National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-05-05
THE BEST AND HARDEST VARIETIES.
Samples OF Fruit shoWn-The Farmers
and Fruit Growers on Different
Topics Of Interest TO Them
Progress OF the Association
A Good Showing.

The meeting yesterday OF this society was q
attended, more than . usual number Of ladies
being present. In the absence Of the president,
Vice President Ring took the chair, and DR.. ].
E. SnOdgrsss, secretary.
Besides sound specimens Of spples-spice ap-
pie and the Jonathan-contributed by Stacy
Snowdon, the table was handsomely ornamented
with splendid flowers, the tribute OF Mrs. Harriet
Nute's taste and skill, including hne roses and
splendid geraniums, in pots-Tery thrifty.
APRICoTs AND PEACHES.
The order Of the day was the consideration OF
apricots and peaches, and the subject was opened
by brief but instructive paper by DR.. Z. P. How
land, in which he stated his experience with q
large apricot orchard near Mt. Vernon. He said
this fruit likes clay soil, we'll drained and
shaded, with care in culture, and constant war
on the curculio. DIR. HOWland's paper was highly
satisfactory, and was ordered printed with the
minutes, and ELECTED lively discussion previous
to which Mr.. Needham suggested that to create
additional interest in this city with a greater
number Of the public
HORTICULTURE
be considered part Of the business Of the society,"
and moved committee De appointed TO inquire
into the subject. and the CHAIR appointed Mr..
Needham, Mrs. Mute and the secretary.
Consideration Of the apricot was resumed;
President GillnghRm having arrived took the
chair He said sPTicGSss do best on northern
sun may not strike them too hercely. And then
the curculio must be fought constantly.
Mr. King had succeeded in saving fruit from
the curculio by having plenty Of chickens in the
garden among the trees.
Col. Pitts confirmed the statement that chick.
ems will destroy that pest and save the fruit.
Col. Curtiss stated that in Illinois they md the
curculio works and travels in the daytime and
hides in the night. He secretes himself in the
cracks Of the bark and in the wounds Of the tree
and limbs, and hides under chips and Jumps on
TIE secretary stated that the apricot was ma.
-1FA Gaa NRaaN NhnRa al
warm valleys, in sequestered hooks, and not on
the Id hills and mountains, and we should study
its native care and habits.
DR.. Rowland wanted more to know how to Gull
tiyate it and succeed here, than how it was done
in Armenia. We are cultivating in this country
and not that, and wished to succeed here.
Questions were asked about Hasps and other
insects. Mrs. Keeling suggested trapping the
Wasps and yellow jackets with bottles OF mofasses
hung in the trees, which was thought by some to
be good idea.
The president and DR.. Rowland th6daht ele-
waited positions in this country the safest against
injury by frost to fruit Sprnkling trees at mig hit
before frost was said to be safe operation, and
vegetables and fruit from injury by frost.
Mrs. Mute often saved her plants BY pals Of
water in the room at night.
Mr. SnoWdon found that his apricots. in a
northern exposure, but protected from wind, es-
capped the late frosts while others did not escape
So with some Of his tender peaches.
Captain H. D. smith, Of Arlington, said part
Of his aprieots the earlier ones, were destroyed,
and others escaped, and II he succeeds in fght-
ing the cuIculio he will yet have fair crop. He
has peach trees on different slopes and they were
affected about the same by frost; not more than
one fourth will be destroyed.
Rev. Mr.. Freeman suggested that mulch of
straw or manure be placed around the roots Of
the trees, after they are frozen, to keep back
blooming till after the frosts, and asked If it
Captain Smith, DR.. Rowland and the secretary
said this was the New York practice, and worked
we'll there; but here the ground does not freeze
Colonel Curtirs had known that operation, to
save tender fruits, in Michigan and New York,
to succeed we'll
Captaip Smith said that two tender sorts ef his
peaches-the Nonpareil and Morris Whitehead
suffered worst from frost, but not more than 20
per cent. of the others were killed. Hale's Early
and Stump the World stood best. Yet he said .
frost which would kill any would injure all more
or less. They would not be 80 good as If there
had been no FROST
DR.. Rowland thought, sfter close inspection,
about one half his fruit was injured.
Colonel Pitts said the earlier blooms OF bis
aprieots had been destroyed-not the later ones,
The secretary read from the Baltimore Sun
that from Is to 80 per cent. Of the peaches had
Major Hines found that in his part Of Virginia
not more than one-tourth Of the peaches were de-
stroyed by the frosts.
The secretary called attention to the matter Of
the vinegar exhibited by Q worthy member at q
previous meeting. He said II was an excellent
article, but the scientific committee had not yet
y
also made happy remarks on the energy and
taste Of Mrs. Mute in her floral works, and OF
lady members generally to advance the society.
Mrs. Mute, on invitation, gave description Of
her mode, and Of the handsome fern, much like
the Hartford fern, which was found growing wild
in Prince Georges county, Md. 1t is very beau
tiul and her rooms are tastefully festooned by IT,
Col. Curtiss mentioned seeing the same kind OF
fern in the Appomattox valley, Va, during the
war, and regarded IL finer than the Hartford fern.
The president gave brief history Of the Seckel
pear. 1t is o seeding from French pear, known
as the RouSIeffe de Rkefms, and was grown on the
farm Of Mr.. Seckel, near the city Of Philadelphia,
and the original tree was standing and bearing
fruit only a few years ago, but is down and gone
now. The fruit was regarded more delicious
than its French parent.
The secretary read pleasant little article from
the Maryland Farmer, Of . conyratulatory char.
Rcter, after which Col. Curtiss read q pretty
poem from the same paper, written by the secre-
tary, which was received with favor.
After transacting some society business the
Chair designated the pear" as the subject fol
consideration at the next meeting-frst Tuesday
in June-When as many OF the public as desire
will be welcomed TO participate 10 the discussion
as they are designed for the public benefit as well
as Of the members.