The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-04-06
Potomac Fruit-Growers.

met Tuesday, in Washington, at the ooaro
of trade rooms, Judge Gray in the cnair'
and O. TT. Folsom secretary. Before the
mating was called to order, Mr.. John b
Claoett called the attention of the MEM
bers present to some native wine. and de-
sired their opinion as to its name ana
quality. 1t was pronounced to be most
excelleut ia flavor, and all were astonished
to find it blackberry wine Of last years
manufacture. from the "Lawton" stock,
and strictly pure. 1t was said to be OF
the Madeira order by good judges, and
that age would make it superior wine.
Mr. Clagett designs the coming season to
enter quite largely into its manufacture.
There were present Vice-Presidents
Friend C, Gillingham and Major John IL.
King and the members of the several COM
mittees.
A letter was received from Mr.. j. s..
Timberlake acknowledging the attention
of the association in reply to his inquiries
Also, one from Dr. Darby in relation to
the cultivation of the ounce; which was re-
ferred to the fruit committee.
Newton Hornlorn, Esq, was presented
by DR.. Darby and unanimously elected
member of the association.
DR.. Snodgrass rendered his resignation
as member of the Executive committee !;
which was accepted. aA5 .l
Judge Gray, in reply to question on
the subject Of applying green mauures to
land, stated that his principal reason for
such practice was that long manures
hauled directly upon the field saved other
handling, and operated as first class
mulch; end also said that ashes should be
placed directly upon the land, instead Of
in ben-houses and ompost-heaps.
Professor Taylor stated that chemistry,
in its application to agriculture, appeared
to farmers to be failure, but thought
that this was owing to misunderstanding
and that more light upon the subject would
result in practical benefits.
Mr.. j. L. Smith delivered very in
teresting paper upon hybridizing, which
was followed by valuable paper
from DR.. Rowland upon successful and
profitable fruit growing, bearing particu-
larly upon the planting and treatment Of
trees and bushes.
Major King gave an interesting state
ment of his practice in planting trees,
which consists in keeping the roots moist
and dipping them Immediately before
planting into liquid mixture of manure
and soil. Losses of roots are expensive,
and great care should be taken in trans
planting
Judge Gray practices first driving a
stake answering the purpose of tap root,
close to which the trees are planted, with
out tying, and are thus held firmly in posi-
ton.
On motion of Mr.. Folsom, a select COM
mittee was appointed to wait upon the
Commissioner of Agriculture to ascertain
what progress had been made in fungi in
vestigations relating to the grape vine, and
to inquire if he had reached any conclu-
sions available to the association for its
public reports.
Upon motion of the secretary, q commit
tee of five were appointed Ito be an
nounced at the next meeting) to advance
the interests of the association at the meet
ing of the American Pathological Society,
to be held at Richmond, Va, in Septem-
Der next, and take into consideration for
the action of the association such steps as
seemed to be necessary and advisable for
its proper representation at that meeting.
Dr. Rowland replied to letter from
L. G. Hootie, in relation to grating male
upon female vines, that great care should
be taken in the selection and cutting of
the scions and their preservation until the
time of grating, which should be when
the vine is in full leaf, and then just below
the surface Of the ground but at this
season of the year the result would be I'M
successful.
Mr.. j. L. Smith laid upon the table
fine specimen of the Lady apple, and some
gratis, which elected very practical and
scientific discussion, participated in by
Messrs. Taylor, Chamberlain, King, Gill
bingham, and Others
On motion Of Major King, Professor
Glover, of the agricultural department.,
was invited to give paper upon the
character of the destructive insects exist
ing in May and June, and Friend Gillipg-
ham was invited to give description of
his method of destroying such insects.
Adjourned to meet on the first Tuesday
IN Nov #