194 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



during the season of bloom, and not at all, till the tree shall have reached the 

 ao-e of bearing, when the fruit itself offers a far more natural and demon- 

 strati vc means of identification ; and one, too, requiring no Botanical or 

 microscopic examination. Could the professor, or any other person, devise a 

 reliable system for identification by means of foliage, wood, or habit of growth, 

 or all these combined ; he will liave supplied a means of detecting error and 

 fraud in the sale, purchase and selection of trees, for and at the time of plant- 

 ing; and, in so doing, enable planters to save half a lifetime, requisite, under 

 the existing state of knowledge, for the determination of the value of our 

 investments, or the realization of our jHU'poses in this direction. 



Our duties, as member of the Standing Committee on New Native Fruits, 

 detained us at the fair ground, a mile or more away during the entire forenoon 

 session, so that we missed the essay of Prof. Beal and the discussion of new 

 fruits which followed it. 



In the discussion of new native grapes, Moore's Early was commended, as 

 two weeks earlier than Concord, and successful where many others fail. 



Worden was also characterized as desirable for a similar reason. 



J. J. Thomas remarked that, by mistake, or purposely, a large number of 

 Concords had been sent out as Wordens. 



Niagara — a new wliite grape — was spoken of by Mr. Moody, of New York, 

 as having originated on the grounds of Mr. Iloag, at Lockport, N. Y. ; and 

 from the examination of it, in connection with the committee on new native 

 fruits, we were highly impressed with its value. It is not yet offered for sale. 



Brighton was well spoken of by all, except Mr. Saul, of Washington, D. 

 C, who found it useless there. We sub.=equently saw it upon the trellis at N. 

 E. Hooker's place, where it showed abundant evidence of health, vigor, produc- 

 tiveness and high quality. 



Prentiss — A new white grape, now under propagation by Mr. Hubbard, of 

 Fredonia, N. Y., was commended during the discussion by those who liad seen 

 it. It also seems to have made a favorable impression upon the native fruit 

 committee, who had it under examination. 



Pocklington is yet another new white grape, with very large bunch and 

 berr\^, good quality and strong growth. 



A very pleasant episode in this grape discussion was introduced by Dr. Ham- 

 ilton, of Nova Scotia, who remarked that it might seem out of place for him 

 to say anything about grape growing, coming, as he did, from a country sup- 

 posed to be surrounded by icebergs. He grew Salem, Concord, Isabella, 

 Sweetwater, Black Cluster, and Diana, in the open air, by girdling and close 

 pruning. He found Champion and Worden early and promising, and was able 

 even to grow and ripen Black Hamburgh, in the open air by girdling and 

 pruning. 



Early Dawn grape was spoken of, not quite favorably, by Mr. Forco, of 

 Newburgh, New York. 



^Ir. Campbell, of Delaware, Oliio, in speaking of the Lady grape, originat- 

 ing with him, said it was of the general habit of the Concord ; two weeks 

 earlier, and tiie best of his early sorts. This was confirmed by speakers from 

 Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and the District of Columbia. 



The discussion was arrested at this point while tlie presiding officer an- 

 nounced a telegraphic greeting from the Michigan State Pomological Society, 

 then in session at the State fair, Detroit. 



The greeting was received and heartily responded to, by P. Barry, acting 

 president. 



