270 TRANSACTIONS OF THE NORTHERN 



SECOND DAY— MORNING SESSION. 



The attendance this morning is largely increased, and we notice a larger number of 

 new faces among the members. Some of the old stand-bys have staid at home this year. 



Prayer by Mr. Minkler. 



The pear list was continued over same as last year. 



The plum list was called up. It only consists of one, the Miner or Townsend. 

 Quite a discussion arose between Mr. Robson, of Galena, and others on this subject. 

 Mr. Robson says it is curculio proof, and the most valuable of all plums; others con- 

 tended that it was valueless. 



Dr. Hull inquired if it was of value enough to require any discussion. 



Ml'. Scott— It is the most valuable plum that we have. 



Dr. Hull — Then I pity yovi. 



Robson — Dr. Hull will be glad to grow this plum yet . 



Mr. Scott, Mr. McAfee, and others spoke on this plum question, but no new facts 

 were elicited. 



A committee was appointed to collect facts with regard to the name and origin of 

 this plum. Messrs. Soulard, McAfee and Beebe, committee. 



CHERRY LIST. 



Mr. McWhorter asked for information about a cherry grown successfully near Ster- 

 ling, and kno\ATi as Jeffries Duke. 



The Early Richmond and Large English Morillo were recommended without debate. 



Mr. T. McAYhorter, of Sterling, said that the -Jeffries Duke was in his opinion better 

 than the Early Richmond; it is a sour cherry, but not so acid as the Richmond, ripen- 

 ing two weeks later. 



Late Kentish was called up, but much confusion existed among members with 

 regard to the true variety. The discussion took a wide range. All agreed that it is a 

 good bearer, equal in quality to the Early Richmond, and very valuable as a late chei*ry. 



The Early Richmond here referred to, is known as Kentish and Early May in dif- 

 ferent parts of the West. 



Mr. E. II. Skinner, of Marengo, read an essay on Russian apples. 



RUSSIAN APPLES. 



The growing interest in procuring liardy varieties of the apple to supply tlie extensive region of 

 the Nortliwest, of wliich tlie district embraced in tlie limits of our Society forms an integral part, 

 lias induced me to procure from Europe a number of varieties of the apple originating in a high 

 northern latitude, some of them as far north as sixty-two and a half degrees. 



Four hundred of these varieties were obtained from Dr. Lucas, of Germany, accompanied with a 

 list of their names in the German language, which have been kindly interpreted for me and written 

 in English, by Mr. C. AV. Murtfeldt, of St. Louis, Mo. 



Nineteen of these varieties were of Russian origin, and are the ones oifered liy me as premiums to 

 members of this Society. It now recurs to speak of the merits of this class of apples, and their 

 necessity for the exigency of our climate. 



