National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-10-07
PoToMAo FRUIT aRoKERa.
OCTORER SESSTON-ls7A

OCTOBER SESSION-ls7A.
The association assembled yesterday at the
Board Of Trade rooms, at the usual hour, u
O'Clock nOon a fair attendance, including several
ladies, being present; Chalkley Gillingham,
president, in the chair, and D. s. Curtiss score
tary.
The minutes Of the last meeting Wereread, cor
reeted and adopted.
The question Of filling a vacancy in the secre-
tary's once, caused by the resignation Of Colonel
Curtiss, was discussed, in which Mr.. J. A. Hop
kins, DR.. Snodgrass, Mr.. Needham and others
took part, in which Mr.. Curtiss was requested to
sition, which he respectfully declined on account
Unnecessary absence, when, on motion Of DR.. Snod-
grass, the society proceeded to elect secretary,
and Z. D. Folsom was chosen.
The committee appointed at q previous meet
ing 70 make an expression Of the society In re-
gard TO the death OF ]. W. Cox, late member,
was asked to submit their action.
The following was reported by Mr., Folsom, from
the committee on resolutions:
Inasmuch as in the Providence Of the Almighty
our brother member, Mr.. Joseph W. Cox, has
been called to MS eternal home from the midst
of his:friends and associates, it is, therefore,
Resolved That this society bears testimony to
his worth and usefulpess as a beneyolent. indus
triOus Christian gentlemen, whose character was
admired wherever he was known.
ReSOlUed, That we tender our heartfelt sympa-
thies to his family in this hour of their bereave-
ment, with full trust in Him who doeth all things
for the best.
manent files Of the association.
The resolutions were adopted, and the secre-
tary was instructed to inclOse copy Of the pro-
eeedings containing the same TO the family Of the
ON the table were a few beautiful specimens of
pears-the Merriam and Dutchess-exhibited by
President Gillingham; also, some fine apples
the notified pipin-presented by Stacy Snowdon;
all in fne state Of preservation, and every one
praised their excellent flavor.
MI. q. A. Hopkins presented the society with
COPY of the 'Science of Health" q substantial
magazine, with other documents.
zNy,,.r kaa-r zN-l
rieultural papers to the attention of members OF
the society.
MT Folsom called attention to the late joint
excursion Of this society and the Woodland
Farmers Club, on the Mary Washington.
On motion Of DR.. Snodgrass, the previously pub
Hshed report was adopted as the report OF the
committee of this society.
On motion, he treasurer was authorized to re-
imburse Mr.. Folsom Tor expense Of papers and
postage, SLIGO.
Col Curtiss presented q statement from an
early work, by Dr. ID. d. Blake, for healing
wounds and curing diseases Of fruit and forest
trees, by covering them with a cement of earth
and ashes; also, covering stumps OF neHly-felled
trees with the cement, from which new bark will
be formed over the wounded parts, and new
sprouts spring forth. 1t was invented many
years ago, in England, by Forsyth.
Prof. VIM. Saunders said he was we'll &C
quainted with FOrsyth's works, and that they
contained useful information; and that he got
much useful knowledge from reading many old
works on farming and fruit growing. Brsdley's
old recollection OF facts was useful.
DR.. SnOdgrass said that grape growing in this
country did not early attract much attention
Washington's correspondence about his estates
said nothing about grape growing.
Mr.. Needham read and commented on an article
from IiHon's HoTtieEltUrfst on peaches, criti-
cism on sorts and their success in Michigan.
DR.. Brainerd stated that while on a recent
visit to Michigan he was informed of prevailing
epidemic in region where paris gre, en- had been
freely used to destroy potato bugs and 1t was
sick by eating potatoes which had been SO treated
as they imbibed the arsenite Of copper from the
paris green.
attention to this subject, and read an article for
the Agricultural Report, showing that this sub
ject was under examination by the Department.
DR.. Brainerd spoke Of the effect Of alum, in
fastening the termination Of plants, but they did
not thrive so we'll afterwards.
Mr.. B. Bryant asked If the potatoe bug itself
was poisonous.
Dr. Brainerd said that in Ohio child trod on
and crushed bug with the bare foot, and 1t was
blistered and made very sore, supposed to be pro-
duced by the poison OF the bug.
The subject Of killing or fighting these pests
was continued at some length, when Col. Lewis
asked If when one lot is killed of another would
come; and was answered that they kept coming,
and required diligent warfare.
Mr.. PiersOn asked how early it would do to let
young apple trees bear fruit.
The president answered that 1t would answer
to let them bear early as they will, but thin out
if they had too much fruit on them;
Mr. Pierson thought that too early bearing had
stunted his young trees.
Mr.. Saunders thought that the young trees be-
ing 1rSt stunted was what made them bear so
early. He said ly-stuIted plants always bear
flowers and fruits earlier than thrifty groWing
ones It is the tendency Of plants for stunted and
diseased ones to fruit prematurely. He alluded
to the old authors who knew and stated this fact
Darwin among them. He said there was moth
ing new under the sun; yes, there was one thing
new under the sun, that was holding a horticul-
tural show on steamboat, as that lately gotten
up on the Mary Washington, Of which the Wood
lawn Club might justly be proud. He COM
mended highly the remarks Of Col. Daniel on
that occasion-his remarks on fnauce-Which
farmers had need to understand.
Mr.. u. NJ. p. King called attention to the no.
tice that the WOOdlawn Club would hold its next
meeting at Col. ]. NJ. Lewis farm, on the 3lst of
this month.
Col. Lewis then invited this society to Join the
meeting at his place on that occasion; and Presi-
dent Gillingham hoped there would be q full
attendance.
DR.. Rowland called attention to the PROPOSE
ton by the business men of Alexandria and the
farmers theresbouts to get up fine fair grounds
for permanent exhibitions of such societies.
ID. o. Munsen thought we should have perma-
nent and more enlarged exhibitions.
The proposition Of Prince Georges County
lhd,) Society to donate grounds to the Potomac
Fruit Growers was spoken Of faYOrably, and the
attention Of the committee called to It.
Col. Curtiss made 4 statement explanatory Of
the proposition; also Of the previous proposition
Of DR.. Brainerd to donate fifty acres Of good land
for industrial practical school to be built upon
After talking over these matters the meeting
adjourned till the first Tuesday in November,
when the public are cordially invited.