Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-12-30

SSpecial attention was given to the subject of
Diseases n;s OF pants-the blight pear trees, fun
rs 's Is ineest Of SsRes etc The
mas naturally attracted the attention of fruit-
gr0wers % the subject, and they are anxiously
SEEKING a remedy. At this exhibition of the
Se,e,y, contrary to previous custom premiums
nad been presented for competition, and. As il
almost always occurs, the best fruits did not get
ticnitnrai ums. FOR Instance, the Virginia Hor-
heuIturat society offered a premium of one
nunired ,ollars for the best exhibition of appies.
r., wnlcn was given to very inferior collection
an ns sc vas no systemized attempt to bring out
me fruits OF this section, but had there been An
exhibinon OF fruits could have been presented
,hat twenty such collections as that from Ne
Of could not have excelled. In regard to
.ne premium given, the committee stated that
tnere was no collection worthy of it, but il had
10 De given to the one that fulfilled the con-
1tions; The pears from this section compared
Tar as kind could be compared with kind. ours
seemed superior. In size, nothing could COM
pare with those sent from Norfolk, showing that
mere Is no better fruit growing region than the
one Immediately around us. At the conclusion
Oh the above verbal report of Mr.. Saunders, Mr.
SuItiss moved that it be approved and accepted
by the society. The motion was seconded NV the
secretary, and adopted.
RAISING OF PEAR STOCKS
Inc Following resolution was offered nv Jas
L. smith, which was received and read BY the
Resolred, by the Potomac Fruit Growers Asso-
cation. That the nurserymen of our country are
.SsPcCIuliy souclteQ 10 select seeds of hardy
heathy varieties OF pears, not liable to blight
such as Sickle, Bloodgood, Duchess dAnSou,
leIh, ana others, TO grow for stocks to engraft
on. The present mode of importing stocks from
Europe is a mistake, as European varieties are
many of them, very liable to blight, and thus
the great fatality in some measure by blight in
our pear trees.
MIR. Saul.-As a nurseryman, L cannot agree
with what Mr.. Smith states in his resolution as
L have found the imported stocks far superior to
the native, being less disposed to blight. Not
only Is that my experience, but it is that of ALI
nurserymen who have had any experience in the
growing OF pear trees; why, / cannot say. The
same Is true also, of ounce stocks, those i'm.
ported rom m, rance being far superior to those
stocks, and the first question / am asked by
purchasers Is whether they are grown here or
imported. II the former, they are not wanted.
Mr.. Saunders.-I think that the resolution
assumes fact that does not exist. / question
whether the disease is more frequent in Europe
than it is here.
Mr.. Dillingham; have tried to raise pear
frees from native stocks and 1t was a complete
failure.
on motion of Prof. Taylor, the resolution was
laid on the table.
Mr.. III. ID. Smith presented an apple known as
the middle apple, which he stated was found
only in Herkimer county, New York. He recon-
mended IL as good keeper and the best favored
winter apple grown, and said that he would
have some sciOns for distribution, so that il
might be ascerrained whether it would be
suitable for this section.
Mr.. Gillingham stated that New York winter
apples were not improved by being brought
here, as was the case with some of the summer
varieties.
The secretary laid upon the table for use of
interested members John Vicks, cataloguesI
specimen copy OF the american AJriculturist, and
Ransoms essay OH the curculio.
The secretary offered the following resolution,
which was adopted:
ResOlred, That a committee of three he ap-
pointed by the Chair to visit the Hon. F. Watts,
Commissioner of Agriculture, and, thanking
him for the past courtesies of the department.,
ask that continuance of notice may be had, so
far as he may be able to give it, by representa-
ton at its sessions, and in any other manner he
NAV deem proper.
The committee appointed were Messrs. Cur
tiss. Saul and Folsom.
The association then adjourned until the first
Tuesday in January.