The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-08-09
From the Washington Chronicle
Do OUR FRUIT GROWERS,

The Decay of Fruits-Interesting Proceed
fngs.
The August meeting of the Potomac
Fruit Growers Association was held at the
Board of Trade rooms yesterday, Friend
Chalkley Gillingham, president, in the
chair:
There was full attendance of members
living far and near. Among those present
we noticed Judge j. G. Underwood, oil
Alexandria Judge j. Ii. Gray, of Falls
Church Mr.. John Saul, of Washington
DR.. L. p. Rowland, Professor William
Saunders of the Agricultural Department;
DR.. r. P. Darby, of Uniontown; Colonel
Edward Daniels, of the Richmond Journal;
Colonel d. S. Curtiss, Of the Richmond
Gazette, and many others.
Vice-President King introduced a num-
Der of ladies', which gave very pleasant
variety to the proceedings. 1t is hoped
their visits will be more frequent in flu
ture.
John T. johnson, treasurer of the Dis
trict of Columbia, proposed by DIR. Darby,
and Mr.. John S. Poler, Of Washington,
proposed by Judge Gray, were unani-
mously elected members of the associa-
ton.
Arrangements were made for holding the
yearly exhibition at the Board of Trade
rooms on the first Tuesday in September,
which will be duly advertised. @H
A vote of thanks was passed to Hon. w.
III. Clagett for the use Of his rooms, and
the great encouragement he has given the
cause of fruit culture by his continued at
tention to the association.
An invaluable discussion was then OPEN
ed upon mulchiag, in answer to letter
from 3D." near Ellavile, Md, who asked
for the best mulch, how and when to apply
it, and under what circumstances it should
be used to pay.
Mr.. VIM. Saunders said the object of
lnulching was to retain moisture, and that
pulvefised soil was good and always at
hand, and might be made as fine as dust.
It should be loose and porous dews would
be absorbed Wy it. Dry soil was best.
DR.. r. P. Darby cautioned every one
against the use of ''green trash - too
much of it produced heat that would de-
stroy that which was supposed to be bene-
fitted. ..l s.a.s.s
Mr.. T. Bramhall said mulching would
pay well. Had set out and reset lot of
fruit trees, and those lived and thrived best
that he mulched. Most died that he did
not tieat in that manner; recommended
the use of chip dirt, bark and woods earth
several shoYelsfull to each tree.
Major King stated that he would use any
thing at hand that would not become baked
and hard.
. ID. S. Curtiss favored the simple dry earth,
made very fine. BY being fine power was
given it for thorough absorption to any
available moisture.
Professor Brainard would combine plant
food for manure where he could with
mulch, and therefore recommended first
the use of tree leaves, &c. 1tiA. ,as
A very able thesis was then given upon
the decay of fruits by Professor Brainard,
who, by patient toll, had discovered the
workings of little insect that punctured
the leaves in thousand places-literally
bleeding the leaves to death--even going
through the grape to deposit its larvae in
the seed, which in its turn ate out tho meat
Of the seed. His remarks were fully illustra-
ted by diagrams, enabling those present to
catch the exact state of things. asst
A vote of thanks was passed to him for
his important labor.
Nj. John I. Bramhall gave some facts
from his observations, which supported the
conclusions ut which Professor Brainard
had arrived. . A. r-5g3l
Major King conveyed the sense of the
ASSOCIATION in abiding to the address as be-
ing very able and valuable.
The president added to this interesting
matter of insects in an address of great m
terest, going Into the orchard and giving a
history of their doings. lie spoke particu-
larly upon the moth.
Captain II. d. Smith, of Arlington, Va,
largely concerned in fruit growing and the
canning business, said his etfectual way of
destroying the worm and web was to have
very large tin torch, such as is used in
torch-light professions, only larger, and
make a sudden visit upon them, which
might well be called "red-hot" raid.
The display of fruit was magnificent.
The tables overhowcd with pears, peaches,
grapes, and apples.
Among the exhibitors was DR.. r. p. !
Darby, with his always choice collection.
In his variety there was fine specimen of
the Beurre D'Anjou Pear.
Mr.. Saul had very full selection, MAX
ing fine show.
Chalkley Dillingham; exhibited six vare-
ties of apples and six of pears, and his Ed
wards Early Apple attracted particular
mention.
Mr.. Bramhall displayed fine lot of
eleven kinds of apples, five of grapes, and
a specimen of the paw-paw. a
aR. L. McLain, the best Hale's Early
Peach on the tables.
Major II. G. Williams, the same on the
Benoui Apple.
Rev. S. w. Madden, of Alexandria, not
able to be present himself, set good ex-
ample to others by sending choice speci-
mems Of the Ives Seeding Grape.
Mr.. S. II. Snowden had twelve varieties
of apples, some not named, but all looking
well. He had some plums which he grows |
successfully in poultry yard.
DR.. E. p. Rowland presented the neatest
selection. all being shown in plates and fruit |
stands. His Walter grape was particularly
remarked, as well as his casket of peaches,
full and luscious.
Captain III. d. Smith had a fine basket of
peaches, Rodgers nox grape, and Seeding
nectarincs.
Last, but not least, came the jolly, en-
thusiastic Colonel Daniels, with huge
basket containing twenty-nine varieties of
grapes from his extensive vineyard at Iona,
on the Potomac. He not only has these |
kinds, but he has a practical knowledge of |
each, and can tell what sorts do well or
poorly.
His earliest varieties now nuite nerfactlv