ? I do not know that my crop was much
superior the past season than formerly ; from a piece of ground
measuring 60 feet by 135, w^e picked, on May 26th, about 25
quarts ; on the 28th, 150 quarts ; May 31st, 400 quarts ; June
2d, 250 quarts ; June 4th, about 200 ; June 6th, about the same
quantity; at this time we suffered with drought which I should
think cut the crop one-fourth short to what might have been ex-
pected. From beginning to end we picked fruit from the same
ground for three weeks ; from 30 to 40 quarts was the last pick-

108

ing. 7th. How it stands the climate ? I have never seen Alice
injured in the least by winter frosts, and I know of no strawberry
that stands the heat and drought as well. 8th. Mode. of cultiva-
tion ? When convenient, I prefer spring planting. I plant my
plants from 8 to 12 inches in the rows, and 24 inches between the
rows, r often plant between crops of early cabbage. I hoe
through them the following summer, keep them clear of weeds,
and crop off the runners as fast as they make ; the following spring
I throw in some kind of trash to keep the fruit from the ground.
Tanners' bark is the most convenient thing that I can procure ;
it appears to answer the purpose very well.
Yours, with respect,

JOHN SLATER.

N, B. — The above is a true statement to the best of my knowl-
edge ; you can make what use of it you please.

To Joshua Pierce. J. S.

Statement of the amount of rain in Washington for the last six
months, taken from a register kept at the Smithsonian Institute : —

1852.

March,

3.50

inches, ]

April,

May,
June,

6.00
1.50
3.00

> Approximation.

July,

August,

4.75
9.30

u (
cc (

>

> Real.

28.10 " total, for six months.

4.68 '' average.

Statement of temperature of some of the coldest days at Wash-
ington in January 1852, taken at the Observatory : —

January 19th, At noon, in the shade, 16°

in the sun, 34°

20th, Before sunrise, 10J° below zero.
At 12 o'clock, in the sun, 35° above zero.

At 2 o'clock, 40° '^

21st, Lowest, 13° "

22d, " 1° below zero.

23d, " 5° "

24th, " 1°

109
REPORT FROM VIRGINIA.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE POMOLOGICAL CONGRESS, PHILADELPHIil,

In my report to the second Congress of fruit growers, held at
New York city, in 1849, I alluded to the nature of the soil and
its adaption to the cultivation of fruit, of this part of Virginia. I
may now add that the culture of the improved varieties of fruit
is steadily advancing. Much less rapidly, however, than would
be the case, if we had a market for fresh fruit. Of apples we
are more and more confirmed, that for late keeping varieties we
had better look to the south, than to get them from the north. —
Our summers here are longer than at the north, and fruit from there
ripens here before the commencement of cold weather, conse-
quently does not keep here equally well. We are endeavoring to
obtain late keeping fruit from the south, and expect our delegate
to present some specimens as samples to the approaching Pomo-
logical Congress, w'hich originated south of James' River, Vir-
ginia, Such samples cannot be expected to exhibit their quality in
their premature state, and I would suggest whether it would not
be to the interest of the Congress, to appoint a committee, to ex-
amine and report upon all fruit presented by members of the Con-
gress or others, at any season of the year. The comparative
quality, and value of different varieties, as keeping fruits, cannot
be so well ascertained, by the Congress, at any one time of the
year, as if the different varieties were carefully examined as they
become ripe. Should there be a committee appointed by the
approaching Congress, composed of the ablest pomologists of the
neighborhood of Philadelphia, and they requested to examine and
report upon all fruit presented to them, and particularly state its
quality, much might be done to establish the true character of new
varieties.

It often happens that persons who have originated, or who wish
to bring into notice, new varieties of fruit, praise it beyond its
true merits. This may be attributed in part, at least, to ignorance
of what in reality good fruit consists. Many who are but partially
acquainted with fruit, suppose, when they meet with something rather
better than they have been used to, that such must be truly excellent,
when the mistake may originate in a want of knowledge of the
qualities of other choice kinds.

110

Pears — there has not been experience long enough to speak
with certainty, but from what we have seen we may confidently
anticipate a rich reward for those who engage in their cultivation.
We occasionally see the blight on trees here, but rcldom to the
extent that we hear of in other places. Some y(> ry aged and
thrifty trees are met with, the mostly seedhng, as but few trees
were grafted here formerly.

Peaches — we have great abundance in most seasons, as the
trees have succeeded here well — many of them 30 to 40 years
old. The yellows appear in some places, and where no means
are used to check its progress, it has destroyed some orchards
entirely, but where proper measures are resorted to, it has been
checked altogether, and no doubt but that a simultaneous exertion
on the part of all, would effectually remove the disease from
amongst us. The past winter here was one of unusual severity,
the thermometer indicating from 10° to 14° below zero, and at
least one-half of our peach buds were killed in the winter, and
the crop consequently light this season. Of apples we have a
fair supply ; cherries but few this season, and of plums, the Cur-
culio uses up the larger portion.

From the interest that is beginning to be taken in Virginia, in
the cultivation of fruit, there is reason to believe that other por-
tions of the State will be represented in the approaching Con-
o-ress — and that the time is not far distant when we may vie
with our sister States, in the quality if not quantity of summer
fruits at least. In this, at least, we indulge in a spirit of emu-
lation without envy, in which all may feel interested and be bene-
fitted.

« YARDLEY TAYLOR,

Loudon County, Virginia.

P. S. In consequence of the decease of the much lamented
A. J. Downing, Chairman of the General Fruit Committee, I
have addressed this to the President of the Congress.

Y. T.

Mr. Robey, of Fredericksburg, reports the following, viz.:
No. 1. Carter Apple- — long known in this country, and culti-

ill

Vated by almost every farmer. Bears enormous crops. Speci-'
mens about two-thirds grown only Aug. and September.

2. Summer Cheese — ^specimens not more than half grown — -
drought and overcrop. September.

3. Roberson White— specimens of this also, not more than
half their usual size. September and October. Blooms very late.

4. W*ntei Cheese — when grown, full medium size. December
to Febrnaiy.

5. Gloucester White — two-thirds grown— nearly 'yellow at
maturity. November to January. Rich aromatic.

6. Red Cathead — not grown — -bears regular and heavy crops
— fruit always perfect — -fine for table and culinary. October to
December.

7. Ladies' Favorite — bears large and regular crops— fruit al-
ways fair— keeps till January.

8. Limber Twig— specimens about half- grown—dull red-
keeps till May— regular bearer.

9. Abram — keeps till May-='regular bearer.

10. Prior's Red— keeps till March.

11. Rawles' Jannetting- — ^^keeps till March.

12. Garden Apple — -bears young. October^

13. Hollady's Seedling— raised by John Hollady, of this county.
When grown, large fine yellow, with russet spots — very "rich — ■
highly perfumed— keeps till April — regular and good bearer.

14. Strawn's Seedling — -rather large— flesh yellowish, rich, crisp
and juicy — bears large and regular crops— fruit always perfect —
keeps till April.

15. Leather Coat — -winter.

16. Bowling's Sweet.— Specimens not half grown— when ripe,
very rich. October to December, Bears large crops— fruit al-
ways fair.

17. Milam — -dark red when ripe— ^keeps till March— frtiit al-
ways fair.

18. Spice Apple- — not hcilf their usual size owing ta the tree
being over-loaded.

18. Ogleby — raised by an old man (colored) from seed of a
red fall apple. The original tree has borne this the third year.
Specimens not yet grown — when ripe, fine yellow — very rich — a

112

little spicy. Specimens have been kept till February, and I sup-
pose they would keep longer.

20. Summer Golden Pippin — the specimens are not so large
as they usually grow — fruit always fair — bears well.

21. Green Newtown Pippin.

22. Waugh's Crab' — the specimens are not half the size of
this apple when grown — bears very heavy crops — have been left
on the trees until Christmas, to freeze anu thaw, without much in-
jury; if crushed in January it makes the finest white cider, fully
equal to Hewes' Crab — from March to June it is a fine rich table
apple, nearly sweet.

23. Wine Sap — bears regular and fine crops, and keeps well
till March.

24. Baltimore Pippin — bears well, and the fruit good. Septem-
ber and October.

25. Vandervere — juicy and good — bears well — keeps till
March.

26. Russet — -variety not known — a good winter fruit.

27. Brooke's Pippin. — The tree from which this apple was
taken, was found upon the farm when Mr, B. purchased it, about
forty years ago ; it was then about the size of a coach whip. He
thinks it is a seedling. The tree is now very large — bears regular
and large crops of fruit, always fair — of the largest size — keeps
well till May — fine, yellow flesh, juicy and rich, and of the finest
flavor ; the tree grows in a warm, sandy soil. Mr. B. has nearly
all the known varieties of the Pippin, which very rarely come to
perfection ; young trees in the nursery grow very thrifty. I re-
gret that specimens of this apple, from Mr. B., did not reach me
before I left home.

28. Winter Queen. — Bears large and regular crops — keeps till
February — fruit always fair.

29. This is a Pear that I present for a name ; it is a grafted
fruit, grown extensively in the lower counties ; said to have been
imported from France about seventy years ago. .No doubt it will
be readily recognised by the Committee in this State. It bears
regular and very large crops, and very rarely an imperfect fruit is
seen on the tree ; it is sometimes in eating 1st November — will

113

keep with very little care until February, and specimens have been
kept until April. It is known here by the Taylor Pear.

I have put in three kinds of seedlings, Nos. 1, 3, and 4, and one
marked Robey's Seedling ; the latter promises to be a fine winter
apple.

I would here state that the specimens of fruit are not near their
usual size at this season of the year, owing to the very dry sum-
mer ; until recently we have had very little rain, and a good many
kinds are from trees growing in old fields, very poor, and not
been cultivated for many years.

Respectfully, H. R. ROBEY,

Hopewell Nurseries,

Fredericksburg, Va.

REPORT FROM SOUTH CAROLINA.

Mr. William Summer writes to the late President from Pomaria,
Sept. 6th, 1852 :—

The fruit season has been a fine one ; we were favored with a
great abundance of all kinds. The Cherries bore very heavy
crops — the fruit large and fine. The mature Apricot trees bore
immense crops. The Plums, too, were fine on heavy clay soils.
I have never had any difficulty in growing good crops with a little
attention to guard against the ravages of the Curculio, and for this
purpose I mainly depend upon the pigs picking up the waste fruit.
The new Seedling Plum maintains its character, and I think is
worthy of general cultivation.

Pears. — The trees of the Petit Muscat were loaded until the
limbs bent down like an umbrella. The Julienne and Seckel
were of fine size, and the flavor very superior, while the Bartlett,
Doyenne Blanc, Duchesse d'Angouleme were of larger size than
usual. The B. Capiaumont bore very heavy crops. The Fulton
is with us one of the finest Pears ; and the Croft Castle eaten to-
day, proves to be a pear in our soil and ctimate worthy of cul-
tivation. I think in our warm, deep soils that many varieties of the
Pear are improved in flavor.

We have had a bountiful supply of Apptes and Peaches. They
15

114

were everything that could be desired, but as I have not time to
particularize, I must bring this hasty note to a close.
With sentiments of esteem,

I am yours, sincerely,

WILLIAM SUMMER.

REPORT FROM KENTUCKY.

The Committee on Fruits for the State of Kentucky respectfully
beg leave to report that a loss of the fruit crop in the West for
two consecutive seasons having cut off all facilities for personal
observation and for comparison, they are thereby deprived of the
power of rendering aid to the great enterprise of classifying the
fruits of the country with a view to discard what are worthless,
and to place in their proper order in the calendar of suggestion,
such as deserve to be retained, marking out at the same time all
untenanted spaces in such calendar — an enterprise which, while
it is calculated to save the inexperienced from being seduced by
sounding names and glowing descriptions into a profitless waste
of both time and money, gives also direction to the efforts of the
enlightened originator of new sorts, by enabling him to recognise
the neighbors on either side of any vacant point in the circle of
succession, and to secure its occupancy by a common offspring,
the result of his skill at cross impregnation. Important, however,
as these subjects are, the committee have not thought for a mo-
ment that there are none others worthy the attention of pomolo-
gists ; on the contrary, they believe the " name of such subjects
is legion." In casting about, however, they have deemed none
more appropriate for the basis of their present report, though
touched upon in their last, than climate, elevation, and aspects in
their effects upon orchard culture. Correct knowledge on these
subjects lies at the foundation of all successful and profitable
efforts at fruit culture, and the committee believe can never be
acquired too soon.

Climate. — -By the books, climate is defined to mean a distribu-
tion of heat over the earth's surface, and that heat is made to
attain under the equator 84 degrees of temperature (Fahrenheit)
as its mean annual maximum, diminishing as is supposed in the
direction of the poles by a fixed ratio ; yet by reason of the dif-
ference in radiative force between water and land and of other

115

causes, the lines which constitute the boundaries of cUmates are
not parallels to the equator, and, if the line which marks any given
degree of mean temperature upon the water be extended in the
direction of land it will on striking it show a rise in the mercury
greater by day, and a fall as much lower by night, than upon the
water, and this difference in the diurnal range of the thermometer
increases as the line extends inward upon the land until we pass
the point to which the modifying influence of the water reaches.
Hence it follows that all vast districts of country, like the valley of
the Mississippi, have riveted upon them by the action of fixed
laws those features of a climate which are termed fickle, great
diurnal ranges of the mercury, and great and sudden changes of
temperature in the seasons. In studying such a climate the pro-
per inquiry for the pomologist is this — Does disaster follow the
action of those periods of intense cold w^hich occur only occa-
sionally in a series of years ? or does it result from those sudden
blasts of hyperborean cold, which in such a climate follow not
unfrequently after vegetable life has been excited by genial
warmth into a state of growth more or less active. After some
personal investigation upon this subject, and the collation of many
communicated facts, the committee are strongly inclined to believe
that although intense cold of long duration may sometimes de-
stroy even the life of a tree by rupture of its tissues from the ex-
pansive force of congelation, yet far the greater number of injuries
experienced by the cultivator, either in health of its trees or in
the thrift of his crops, are traceable to the agency of compara-
tively moderate cold brought to bear upon vegetable life in a state
highly susceptible of harm by reason of the presence of fluids
in a state of circulation, or of fluids upon the surface of the leaves
and branches, or of fluids in a state of saturation in the soil con-
taining the roots. In confirmation of this opinion, they refer to
the following facts, viz : the winter just passed has been one of
marked severity in the West, and the character of the past spring
too was distinguished by some of the most peculiar features of a
changeable climate, aflbrding thus a good opportunity for a com-
parison of the destructive force of intense cold and that of unsea-
sonable cold. The committee find it difficult to refer some casual-
ties reported to the cause of harm, whilst in regard to others there
seems not a shade of doubt in fixing upon the destroying agency.

116

Thus one gentleman had a large peach orchard which in the
spring he found dead; each tree alive in its roots and for a space
up the trunk about as high as the surface of the snow at the time
the mercury went to eighteen degrees below zero. This destruc-
tion would seem like the work of intense cold, but many other
orchards stood the same degree of cold, receiving but little injury
other than the loss of the crop, which evidently occurred at this time.
Whether in this case there was present the condition of a wet soil
to aggravate the force of cold or such a conformation of the earth
as to generate a more intense degree of cold than elsewhere, the
committee are unable to say. In regard to the efiects of the spring
upon vegetable life, proofs are more numerous and far less equivo-
cal. On the l8th of March, the fruit crop, except peaches, was
fast coming forward ; apricots had partially bloomed ; some apples
and pears had in their fruit buds made considerable development,
leaves being formed ; the blossom buds of the plum were very
vigorous and healthy, and the latest had swollen till the coiled
petals were visible. At this time the thermometer sank to thir-
teen degrees above zero, a temperature thirty-one degrees warmer
than that of January ; yet the harm resulting from the temperature
at thirteen above zero has been ten fold greater, the committee
think, than that which w^as caused in January by eighteen below.
Bolmar's Washington and Duane's Purple plums in some places,
although swelling to bloom, were so effectually killed as to show
no more signs of growth ; many varieties of the plum on the same
grounds bloomed but cast their fruit ; some pears and apples had
every fruit and wood bud killed so as to slough off, the same trees
afterward pushing forth adventitious buds and making a new coat
of leaves. The hardy \villow, which had remained unhurt after
the zero spell in January, and was pushing into leaf even to the
points of the branches in March, lost in some places every wood
bud in the system, together with the extremities of the branches
for full six feet in from the points. As for Heart Cherries, although
almost ready to bloom, they were literally swept out of existence ;
one gentleman with an orchard containing sixteen varieties had
only the Ox Heart and two other sorts left, whilst, as if to prove
there was no security in sorts, his neighbor lost all his Ox Hearts
at the same time. Again on the 1st of May, 1851, the fruit crop
from the lakes as far south as we have heard was one of the most

k

117

abundant and most promising ever looked upon. At this time a
fall of the mercury to a temperature ranging from 20 to 26 degrees,
carried off the whole fruit crop except in a few places peculiarly
located, where we believe local causes always exist capable of
preventing this wide range of the thermometer, unless in very rare
cases, when (as Dr. Kirtland has said in one of the best articles
on this subject which has yet been printed) the general cold pre-
vails over the local warmth, as was the case in January last, when
the mercury could not rise on the noon of a bright sunny day.
Such favored situations, the committee believe, are found in belts
of land around bays and lakes, on small islands, and upon elevated
points.

Elevation. — Elevation, like northing or southing from the
equator, diminishes temperature, and by the same book authority
already quoted (the Encyclopsedia Brittannica,) at a point
under the equator where the mean annual temperature is 84°, by
ascending some 6,000 yards one reaches the point of perpetual
congelation, or the mean annual temperature is one degree lower
for each 400 feet of ascent ; the decrease in this case also progressing
by a fixed ratio.

An elevation of 400 feet, according to Loudon, will retard the
season of vegetation three or four days, and is therefore from this
cause favorable to fruit culture, inasmuch as during this delay the
season is advancing to settled warmth. But in cases like that of
May, 1851, where vegetation had made such advances that no
difference seemed to exist between the foliage of the heights and
that upon the plains, a different and far more powerful cause
is required to work that salvation of the fruit crop upon the hills,
which was no where else witnessed in the West except upon belts
of land around the lakes, and those belts very narrow, observes
an eye witness, the very respectable editor of the Western Horti-
cultural Review. What this more powerful force may be, remains
to be settled. The committee, however, deem it a matter of no
small moment, in a climate where fruit culture is uncertain, to
establish it as a truth that hills at a certain elevation enjoy a climate
where the thermometer never rises so high by day as upon the
plains below, and yet never sinks so low at night, that they possess
a climate nearly as uniform as countries surrounded by water and
are nearly as well suited to fruit culture. For a plausible theory

118

on this subject the committee refer to an article which appeared
last year in the columns of the Louisville Journal from the pen
of a member of this committee. The author supposes this uni-
versal agency to be that volume of the atmosphere which is daily
heated by conduction from being in contact with the earth's surface,
and that this volume of air, like other heated masses, giving out
its caloric mainly from the surface in contact with the earth, may
and does, at an elevation of some hundred feet maintain a large
portion of its heat when no wind blows to mingle it with other
strata, during a whole night and until the sun's action again re-
plenishes the stock.

Aspect. — Aspect, the commitee consider in this climate of little
importance, except that a southern one aggravates the evils of a
fickle climate by increasing the power of the sun; and one which
shuts out the noon-tide sun, on the other hand, modifies the tem-
perature, and thereby betters the climate.

In conclusion, the committee remark that they feel assured that
every pomologist entering upon the business of fruit culture in a
climate like that of the West, ought to consider himself engaged
in an employment rendered uncertain by the action of natural
causes, and that this uncertainty can be nowhere escaped except
in the few favored positions protected by " local warmth^'''' such
as the margins of large bodies of water, the summits of hills, or
points sheltered from cold winds. Moreover, they are constrained
to think that it is hoping against hope to expect success in efforts
to cultivate any of the tender fruit trees which die after losing the
young shoots and their system of leaves under action of those
spring frosts spoken of under the head of climate, such as the
Heart Cherry, English Walnut, &c., unless in cities or at some
point not having too wide a range for the mercury.

L. YOUNG, Chairman.

119

REPORT FROM MICHIGAN.

Detroit, Michigan, August, 1852,
To the President of the Pomological Congress :

Sir, — As our State Committee consists of four members, each
residing at different and distant points from the others, we have
thought it would be well for each to report respecting his own
locality. We therefore present reports from different portions of
our state. My own time being very fully occupied in attending
to my duties as Secretary of the Michigan State Agricultural Soci-
ety, which, at this time of the year, are very arduous, and requir-
ing my undivided attention, it will be impossible for me to write
full a pomological report as I would desire.

You will herewith receive a report from Mr. Scott, of Lenawee
County, Mr. Prouty, of Kalamazoo County, Mr. Cone, of Oakland
County, and my own residence being at Detroit, I shall speak
more particularly of the County in which I reside, viz.: Wayne
County.

Nearly the whole of Wayne County is included within that por-
tion of the peninsula, constituting its eastern border, in which no
considerable prominences occur, and the descent to the coast is
gradual and uniform. In this county, consequently, if we except
the township in the north-west corner (Plymouth), the general
level is varied only by gentle undulations, or isolated sand ridges
forming no continuous ranges, and seldom exceeding the relative
height of twenty feet. The greatest elevation of coast from Milk
river point on the St. Clair, down to the Rouge, is about tw^enty
feet ; from the Rouge to the mouth of the Straits, ten feet.

Along the whole eastern border of the county, the altitude at-
tained at a distance of six miles from the coast, varies but little from
33 to 36 feet. At a single point only, in the vicinity of Detroit,
it attains to 45 feet above the river ; the general level of the table
land at this place, being about 26 feet. Beyond this belt the land
rises more rapidly, attaining, at the western line of the county, to
about 140 feet above the Straits.

Two-thirds of the county are flat, heavily timbered lands, pro-
ducing a stout growth of oak, elm, white wood, maple, beech,

120

bass, ash, hickory, butternut, black walnut, &c. Chestnut is
found on sandy ridges in the towns of Dearborn and Van Buren.
The remaining third is undulating oak openings, or plains inter-
spersed with wet, grassy prairies ; the latter obtaining a proportion
of about one-fifth.

Clay and sand loams constitute the soils of the timbered land.
These occupy nearly equal portions of surface and often alternate
within short distances. The former derives its character from a
bed of yellow or brown friable clay, which reposes upon the ex-
tensive blue clay deposite immediately overlaying the lime-rock.
Clay is reached throughout the portions characterized by sandy
soil at a depth of from 5 to 12 feet.

The upper clay has an average thickness of 5 feet. The lower
clay is of a variegated blue color, gravelly, and intersected by
layers or strata of quicksand and gravel. This clay sometimes
approaches the surface, as in the vicinity of Detroit. Its average
thickness must exceed 100 feet.

These soils are excellently adapted to agriculture. Silex enters
largely into their composition. Both clays generally contain a
large portion of lime, which add to their fertility.

An analysis of 100 grains of the clays, taken at random, shew-
ed—

Upper Brown Clay. Lower Blue Clay*

27.50

52.30

18.98

1.22

Sand and silicious matter,

51.50

Alumine,

29.95

Carb. lime.

18.55

Oxide iron,

.00

100.00 100.00

The sandy oak openings and plains are generally productive.
This soil contains only a minute proportion of lime. The town-
ship of Plymouth, situated in the north-west corner of the county,
presents a surface more rolling, and broken into frequent ridges.
They rise often from 60 to 80 feet from the plain, with a steep
declivity, and have no apparent uniform direction. They are
composed of gravel associated at the surface with a clav loam.

121

Deposites of bog iron occur in limited quantities at numerous
places. One hundred grains subjected to a rough analysis, gave —
Silicious and aluminous matter, 26.50

Per-oxid of iron, 72.50

100.00

The above extracts are from the report of the assistant State
Geologist, Bela Hubbard, Esq., made to the legislature in Janu-
ary, 1839. This report shows that a heavy clay soil predominates
in our county. It is hard to work, but by ploughing and manur-
ing, may be rendered light and friable. Upon my own premises
I have almost every variety of soil, and in planting my trees have
endeavored to take all possible advantage of this fact. I will
state somewhat in detail the result of my experiments. A few
years since I laid out a semi-circular road, beginning at the north-
west corner of my land, and continuing around to the north-east-
ern corner. On the west border of this road I commenced plant-
ing cherry trees, twenty feet apart ; and as 1 received new varie-
ties, continued the planting around the border of the road until I
had planted fifty-four varieties, viz : —

*American Amber,

Arch Duke,

*Bigarreau,

*Black Heart,

*Black Eagle,

*Black Tartarian,

Black Mazzard,

Baumann's May,

Belle Magnifique,

Belle de Prusse,

Belle d'Orleans,

Bigarreau Wellington,

Burr's Seedling,

Belle de Choisy,

Butner's Yellow,

Cerasus Mahaleb,

Carnation,

China Bigarreau,
16

Coe's Transparent,

^'Davenport's Early,

Downton,

De 16 a la livre,

De Holstein,

Downer's Late,

Early Purple Guigne,

Elingeur,

Early White Heart,

Elton,

English Gaskin,

Flesh-colored Bigarreau.

Gridley,

Holman's Duke,

Knight's Early Black,

Late May Duke,

Louis Phillippe,

May Duke,

122

Montmorency, Sweet Montmorency,

Manning's Mottled, Tardif d'Argental,

Merveille de Septembre, *Tradescant's Black Heart,

*Napoleon Bigarreau, White Tartarian,

Ox Heart, Wilkinson,

Roberts' Red Heart, Waterloo,

Rockport Bigarreau, W^hite French Guigne,

Reine Hortense, White Bigarreau. %
Sparhawk's Honey,

Those marked thus *, of this line of trees, were planted in sand ;
the line then crosses a ridge of gravel and clay, then clay, then a
mixture of clay and gravel, then gravel, then a heavy sandy loam,
and ending in clay. Some of these trees came into bearing in
1850, others in 1851 and 1852, while others are not yet in bear-
ing. The spring of 1851, it will be remembered, was very w^et,
cold, and backward. In that season, all my cherry trees of a
bearing age were loaded with blossoms, but immediately after the
blossoms fell, of the eight trees standing in the sand, I lost the
American Amber, Bigarreau, Davenport's Early, Black Tartarian,
and Napoleon Bigarreau. I attribute the loss of these trees to the
water standing beneath the surface, for at a distance of about forty
feet I had other trees of the same age and varieties, that not only
blossomed well but remained uninjured, and boie heavy crops.
The land beneath the latter was well underdrained ; beneath the
former it was not.

My cherry trees were in full blossom, in

1850, May 12th.

1851, '' 13th.

1852, " 12th.
Notwithstanding the severity of the last winter, I lost none of

my bearing cherry trees, although in the nursery rows L lost seve-
ral that were one and two years old from the bud.

The cherry trees bore remarkably heavy crops this season, and
matured their fruit well.

The Early Purple Guigne and Baumann's May were ripe on the
25th of June.

The China Bigarreau, American Heart, Early W^hite Heart and
American Amber were ripe on the 29th of June.

123

The Mer^eille de Septembre — is a very good fruit, ripening, this
season, the last of August.

The slug troubles us some, but the birds do us the most injure-
by taking our cherries before they are quite ripe. I protect my
fruit from birds by covering the trees with mosquito netting.

The Late Kentish — is the principal cherry found in our market,
the finer sorts not yet being raised to any great extent.

PEACHES.

Some attention has been given to the cultivation of the peach,
but not so much to the finer sorts as we could wish. We have
often seen in our markets, wagon loads of poor peaches selling at 50
and 75 cents a bushel, while the very few fine peaches were sel-
ling at $1.50 and $2.00 a bushel.

Peach trees do not grow so rapidly on our clay soil as upon the
sand, but they are more hardy, bear heavier crops, and are less
liable to injury by worms at the roots.

Peach trees in this vicinity were somewhat injured by the se-
verity of the last winter, but the theory that peach trees will not
blossom when the mercury falls to 12° below zero, we think is
now proved to be incorrect, for during the last winter the thermo-
meter several times indicated a greater degree of cold than 12°
below zero, yet we never saw the peach, apricot and nectarine
trees blossom more profusely than they did the last spring. It is
true, that in some instances, not only the blossoms fell, but the
trees themselves soon dropped their leaves, withered and died. —
In the nursery, the peach stocks that were budded last fall looked
very promising early in the spring, but they did not start, and we
were obliged to cut down several thousand and bud them again
this season. All our young peach trees are perfectly healthy, and
never grew more vigorously than they do the present season.

We have never known a peach tree in this vicinity to be at-
tacked by the yellows, but the leaf curl has been some little an-
noyance to us.

Our peach crop will not be great this season, but very fair.

PLUMS.

The only drawback we have to the production of an abundance
of plums, is the curculio. Our soil is admirably adapted to the

124

growth of this fruit. The trees grow as freely as Willows, blos-
som full, and set their fruit well, but the curculio steps in and takes
possession of the crop.

The most effectual method that I have tried for preserving my
plums from the attacks of the curculio, is, just as the blossoms fall,
to select the limbs that have the most fruit upon them, and draw
bags made of musquito netting over them, gathering the mouth of
the bag and tying it tightly around the lower end of the limb. In
this way I have succeeded in ripening some very fine specimens of
choice fruit, when all other experiments failed.

PEARS.

In proof of the adaptation of our soil and climate to the suc-
cessful growing of the pear, we have but to point to the magnifi-
cent old specimens now standing along the banks of the Detroit
river. We do not pride ourselves so much upon the quality of
the fruit of these trees as their size, luxuriant growth, and produc-
tiveness ; many of them bearing their annual crops of thirty to
forty bushels each, not only without the least care, but often re-
ceiving the roughest usage.

The pear tree blight is but little known in the vicinity of De-
troit. I have never known it to attack trees that were raised
here, but have occasionally lost trees that were imported. From
this fact I think it quite obvious that whatever the nature of this
disease may be, it does not originate here, but the tree is diseased
when received. I have sometimes received pear trees in the fall,
apparently perfectly healthy, planted them out, and the next
spring some of them show signs of blight ; if the disease does not
extend below the graft, I cut it off below the injury, and gener-
ally save the tree, as it will soon throw up new and vigorous
shoots. In the spring of 1851, I received some trees on quince
stocks, and planted them among my specimen trees, and they
grew well during the season of 1851. This spring I noticed a
few of them were injured by the blight ; I cut them down even
with the surface of the ground ; they are now throwing up strong
shoots, and bid fair to do well.

I have about fifty varieties of pears now in bearing, mostly on
quince stocks, but the drought has been so severe this summer,
that I fear my specimens will not be of suitable size to place upon

125

the tables of the Pomological Congress. My Dearborn's Seed-
ling, Skinless, Madeleine, a; d Early Catharine are now ripe, Au-
gust 20th, but not more than two-thirds grown. Should the
drought continue, we will not be able to place before the Con-
gress fair specimens of fall and winter fruit.

APPLES.

Apples have been cultivated with us to a greater extent than
any other fruit.

There are several old orchaids on the banks of the Detroit
river, raised mostly from seed. We occasionally find an engrafted
tree in the old French orchards, the principal varieties of grafts
being the Pomme de Neige, Calville, Pomme Oris, and Bourassa,
Seedlings in any quantity, of bitter, sweet, sour and mixed.
Yankee taste and enterprise are now at work, and rapidly chang-
ing the face of things in this regard. We are now cultivating,
pretty extensively, many of the best varieties of apples, and we
are unwilling to yield the palm to any other State for size, beauty
or flavor. I have never seen so fine specimens of the Green New-
town Pippin, Yellow Bellefleur, Swaar, Baldwin, or Fall Pippin,
as we usually raise in this vicinity. Had the season been such as
to bring our fruit to its usual size and beauty, we would forward
specimens for your consideration ; but the drought has been so
great that our fruit is small, and we think we would be doing
injustice to ourselves as well as to the Congress by forwarding
specimens of firuit this season.

GRAPES.

The Isabella and Catawba are the principal varieties grown
in Michigan, and these we ripen without any trouble. We
usually gather the Isabella about the 25th September, and the
Catawba a few days later. I have had the Clinton in bearing
three years, but do not think it of much value. It is said to ripen
in the State of New York, two weeks earlier than the Isabella,
but at the time my Isabellas are fully ripe, the Clinton is fit
only for those who are fond of sour Grapes; but let it remain on
the vine until the 1st or 2d week in October, it will then be ripe,
and is a pretty good Grape, but will not compare in flavor witl:
either the Catawba or Isabella.

/ 126

The Clinton is a rampant grower and abundant bearer.

We ripen the Black Hamburg, White Sweet Water, Golden
Chasselas, Black Prince, and some other foreign varieties, in the
open air, but when the vines are five or six years old the fruit is
so liable to mildew, that we do not grow them to any great extent.
A very few are grown under glass with good success.

J. C. HOLMES.

J. C. Holmes, Esq., Chairman of the Committee for Michigan
to the American Pomological Congress :

In compliance with your request that I would join the Commit-
tee, and report for the northern part of this peninsula, I submit for
consideration the following report. As I am a farmer by profes-
sion, and have been engaged in the cultivation of fruit only as one of
the branches of common farm husbandry it will not be expected
that I shall be able to enter into minute details, as those would
who have made fruit growing their only business and study.

The facts here set forth have been gained from my own obser-
vation and experience, and from that of others in different sections
where fruit has been longest cultivated.

Most of this peninsula lying north of the base line has been re-
cently settled, and fruit culture has been but little attended to. —
There are only a few counties settled a sufficient length
of time for the inhabitants yet to pay much attention to the
subject. It is about thirty years since even the oldest coun-
ties were a wilderness, and long after the settlement was com-
menced the settlers had to attend to the more pressing duties of
providing the necessaries of life, which prevented their devoting
much time to the cultivation of fruit. But as they were mostly
emigrants from New York and New England, and knew the value
of fruit, as soon as other duties would permit, many obtained from
the places where they had formerly resided, those fruits they most
highly esteemed. This gave us a good selection, especially of
apples, and the result proved that most varieties succeeded well
here, and that several did even better here than they had done in
places from whence they were taken. The fact was soon estab-
lished that nearly all the fruits cultivated in New York, New
England, and Northern Ohio, were adapted to the soil and climate

127

of this part of Michigan. The difficulties that had to be encoun-
tered in obtaining trees or stocks to engraft, and the limited know-
ledge of fruit culture we then possessed, rendered our progress
slow.

Few at that day, knew how to set a scion, or take proper care
of a tree. Within a few years, however, an interest has been
aw^akened, and knowledge has been rapidly extending, which
promises to work thoroughly, and make this section one that will
not be excelled for the quality and abundance of its fruits, by any
part of the west.

The profits of fruit culture have been greatly diminished by the
ignorance that has prevailed in regard to the proner treatment of
the trees, and the little judgment that has been exercised in mak-
ing a selection, either for domestic purposes or for market. Our
markets are abundantly supplied with fall and early winter fruit,
but there is a scarcity of early fruits of all kinds, and of late keep-
ing apples particularly. Early apples are seldom worth less than
one dollar per bushel, and late keeping kinds from one to two
dollars. Few farmers have apples for family use more than half
the year, when they might easily obtain those kinds that would
ripen in succession during the entire year.

The rage for extending the lists of even untried varieties, is an-
other serious evil. The extended lists heretofore offered for sale
by our nurserymen have induced many to cultivate those kinds
that were not first-rate, or were not adapted to their market. —
This evil is now being corrected, as the list of trees offered for sale
has lately been much curtailed and improved.

Our fruit trees have been nearly exempt from disease, and our
fruit almost without an enemy, until within a few years. The
curculio first attacked the plums with such effect that their cul-
tivation was soon abandoned, as no remedy had been found that
was sufficiently simple and expeditious for common application.

Some varieties of pears (the Summer Bon Chretien in particu-
lar), began to diminish in size and crack some years since, and
two or three years the fruit became worthless. From a single
experiment tried two years ago, it was ascertained that a thorough
thinning out of the small branches, and heavy manuring, con-
sisting of the sweepings of a blacksmith shop, where horses have

128

been shod, would restore the fruit to its original size and flavor,
and increase the productiveness of the trees.

The greatest enemy by far that has yet appeared, is the apple
worm. It was first noticed here three years ago; it did not
then cause any alarm, but last year it destroyed, or greatly injured,
much of the small crop of both apples and pears.

This season it is doing great injury to what promised, in the
early part of the season, to be an abundaut crop of fair fruit. As
the habits of this worm are different this season from what it has
heretofore been, I am inclined to believe that two broods have
been produced this season, and the last commenced their attack
on the fruit only a short time since. The reasons for my opinion
are, that nearly all the fruit that was stung early, dropped before
coming to maturity. All the early fruit that came to maturity was
untouched, and but four weeks ago, few specimens of the later
fruits on the trees showed any appearance of the worm ; but now,
(Sept. 7,) a large part of the fruit is stung not only in the eye, but
in many places on the surface, and I have taken six or eight worms
from a single apple, from an eighth to a quarter of an inch long,
making their way from the surface towards the centre.

Is the common theory in regard to the habits of the apple-worm
correct, or is there not some other place than the crevices in the
bark of the tree where they remain during the winter ? I am
inclined to think there is, for my own trees have been annually
scraped and washed with lye ; the trunks and branches have been
kept smooth, the ground has been well cultivated around them,
the young trees, and sometimes the old ones, have been mulched
with partly rotted straw, removed or dug in the fall, and yet the
worm has injured my fruit much more than it has that of others in
this vicinity who have entirely neglected their trees.

Has not the mulch been a harbor for the worm ?

The limits of this report will not allow me to name the different
varieties that have been fully tested and pronounced first rate, or those
that have not succeeded well. If I should, I would, no doubt, make
many mistakes in regard to names. There are many varieties that
are cultivated under many different names, and it is in some cases
extremely difficult to ascertain the true name. Many do not at all
RS[ree with the description we find in the books. The Esopus

129

Spitzenberg is not like that grown in New York. With us it is
larger ; flesh not so firm, and much less acid. The Early Joe,
which has been fruited here for two seasons, does not at all agree
with the description given by Barry. Here it is of medium size ;
some specimens now before me measuring nine and a half inches
in circumference. In color they are not deep red, but rather
striped with red, spotted with yellow slightly russetted spots, and
resembling in color the Westfield Seek-no-further. The specimens
that I have of the Early Joe are true, the scions having been ob-
tained from the original tree.

I would, in conclusion, remark that we have been visited with
the most severe and protracted drought that was ever known here,
and our fruit has suffered materially in consequence. In some or-
chards, in which grain has been grown, the fruit has withered when
half grown upon the tree, and the trees now have the appearance of
being nearly dead.

Regretting that this duty had not been assigned to one better
qualified to perform the task, I subscribe myself

Yours, truly,

LINUS CONE.

Troy, Oakland Co., Michigan, Sept. 7, 1852.

REPORT FROM ILLINOIS.

The greatest evils which fruit growers are called to confeM with
in central Illinois are, severe and changeable winters, late frosts in
spring, and the various forms of blight and rot.

The severe cold in winter is supposed often to kill both fruit and
trees, especially the Pears and Peaches, while, if they escape this
trial, the spring frosts often take them. The soil is surpassingly
rich, and the trees never fail to do the very best the frosts, insects,
and blights will allow. Their growth, and the abundance and fine
quality of the fruit is almost incredible, when not interrupted by
any of these casualties.

The last winter was severe ; however, the trees generally es-
caped injury, but the fruit did not. There are no peaches, few
pears and cherries, and but a moderate crop of apples.

The plums are far more abundant than they have been for years

before. Those kinds that escaped the frost have generally ma-
17

130

tured their fruit well ; having been totally destroyed by frosts in
the bloom the year before, but few of the progeny of the Grand
Turk survived the famine to continue their work of destruction
this year. However, there is evidence that enough of them sur-
vived to perpetuate the race by some means, and shew us that
there can be no final remission of the crusade against him. The
few that have survived, will doubtless obey the command to in-
crease and multiply, and will not forget in future years to act wor-
thily of the renown of their ancestors, as many people do.

But the seasons in which all our fruit is destroyed by cold are
comparatively so rare that we could get along with hat well
enough, and with the periodical destruction of the Grand Turk
also, were it not for those appalling forms of disease that attack
our full grown apple and pear trees, especially the latter — general-
ly, though very indiscriminately, called the blight. We think we
have had several forms of this disease ; but its present form is far
worse than any other.

It first appears to the careless observer on the terminal shoots
which turn black and perish for several inches on the' apple, and
sometimes for several feet even on the pear, in a very few hours.

This is generally attributed to the soil or climate, but I am fully
satisfied that this is not the cause ; for, as a writer in the Prairie
Farmer has truly remarked, it appeared last year on our native
crab-apples and forest trees, especially the hickories and elms and
oaks in this vicinity, as well as on cultivated trees, and on my
grounds it was generally worse on Native Seedling Pears raised
from the seed for two generations on the spot, than on any others ;
and much worse on the Native Crab-Apples than on trees more
cared for. Besides, this form of blight is beginning to appear in
all soils and cUmates, from Maine to Georgia, and also in Europe ;
and is it true that no soil and no climate suits the Pear at this par-
ticular crisis — not even crab-apples, oaks, and elms ? I cannot
believe it.

I was compelled to believe that it was some change or casual-
ty totally irrespective of both soil and climate, before I discovered
what I think to be the true cause.

That there is a blight caused by heat or by cold, by soil or by
climate, and also by the Scolytus Pyri, and by several other in-
sects which infest the pear and apple, I am constrained to admit.

131

from the testimony of gentlemen of undoubted capacity in these
matters, and several of these forms of blight I have myself seen on
my own grounds.

But there is a form of blight here more fatal to the pear tree
especially, than all these combined, ss scores of practical men in
this vicinity would readily testify. We all now unitedly believe
it to be the work of a microscopic insect, and notwithstanding the
strictures in the Journals on my hasty article in the Horticulturist,
I do not know of a single man in this county, who has changed
his opinion in the matter, or is likely to do so. We think w^e know
what we see here with our own eyes ; whether it exists elsewhere or
not, is for others to say. This insect is not a bark-louse of any
form, nor is it anything described in the books or horticultural re-
ports, or any more like any of these than a pig is like an alligator
or a rhinoceros. Its habits are still unknown, and are likely to
be for some time to come. But that it is so small as to be invisi-
ble through ordinary microscopes, and seen fairly only under a
powerful solar microscope, is well known to many ; also, that it
infests the neck, trunk, crotches, and larger limbs of trees, upon
the outer bark, and diffuses its poison there, long time before the
sudden perishing of the terminal shoots, is perfectly apparent to
any man who has a jack-knife and a pair of eyes ; hundreds have
examined and testified to this fact. Even before it was suspected
to be the work of an insect, though the casual or careless exam-
iner finds no symptoms of disease until the final, sudden death of
the terminal shoot warns him of the danger. Now, in the case
of the Scolytus Pyri and one or two other unknown insects, this
sudden death of the terminal shoot is all there is about it; and
generally, at least on the apple, it is all that ensues — though the
poison sometimes, even in these cases, will run down on the pear.

But in the case of this new form of insect, or microscopic insect
blight, it is far otherwise. I have myself examined hundreds of
trees, and I never yet saw a terminal shoot aflfected with it, when
I could not find obvious evidences of the fatal poison below —
sometimes quite down to the ground ; and in such cases the tree
will invariably die to the ground, unless something is done to
vent it, though there may be many feet of perfectly sound
wood, apparently, between the fatal spot and the withering shoot
or twig.

132

The experience of this year not only convinces us that this is
the work of the insect described in the Horticulturist, but also
encourages us to hope (and only to hope) that we have hit upon
the right remedy ; for the trees on my own grounds promptly
treated with soap and tobacco water, spirits of turpentine, and
lampblack, are thoroughly restored ; while a single row, omitted for
want of time until the insects had hatched and gone into the bark,
is still as badly diseased as ever, or almost as badly, the late care
probably having done some good. On the contrary, one gentleman,
one mile from me, omitted all care of his trees ; they were about
ten or twelve inches through, and the finest in the county. But
they are all now dead or worse than dead. Another gentleman,,
two miles distant, sceptical at first, finally, after a personal ex-
amination, became convinced, and applied whale oil soap to
the blighted trees, with a caustic alkali to dissolve it after-
wards, and all his trees are now, as he informs me, perfectly free
from blight, and in fine order. Another gentleman washed his
apple orchard in simple soap-suds, and I am told it can now be
seen to the very tree to what extent he applied it, as all trees
so washed are healthy, and all others blighted. Another stilly
applied a rope covered with tar, to some of his trees, and says
that on those so treated there is no blight, while it is on all the
others. This last case, however, I think will be found to be a
case of blight that comes from a larger insect perforating the ter-
minal bud, and not from the microscopic insect, so fatal to pears.
Another gentleman from Massachusetts, quite unknown to me,
wrote me in the spring, that he had discovered the same micro-
scopic insect mentioned in the Horticulturist, on his pear trees,
and had applied oil paint with entire success.

Another still, writes from the South, that he has found the
same insect there. So that I am induced to believe that this
form of blight is not exclusively local. All the above cases, of
course, did not come under my own notice, and I can only give
the report as given to me. That every apple and pear tree, on
my own place, was last year hopelessly diseased, as I thought —
that all my Privet bushes and hedges were, in midsummer, killed
quite to the ground is quite certain, and that I have now totally
eradicated the evil from my premises, except on the neglected
trees above specified, and that several of my neighbors have done

133

the same is quite as certain ; while those who did nothing last
year have found the disease to steadily progress toward death, is
equally sure. It may be thought that this insect follows the
disease instead of producing it ; but I think the evidence con-
clusive the other way, and wrote for the Horticulturist only in
order that others might observe and be convinced of the fact — for
it would be difficult, and perhaps impossible, to convince any man
on this point, who had not examined, thoroughly, for himself, or
at least received the testimony of a great many corroborating wit-
nesses who had so examined ; and it is not reasonable to expect
or ask conviction from sensible men on any other ground — there
is so great a liability to mistakes in matters so exceedingly small.

I can, however, state that so far as I know, every person whose
attention was seasonably called to the phenomena, was fully con-
vinced of the cause of the evil — and all the remedies adapted to
that view, have in every case, so far as I know, proved successful
and satisfactory, while all other known remedies have failed.

After the writer in the Prairie Farmer spoke of the blight on
the forest trees, I found the larvae of this insect on the elms and
hickories in my own yard.

It is barely possible that this blight will be found at last to he,
not the result, but the cause of the spread of this insect ; but I
do not think any such result probable, nor am I aware of any one
who has had any fair opportunity to examine the case in all its
bearings, who anticipates any such result. The assumption that
this insect causes the blight, fully explains all the known phe-
nomena so far — no other supposition does — while that there are
other forms of blight caused by insects and other causes wholly
different, there can be no reasonable doubt ; but they have never
proved so serious and fatal with us as this last form.

I found an apparently similar disease in almost every one of my
Newtown Pippin apple trees, in an orchard of about twenty-five
acres, on my farm ten miles from this place. Most of these trees
are of this kind, say about eight or nine hundred in number, the
rest of the orchard standing, mixed promiscuously together with
these, are of other choice varieties, all set out at the same time,
and in the same manner.

This disease appears most fully on the rough bark, two or three
feet from the ground, where the scion was united to the seed stock,

134

or in the crotches, or in any place where there is any roughness of
bark, and when this bark is cut or pared off with a sharp knife,
there the disease more fully appears.

There will be found dead gangrened blotches of bark extending
sometimes quite down to the sap-wood, even where the outer bark
looked sound and healthy.

These trees are some seven or eight years old, and of fine and
healthy growth and appearance, and just coming into bearing —
say with trunks from nine to eighteen inches in circumference.
Now every one of the Newtown Pippin trees in this orchard have
this plague-spot on them, more or less, while not one of any other
kind is so affected, so far as I could find. What is the cause of
this, will any gentleman explain ?

The trees all look as healthy and fine as ever, and as the dis-
ease is so latent that it was not discovered till July, quite too late
to do anything for their good this year, the probability is that the
disease will extend and cause their sudden death, as several have
already died at short notice, while in apparently full leaf and
growth. I cannot say what ails these trees, but I strongly sus-
pect it is the same insect, as is found here at home on the Pear ;
and I also suspect that it has been the cause of so numerous deaths
among the Newtown Pippins, elsewhere ascribed to soil and cli-
mate ; and it is said lime cures or prevents their death in these
cases by its action on the soil ; but may it not be its action on this
insect after all, about the roots of the tree. I throw out these
hints merely as suggestive, and would advise all my friends who
find that their soil or climate does not agree with Pear and
Newtown Pippin apple trees, to look well to the rough bark of
these trees, especially spring and fall, and examine carefully with
a knife, and if they find symptoms of disease there, or any unnat-
ural rustiness or scurviness or dead blotches, to cleanse them well
with a knife, removing all the dead parts, and wash the whole
tree in a decoction of strong tobacco water, mixed with about one
fourth strong soap, and enough finely sifted air-slacked lime to
make it slightly thick and adhesive. This done in the fall, will
also keep rabbits from young trees, and in July, will kill off
or keep off most of the young borers. It should also be done, in
March or April, for this blight insect, as well as in summer and fall,
so as to destroy the larvse.

135

Of all the things applied to the roots of the trees, I have found
the following mixture did the best on our soil, the last year : — half
peck of lime, half peck of ashes, two quarts of salt, one peck of
powdered charcoal, dug in about the roots and piled against the
stem, in the fall or early winter. Trees so treated, in addition to
their washing, gave a more healthy and vigorous growth than
from any other application to the root.

As to Grapes we find no remedy for the rot, as yet, though it is
far less fatal this year than last. I have dug a pit, 20 feet square,
and bricked it and cemented it over top, bottom and sides, making
arched vaults for suds and other liquid manure under the whole,
filling the pit wholly with artificial soils — and so constructed
as to have at all times from the pits an abundant and regular supply
of moisture without any excess. I shall have here a full opportu-
nity to test the various effects of soil aloney and will report to the
public in due time.

I have also other experiments in progress for testing the various
effects of atmosphere and moisture on other vines, and I hope we
shall all labor till the true cause of this deplorable rot is fully
searched out.

My ow-n present opinion coincides with that of Mr. Longworth,
as I understand him ; but I am not, after all, fully satisfied, that
this also will not be found the work of an insect, at the root of the
vines, for the vines, 10 years old, which I took pains to dig out
whole, though running over some 20 feet square of earth and some
three or four feet deep last spring — presented to me appearances
which I could not fully account for on any other supposition. But
as I have these now in the pits above named, I shall subject them
to future examination.

It should be noted in this connexion that I received this day,
(Aug. 25,) from S. Francis, Esq., an editor and horticulturist of
Springfield, of well known and deserved repute in the west, a
box of fully ripe Fox Grapes, which mature well in Springfield,
111., in Mr. Francis' garden, every year, even when all other sorts
rot entireJy. They are a fine, large, greenish red Grape, of a
round shape, larger than the Catawba ; skin rather thick, and not
so spirited and high flavored, though quite good ; to my taste in-
ferior to either the Isabella or Catawba ; but those more accus-

136

tomed to them, think them even better. This vine originated
from the north-western part of Connecticut, and is there cultivated
for its superior qualities. This Grape is worthy of serious atten-
tion in Illinois though probably not fit for wine.

Perhaps I ought to remark that I washed two Plum trees with
strong soap and tobacco water, trunk and limbs, late in the fall,
and again when in bloom, to improve their bark and growth. —
Sometime in March, also, I covered the ground under these trees
w4th tobacco stems, about one inch thick, as far out as the limbs
extended. Now these two trees are so loaded with ripe plums,
that I was obliged to prop up all the limbs, to prevent breaking;
and there are twice as many plums on them as on any others in
the row, and few or no marks of the curculio. I mention the fact
to pass for what it is worth. This year I do not consider that
any such experiment proves any thing for reasons above stated,
though attention should be called to every fact of the kind.

May not the soap and tobacco water have killed all the insects
or larvae, on or about the trunk and limbs ? and the tobacco stems
those under the tree — or at least driven them away ^

Some twelve years ago, I selected a quite famous wild Plum,
from the forests in this county, which was noted for its fine flavor
and for its tendency to resist the curculio, when all others failed.
It is of good size — rich and sweet — and a gentleman from New
York remarked last evening, that he had seldom found so good a
Plum in that market, to his taste, as this. The skin is rather thick,
and the color reddish yellow, with rusty spots, quite rich and
agreeable. From the trees I have propagated from this sort, we
almost always have plenty of Plums, without care, even when
they fail on all others. What the cause is, unless it be the pecu-
liarity of the skin, I cannot say. I intend to improve this Plum
still further, by cultivation, as a last hope for the west, till the
'^ turk" capitulates.

Gooseberries w^ith me do well, when well pruned, manured,
salted and mulched, in early spring, never without.

Currants are alwa^/s abundant.

Cherry trees, in this region, of the finer sorts, generally die about
the time of the change of the outer bark, if not particularly at-
tended to.

137

I enclose a rough draft and description of our most famous
August apple in these parts. It was introduced here by Timothy
Chamberlain, Esq., and named by him the Orange Apple. He
says that the same has been called in Ohio, the Tallow Apple,
and in the South, the Hoase or Horse Apple, but this I think
somewhat doubtful. The apple I have seen as the Horse Apple^
is an earlier and far inferior fruit. This apple now brings readily
one dollar per bushel in our market, while plenty of common ap-
ples can be had from twenty to forty cents per bushel.

I regret exceedingl}^ that I shall not be able to attend the Con-
gress ; and I do not know that this hasty and ill-digested report
can do any good, but I feel confident that under the inspection of
such minds as will be there assembled, it can do no real harm,
and may be the occasion of eliciting from others, more valuable
thoughts and observations in future, on the same topics. It iSj
therefore, respectfully submitted as it is, by

Yours, truly, J. B. TURNER,

(Orange Apple, now in full prime, August 20, 1852.)

Tree — a fine grower and bearer, with a regular open top, shap-
ed much like the figure of the apple itself.

18

138

Apple—size, and shape, as noted from a real specimen now m
hand.

Co/or— yellowish green. Bat the shape is sometimes a little
more, and sometimes a little less, oval — -sometimes a little larger,
and often smaller, than the outline given.

Calyx — not deep, but small and closed — stem three-fourths of
an inch long, and curved, as in drawing — a few spots or specks
of rusty green sprinkled about the stem.

Flavor — -sub-acid, tender, juicy, sparkling and crisp — breaks
easily in falling, and also before the teeth or knife.

I have never found a person who did not consider this fruit al-
together superior to any other apple of the season, ift all respects.
Mr. Chamberlain introduced it here from his nursery, and named
it the Orange Apple. He procured the scions from an orchard
brought from the east or south — the labels and history of which
have never been preserved, and whether this tree is from that
source or not, is still unknown.

Can any one give us its true name, if it is not Fall Orange ?

The subjoined letter was handed to the Secretaries by Thomas
P. James, the Recording Secretary of the Pennsylvania Horticul-
tural Society (by-request,) and read.

LETTER FROM ANDRE LEROY, NURSERIES AT ANGERS, FRANCE,

Angers, August 1st, 1852.
Mr. Thomas P. James, at Philadelphia : —

I have the honor to inform you that I forwarded you, through
my agent, Mr. Edouard Bossange, 138 Pearl Street, New^ York, a
box containing pictures of new fruits, that I offer to the Pennsyl-
vania Horticultural Society, to be exhibited to the Pomological
Congress, which will meet in your city on September 13th, which
please to be kind enough to accept for this object.
I am, very respectfully, yours,

ANDRE LEROY.

139

The pictures referred to in the preceding letter are :

1. St. Catharine Plum.

2. Fastolf Raspberry, Double Bearing Raspberry, Yellow Ant-

werp Raspberry.

3. Rose-fruited true service tree.

4. Large Early Apricot of Alexandria.

5. Planchoury Cherry.

6. Cherry Currant.

7. Fertile Currant of Palluau.

8. Large fruited Mahonia.

And another letter, from the s ime source, accompanying a
model pear and apple — the Poire Belle Angevine (Uvedale's St.
Germain Pear), and Pomme Belle du Havre : and specimens of
the Syrup of Mahonia and Preserves of Mahonia and Currant.
Also another, communicating interesting notes describing the
fruits represented by the paintings and models and the preserves
sent — with useful remarks on synonyms ; after being partially trans-
lated, it was found that portions of these letters had already been
given to the public through an extensively disseminated periodical
of this country, and other portions in Mr. Leroy's Catalogue. And
it was inferred that the remainder would thus appear, on w^hich
account their publication in these transactions was not deemed
necessary.

The thanks of the American Pomological Society are justly due
to Mr. Leroy for having had the gratification of seeing the beau-
tiful paintings, models and preserves of objects so interesting.

140

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE AMERICAN
POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

CONSTITUTION.

Article I. The name of this Association shall be the American
Pomological Society.

2. Its object shall be the advancement of the Science of Po-
mology.

3. It shall consist of Delegates appointed by Horticultural, Ag-
ricultural, and kindred Societies in the United Stales and British
America, and of such other persons as take an interest in the wel-
fare of the Association, and are desirous of promoting its aims.

4. The meetings shall be held biennially, at such time and place
as may be designated by the Society ; and special meetings may
be convened at any time on the call of the President.

5. The officers shall consist of a President, one Vice-President
from every State, Territory and Province represented, a Treasurer
and a Secretary ; and shall be elected by ballot or otherwise at
every biennial meeting.

BY-LAWS.

1 . The President shall have a general superintendence of the
affairs of the Society during its vacation ; give due public notice
of the time and place of meeting; preside at its deliberations;
deliver an address on some subject relating to Pomology, at every
biennial meeting; and appoint all committees, unless otherwise
directed.

2. In case of the death, sickness, or inability of the President,
his official duties shall devolve on one of the Vice-Presidents, ac-
cording to the order in which they stand on the minutes.

3. The Treasurer shall receive all moneys belonging to the So-
ciety, and pay over the same on the written orders of the Presi-
dent.

141

4. The Secretary shall, with the assistance of a reporter ap-
pointed by him, keep a record of the transactions of the Society
for publication.

5. There shall be an executive committee consisting of five
members, together with the President and Vice-Presidents ex-
officio, five of whom shall constitute a quorum, who shall manage
the affairs of the Society during its vacation.

6. State Fruit Committees, consisting of five members each,
for every State, Territory and Province represented, and a general
chairman over all, shall be appointed biennially ; it shall be the
duty of the several State Fruit C6mmittees to forward to the gen-
eral chairman, one month before every biennial meeting, State
Pomological Reports, to be condensed by him for publication.

7. A Standing Committee on Native Fruits, consisting of seven
members, shall be appointed by the President immediately after
his election. It shall be the duty of this committee to report an-
nually on Native Fruits, and also to examine, and, before the close
of the session, report on all new seedling varieties that may be
exhibiled ; and to make an ad interim report on those that were
exhibited in .an unripe condition at the meeting of the Society,
but ^haid -subsequently attained a state of maturity ; and on such
other seedlings as may have been submitted to their inspection
during the Society's vacation.

8. A standing committee on Foreign Fruits, consisting of seven
members, shall be appointed, whose duties shall be similar to those -
of the committee in by-law seven.

9. A standing committee on synonyms, consisting of seven,
members, shall be appointed biennially. ^

10. Vacancies occurring in committees shall be filled by the
chairman of each, and in case of his death or inabihty to serve, \
his place shall be supplied by the President of the Society. \

11. The members of this Society shall pay two dollars biennially, .^
and^wenty dolldrgspaid at one time shall constitute one life-mem-*
bership. ,

12 ORDER OF BUSINESS.

1. Credentials of Delegates presented.

2. Address of the President.

i

142

3. Election of Officers.

4. Reports of State Fruit Committees.

5. New business.

13. The Constitution and By-Laws may be altered or amended
at any regular biennial meeting, by a vote of two-thirds of the
members present.

^<^-Caleb Cope,
/--< A. H. Ernst,
L/""" S. L. Goodale,
■.y- Col. B. Hodge,
i;^" Lawrence Young,
y^H. J. French,
\/^ Frederick Holbrook,
/..i^ Samuel Walker,
l^^ Stephen H. Smith,
ly— Dr. A. S. Munson,
/'<^-' Thomas Hancock,
l^^. Tatnall, Jr.,
l^John Feast,
/--^Yardley Taylor,
^Joshua Peirce,
l/^ Joshua Lindley,

/-HR,obert Chisholm,
K^i. Richard Peters,
^^George G. Coster,
^B. F. Nourse,
^ Thomas Afflick,
^>- Henry E. Lawrence,
//^Rev. C. H. Byington,
^^-^ Thomas Allen,

OFFICERS ELECTED IN 1852.

Hon. Marshall P. Wilder.

Vice- Presidents ,

Pennsylvania,
Ohio, ^ -

Maine, J^"^^

New York; ^ ^ *y^y^ f" "^^

Kentucky, ,^^>:^^^^s^!^^^^^^^^^^^^

New Hampshire, ^^^s^L,^-"^^'^^

Vermont,

Massachusetts,

Rhode Island,

Connecticut,

New Jersey,

Delaware,

Maryland,

Virginia,

District of Columbia,

North Carolina,

South Carolina, /::^c /V ;//*^/""

Georgia, i^^^^

Alabama,

Florida,

Mississippi, ^-'Q' \

Louisiana, /O i i^ Ss h tfHj
Arkansas, f f^ ■< ■ ,-
Missouri, C'^/ " ^yL,

'*«^

(A^^'

143

-ff^'C.

Iowa,

Wisconsin,
Illinois,
Indiana, /'
Tennessee, ^
California,
Utah,
Canada West

VV''

rsCanadaEasl. Ji/^j-^^^ ;;' ^<^ ^ J^ ,

y'

/^ames Grant,

/^. P. Talmadge,
^-^•Dr. Kennicott,

l/^ S. S. Connett^

^ D; W. Yandeil,

t^Ui'. Henry Gibbons,

/^Edward Hunter,
^^^m James Dougall, ^^-'P^yi^t^-^
^ *• Hugh Allen, ^^^'/"v-;- • '

I , H. W^ S. Cleveland, New Jersey.

Treasurer^
/--Thomas P. James, Pennsylvania.

Executive Committee,

-— The President and Vice-Presidents ex-officio.
^:^ Dr. W. D. Brinckle, Pennsylvania,

*^Hon. B. V. French, Massachusetts,

— Eichard Peters, Georgia,

' — Dr. John A. Warder, Ohio.

Committee on Foreign Fruits.

•^C. M. Hovey, Massachusetts,

"^P. Barry, New^ York,

— <^harles Downing, New York,

—Dr. J. P. Kirtland, Ohio,

-^R,. Buist,
■^;— S. L. Goodale.
— 'C. B. Lines,

Pennsylvania,

Maine,

Connecticut.

Committee on Motive Fruits.

(TDr. W. D. Brinckle,
— F. R. Elliott,
t^E. T^jnall, Jiv,
•^j^rhomas Hancock,
-^-Col. B. Hodge,
^ H. P. Byram,
Robert Pvlanning,

Pennsylvania,

Ohio,

Delaware,

New Jersey,

New York,

Kentucky, ^^.^

Massachusetts,

^J^ '^^^/^Z^'

144

■Hon. J. S. Cabot,
J. J. Thomas,
A. H. Ernst,
Dr. J. A. Kennicott,
S. D. Pardee,
'A. Saul,
James D. Fulton,

Committee on Synonyms.

MassachusettSj

New York,

Ohio,

Illinois,

Connecticut,

New York,

Pennsylvania.

State Fruit Committees.

— Hon. Samuel Walker,

Chairman for

— p. Barry,

— T. P. James,

— Dr. Lewis P. Bush^ '-'

— Joshua Peirce, *' *'
, — Rt. Rev. Stephen Elliott, Jr.
•— Yardley Taylor?
^ Col. Henry Little,

— H. F. French,
^Dr. E. Wight,

— C. Goodrich,
— Stephen H. Smith?

— George Gabriel,
— William Reid,
-^ Samuel Feast,

— William Summer,
— Henry K. Burgwyn,
-^R. Buchanan,

— Dr. J. A. Kennicott, "
J. D. G. Nelson, "

— Capt. F. W. Macondry, "
•** Charles A. Peabody, "

A. G. Sems, "

E. D. Hobbs, "

"•►-Thomas Afflick, "

James Grant,

— Thomas Allen,

ii.

n
u
u

cc

cc

General Chairman.

New York,

Pennsylvania,

Delaware,

District of Columbia,

Georgia,,

Virginia,

Maine,

New Hampshire,

Massachusetts,

Vermont,

Rhode Island,

Connecticut,

New Jersey,

Maryland, '

South Carolina? i^^-::?^^ /I ^-Z^X^

North Carolina?

Ohio,

Illinois,

Indiana,

California, ^ ^

Alabama, Er^J^}^ , Z^l^

Florida, / V ^ $^j.^M^ &H^^[

Kentucky,

Mississippi, ^7^^^?.^ U.^ / ^

Iowa,

Missouri.

.^

145

NAMES AND RESIDENCES OF MEMBERS.

MAINE.

S. L. Goodale, Saco,
Henry Little, Bangor, life.

MASSACHUSETTS.

B. V. French, Braintree, life.
Samuel Walker, Roxbury.
Marshall P. Wilder, Boston, life,

CONNECTICUT.

Elizur E. Clarke, New Haven.

C. B. Lines,
0. F. Winchester,

n.

NEW YORK.

■^ P. Barry, Rochester.

Francis Briel, Astoria, L. I.
Alfred Bridgeman, New York.
ZeraBurr, Perrineton,jMontgom-

ery Co.
A. P. Cummings, New York.
Chas. Downing, Newburgh.
A. Frost & Co., Rochester.
- B. Hodge, Buffalo.

Thomas Hogg, New York.
H. E. Hooker, Rochester.
Frederick Law Olmstead,
south side Staten Island.
^ R. B. Parsons, Flushing, L. I.
^^ S. B. Parsons, ''

"-- J. E. Ranch, New York.
^^ A. Saul, Newburgh.

J. J. Thomas, Macedon, Wayne

Co.
W. P. Townsend, Lockport.
James H. Watts, Rochester.
— C. P. WilUams, Albany.
19

NEW JERSEY.

H. W. S. Cleveland, Burlington.
Geo. B. Deacon, "

Sam'l J. Guestin, Newark.
Thos. Hancock, Burlington.
Edward Harris, Moorestown.
Jabez M. Hayes, Newark.
John Perkins, Moorestown.
Daniel Pettit, Salem.
Wm. Reid, Elizabethtown.

PENNSYLVANIA.

Geo. Blight, Germantown.
Dr. Wm. D. Brinckle, Philad'a.
Robert Buist, "

Jacob Cocklin, Sheppardstown,

Cumberland Co.
Caleb Cope, Philadelphia.
Alan W. Corson, Plymouth,

Montgomery Co.
John Dick, Philadelphia.
Dr. J. K. Eshleman, Downing'n.
Jacob Frantz, Paradise, Lan. Co.
John S. Haines, Germantown.
Thos. P. James, Philadelphia.
Wm. H. Keim, Reading.
S. Kerby, Maiden C'k, Berks Co.
David Landreth, Philadelphia.
Jas. S. McCalla,
Dr. Thos. McEwen, "
David Miller, Jr., Carlisle.
Anthony F. Newbold, Philadel.
Thos. Penrose, Maiden Creek,

Berks Co.
Daniel Rhodes, Lancaster.
R. Robinson Scott, Philadelphia.
John Zimmerman, Lancaster.

146

DELAWARE.

Edw. Tatnall, Jr., Wilmington.

MAYRLAND.

Wm. G. Baker, Baltimore.
Samuel Feast, "

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

Thos. Blagden, Washington.
Joshua Peirce, Linnean Hill.

VIRGINIA.

H. R. Robey, Fredericksburg.
Oliver Taylor, Loudon Valley.

OHIO.

F. R. Elliott, Cleveland.

A. H. Ernst, Cincinnati.
R. G. Jones, Columbus.

Dr. J. A. Warder, Cincinnati.

GEORGIA.

R. Peters, Atalanta.

FLORIDA.

B. F. Nourse, Apalachicola.

147

EULOGIUM

ON THE

LATE A. J. DOWNING,

PRONOUNCED BEFORE THE

American Pomological Congress, at Philadelphia,

September 13th^ 1852,

BY HON. MARSHALL P. WILDER.

The annual return of the twenty-eighth of July will moisten
the eyes and agonize the hearts df many American citizens.

On the morning of that disastrous day two steamers, the Armenia
and the Henry Clay, with numerous passengers on board, start
from the capital for the chief commercial port of the Empire State.
Like " stately sailing swans" they glide swiftly over the smooth
surface of the Hudson. The fire within them waxes warm; their
awful energies are roused ; they run abreast — anon, the " bird of
the west" darts ahead and distances her Orient rival. She calls
at her landings, swells the number of her passengers, and with
fearful velocity bears them onward.

They admire the varied landscapes, the cottages, villas, towns,
cities, bold cliffs and lofty mountains, which have given the sce-
nery about this majestic river a world-wide renown.

They near a city, which rises in beauty and grace from its
western bank back to the brow of the distant hill. There is a

" Cottage^ half embowered
With modest jessamine, and there a spot
Of garden ground, where, ranged in neat array,
Grow countless sweets."

Its architecture is in the most approved Elizabethan style. Its
grounds are tastefully laid out and adorned, and he who named it

148

** Highland Gardens" accurately translated the natural language
of the place. It overlooks the city and the river^ and commands
a view of one of the most extensive and beautiful landscapes in
the world. The very site seems designed by nature for the birth-
place of genius, and for the abode of comfort, taste and learning.

Its proprietor, with his relatives and friends, six in all, take
passage in the ill-fated boat. She bears them on toward their port
of destination, when suddenly the alarm of hre rings like a death
knell through that floating sepulchre. The passengers are ordered
aft, and she is headed for the eastern shore. In a moment all is
consternation and horror, which no language can describe, no
painter's pencil sketch. Her Whole centre is on fire* She strikes
the bank two miles below the town of Yonkers. The wind en-
velopes the multitude on her stern in smoke and flame. "With a
fearful odds in the chances of escape, the Great Destroyer offers
them their choice between a death by flame, or a death by flood.
Alas! on some he inflicts both; they are first burned and then
drowned !

They are driven before the devouring element, and entrust
themselves to the mercy of the waves. Amidst the crowd at the
stern, stands a man of tall and slender habit and of thoughtful
expression, whose penetrating eye surveys this perilous scene, and
seeks the most favorable chance of escape. His accustomed self-
possession fails him not in this awful extremity. He imparts wise
counsels for personal preservation to his friends and those about
him ; then climbs to the upper deck for articles from the furniture
of the boat, on which they may float to the shore. He returns,
but his beloved wife and part of his company have already been
driven overboard. He commits the rest, and last of all himself,
also, to the fatal flood,

" Forlorn of heart, and by severe decree
Compelled reluctant to the faithless sea.'*

They sink ; they rise. With the grasp of death they cling to him
and again submerge him and themselves in the waves. He brings
them once more to the surface, and beats for the shore. Alas !
it is vain ; his efforts to save others peril his own life. Entangled,
exhausted, disabled, he sinks to a watery grave !

But the partner of his life, her sister and brother, who were

149

mercifully rescued from the jaws of death, are still unapprized of
his melancholy fate, and search for him in vain among the agonized
survivors. But the cry, she sinks! she sinks!! fills their hearts
with direful apprehensions. Still they cling to the delusive hope
that he may be among those rescued by the rival Armenia, and
borne to the city of New York.

The object of his conjugal love returns to her desolate home.
The tidings of this awful disaster fly upon the wings of the wdnd ;
the mystic wires tremble at the shock ; the press utters its loud
lament ; the note of woe rings through our streets, fills our dwel-
lings, and convulses our hearts with grief. The nation mourns —
minute guns are fired upon the spot, to arouse the inhabitants of
the surrounding country, and to start the dead from their lowly
rest. Multitudes rush from every quarter to the mournful scene 5
they crowd around each body as it is raised and brought to the
shore, to identify therein a relation or friend. Among them his
brother and partner in business arrive. At length, another body
is raised. Its countenance is familiar ; it is recognized ; and the
doleful announcement is made that Andrew Jackson Downing is
no more*

" Lot^ely in death the beauteous ruin lay."

His precious remains are borne back to their native city^ and to
his house of mourning, There they meet his widowed wife^
whose ear, during the fourteen years of their wedded life, had
been so quick to catch the sound of his returning footsteps, and
who had been the first to greet and welcome him. Alas ! she is
suddenly bereft, by one fatal blow, of friend, mother, husband !
The funeral rites are performed ; his body is committed to the^
tomb, " earth to earth," " ashes to ashes," *' dust to dust !"

Thus terminated the earthly career of our lamented brother and
associate. But his name shall be perpetuated by fragrant flowers
and delicious fruits ; by gushing fountains and murmuring streams ;
by grateful shade and balmy breeze, and by many a rural scene^
and many a tasteful home. He shall be remembered

^' Where cottages, and fanes, and villas rise;
Where cultur'd fields and gardens smile around."

But to he more specific, the results of his toil appear in the

150

forests which he has preserved from the merciless axe — in the
trees which he has described and made to contribute more abtm-
dantly to the taste and comfort of their proprietors— in the avenues
which he has adorned — in the lawns and pleasure-grounds which
he has laid out and appropriately embellished— and in numberless
buildings which stand as monuments to his architectural skill.

The fruits of his labor are also gathered in thousands of gardens
and conservatories. The numerous cottages and villas which
have lately sprung up in the towns and villages about our com-
mercial cities, and throughout our happy land, evince his genius ;
and it is due to his worth to say that few have left a mark so deep
and broad on the generation in which they lived.

In responding to the calls which have been made upon me to
pronounce the Eulogy of our deceased friend, I shall attempt no-
thing more, and certainly can do nothing better, than to articulate
the language of his useful life, and to give free utterance to your
own convictions of his worth.

Mr. Downing was born in Newburgh, New York, on the thirty-
first day of October, A. D. 1815. In his boyhood he manifested
a fondness for botany, mineralogy, and other natural sciences,
Xvhich at the age of sixteen, when he left school, he was able to
prosecute without the aid of an instructor. At that period, his
father having died when he was but seven years of age, his
mother desired him to become a clerk in a dry goods store ; but
he, following the native tendencies of his mind, preferred to re-
main in the nursery and garden with his elder brother, whose
accuracy and practical skill in horticulture gave special promi-
nence to the same traits in the deceased, and with whom he might
study the theory, and perfect himself in the practice, of his favorite
arts.

In the formation of iiis character, we also recognize with grati-
tude the agency of Baron de Liderer, the Austrian Consul, whose
summer residence w^as in his native place, a gentleman of large
iendowments and attainments, of eminent purity of mind, and re-
finement of manners, a mineralogist and botanist, who discovered
in young Downing a mind of kindred taste, who made him the
frequent inmate of his family, as well as his own companion in
mimerous excursions for the scientific explorRtion of the surround-
ing country.

151

But his sensibility to artistic beauty was cultivated and devel-
oped by the lamented Raphael Hoyle, an English artist, residing
in Newburgh, and who, like himself, went down to an early grave,
leaving behind him specimens in landscape painting, true to na-
ture, and of remarkable delicacy of coloring. His manners were
much improved and adorned by his familiar intercourse with his
neighbor, Mr. Edward Armstrong, a gentleman of refinement and
wealth, at whose fine country seat on the Hudson he was intro-
duced to the Hon. Charles Augustus Murray, an Englishman,
w^hose book of travels in America has been admired on both sides
of the Atlantic. There he also made the acquaintance of many
other distinguished men, who subsequently became his correspon-
dents and personal friends.

These associations had, no doubt, much influence in strength-
ening his refined and generous nature. He devoted all the time
which he could reclaim from physical labor to reading and study.
.In the bowers of his garden he held frequent converse with the
muses, who inspired him with the poetic fire which illumes his
pages, and imparts peculiar vivacity and energy to his style.

At the age of twenty-two, on the seventh of June, 1838, he
married Miss Caroline Elizabeth, daughter of J. P. De Wint, Esq.,
of Fishkill Landing, a lady of congenial spirit, of refinement and
intelligence, to whom the world is much indebted for his useful-
ness. In grateful return for her valuable services, she now enjoys
the commiseration and condolence of his friends in America and
transatlantic countries. But with all these aids, still Mr. Downing
was, in the strictest sense, self-taught ; a fact which deserves to
be recorded, not only to his praise, but as an encouragement to
thousands of aspiring youth. If he was never a pupil in the stu-
dio of an artist ; if he studied natural science in the laboratory of
nature more than in the school of scientific chemists ; if he enjoyed
not the advantages of a liberal and professional education, valuable
and desirable as these means of improvement certainly are ; yet
he was at all times and everywhere a learner ; and the lessons of
wisdom which he received, he promptly reduced to practice ; a
circumstance which made him eminently practical and national, a
man of his own age and country.

I will illustrate his habits of observation and study. In a walk
he plucks from an overhanging bough a single leaf, examines its

152

color, form and structure ; inspects it with his microscope, and
having recorded his observations, presents it to his friend, and in-
vites him to study it, as suggestive of some of the first principles
of Rural Architecture and Economy.

Does he visit a beautiful country seat, he sketches a view of it,
and of the grounds about it ; notes whatever is true to nature, ac-
curate in taste, or excellent in design ; and from his copy, a plate
is engraved, and in the next number of his Horticulturist the whole
scene, with his valuable comments, is given to the lovers of the
landscape and the garden.

He returns from the forest. A short extract from his journal
will explain the object of his tour, and afford a fair specimen of
the beauty and force of his style :

" Nature plants some trees, like the fir and the pine, in the fis-
sures of the rock, and on the edge of the precipice ; she twists
their boughs, and gnarls their stems, by storms and tempests —
thereby adding to their picturesque power in sublime and grand
scenery. But she more often developes the beautiful in a tree of
any kind, in a genial soil and clime, where it stands quite alone,
stretching its boughs upward freely to the sky, and outward to the
breeze, and even downward to the earth, almost touching her in
her graceful sweep, till only a glimpse of the fine trunk is to be
seen at its spreading base, and the whole top is one great globe of
floating and waving luxuriance, giving us as perfect an idea of
symmetry and proportion as can be found short of the Grecian
Apollo." " One would no more wish to touch it with the prun-
ing knife, the axe or the saw, (unless to remove a decayed branch)
than to give a nicer curve to the rainbow, or to add freshness to
the dew-drop." This description, for beauty, power of diction,
and for truthfulness to nature, not only harmonizes with the pic-
tures, but even rivals the finest touches of the pencils of Claude,
Poussin, Salvator Rosa, or any other great master of landscape.

He makes the tour of New England, and stops at New Haven,
that city of elms. He walks out from the Tontine upon the green,
admires those grateful shades, their majestic form, their gracefully
waving boughs, and they revive in his mind the history of the
elm, its varied use for fuel, timber and shade. He arrives at
Hartford. The first object of his attention is the " Charter Oak."

153

He hastens to visit it, stands before it, and filled with veneration,
exclaims, with the bard of Mantua, translated by Dryden,

" Jove's own tree,
That holds the world in sovereignty."

He sketches it, gives you a copy of it in his " Landscape Gar-
dening," together with his classical and scientific account of this
king of the American forest. He journeys up the beautiful valley
of the Connecticut to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, whose streets
are lined with the sugar maple, "clean, cool, smooth and umbra-
geous." He there increases his love and admiration of the Amer-
ican maple, the beauty of whose vernal bloom is surpassed only
by the unrivalled hues of its autumnal foliage, dyed with the tints
of departing day.

By scenes like these, and by scientific reflection thereon, he
prepares himself to give those last and well directed blows at that
'^heavenly'''' tree, the Ailanthus, and also at the Abele Poplar —
both of which he kills oflf in a most celestial manner, to make room
for the more deserving and truly American Maples, Oaks, Elms
and Ashes, for the Magnolia, the Tulip, and others. Of the latter,
how beautifully he speaks in the last leader from his pen, in a
manner so easy and flowing, and so characteristic of the man. —
" We mean the Tulip Tree, or the Liriodendron. What can be
more beautiful than its trunk — finely proportioned, and smooth as a
Grecian column ? What more artistic than its leaf, cut like an
arabesque in a Moorish palace ? W^hat more clean and lustrous
than its tufts of foliage — dark green and rich as deepest emerald?
What more lily-like and specious than its blossoms — golden and
bronze shaded ? and what fairer and more queenly than its whole
figure, stately and regal as that of Zenobia.^"

In the progress of his journey, he reaches the commercial me-
tropolis of New England. It is the annual exhibition of the Mas-
sachusetts Horticultural Society in that city. He enters its hall,
is greeted with a cordial welcome, and invited to examine its col-
lection, particularly the extensive show of pears. In a subsequent
discussion with its fruit committee, he proposes to them a question
in his direct, practical and impressive manner — "Will each of you
please to give me the names of the best three varieties of the pear,
together with your reasons for that preference ?" He obtains their
20

154

opinions, and publishing the same, puts the public at once in pos-
session of their long and dear bought experience.

The same practical and studious habit is remarkably exemplified
in his foreign travels. Unlike other tourists, who first visit the
tower of London or Westminster Abbey, he hastens from the parks
of that city to Chatsworth, then to Woburn Abbey, Warwick Cas-
tle, and other places where agriculture, horticulture, architecture,
and all the fine arts have for ages vied with each other in whatso-
ever is ornamental in embellishment and princely in wealth, and
where are scenes of natural and artistic beauty and grandeur, which
attract the chief masters of the world. He is received and enter-
tained with kindness and partiality by the Earl of Hardwicke, the
Dukes of Devonshire and Bedford, and others with whom he
formed many warm friendships in the mother country. From these
places, where wealth, art, nature and genius have congregated
whatever is most beautiful to the eye, most approved in taste, or
most impressive to sensibility, he prosecutes his journey ; every-
where observing, noting and studying the objects and scenes about
him. To him,

" Not a tree,

A plant, a leaf, a blossom, but contained
A folio volume."

We have necessarily amplified this part of our subject, in order
to give a correct view of the manner and extent of his education,
of the peculiarities of his style, and of the formation of his char-
acter, and to furnish the materials for a just appreciation of his
worth, and for a philosophical judgment of himself and of his
works.

Mr. Downing was just what we have represented, a self-taught
man. His name will appear in all coming time, emblazoned upon
the roll of fame, among such worthies of that class as Roger Sher-
man, Benjamin Franklin, David Rittenhouse, Benjamin West, and
Nathaniel Bowditch. He was not, perhaps, so profoundly scien-
tific, yet he was well grounded in vegetable physiology, and in the
first principles of the arts to which his life was devoted. Being
the sovereign of his own powers and acquisitions, he could in=-
stantly bring them to bear on the subject of his investigation or
discourse.

155

In his character we find that assemblage of virtues commonly
called amiahleness. On this depended the suavity of his manners,
the sincerity of his friendship, and the freedom of his hospitality.
His guests always received a hearty welcome, and found at his
residence a quiet home. Here Miss Bremer, whose fame in let-
ters is like that of the Swedish nightingale in song, wrote the in-
troduction to one of her works ; and in speaking of his kindness
and hospitality, she says: "I never shall forget, nor ever be able
fully to acknowledge them, feeling as I here do, at this moment,
all the blessings of a perfect homey

He also possessed, what is rarely found in combination with
these qualities, keen perception^ great energy^ decision and boldness.
Blessed with an almost intuitive perception of character^ he read
men at a grlance. When he was in London, he desired an assis-
tant, who would return with him to America and aid him in the
architectural department of his business. He visits the architectural
exhibition in that city, and seeks an introduction to the Secretary
of that association, to whom he reveals his object, and by whom
he is introduced to Mr. Calvert Vaux, as a gentleman well quali-
fied for the place. They exchange references; and so readily did
he inspire confidence m this stranger, and also perceive that he
might safely repose the same in him, that on their interview the
next morning, he concludes a contract, agrees upon the , precise
time when they will start from Liverpool for America, hastens to
Paris to complete his unfinished business, fulfils his engagement,
and in two weeks they are unitedly prosecuting their labors at
Newburgh. Such was his activity, promptness and despatch.

The increasing extent of his business would have employed
several common men ; his correspondence alone would have oc-
cupied a private secretary ; yet the number and urgency of his
duties never depressed him, never confused him, never made him
in a hurry, because he was always the master^ never the slave^ of
his business.

Having once thoroughly investigated a subject, he rested with
confidence in his conclusions, and published the same with a bold-
ness which arrested attention and commanded respect. Witness
his condemnation of ''white hov^es^^ amidst rural beauty, a color
which no master of landscape would dare to transfer to his can-
vass, yet which is as common in the country as it is opposed to

156

economy and good taste. Witness also his condemnation of the
impure air of stove-heated and unventilated dwellings, the air of
which, with equal truth and propriety, he denominates " the favor^
ite poison of America." This article, copied by numerous jour-
nals, read by thousands, and commending itself to their common
sense, is fast producing a reform, conducive alike to health, com-
fort and long life. But his kindness and magnanimity, his free-
dom from envy and jealousy, enabled him to admire and commend
whatever was excellent and praiseworthy, as freely and decidedly
as he condemned their opposites. These characteristics are ex-
emplified in his monthly reviews of the press, and in the notices
of the works of other writers, which appear in his volumes.

In a word, Mr. Downing was, in manners, modest, polite and
gentlemanly, — in perception of fitness and propriety intuitive,- — in
taste, accurate and refined, — in tact and practical skill, remark-
able^— in love of country, strictly national, American^— in senti-
ment, pure,— -in life, incorrupt, — in most respects, a model man —
in all, natureh own child. It has been justly said of him, " at
whatever point of view we regard him, we are compelled to ad-
mire the symmetry of his character, the vigor of bis mind, the ver-
satility of his talents, and that healthful flow of enthusiastic feeling
which marks his writings. There are those w^ho can work out
beautiful thoughts in marble, who can clothe them in the touching
language of poetry, or bid them flow in the rounded periods and
convincing strains of oratory ; bu*; few minds seem more fully pos-
sessed of the power to add art to the beauty of nature, and make
the desert blossom like the rose."

His writings are a faithful transcript of hivS own characteF. If
his diction sometimes contains unusual and even strange w^ords
and phrases, possibly ungrateful to some classic ears, the worst
which enlightened criticism can say of them is, that they subordi-
nate elegance to originality and force. But his language is gen-
erally pure, chaste and refined, not unfrequently beautiful and
highly ornate. His style is peculiarly hts own, not rigidly meth-
odic, sometimes abrupt, but always versatile and flowing. It is
remarkable for that of which he was passionately fond in nature,
and to which, with some latitude of expression, we will appropri-
ate the work ^^ picturesque.^'^

A single quotation will truly illustrate our meaning, and also

157

these qualities of* his style. We select the words with which he
introduced the Horticulturist to his readers, with the first breath
of summer. *' Bright and beautiful June ! embroidered with
clusters of odorous roses, and laden with ruddy cherries and straw-
berries; rich with the freshness of spring, and the luxuriance of
summer — leafy June ! If any one's heart does not swell with the
unwritten thoughts that belong to this season^ then is he only fit
for ' treasons^ stratagems and spoils.' He does not practically be-
lieve that God made the country. Flora and Pomona, from amid
the blossoming gardens and orchards of June, smile graciously as
we write these few introductory words to their circle of devotees,
* * * * * Angry volumes of politics have we w^ritten none,
but only peaceful books, humbly aiming to weave something more
into the fair garland of the beautiful and useful, that encircles
this excellent old Earth. ^' Such passages enliven and adorn his
works.

Of these We can give but a brief accounto

The first is his *' Landscape Gardening,^' which introdticed
him to the literary and scientific World, and gave him a rank
among the distinguished writers of his age. For years previous
to its publication, he seemed retired from the worlds abstracted
and absorbed, but in reality, he was occupied in intense study of
his subject. When he mastered it, and adapted its principles to
American climate, scenery and people, he published it on both
sides of the Atlantic.

Think of this young man, at twenty-^six years of age, without
the advantage of a liberal education— with no precedents to guide
him, with only a few practical hints from such men as Parmentier^
seizing upon the first principles of this science in the works of
Repton, Price, Loudon, and others, with a comprehensiveness of
mind, with a power of analysis, an originality and fixedness of
purpose, that would have done honor to the first scholars in other'
departments, popularizing and appropriating them to his own pe-^
riod and country, and actually producing a book which becomes
at once a standard universally acknowledged by his own country-
men, and praised by Loudon, the editor of " Repton's Landscape
Gardening," who pronounced it " a masterly work,'^ and after
quoting ten pages to give his English readers an idea of its excel-
lencies, remarks, '^ We have quoted largely from this W'ork because,

15B

in so doing, we think we shall give a just idea of the great merit
of the author." This work the celebrated Dr. Lindley critically
reviews, in sundry articles in his Gardener's Chronicle ; and while
he dissents from it on some minor points, yet in respect to its car-
dinal excellencies, he thus remarks* ^^ On the whole, we know of
no work in which the fundamental principles of this profession
are so ^^ell or so concisely expressed.'' And in regard to Mr.
Downing's explanation of this science, and his general definition
of it, he adds, what is equally complimentary to our author and to
American genius, ^^ no English hs-ndsc^ipe Gardener has written
so clearly, or with so much real intensity."

Closely allied to this science is the subject of Architecture, to
which our author next turns his attention ; and in the following
year he publishes his " Cottage Residences." Of this work
Mr. Loudon also observes, " This book is highly creditable to
him as a man of taste and an author, and cannot fail to be of great
service." This latter work, in time, creates occasion for his "Ar-
chitecture OF Country Houses," including designs for Cottages,
Farm Houses and Villas, with remarks on the interior's >, fo>rniture,
mid the best modes of warming and ventilating.

Of these, the English and i^-merican press offer remarks so simi-
lar to those which we have already submitted on his Landscape
Gardening, as to supersede the necessity of much amplification. —
We select the closing words of an English Review of one of these
works : " We stretch our arm across the ' big water' to tender our
Yankee coadjutor an English shake and a cordial recognition."

We will add two examples of the American estimate of these pro-
ductions. Says a gentleman resident on the Atlantic shore, who is
eminently qualified to form an enlightened judgment: " Much of the
improvement that has taken place in this country, during the last
twelve years, in Rural Architecture, and in Ornamental Gardening
and Planting, may be ascribed to him." Another gentleman,
•equally well qualified to judge, speaking of suburban cottages in
the West, says : " I asked the origin of so much taste, and was
told it might principally be traced to Downing's Cottage Residences
and his Horticulturist."

Of his remaining works, the "Horticulturist," his monthly
journal, which has entered its seventh year, is extensively celebrated
for its appropriate, interesting and eloquent leaders — for its numer-

159

ous and able correspondents — for its varied learning and ripe ex-
perience— for its just and faithful reviews — and for its tasteful
embellishments and rural decorations.

His "Fhuits and Fruit Trees of America," a volume of six
hundred pages, was printed in 1845, both in New York and Lon-
don, and in two different forms — the duodecimo with lineal draw-
ings, and the royal octavo, both with these drawings and wdth
colored engravings. It has passed through thirteen editions, and
originally combined his personal observation and experience with
those of other American fruit growers down to that date.

Besides these productions of his pen, he edited, with notes and
emendations, " Mrs. Loudon's Gardening for Ladies ;" also,
" Lindley's Theory of Horticulture;" delivered various addresses,
submitted reports to public bodies, and contributed numerous arti-
cles to the secular, literary and scientific journals of his day.

In addition to these labors, he rendered efficient services to the
cause of agriculture and agricultural education. He constantly
superintended his homestead — was a corresponding or acting mem-
ber in many horticultural and kindred associations — was influen-
tial and prominent in the establishment of this Congress, and from
its origin, chairman of its fruit committee — the author of the
'' Rules of American Pomology," which, with some modifications,
have been extensively adopted. He advised and aided in the lay-
ing out of grounds, in the plans and specifications of various pri-
vate and public buildings, and at the time of his death, not only-
had contracts for important professional services in Newburgh,
Newport, Georgetown, Albany, Boston, and other places, but was
actually on his way to "Washington to prosecute the business in
which he had been engaged by the national government, for the
laying out and adornment of the public grounds in that city. He
had also projected several new volumes in the departments of his
peculiar studies and labors, as well as the revision of some of his
present works. The last effort of his pen was a postscript to a set
of working plans to illustrate a design for an observatory, proposed
to be erected in one of our principal cities.

Alas ! that one so eminently useful, with such brilliant prospects
before him, and whose place it is so difficult to fill, should be so
suddenly removed ! Such is the common exclamation ! But this
general sorrow may find consolation in his own devout words, in

160

a letter of condolence addressed to me a few days before his
death. They seem prophetic of this hour. " God knows what is
best for us."

This dispensation is indeed mysterious ; a w^onder of Providence
such as the All- Wise and Infinite rarely permits. He takes away
one to whom we are most attached, and that, too, when we can
least afford to spare him. But let us hope that this melancholy
event may awaken public attention, and direct it from the man to
his pursuits and to their connection with the public welfare, and
thus become the occasion of raising up a host to carry out and
consummate his worthy enterprises.

We have thus spoken of the last hours of our lamented friend —
of the dreadful catastrophe which terminated his earthly career
— of the circumstances and influences in which his character was
formed — of its m.ost prominent and commanding features — of the
great events of his public life — of his published works — and of his
plans of future usefulness.

As your humble servant, appointed to speak of his " life, char-
acter and virtues ;" it is not proper for me to indulge personal and
private partiality. It has been my endeavor to form, such an en-
lightened judgment of his worth, and such an unbiased estimate
of his numerous excellencies, as shall be in harmony with your
own opinion, and shall command public confidence and respect.

To speak of his faults, if there were any, was neither our intention
nor our duty. Frailties are incident to human nature ; but happy
is it for us all that common benevolence spreads the veil of char-
ity over the grave, and hides these in its sacred trusts from public
observation. It is the province of the eulogist to speak of what
was worthy of honor and imitation in the departed, and of w^hat
may also comfort and console the hearts of the bereaved. This
we have endeavored to do without exaggeration and without
abatement. The duty we perform is without any expectation of
adding to the lustre of his fame. His works are his best eulogy ;
the most enduring monuments of his worth.

But he has gone ! His seat in this Congress is vacant. Another
will make the report v/hich was expected from him ! We shall
much miss his wise and leading counsels in our deliberations and
discussions^ his prompt and energetic action in our endeavors to
advance the worthy objects of this association^ in the origin and

161

progress of which his agency was so conspicuous. He has gone !
He is numbered with those patrons and promoters of the ornamen-
tal and useful arts, who rest from their labors^; — with the erudite
and sage Pickering, the wise and laborious Buel, the ardent and
scientific Mease, the humorous and poetic Fessenden, the practical
and enterprising Lowell, the tasteful and enthusiastic Dearborn,
the indefatigable and versatile Skinner, the scientific and volumi-
nous Loudon, and others of noble designs and of enduring fame.
These have fallen around us like the leaves of autumn ; and Prov-
idence now calls us to inscribe on that star-spangled roll the cher-
ished name of Downing, struck down suddenly, w^hen his sun was
at the zenith of its glory.

He rests in the bosom of his mother earth, in the city of his birth,
and the sepulchre of his fathers, on the banks of that beautiful
river where his boyhood sported, and where the choicest scenery
inspired his opening mind with the love of nature — a spot which
will be dear to the thousands of his admirers, and which our love
to him will constrain us to visit. We may resort to his hospitable
mansion, but he wnll no longer greet us with his cordial salutation,
nor extend to us the right hand of fellowship. We may wend our
way through his beautiful grounds; but he w^ill not be there to
accompany us. Instead of his pleasant and instructive voice,
which once dropped words of wisdom and delight on our ear, we
shall hear the trees mournfully sighing in the breezes — the cypress
moaning his funeral dirge, and the willow weeping in responsive
grief, " because he is not.^^ " His mortal has put on immortal-
ity."

When we think of the place which he occupied in the hearts
of his countrymen and cotemporaries — of the expanding interest
which he has awakened in the rural arts, the refinements and com-
forts of society — of his unfinished plans which others inspired by
his genius, will unfold and consummate — and of his works, which
will be admired when the tongues that now praise him shall be
silent in death, our sense of justice accords to him an earthly im-
mortality— a fame which history will cherish, art adorn, and grate-
ful posterity revere.

He is dead ; yet how little of such men can perish \ The clayey
tenement may indeed fall and crumble, but to him who dwelt in
it, a place is assigned in the firmament of American genius, far
21

162

above the storms and convulsions of earth — " in that clear upper
sky," where he shall shine forever to illumine the path of intelli-
gence, enterprise and virtue, and henceforth to enkindle in the
human mind a love of order, taste and beauty. We rank him
with those who start improvements which advance ages after
they are dead, and who are justly entitled to the consideration and
gratitude of mankind. Washington and his illustrious associates
are dead ; but the liberty which they achieved still lives, and
marches in triumph and glory through the earth. Franklin is dead ;
but the spark which his miraculous wand drew from heaven, speaks
with tongues of fire and electrifies the globe. Fulton is dead; but
he awoke the spirit of invention which turns the machinery of man
— aye, and he awoke also the genius of navigation ;

"And heaven inspired,
To love of useful glory roused mankind,
And in unbounded commerce mixed the vs^orld.l'

Downing also is dead ; but the principles of artistic propriety
and ornament, of rural economy and domestic comfort, which he
revealed, await a more full and perfect development ; and as they
advance towards their glorious consummation, grateful millions
shall honor and cherish his name. His memory shall live for-
ever.

163
TESTIMONIALS TO THE LATE A. J. DOWNING.

The Resolutions submitted by Mr. Cabot (vide pao^e 29) provide
that the testimonials adopted by Horticultural Societies in relation
to the decease of the late A. J. Downing, shall be appended.

Those testimonials are here inserted, viz.:

MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The Massachusetts Horticultural Society have been startled and
pained by the intelligence of the sudden death of their co-laborer
and friend, A. J. Downing, of Newburgh, N. Y. — a passenger in
the ill-fated steamer, Henry Clay.

Eminent alike as a Horticulturist, a Landscape Gardener, and
an Architect, Mr. Downing has, in each character, made his mark
upon the age. Where the grateful gardener plucks the rich fruit
from the laden bough, there is his name known. Where taste has
turned the unsightly pasture into a lovely lawn, and adorned it
with gems of the garden and the green wood, there are his labors
felt.

The humble cot he has made a picture of beauty, and the ele-
gant mansion, reared by his genius, fills and satisfies the most
nicely critical eye.

But he has gone ! In a moment, as it were, and without warn-
ing, he has been called to pass the gloomy vale of death, and now
rests —

"Where rivers of pleasure flow over bright plains,
And the Koon-tide of glory eternally reigns !"

In view of this unexpected and terrible stroke, by which this
Society is deprived of one of its members, and the cause of Horti-
culture of an eminent and earnest advocate,

Your Committee respectfully submit the following Resolves :

Resolved, That the members of the Massachusetts Horticultural
Society greatly deplore the loss of their associate, who has done so
much to advance and extend a taste for the kindred arts of Agri-
culture, Horticulture, Landscape Gardening, and Architecture.

Resolved, That in the death of the late Mr. Downing, Horticul-
ture and Pomolodcal Science have sustained a severe loss ; dis-
tinguished alike for his private worth and public usefuhiess, and
devoted to the pursuits of Horticulture, Landscape Gardening, and

164

all that pertains to the advancement of our Rural Homes, his
memory will be cherished, and his decease sincerely lamented.

Resolved, That we tender the sympathies of the Society to the
family, in their afflicting bereavement, and that the Correspond-
ing Secretary be directed to communicate the above resolutions to
his bereaved family.

Further Resolved, That the Hon. Marshall P. Wilder be solici-
ted to deliver an Eulogy on the Life and Character of the late A.
J. Downing, Esq., at such time and place as the Society may
hereafter designate.

PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Resolved, That we deeply deplore the afflictive providence
which involved, in the destruction of the Henry Clay, and the
tragical loss of many valuable lives, the removal of our esteemed
fellow-member. A, J. Downing, of Newburgh, in the pride of
manhood, and in the full maturity of his powers, from the scene
of his useful and honorable exertions, at a time when his services
were so universally and highly appreciated, and w^hen his efforts
in life were producing throughout the land, the beneficent and
beautiful results for which he had so long labored, and over which
his benevolent spirit would have so generously rejoiced.

Resolved, That we regard as a national bereavement and affliction
the loss of one whose powers were so diligently and successfully
dediceted to the purest and best interests of his race and his country;
that the deceased was endowed by nature w^ith a vigorous intel-
lect, which was elevated by liberal and practical cultivation, and
directed by an expanded philanthropy and a glowing love of na-
ture, to the promotion of those pursuits connected with rural life
and rural happiness, which, while they contribute to the solid
power and prosperity of a people, refine and elevate their tastes
and enjoyments ; that the country will hold in grateful and endur-
ing remembrance his valuable and popular contributions to the
literature of Horticulture — his aid in the promotion of Landscape
Gardening — in the improvement of the " Fruits and Fruit Trees
of America,'' and of Cottage Residences, and his able and assidu-
ous labors for the general advancement of Pomology and rura^
economy ; that his efforts in these branches have produced an im-

165

provement which is perceptible in the aspect of many sections of
our country ; and that his sudden and melancholy death is a be-
reavement which will be long and deeply deplored, far beyond
the affectionate and afflicted circle of which he was the ornament
and the pride.

Resolved, That as the loss of A. J. Downing is a national calam-
ity, calling for an appropriate national commemoration, we cor-
dially approve of the action of the President of the American
Pomological Congress, in inviting the Hon. Marshall P. Wilder,
an intimate friend of the deceased, to deliver, at the approaching
session of the Congress, in Philadelphia, on the 13th proximo, an
Eulogy on the life, character, and virtues of our lamented fellow
member.

Resolved., That we deeply condole with his bereaved family upon
this afflictive dispensation of an inscrutable Providence ; and that
as a manifestation of our respect and sympathy, the Secretary be
directed to transmit to them a copy of the foregoing resolutions.

NEW YORK HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. -

Whereas, This Society, by a melancholy casualty, has been
suddenly deprived of a valuable and esteemed member ; and

Whereas, It becomes our duty to pay a proper tribute to the
memory of one whose services in the cause of Horticulture have
given him a lasting claim to our gratitude ;

Be it therefore Resolved, That in the sudden death of our late
associate, A. J. Downing, Esq., we recognize the hand of an
overruling Providence, and that we deeply deplore the loss sus-
tained by his family, by his calamitous death, and hereby tender
our sympathies to them in their affliction.

Be it further Resolved, That, in common with all who take
pleasure in Horticultural pursuits, we feel that we have sustained
no common loss in the death of one so eminent in his profession,
and whose labors in Rural Architecture and Landscape Gardening
will remain as enduring monuments of his judgment and taste.

On motion, it was

Resolved, That the Corresponding Secretary be requested to
forward these Resolutions to Mrs. Downing, and also furnish co-
pies of the same for publication in the Horticultural Magazines.

166

PITTSBURGH HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Resolved^ That this Board has heard with profound regret, of
the melancholy death of A. J. Downing, Esq., by the burning of
the steamer Henry Clay — That we regard his death as a National
loss to the cause of Horticulture, Landscape Gardening, and other
Rural Sciences, not soon, we fear, to be filled up — his life and
brilliant talents having been devoted to the advancement of these
his favorite pursuits.

Resolved^ That this Resolution be published in our daily papers
and a copy of the same be sent to the Editor of the Horticulturist,
by our Corresponding Secretary.

GENESSEE VALLEY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Whereas^ In the death of A. J. Downing, American Horticul-
ture has lost its noble and gifted standard-bearer, and society one
of its most amiable, accomplished, and useful members — who has
done more than any other to awaken among the American people
an appreciation of their country's resources, and to cultivate and
diffuse a love for the beautiful in nature and art — whose waitings
brilliant and powerful in style, and truly American in sentiment,
have o-lven us a Horticultural Literature which commands the ad-
miration of the world ; therefore

Resolved^ That we regard his loss as one of the greatest that
could in this day befall the American people in the death of any
one man — that we deeply sympathize with his afflicted friends
and relatives, truly "mourning with those who mourn" for the
loved and lost.

Resolved^ That though Mr. Downing is no more, and his voice
is hushed in death, yet he still speaketh — his works will live after
him and his influence be felt while correct taste has a disciple or
a home in the earth.

Resolved^ That we recommend the Horticultural Societies of this
country to take some united action, to testify in a suitable manner
their regard for the memory of Mr. Downing ; and that a commit-
tee of three be appointed to correspond with other Societies on the
subject.

P. Barry, L. Wetherell and James H. Watts, were appointed a
-committee in accordance with the Resolution.

167

Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be furnished the
various Horticultural papers, with a request to publish the same,
and a copy thereof be forwarded by the President of this Society
to the family of the deceased.

COLUMBUS (oHIo) HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Wliereas, News has been received of the loss of the steamer
Henry Clay, by fire, on the Hudson, and among the lost we find
the name of A. J. Downing, of Newburgh, Editor of the Horticul-
turist; therefore, be it

Resolved, That w'hile w^e deplore the loss of so many lives, and
sympathize with those bereaved, we learn with feelings of sincere
regret and profound grief, of the death of the distinguished Horti-
culturist, A. J. Downing,' That while Horticulture engages the
attention, and enlists the feelings of many, none have surpassed
the deceased in intelligence, enthusiasm, industry and devotion,
in all things that relate to " Rural Art and Rural Taste," none
have left more enduring or more beautiful monuments of their
labors, than he. Death has surprised him in the midst of his use-
fulness and success, and just as his cultivated taste was being
fully appreciated by the nation. Who can fill his place ?

Resolved, That as an honorary member of our Society, we feel
that we have lost a brother, whose writings and teachings have
been our pleasure and our guide, and whose memory we will cher-
ish as one worthy our love and esteem.

Resolved, That in this bereavement, we sympathize with his
family, and the friends of Horticulture everywdiere, and as a token
of our esteem, w^e will place these Resolves on our minutes, and
forward them to be published in the journal which he so ably
edited.

CINCINNATI HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The sad intelHgence of the loss of the steamer Henry Clay, on
"the Hudson river, causing the untimely death of a great number
of our friends and fellow-citizens, has been confirmed. Among
the lost, we are called upon to lament the death of our distinguished
and zealous fellow-laborer in the cause of Horticultural science
and Rural taste, A. J. Downing, of Newburgh, N.- Y., Editor of

168

the Horticulturist, and corresponding member of this Society ;
therefore,

Resolved y By the Cincinnati Horticultural Society, that in his
death we have lost a most valuable friend and contributor to the
cause in which we are engaged, and that the country has to de-
plore one of its most valuable promoters of refinement in Rural
taste.

Resolvedj That we sympathize sincerely with his family and
friends in the deep affliction and bereavement which it has pleased
the Almighty disposer of events to visit upon them in so untimely
and unexpected a manner.

Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing preamble and resolutions
be forwarded to the bereaved wafe and family of the deceased.

The following resolution was offered by Richard Davis, second-
ed by M. Kelly, at a late meeting :

Resolved, That the members of this Society and Horticulturists
generally be solicited to raise a subscription for the purpose of
erecting a monument to the memory of A. J. Downing, Esq.

It was next moved by Mr. Ives, that a committee of three be
appointed to carry out the spirit of the foregoing resolution.

Messrs. Hatch, Kelly and Warder were appointed.

ALBANY AND KENSSELAER HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Resolved, That the members of the Albany and Rensselaer Hor-
ticultural Society, in common with others of the Pomological,
Horticultural and Agricultural portions of our citizens, mourn sin-
cerely the death of the late A. J. Downing, who has been more
instrumental than any other individual, in extending a taste for,
and promoting the love of, all the branches of an art which con-
duces so much to the comfort and the pleasure of the community.

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions, properly attested,
be forwarded to the family of the late Mr. Downing, and that they
be embodied in, and published with, the records of this Society.

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