Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-07-24
Meeting of the horticultural Society


The District Of Columbia Horticultural So
ciety met last night, Vice President John Saul
IN The chair, and Mr.. G. T. Chase secretary. A
fair number OF the membership was present, In
Guiding several ladies, wives and daughters OF
the members. On the tables were spread tiae
collection Of rare flowers. exhibited Dy Mr. John
It. G. Clark, Mr.. John Saul and Mr.. Thomas
w. Fowler.
THE CASE OF MICRoscoPisT TAYLOR
Mr.: Clark called attention to report being
circulated to the effect that Prof. Taylor micro
scopist Of the Agricultural department., was
about to be removed from ONCE by the chief OF
that department. He thought 1t the duty OF
the Horticultural Soceity to express its regret
such an occurrence. Two other valuable mem
bers of this society had been removed from the
same Office He offered the following: "Whereas
the report Is prevalent that the Commissioner
OF Agriculture contemplates the removal OF
Prof: Thomas Taylor from the office OF micro
scoplst OF said department, and whereas we are
Dent qualifications for the faithful discharge OF
the duties OF the office, and as we believe that
his removal would prove Injurious to the
agricultural interests Of the county; therefore:
RESOLVED, That a committee OF five be appointed
TO wait upon the President OF the United state
and request the retention OF Prof. Taylor In the
PAL tment. The resolutions were adopted
unanimously, and the chair appointed Messrs.
Clark, Chase, Doveilier and Baker as the CON-
placed on said committee friday morning was
the day liked upon for the delegation to Wait on
the President.
PEAR CULTURE.
Mr. Saul here read very Interesting ESSAY
on culture of the pear, which subject after the
conclusion of the reading, was discussed at
some length by the members. Mr.. Saunders
said the suggestions In the paper were very
valuable, but he noticed that nothing had been
said about the blight and failure OF crops. TIE
pear blight has become very common, and with
other causes, had conspired to injure this branch
r ia IRxNo "a
thing to ward OH these causes of failure to the
pear crop. 1t is well known that the blight is
caused by fungi growth, which is difficult to
prevent or to anticipate Prof. Taylor, of the
Agricultural department, had given the public
from time to time some valuable Information In
relation to the blight caused by this fungi for
nation. Incessant labor and watchfulneSS are
always requisite In raising pears. Apples are
sometimes troublesome to raise on account
OF similar causes. The soil should be suited
to the growth OF pears and the cultivation OF
the ground In orchards was frequently neceS-
sary. In some cases 1t is better not to cultivate
but set the orchard In grass. InjudiciouS prun-
ing is often the bane IN the way OF raising good
pruning after it has attained fair growth. It
is well to thin out the branches when they are
too thick, but generally all that Is necessary is
to pick of the buds or shoots with the fingers.
the question as to the cultivation OF orchards
is a mooted one. but as general thing the cul-
tivation OF the soil for other crops Is benefit
to pear trees. Good strong soil and not too
moist Is the best for pear trees. II the growth
the branches downwards and refrain from
cultivation. Sometimes by. leaving the orch
ARDS In grass Is much better than
blowing and narrowing the ground. Mr..
ing OF pears, and the blight. He said he had
century and the blight had troubled him very
fruit crops raised and is just easy to raise as
any other. He thought there was no more
blight now than there ever was. Mr. Gil!ing-
ham, OF Virginia, took the same view of the
case. Mr.. j. Z. c. Clark cited some cases, where
to bis knowledge pear trees had been bearing
fruit for over fifty years. The old trees seemed
to be free Of blight while much complaint IS
made Of new orchards In this particular. BE
could give 1t. Mr. Saul thought when trees be-
came OF a certain age they seemed to be out
OF the influence of blight Mr.. Saunders
ton TO the extent OF pear culture than there
ever was. The fact Is there are more persons
interested In pear culture, and there being more
observers we hear more about the subject. He
said much is said about the mildew and rot in
IN the grape culture, and the same rule applies
to grapes as to pears-there are more growers
and consequently more observers. The cherry
Clark thought that the plumb, cherry, green
gage, and other fruits were very plentiful When
he was youth; they are now quite scarce. He
could not understand why this Is so. Mr..
crops was the
APPEARANCE OF THE CURCuLIo,
which now and for many years past had been
ravagtng the trees. They came the same as
the potato bug, l0custs or grasshoppers. There
was, however, little difficulty In raising plums
and other fruits OF this kind, by simply en-
closing the orchard and permitting hogs aud
fowl to run In the enclosure. Mr.. Saul exhfb-
tied some samples of Russia apples and pears,
which were not very well developed, and said
they were better suited to colder regions. A
vote OF thanks was rendered Mr.. Saul for his
essay.
THE NATIONAL FAIR.
On motion OF Mr.. Clark, a committee Of three
was appointed to wait upon and confer with the
National Fair Grounds association In relation
to the coming fair, with view of preparing
fruit and flower exhibit. The chair appointed
MeSsrS. Clark, Chase and Fowler. Prof. Taylor
was invited to prepare an essay for the next
meeting.
PicnfCS. EXcurNi0ns. Acc.