The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-05-04
evening State goitrnaf.
THURSDAY EVENING, MAY A, 1871
Monthly Meeting of the Potomac
Fruit. Growers Association.


The Potomac Fruit Growers Association
met pursuant to adjournment at Cagetts
Board of Trade rooms. in Washington on
Tuesday, Judge ]. II. Gray in the chair,
and P. II. Folsom secretary.
Mr.. j. B. Bryan, of Silver Hill, Mary
land, brought a. very interesting subject
before the association in the shape of a
new beetle in the family curculionida that
be had discovered, and which has proved
a very destructive insect.
He noticed that his strawberry blossoms
were dropping in many places and rapidly
turning brown. An examination showed
this insect at work in large numbers-they
sting the stem just below the flower. His
earliest Strawberries were injured most,
being the Wilson's Albany. In some
places wo-thirds of the blossoms were de-
stroyed.
Professor Glover, of the Agricultural
Department, had not met this pest, and
was highly pleased in getting specimen
for study, and upon whose habits, &c., he
will report to the association at some future
time.
Mr.. Bryan mentioned the fact that a
neighbor of his had brought into the city
two quarts OF well-ripened strawberries
produced with open air upon hillside
mostly gravel.
Mr.. Smith handed some grape and pear
scions to the president for distribution
they were leahess, kept back by being
placed in a very cold temperature.
The chair appointed Messrs. King,
Saunders and Folsom committee to pre-
pare printed schedule of inquiries to be
sent 10 all fruit growers in the Potomac
region for information as to profits in fruit
growing, with whichever of practical expe-
rience could be obtained for the use of the
association at the meeting of the American
Pathological Society to te held at Rich
mond, Va, September next.
An interesting discussion then took place
in regard to the influence of the stock on
gratis.
Friend Gillingham thought II the graft
was high, the fruit would be influenced if
low, not.
Major King thought stock had some eff
feet, as pears grown upon ounce stock are
different in flavor from seedlings of same
sort.
Mr.. Saunders stated that there was an
influence some where, although he was
not prepared to say that it arose through
the stock.
Stunted trees produced the best favored
fruit; and luxuriant growth always gave
an inferior flavor. More depends upon IL .
vigor of growth, conditions of soil, climate,
&c.
DR.. Snodgrass gave an instance Of a
pear tree whose bearing was increased by
transplanting to other soil.
Friend Gillingham gave an interesting
paper on destructive insects and his meth
DDS of keeping them away, and from the
address and the opinion of the members
present, it was generally agreed that
whitewash or colored lime-wash, colored
by SCOT, was best, and almost certain
preventive against destructive insects. He
said that whitewash was of great benefit in
guarding against sun blight.
Mr.. Saunders said he thought he could
successfully prevent or stop the blight on
pear trees with whitewash. The bark
could be entirely covered, as the tree was
not dependent upon its exposure or vi
tality.
Upon the request of the Chair, Colonel
d. S. Curtiss gave brief account of his
visit to Pennsylvania among the farmers
and fruit-growers, stating, among other
things, that Mr.. Cocklin, of Shepherds
town, Cumberland county, had found
beneficial results in regard to the curculio
and other pests of the orchard by turning
in hogs and chickens among the trees, and
also realized benefits by the use of white
H. &c l..
ash lye sprinkled through the leaves.
Mr.. Bryan asked if be could with profit
ditch along line of woods bordering his
place, and make use of the land close up
TO the woods. Nothing could be grown as
it was.
Friend Gillingham answered ip the
affirmative from practical experience.
Thomas Taylor, chairman of the scen-
ti6c committee, read paper showing the
value of phosphoric acid as fertlizer.-
He stated that phosphoric acid had been
found in the ashes of all plants in combi-
nation with alkali or alkaline earths. All
mineral waters contain it which have been
tested for it. It has been also found
abundantly in the mineral, vegetable and
animal kingdoms, combined with lime,
&c. Liebig first discovered its existence
in the substance of muscle.
According to Schlossberger the ash of
the mushroom is also rich in phosphoric
acid. During the decomposition of animal
matter PHOSPHORUS is carried off in the
form of phosphureted hydrogen, and forms
one of the obnoxious gases Of green ferti-
lizers.
According to Thompson phosphoric acid
is by far the most abundant of all the acids
found in animals, and most of the fluids
contain it. If the food we eat is deficient
of this element our brain power, our
muscle and framework, the bones, will
lack that strength necessary for our healthy
existence. 1t has been estimated that q
COW fed on an acre OF land for seventy. i've
years would carry off in her milk one ton
of phosphate of lime.
How necessary then is it that the land
should be continually supplied with phos-
pilates in some form.
Adjourned to meet the first Tuesday in
June.
1t is limited in dispatches from London
that the Germans "may possibly stay in
France two years." Huniliating and horri-