Whereupon the address and reports were, on motion, referred to appropriate committees. The chair then appointed the following special committees, viz:

On Officers' Reports-W. A. Ragan, J. C. Ratliff, and E. Y. Teas.

On Fruits on Exhibition-Dr. J. A. Warder, I. D. G. Nelson, and J. S. Broadwell.

On Finance and Accounts-B. F. Maxwell, Dr. A. Furnas and J. W. Furnas.

On Obituaries-W. A. Ragan, Dr. A. Furnas, and E. Y. Teas.

Sylvester Johnson, Esq., delegate to the biennial meeting of the American Pomological Society at Rochester, New York, in September last, reported as follows:

REPORT OF AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Officers and Members of Indiana Horticultural Society:

As your representative to the seventeenth biennial session of the American Pomological Society, held at Rochester, New York, on the 17th, 18th and 19th days of last September, I take pleasure in reporting that a much larger number of members and visitors were in attendance than usual. Especially may this be said of the more prominent pomologists of America.

As the proceedings of this society are only seen by the members, and as they are exceedingly interesting to fruit growers generally, I will give them somewhat in detail. Acting Secretary Robert Manning, of Salem, Massachusetts, called the meeting to order, and stated that owing to ill-health the President, Hon. Marshall Pinckney Wilder, of Boston, would not be present. Dr. J. A. Warder, of Ohio, one of the Vice Presidents, was elected President. Hon. C. R. Parsons, Mayor of Rochester, delivered the address of welcome, which was very appropriately responded to by Dr. Warder. One sentiment expressed by the Mayor in his address was so exquisite that I know you will pardon me for repeating it. He said: "Flowers have been in all ages universally cherished. Who does not love them? They embellish our gardens; they give a more brilliant luster to our festivals; they are the testimonials of our gratitude; they are often necessary to the pomp of our religious ceremonies, and they seem to mingle their perfumes with the purity of our prayers and the homage which we address to the Almighty. Happy are those who love and cultivate them."

The following committee, to examine fruits and award the "Wilder Medals," was then appointed: M. B. Bateham, Ohio; Sylvester Johnson, Indiana; Dr. Samuel Heape, Georgia; W. Watson, Texas; Rev. R. Burnett, Ontario, Canada; and P. J. Berkmans, Georgia.

The Committee on Credentials reported eight delegates from Michigan, one from Indiana, two from Georgia, four from Missouri, twelve from Maryland, one from Texas, three from Ontario, Canada, one from Pennsylvania, four from Ohio, one

from New York, three from Connecticut, twenty-six from Massachusetts, three from Nova Scotia, two from District of Columbia, two from Department of Agriculture, and one from New Jersey. Besides these there were many visitors and members who came without credentials.

A committee previously appointed on nomination of officers reported as follows: For President, Marshall P. Wilder, of Boston; Vice Presidents, one from each State; Treasurer, E. W. Bushwell, of Boston; Secretary, Robert Manning, of Salem, Massachusetts.

Executive Committee - P. J. Berckmans, of Augusta, Georgia; John Saul, Washington, District Columbia; George B. Thomas, Westchester, Pennsylvania ; Prof. W. J. Beal, Michigan; and Norman J. Coleman, St. Louis.

President Wilder's address was then read by Dr. Warder. Mr. Wilder is eightytwo years old, and is at present suffering from the effects of a broken leg; but notwithstanding his infirmities, his address was able, "thoughtful and well considered," and in feeling terms he tendered his resignation. This the society refused to accept, for so great was the appreciation of the man and his labors and sacrifices for the society, it was determined that, as he was its first President, he should be its last during his life.

The Treasurer reported $1,193.76 received, and a balance of $292,25. Patrick Barry, Esq., then took the floor, and said he wished merely to refer to the changes which had taken place in fruits and fruit growing in the last quarter of a century. He had picked up an old catalogue of fruits a few days ago, and had observed that nearly all the pears of that date had been superseded. Of all the grapes, not a variety, with the exception of the Virginia, was preserved, and this was about the way it went through all the list.

Thomas Mehan, of Pennsylvania, gave an address on "The sexes of flowers in relation to the fruitfulness of orchards and new varieties." The conspicuous point he made was that the object of sex in flowers is to induce variations, instead of reproduction, as is so often claimed.

Some one stated that Massachu

The subject of new fruits was next discussed. setts has but one new variety of grape, which is Moore's Early. It was claimed to be two weeks earlier than the Concord, and entirely free from mildew. Mr. Maxwell, of Geneva, said that he understood that specimens on exhibition were inferior in flavor to Worden's Seedling. Mr. Saul, of Washington, regarded Moore's Early as inferior to Delaware or Iowa, but it could be grown where the others could not be ripened. Mr. Campbell, of Ohio, had fruited Moore's Early this season, and compared it with the Concord, which he thought it equal to in all its characteristics. He thought Moore's Early ripened a week earlier than the Concord in Central Ohio. Mr. Moody said a new white grape, the Niagara, was originated on Mr. Hoag's grounds, in Lockport, New York. It had the best leaf he ever saw, and held its leaves to the last. He regarded it as an important acquisition.

Mr. Crane said the Niagara was the most remarkable grape he ever saw, never had any mildew on it, and he had found leaves on it eight by nine inches. It is a cross between the Cassidy and Concord. Mr. Hubbard had seen the Niagara for two years, and thought it would become very valuable for general cultivation. Isadore Bush, of Missouri, an authority on the grape, upon invitation, gave his opinion upon the new varieties grown in his locality. He said the Elvira and Nooh were the best in his State.

The Committee on Fruits then reported through their chairman, Mr. Berckmans. They found on exhibition 859 plates of apples, 517 of pears, 16 of peaches, 409 of grapes, and 37 of miscellaneous fruits; aggregate 1838 plates. Allow me to say here, parenthetically, that if there is any danger that any future representative of this Society should be placed on the fruit committee where 1838 plates of fruits are to be examined and tested, your past representative will not be a candidate for reelection. His great partiality for the grape is well known, and his ability to keep them from spoiling is equally well known, but when he is required to carefully test and closely scrutinize a half a cluster each off of 409 plates, it may be said to be a little too much of a good thing. His family physician concurred in this opinion on being called to his bedside on his return home. The latter part of the report of the Fruit Committee read as follows: We make the following awards of the Wilder medals, and base our action on the precedent established at former meetings: 1. For the largest and best collection of apples exhibited by a society, to the Iowa Horticultural Society, a silver medal.

2. For the largest and best collection of apples exhibited by an individual, to E. Moody & Sons, Lockport, New York, a silver medal.

3. For the largest and best collection of pears exhibited by a society, to the Missouri State Horticultural Society, a silver medal.

4. For the largest and best collection of pears exhibited by an individual, to Ellwanger & Barry, of Rochester, a silver medal.

5. For the largest and best collection of grapes exhibited by an individual, to T. S. Hubbard, of Fredonia, N. Y., a silver medal.

6. To Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, Boston, for a collection of pears, a silver medal. 8. To J. H. Ricketts, Newburg, N. Y., for “Lady Washington” grape, a silver medal.

9. To H. E. Hooker, Rochester, for collection of grapes, a silver medal.

10. To Missouri State Horticultural Society, for collection of grapes, a silver medal.

II. To Fruit Growers' Association of Nova Scotia, for collection of fruits, a silver medal.

12. To Ellwanger & Barry, Rochester, for collection of grapes, a bronze medal. 13. To Michigan State Horticultural Society, for collection of fruit, a bronze medal.

14. To M. B. Bateham, Painesville, O., for peaches, a bronze medal.

The award of the silver medal to J. H, Ricketts, of Newburg, New York, for the "Lady Washington" grape, was sharply criticised by those persons who had other new grapes, and who would not silently consent to see their rival distinguished in this way. The Society recommitted this portion of the report to the committee, the members of which, still believing Mr. Ricketts was entitled to the medal, consented, as a compromise, to give it to him, but instead of naming the 'Lady Washington,” made the report read, "for the best collection of grapes and peaches." This was adopted unanimously. Then followed a promiscuous discussion upon new grapes. White grapes, or, more appropriately, pale green grapes, seemed to have the chief run. On account of the rot in the Concord, which seems to be on the increase, the effort among grape growers is to procure a grape that will supplant the Concord. In the effort to secure this end the popular tide flows

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toward white, or pale green grapes. Judging by the exhibition of this class at Rochester it looks like the desired object has been attained of most, if not all, the following varieties: Duchess, Prentiss, Allen's Hybrid, Niagara and Martha. The Pocklington might also be named in this list. It only wants the flavor to make it superior to any, It is a monstrosity, larger than any of Rogers' Seedlings, and as large as the Black Hamburg, and although it is a seedling of the Concord, in color and size it has a strikingly foreign appearance. Its quality is not good, yet it is better than the Concord. A writer says: "The man who grows the Pocklington will have a show on his hands-yes, an elephant, without any other attraction."

William Saunders, who has charge of the Government gardens at Washington, was called upon for a paper on grapes. He said the paper would treat somewhat upon other fruits besides grapes. In the outset he dealt with the treatment of grapes, explaining how frequently, through misunderstanding of the different characteristics of the varieties of fruit, it was not properly cultured or improved. He argued that, while many varieties had such peculiarities as adapted them to culture for special purposes, there had as yet been developed no variety which was worthy of genera! cultivation.

Next he spoke of the pear. He said the great difficulty in raising and developing this fruit was the existence of fungus growth. Another drawback was the tendency of the fruit to crack. Various theories existed as to the cause of this, but it was only fair from experience to state that the cracking of this fruit was caused by mildew, which might be easily prevented by planting the trees at proper distances apart, and caring for them afterwards.

Pruning of trees was next alluded to. Mr. Saunders supported the idea that the thinning out of weak branches, judiciously, always proved beneficial. He argued somewhat against the pruning of trees in the summer, because frequently it weakened the growth. No general rules could be followed. The days of indiscriminate pruning in orchards would come to be known among pomologists as the "barbaric age."

This fruit did best on

Mr. Bateham, of Ohio, spoke of the black rot in grapes. many of the Ohio islands, where there was little or no dew. He believed the best preventive of black rot was to keep the roots dry, and thereby shut off the excessive supply of sap when there was the most danger of the disease setting in.

Mr. Coleman had had much experience with black rot, He had found that young vines would go through and carry their fruit when grapes on old vines would

rot.

Mr. Campbell said the Delaware and some of its seedlings were exempt from rot. W. C, Strong, of Massachusetts, said vines trailed over rocks would, he thought, be exempt from mildew.

Mr. Saunders was certain that a narrow roofing of boards over the grape trellis would answer the same purpose.

Mr. Hamilton, of Nova Scotia, like Mr. Coleman, suggested the advisability of keeping up a constantly renewed growth of young vines,

Mr. Coleman thought there could be no question but grape leaf mildew and pear tree blight came from an identical cause.

This remark came very near leading to a discussion of pear blight, but the President very promptly and wisely checked it.

A discussion on the merits and demerits of raspberries was next entered into. Of the black cap varieties the Gregg was the only one that all agreed to as being worthy of cultivation under all conditions of climate and soil where it had been tried. Of the red varieties the Thwack was highly spoken of by some and as strongly condemned by others. The Cuthbert, Reliance and Turner were spoken of as promising well generally, and in some localities as giving exceeding satisfaction.

In the discussion on blackberries all agreed that, on account of its exceeding hardiness and entire freedom from rust, the Snyder should be recommended above all others. Taylor's Prolific by some was highly recommended, but was not so generally known as other varieties.

It was a source of pleasure to your representative to know that three of the most popular fruits, to wit: the Gregg raspberry, the Snyder and Taylors Prolific blackberries, originated in the State he had the honor to represent,

Professor Lazenby, of Cornell University, then addressed the meeting on the relation of science to horticulture. He called attention to the general relation between science and fruit. He said chemistry was intimately connected with horticulture, as it teaches what are the constituents of soil and fruit. It shows how fruits grow and feed; it shows the necessity of rotation in crops, and he believed that as science progressed it would show what elements are needed in land to grow crops profitably. Botany is another science horticulturists should have a fair knowledge of. It would teach us the nature of rust, blight and mildew. Entomology should also be understood, as the loss by insects is over $100,000,000 annually in this country. If insects increase in the next ten years as they have in the last, men might be driven from the field. A knowledge of the habits of insects furnishes the key to the remedy for their ravages. He said there was no jarring between science and art. He reprobated the idea that agricultural and horticul tural pursuits are ignoble, and expressed the belief that soon the cultivation of fruit would afford scope for men of the highest attainments.

A discussion on strawberries next followed.

It was

Mr. Barry said he was the first to bring the Sharpless into notice. originated by Mr. Sharpless, of Pennsylvania. It was a very fine berry, and he had more than realized his expectations.

Mr. Rowe, of Newburg, N. Y., found the Sharpless very vigorous and firm on his ground. He saw it in one place in New Jersey where it was unproductive. He tested them side by side this year, and considered the Charles Downing ahead of it. He is testing 140 varieties, and the Minor's Great Prolific is the most promising. Dr. Hape found the Sharpless fruiting well this year in Georgia. The Monarch of the West was also a good berry with him. Mr. Purdy, of the Fruit Recorder, said that soil and location had much to do with all strawberries. This statement, I think, ought to be emphasized, for it explains the reason why opinions differ so widely in regard to the same variety of fruit. Mr. Purdy is a zealous advocate of leaves as a mulch for strawberries. He said the Pioneer was the most delicious, and the Durand the earliest he grew. Mr. Hussman said in Missouri their main dependence is the Captain Jack, Cumberland Triumph, Downing and Kentucky. Barry thought we should cut down the list of strawberries.

My time was so much taken up with committee work that I did not hear the discussion on apples, pears and peaches, but I was informed that the discussions did not occupy much time, and were rather unimportant.