NEW YORK HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 331 



answer a question, the solution of which is coupled with so many conditions and cir- 

 cumstances beyond my knowledge or control? 



I can say the Lombard, Reine Claude, Quackenboss. Bradshaw, Purple Egg, Geni, 

 German Prune, French Damson, Peters' Yellow Gage, and Copper are among the best 

 we have and seem well adapted to our soil and markets, while of the newer sorts now 

 being tested, the Stanton is one of much promise. 



Having determined the question of our varieties, let us bear in mind that the suc- 

 cessful grower of plums must make np his mind to persistentlv follow the insect life 

 which ever stands ready to prey upon the plums. The bloom has scarcely fallen 

 before the curculio begins his depredations, and with the usual appliances of mallet 

 and sheets the orchardist must persistently follow the jarring process for weeks, or 

 until the frviit is sufficiently grown to be beyond his reach. 



Spraying with Paris green solution has been resorted to, but the foliage of the plum 

 is sensitive and only in skillful hands should Paris green be trusted or injury will 

 follow. 



The green aphis has found the leaves of plums a tine pasture in which to multiply 

 by the million, and far more difficult to subjugate than the curculio. The writer has, 

 during the past three years, seen orchards entirely defoliated by its devastating work, 

 notwithstanding the exerci.se of all known care for its extermination. 



The leaf blight will occasionally step in, when influence of season seems favorable for 

 its development, bringing with it immaturity of fruit and wood, and, when followed 

 by a severe winter, destruction of tree equalled only by a prairie fire or cyclone is the 

 inevitable result. You ask. "'Can not this be ijrevented?" The only answer that at 

 present can be made is that good culture and a soil properly enriched may materially 

 aid the orchardist. 



In regular train follows the black knot, in many sections having rendered plum- 

 growing a thing of the past, its spores ever ready as they float in the air to prey upon 

 any tree by weakness or other cause rendered a tit subject on which to germinate 

 and to spread its destructive powers. The eye of the successful orchardist will ever 

 be on the alert, and with knife and saw in hand, on the first appearance of the excres- 

 cence, he will cut far below the part affected, and with promptness consign all to the 

 fire. The plum orchard should be carefully looked over tw' ice a year for this destructive 

 pest, or cause of regret for neglect will surely follow. 



The picture may not be calculated to inspire confidence. The weak shrinks when 

 there is no danger, but the bold, filled with enthusiasm, is inspired to go forward to 

 success in whatever he engages. We have the soil and the trees, and science has 

 taught how best to cultivate, feed, and overcome the obstacles to be met in various 

 stages of growth; common-sense and observation should teach us how best to trim that 

 our trees may carry to maturity a reasonable crop. 



Proper handling and preparation for market are important factors in the work now 

 in hand. The plum is perishable, and more care is required than often is given, especially 

 on sorts designed to be sold on the retail stands of distant cities; these certainly should 

 be picked with stems adhering and carefully laid in five to eight pound baskets, in all 

 cases picking the small or inferior fruit by itself to be marketed as second-class. And 

 while the varieties designed for preserving need not be so carefully packed, equal care 

 should be bestowed in sorting that no imperfect fruit be packed in packages denomin- 

 ated first-class, in doing which you will find some one ready to purchase your fruit at 

 its full value, giving you fair compensation for all your labor and care, and you in 

 conclusion abundantly satisfied that a crop of well-grown plums shipped in clean, neat 

 packages, at the proper time, and to the proper markets, is one not to be despised. 



The meeting closed with some congratulatory remarks of W. C. Barry in 

 regard to the interest maintained by the members throughout the session, 

 and the valuable information disseminated. 



Mr. P. B. Crandall of Ithaca read a report from Tompkins county, 

 which opened with the statement that the season of 1889 had not been a 

 successful one to the farmer. The fruit crop had been very light, and 

 quinces suffered from twig blight. The increased acreage of grapes was 

 becoming an important factor, while that of strawberries had gradually 

 diminished. Farmers' institutes are doing much for the dairy interests of 

 the state, and the different meetings which liave been held had done much 

 to improve quality and cheapen production, and he thought fruitgrowers' 

 institutes would be equally beneficial. In referring to the jiutting up of 



