National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-12-02
THE POToMAO FRUIT GROWERS
NOV EMRER SESSION.

| in the chair, and r. H. Folsom, secretary
The minutes Of the preceding meeting were
read and approved.
A letter was read from Mrs. A. Cox, aeknowl-
resolutions Of coincidence upon the death Of Mr..
| ]. W. Cox.
Mr.. Folsom, chairman Of the committee, sub
mitted the following; which was adopted:
| RssoEUed, That the secretary be instructed
hereby to advertise future session, to be named
at the January meeting, when the subject Of
canned and preserved fruits shall be discussed,
and that an Invitation be extended to all persons
interested to Join in such discussions and bring
with them fruits and recipes to illustrate their
| processes.
preserved fruits, and that they provide written
| diplomas for the best varieties and recipes as
DR.. Snodgrass, Chairman, reported that his
committee had made arrangements with THE
REPUBLICAE, according to instructions, by which
would be issued the day following the meeting,
being Immediately set before the members and
public while il was fresh. One hundred copies
would be supplied.
On motion Of Mr.. Pierson, the secretary was
instructed TO mail copy to every paying men,
Mr.. G. T. Needham asked If gas-Iime was Of
benefit to Wheat-lands and meadows.
Mr.. Pierson said its value was disputed; some
saying 1t would not pay to haul It tiye miles.
Mr.. Saunders said he could not pronounce upon
its comparative value, but he had used twenty
the process Of gas making II gains in ammonia,
which is its chief value, If it had any over other
Mr.. z. MP. King thought fresh gas-lime would
Nj. a. ". Eaton thought the province Of lime
not fully determined. Shelllime, which could be
bought for eight cents per bushei, was little
milder, and consequently better. He had used
twenty five bushels to the acre probably. He
gave an instance where the application Of gas tar
had killed a number Of trees upon which Il had
been applied.
quantities, with no injury. In the application Of
lime to land, gRs-lime was wet and lumpy and
hard to spread. Shell-lime was more profitable
on crops where he thought it better than guano
or manure. 1t should be used at the rate Of
about tifty bushels 70 the acre.
Mr.. ]. T. Bramhan thought the differences in
the use of gas tar could be explained. Used on
young trees where the bark was thin, It was sure
to kill them. Used on old trees, it could be ap-
piled with impuntty. 1t was hard on them to
beat the bOrers.
The Chair referred to the use of nails driven in
fruit trees to increase the health OF the trees and
stimulate bearing. The iron became oXidiZed
and entered the sap, he presumed.
Dr: Snodgrass thought the profit Of the re, nails Is
and so developed its fruit bearing capacities.
Mr.. Saunders said that was the object of graft
creased bearing. Ii the tree was stimulated too
much the fruit would decrease until the tree
hardly more than blossOmed.
Mrs. Mute had practiced charging water with
iron to stimulate the growth Of her plants with
great success. She put old iron in hot water let
ting it stnad for time, and then applying it to
Mrs. Mute placed upon the table a handsome
vessel Of apples-the seek no Further" They
were solid and very even in SiZe-reeOmmended
for late keepers-hne eating, as we'll as cooking
fruit. Properly kept, they would last until the
next seasons fruit came 49,
Mr.. N. W. PiersOn inquired as to the benefits
of oyster shells, as TO whether II was more profit
able to grind and dissolve than &c burn them.
Found on his farm whore shells had been burned, 1
bu with M aDDarent nFnfltg the soil althOuUh
heaps had lain about for number OF years!
Mr.. Saunders said InaI q company existed in
Boston for grinding shells and bones. He could
not state the exact good Of the shells so ground
but everything must be dissolved to be taken up
by plants. Ingredients, to be useful, must be
thoroughly dissolved. Lime was very useful in
that respect; it causes decomposition and changes
OF organic matter to prepare It for plant food
Heat light air, and water, were all needed for
the production OF the ripened fruits Of All kinds
of plants. A combination Of all was needed. He
said further that cultivation brought about this
tent with Natures laws. Drainage, for instance,
the result of high cultivation was very important
in letting air and moisture into the soil. A drain
made the soil open loose, porous and spungy.
When there was sufficient moisture in the soil
the residue of the water would pass off into the
drains leaving Just as much moisture as the earth
could hold to the depth Of the pipe.
Mr.. Saunders said in relation to the question OF
Mr.. Pierson, that bones gave strength 10 the soil
in any way, but dissolved, the work was more
The chairman spoke of Mr.. Laighton, Of Nor
folk, who kept cask of caustic I've into which he
put bones and shells. They all dissolved to-
gether, making q paste which he applied to his
land.
Dr.. Snodgrass commended for the chemical
needs Of soil, illustrating his remarks with the
saffron and elder plants, which had sulphur in 1
them and which were used in medicines for those
influences. Those chemical necessities should be
MI. Eaton said silica was found in and was
necessary to wheat, and that lime dissolved that
and putt into condition for use. 1t was as essen
ffa1 a1 prurn nj m landg nd nj
enough Of IL.
Mr. Saunders replied that his statement was,
that he had never seen the soil that had not suf-
hcient mineral matter; you want to supply or
ganic matter. Air and moisture are Natures
great decOmPosers. Silica only needs to be
turned up to the air to be dissolved. This was
his experience of years. He said we must study
natures laws, and have few theories, remembering
that theory is an explanation Of successful
and sure process Vegetable physiology should
be taught in schools. He recommended for study
to the members interested DR.. Carpenters work
and Lindly's theory Of horticulture as good and
useful books.
DR.. Snodgrass inquired as to reasons for sowing
peach orchards to buckWheat, what was gained
Mr.. Saunders said he could give no reason;
let science do that. If we have the facts let US
go ahead: He knew it was good plan, and
practiced it.
Captain H. D. Smith said he Endorsed the state p,
ment. He soWed buckWheat in his peach orch
ard, and let the fowls gather the grain crops.
They left sufficient seed to produce succeeding
crop, and he kept blowing 1t in. Never took Of \
the crop. He thought the hollow straw tended
to tighten the soil.
MI Eaton asked how it would do to SOW clover?
Captain Smith said a rich soil wasnOt so much
needed as mellow one for a peach orchard. |
Glover would make rich soil, but IL would not
be so light and moist which was best for peaches.
Mr.. PierSOn said there was mellOWing process
in buckWheat and peas. even when the crop was
taken off, He had noticed that where oats and
buckwheat had been sOWed side by side the buck
wheat left light and the oats heavy SOIL
The Char referred to the Arlington tomato,
and called upon Captain Smith for some 3 e
ments about It.
The latter gentleman said the best Should always
be cultivated No use bringing secOnd-rate fruit to
market. He had brought from fifty to a hundred 4
sold them for over one dollar a bushel, when in
feTiOr stock would not net more than fifty cents
bUshel. always do your level best" and bring
none but the best Of anything to market.
Upon sampling and discussion of the fruit the
association adjourned, TO meet the first Tuesday
in January tor an election OF officers for the ensu-
ing year.
DEATH Of ANOTHER CELEBRATED |
DOG.
Readers OF THE REPUBLICAN will recollect
not long since an account Of the death and burial
of Percy Thompson's remarkable dog, Jack; and
now mention has to be made Of the death of the
celebrated dog, Polar. He was a magnificent
New Foundland, and was brought from the
Northern regions by the United States steamer ]
Congress, vessel sent out to search in the Artic
seas for the ship Of discovery, the Polaris. When
Polar reached Washington he became the friend
and companion Of gentleman connected with
the Navy Department, and by his great intelli-
gence and most amiable disposition, he won the
respect SDd real love Of all who had the pleasure
Of his acquaintance. Contrary to the habit of
most dogs, Polar was exceedingly fond Of a car
riagG drive, and when out taking the country air
it was really amusing to watch the intense ex-
preston Of delight his cOuntenance WOTe,4 o.