National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-09-02
POTOMAC FRUIT GROWERS.
THE SEPTEMBER MEETING.


The Potomac Fruit Growers Association held
its September meeting in the Board of Trade
rooms yesterday with large attendance, com
posed in part Of ladies.
The exhibition of fruits was fine, especially
of grapesand apples. ChaIkley Gllingham,
president, was in the chair. D. s. Curtiss, the
secretary, read the minutes Of last meeting,
which were adopted.
The secretary stated that several papers and
pamphlets had been received by the society,
and he read pleasant letter from J. A. Hop
kins, an absent member.
FRUITS EXHIBITED.
Among the fruits exhibited were forty-four
varieties Of fine grapes, sent to the rooms by
Prof. VIM. Saunders, OF the Agricultural De-
psrtment.
Nine varieties of good apples, by Stacy
Snowden, of Fairfax county, Va.
Fifteen varieties Of splendid grapes, by q. T.
Scott, of Bladensburg, Nd.
DR.. E. P. Rowland gave notice that the
WOodlawn Agricultural Club would have q
picnic exhibition at Mt. Vernon Springs, on the
26th instant, when the new steamboat Mary
Washington will be chartered. DR.. Rowland
suggested that this society join in the excur-
sion, and moved that q committee of five be
appointed to carry out the arrangements.
DR.. Snodgrass, H. T. Scott, VIM. H. Snow
den, q. NJ. P. King and G. T. Needham were
appointed said committee.
Rev. J. A. Buck, VIM. Il. snowden aad R.
c. Arbuckle were elected new members Of the
society.
USE OF MINERAL PoIsoNs.
Dr.. ]. Brainerd read an interesting report
from the committee on the use of mineral poi
sons TO kill insects on plants. He would dis
courage the use of such and substitute Yegets-
BILE substances for destroying insects, as they
are not liable to be injurious to consumers Of
the food plants.
Drs. Snodgrass and Rowland, and other
members of the committee, discussed the qUes-
ton, and agreed mostly with Mr.. B Is report.
Professor VIM. Saunders said that the use of
csrbolc acid, If strong enough to destr oy in
sects, also destroys the plants, and If diluted
enough to be harmless TO plants, it was harm
less 10 insects. He recommended sulphur, es-
pecially for grapes. 1t was the very want of
the times, and if soluble, so the roots could
take and absorb it, nothing was better for
grapes and other fruits.
PREPARING THE SOIL.
In regard to preparing soils Mr.. Saunders
said the great error of too many was that they
gave too much attention to the mineral and
chemical condition Of the soil, and too little to
the mechanical and physical preparation. and
and the like were the most important.
The president concurred in the same views.
The report was received and ordered printed
with the proceedings.
The Chair called the attention of the com
mittee to the large show of fruit.
GRAPES.
Mr.. Saunders stated that this dry season had
been favorable to the perfection Of grapes; in
dry seasons they are less liable to mildew.
The best locality for grapes is where there are
least dews and fogs-in high and dry localities.
Mr.. Scott spoke highly in favor Of the Della
ware grape, and thought it would become the
general favorite and least likely to mildeW.
STREET swEEPINss AS MANURE.
Mr.. Bond asked about the value of street
sweepings as manure, if good for grapes and
other fruits. They were thought to be good.
In regard to manures, Mr.. Saunders thought
nothing better than the b2rn-yard manure,
and no better way to use It than to spread it
on the ground as mulch and top dressing; it
was also good as q fertilizer in that way, and
there was also a mysterious but sure benefit in
eoUering up the soil with manure by spreading
on the surface. This opinion was c0ncurred
IN by the president and others.
DR.. Rowland thought that chemistry was
useful in farming, by aiding to discover needed
elements and furnishing the means of render
ing the ingredients soluble, so plants could
take them into the roots.
Mr.. Pierson asked if milching would be
beneficial to grapes, and it was generally
thought that it would be.
We stir and hoe and plow land, Mr.. saun-
ders said, on purpose to let in the air ard
moisture, so as to dissolve the elements, in
order that the plant-roots can absorb them.
A very interesting discussion on these sub
jeCts was continued until near the hour of ad-
jOurnment.
Colonel D. s. Curtiss, secretary, rendered his
of that position, on account of
being required to be absent from the city go
much as to be unable properly to attend to the
duties.
After adjournment the society had sale of
the fruits on the table--Which were kindly
donated BY the members-and the sales real
lied 81. 40 for the treasury.
Adjourned to the first Tuesday in October,
when the public are invited to be present.
COMMISSIONER Dennison was alone yssvsruav
attending to the routine work of the Office,
DR.. Bliss and Prof. Langston, of the Board
Of Health, had an extended interview with Nj.
Dennison in regard to providing medicines and
medical attendance for the poor. It was
nnally decided that the matter should be
placed In charge Of the Board of Health, and
The following Communication was received:
WASHINGTON, d. c., Sept /, ls71, |
70 thS Honorable the Board Of Connfssio11leys or |
GENTLEMEN: Learning that it Is your intention |
. increase the number Of the Board Of Trustees |
y the Fuolic Schools In the District, we humbIy
petluon your honorable body to avail yourselves
u the opportunity to give representation TO he
olored citizens Of the Second district bT The sn
continent Of D. A, Straker as trustee Of public
chools. Mr.. Straker is a scholar Of lsrfe and
vide experience, and would give entire satisfac-
Ion 10 the puolfc.
We also most respectfully represent that ], S.
5rOWn, eX-prestdent Of the County Board Of /
school Trustees, whose name, we learn, Is before
'ou, does not, nor can in anyEise, represent the
olored citizens Of the Second district and Il not
ne preference Of the majority.
Your humble petitioners have the honor 10 be
our obedient servants: =. |
signed by g. W. Balloch, cashier Peoplels
,sVings Bank; Geo. ID. johnson, lumber; + A. |
,terling, clerk W ar Departments; Right Rev Inc. |
y. Brown, bishop A. NJ. L. Church; Jas nj.
fregery, tutor prep. department. Howard Unit
starry and treasurer Of Howard University; Rev,
ohn w. =. Mckee, presbyter p. E. Church; D.
/. 3. wall, eX-Delegate Of the District LegiEla-
iroEn, grocer; J. AIVord, president W. and N.
company; Jno. A. Prescott, clerk Treasury De-
a aItnent; Jno. b. Reene, professor theological
apartment Howard University.
The Commission have decided TO Increase
1e membership of the board, and It is prob
Die that Mr.. Straker will be complimented
lth so deserved an appointment,
A contract has been awarded to Hugh Muir {
" TO grade, set curbstones, Law brick foot {
lYement and park TWenty-third street, be- i
Eeen Pennsylvania avenue and E street north I
est, and grade and set curbstones and Law
lex foot-paTement on TWenty-fourth street,
tween Pennsylvania avenue and E street
,rthWest. Also, to construct the necessary
wer laterals for the alleys and eornerdrops
TWentythird street, between street and b
avenue northwest. Also, to v
ale New Hampshire avenue, from PennsyI- :
mia avenue 10 the Potomac river.
REPUBLICAN, NOMINATION.
The Republican ward meetings at Alexan- :
ia last night elected the following delegates q
the Congressional nominating convention Of q
at district, which meets on the 14th instant :
Culpeper Court House: First ward, Geo. L. 2
atom and r. Tancill; Second ward, G. E. 0
lorp and R. Freeland; Third ward, L. E.
yne, X. D. Beckley and james Buckner;
urth ward, John seaton and r. L. Mitchell.
a HEW BUILDING ASSOCIATION.
Attention is called to notice in another L
lumn for meeting At Marini's hall E street, !,
IS evening, for the purpose Of organizing y y
W cooperative building association. At this y
seting a full EXPLANATION will h, -. - a..