National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-08-09
THE FRUIT GROWERS EXCURSION.
Interesting Remarks by Members OF tn,
POlaris Exuedltlon.

Interesting Remarks by Members OF the
Polaris Expedition.
The fourth excursion and picnic of the Po-
tomac Fruit Growers Association was given
yesterday to Marshall Hall, and to say that
the affair was enjoyable would but family con-
vey an idea of the good time that was had by the
800 pleasuro-soekers who stepped aboard the
Corcoran yesterday morning After refresh
ing sail of an hour and a-half the excursion.
lists were landed at their destination, and soon
the rafting of knives forks and plates be-
tokened that dinner was in progress, superb
tea and coffee bel ng supplied gratis to those
having cups. At two o'clock, the inner man
being satisfied, DIR. L. p. Howaud
CAV an exhibition in the river of
the workings of the Merrlman Life
Dress as used by Captain Boyton in his
wonderful descent Of the Ohio and Mississippi
rivers. The exhibition being over the sight
seers adjourned to the pavilion where special
meeting of the Association was hold, President
Chalklcy Gillingham In the chair and DR.. L. =.
Rowland, secretary. Mr.. J. Russell Barre, of Lc
Droit was elected to membership. The commit.
tee appointed to take in consideration the pos
siblity and practicability Of holding q fair
next fall in this city, reported that they
believed 1t to be practical, aud could be
made success. They recommended that the
fair be held in September and that in con-
nection with the exhibition of fruits and
flowers there be loan exhibition of works
of art, science and curiosities. DIR. S. A. II.
McKim, the essaylst of the day, then read his
paper on Fruit as Diet and Hcalthful Agent -
DIR. Rowland next read short and interest
ing paper on Spontaneous Generation" On
motion of Mr.. Pierson resolution was adopted
Al - H. -. F,s..
ports of the Potomac Fruit Growers AssOcia.
ton shall be sent to any one except paid.up
members of the association.
Tho meeting was then turned over TO COL
onel Chase, chairman of the excursion com.
mittee, and music and recitations became the
order of tho day. Mr.. r. d. w. Bryan. the
astronomer of the POlaris expedition, made a
few humorous remarks upon fruit growing In
the Arctic regions, and gave concise and ex-
ceedngly interesting account of their life Will
there, describing their winter quarters the
locality and situation. Tho only plants there
were germinated from the seeds of small
grasses and Towering plants. People imagine
that there IS no land or soil whatever there
this was not so in any degree, as there was q
great deal of land. There was also Il consid.
cradle quantity of grass, upon which the musk
oxen live entirely. Upon arriving they had a
considerable quantity of wheat, which they
placed on shore. In some unknown way the
barrel was overthrow and the wheat was
scattered about the ground. In the summer
they were surprised to sec the wheat
spring up and thrive, attaining height of
eighteen inches This wheat remained ex-
posed 10 the cold of four winters, and was in
perfect condition when found by an English
expedition. Some of it they put in boxes and
brought home and sent TO the Smithsonian In-
slitute. Their winter quarters were on q
piece of loose soil, one fourth Of mile In ex-
tent, covered with limestone and grass. In
the summer time the land was most always
destitute Of snow, aud in winter the winds
were so strong that they would sweep the
snow away In many places. Captain George
L. Tyson, tho commander Of the party of nine
| teen, who wero on an ice foe from the 18th OF
| October TO the LIST of April Of the next year
more than six months, aud drfled nearly
| 1000 miles, was next introduced. He said
that the only fruit that they got was occasion,
| ally piece of frozen seal or bears meat. They
| were not half clothed the whole time, and the
| thermometer stood 40 or 80 degrees below zero
| Eghty.three days the sun never rose. He
| did not know much about fruit but he did
| know something about Ice which was the only
fruit raised there, They were nearly starved
| all the time, and almost resOrtcd 10 cannibal
| ism to save life These interesting exercises
| being over, the association was again called Il
| order, and the following resolution, offered by
Colonel Bingham, was adopted;
WHEREAS, Physical inhrmity has prevented DR.
]. Il. SnOdgIass from performing the functions o
secretary Of tho association since his last nslalla
ton, now over six months; therefore,
ReSO'ttd, That the ONCE Of secretary be declared
| vacant and that the chair appoint committee o
three 70 prepare proper address, expressive Of ou
| appreciation OF his services as secretary; also
Presentation 10 be delivered ~ DR.. snodgTass at
| future meeting Of the association.
DR.. Rowland was appointed to I'll the va
cancy and Mcssrs, Bingham, Chase and Coltol
were appointed as tho committee 10 prepar,
the address and to select the present. III,
committee, consisting Of the scientific, the OK
cursion and the executive committees of th,
association TO report on the practicability Of
holding u fair, was continued to carry into eff
feet the report. The committee hold !
meeting aud decided to commence the fair al
Masonic Hall on the 9th of September, to con
tinuo three days and perhaps the entire week
They organized by electing Colonel w. III
Chase chairman and DR.. Rowland secretary
There was fno display of fruits and flowers
| u,L ich tyare auciion eArpd off for tha houoG4 IA