SI STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



From the Sand pear we have the seedling LeConte. The tree is as vigorous 

 and healthy as the Cottonwood, an early and abundant bearer, fruit as large 

 as the Bartlett, ripens at the same time, and so firm it may be shipped to Eu- 

 rope, and it brought higher prices in New York than the Bartlett. Kiefer's 

 Hybrid, a cross of the Sand pear and Bartlett, ripens in October. Cocklin's 

 Hybrid a cross of the Sand pear and Louise Bonne de Jersey, is the handsom- 

 est pear I ever saw, ripens in September. 



The Japanese pears resemble the Chinese excepting the leaves are deeply 

 serrated and the fruit is apple-shaped. We have the Mikado Von Siebold and 

 Hawaii; don't know when they were introduced. The Chinese pears were 

 imported by the late Win. R. Prince, 50 or GO years ago. He found last sum- 

 mer in the latitude of central Indiana, a Chinese Snow pear 28 years planted, 

 35 feet high, trunk 18 inches diameter, vigorous and healthy, loaded with 

 fruit. This tree is surrounded by common pear trees and hybrids. Nearly 

 100 of these seedlings were in bearing, some of them of good size ; no trees 

 in market. The Japan quince may also claim our attention. He had no 

 doubt but by raising seedlings from the best specimens, in time, fruits of great 

 value might be obtained. 



Iu conclusion, he earnestly recommended to young men and old ones too, 

 the scientific production of new fruits by hybridization, and repeating Mr. 

 Webster's remarks, " there is always room for more on the top shelf." Mr. 

 Tease exhibited specimens of the Chinese and Japanese pears and quinces and 

 their foliage. 



Mr. Ragan gave his report as delegate to Illinois, and Mr. Ratliff as dele- 

 gate to Michigan. 



Mrs. H. V. Austin gave a very good " paper" on 



And Mr. Cowing on 



APPLES, 



STRAWBERRIES. 



Captain Jack, Crescent Seedling, Cumberland Triumph, Champion, Mon- 

 arch and Kentucky were highly recommended. Some other kinds did not do 

 so well on his grounds. He grew about 700 bushels on 4^ acres of ground. 



"A Talk on Trees," by Mrs. Dr. Boyd, was a very fine poetic and historic 

 "paper." 



"Horticultural Recollections," by E. Y. Teas, was the reminiscences of the 

 Society in years agoiie. 



Evening Session. 



The hall was crowded. Dr. A. W. Bray ton, of Indianapolis, gave a lecture 

 on the 



BIRDS OF INDIANA. 



The Doctor illustrated his lecture with specimens of stuffed birds, which 

 were passed around through the audience as he proceeded. 



There are 10,000 species of birds in the world, and about 280 species in 

 Michigan and Indiana. There are 150 species that make their nests and rear 

 their young in the state. There are 10 or 12 species of winter varieties, snow 

 birds, that come down to us from the Arctic regions in snowy or cold weather. 

 A great many of our birds live in South America in the winter and follow the 



