Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1872-04-13
PUGET SOUND FARMERS CLUB,

This Club met 10 Tacoma reading room
on Saturday. April 9th, 1872; the chair
man, c. G. Hewitt, presiding.
Mrs. Samuel Coulter sent for exhibition
a very beautiful bouquet Of early Spring
flowers, embracing thirty varieties, al
grown in the open air.
Hon. F. Watts, Commissioner of Agri
culture, in letter Of late date to the
Club, writes: 1.-THE wheat is very fnc'
This is high praise, and Mr.. Cook (wbc
originated) aud Mr.. L. d. Barnard (who
raised the wheat) may well feel proud Of
the compliment paid them, as the Commits
sioner has samples at hand for comparison
from every portion of our country.
Mrs Catherine Kingsley, of Semiah
moo, Whatcom county, sends in Just tho
right time bag of White Russian TuruiF
seed for distribution. One half of it was
gladly taken by members present; one
gentleman declaring he had tried two OF
three years to find some. The remainder
Of the seed will be sent to parties at dis.
lance who may write for it.
Mr.. Himes-This potato plant is a seed
ling raised by me four years from the seed
which came originally from the Churchill
potato 1t is seven weeks from the seed
and tho leaf is ten inches long and six
inches broad. Have tried the potato and
think it will be an addition to our late
field crop.
Sample Of Lettuce plaintiffs is a va.
riety known to me as Holland Lettuce 1t
is fine, crisp aud tender, the best l ever
saw or used,; and no matter how old, 1t
is never bitter and unfit for table use. A
sample Of the seed was eagerly taken by
the gentlemen present for trial.
Mr. Joues-There is one matter to
which wish to call the attention of the
Club and our fruit growers generally, and
that is of insects injurious to vegetation
caterpillars, turnip beetles, and the whole
army Of parasites, whose advance guard is
upon our trees aud ravaging our gardens
Birds are killed and driven away; they
can be seen; and while the damage they
do is slight, the unseen grub is at the vi.
tails of our plants and trees, killing them.
One pair Of robins can do much to keep
down insects, aud we should spare the
birds and cultivate the harmless kinds all
We can.
The Secretary--Had never seen o
wormy apple in Washington Territory
Caterpillars were quite plenty last season,
and some trees were very much injured
by them. Had called attention to these
annoying and destructive pests, and few
attempts we're made to extirpate them,
h,,f o. Il II.
fences were covered by the full. grown
caterpillars hunting winter quarters; he
had never let one escape, but always
crushed them when found, knowing that a
whole brood died when one was killed.
No higher wages can an orchardist earn
than when he is extirpating these vermn.
A long pole with wire brush or old rags,
pint Of turpentine or kerosene, and few
hours work, at night when they always
nest, and the work is done.
Mr.. Moore-Wormy apples are plentiful
enough in Oregon, and it is only ques-
ton of time with us but now is the best
time for US to act.
Mr.. Dunlap-Ants eat up my pear bios.
SONS, entirely killing the buds. I built
fires and burnt them, dug bitches and
swept them in, but all to no purpose.
They are all over my orchard.
Mr.. Jones-The ant is carnivorous, and
does not eat vegetation, although some
might think SO, seeing them on the trees.
They are very fond Of the sweet sap that
flows through the trees.
The following communication was read
Mr.. PRESIDENT: wish to say some
thing in regard to the culture of fruit
trees, as it is q subject in which feel
deep interest. Mr.. Durgin, at our last
meeting, gave US the best varieties to
plant, and wish to offer few suggestions
as to the manner of planting. The soil
and climate CT our Territory afford uncqa-
ed facilities for the cultivation of fruit.
A rich treasure lies within reach of its in-
habitants in tho profusion of delicious va
rieties which successive years may be made
to supply. As yet but small portion OF
our citizens have availed themselves Of
these advantages.
Who among us partakes of all the vari.
cites that have been named? Who prac.
tically knows that whole yearly circle of
fruit is within his reach beginning with
the most refreshing strawberries, raspber.
ries and cherries for early summer, and
then plums aud four different varieties Of
blackberries that will last four months, to
say nothing of the luscious pears and ap.
Piles that will carry US through the season.
On our light prairie soils We have made a
mistake in planting our trees too shallow
After q careful observation of eighteen
years in this country, I think have
learned some facts that would be of inter.
est to beginners. The soil and eli
mate arc such that we have got to break
loose from established methods. Thirty
five years ago this spring set out my
first orchard that was in Pennsylvania.
The question among fruit.growers was
whether root grated or stalk grated trees
were the best. set out one hundred Of
tho root oraftod and two hupdrad STALL