DOMESTIC NOTICES. 



47 



and let the place and time for holding the conven- 

 tion for the year 1850, be mutually agreed on. 

 Then, after each have finished the business before 

 them, let them adjourn, or rather dissolve, to 

 meet at the time and place specified. Then, when 

 we meet in the year 1850, we are all one. 



These suggestions are thrown out without con- 

 sulting any person on the subject; and it is well 

 known to the readers of the Horticulturist, that 

 this is not the first time that the writer has en- 

 deavored to promote peace and unanimity among 

 pomologists. Should his views be seconded and 

 carried out, and peace and harmony prevail, 

 much good may be the result. " The world is 

 large enough for us all." 



Many of our eastern friends have already signi- 

 fied their intention to attend the convention at 

 Syracuse; and there is but little doubt, that many 

 from the west will attend the convention in New- 

 York. Yours very truly, B. Hodge. Buffalo, 

 June, 1849. — 



Mr. Editor — I must acknowledge my regret at 

 the jealousy which has sprung up between the 

 two pomological conventions. If a national con- 

 vention cannot be kept up, except at the sword's 

 point, its benefits can never equal its evil effects. 

 If the glorious cause of horticulture must become 

 identified with strife and personal enmity, through 

 the medium of national pomological conventions, 

 for one, I beg to be delivered from them. 



Now, in view of the past and the future, I wish 

 to ask, " cui bono," or in common parlance, 

 " what's the use?" Is there not " a more excel- 

 lent way?" Cannot the past be forgotten, and the 

 tree of peace be planted where now broods the 

 upas shade of discord? Suppose it cost the sa- 

 crifice of a little pride of opinion, or a little self- 

 love, on all sides, to bring things right ; what is 

 that, compared with the benefits resulting from a 

 restoration of union and peace? 



Where can such a sacrifice be made in a better 

 cause, or when at a better time than the present? 

 Or, if this may not be done, what then are our pros- 

 pects for the future? Let us see. The idea of two 

 national pomological conventions seems ridiculous, 

 and only suggestive of rivalry and enmity ; and 

 hence, to a peace man, like myself, is intolerable. 

 But perhaps each thinks the other will soon be 

 obliged to back the course, and yield the whole 

 ground to itself. This does not seem to me very pro- 

 bable ; though, to be sure, I am not very conversant 

 with the present " signs of the times," in that re- 

 spect. Should it take place, however, with either 

 one, it seems probable that the friends of that one 

 could never become, as things are now shaping 

 up, cordially affected towards the other. Hence, 

 the one left would either have a great amount of 

 active opposition to overcome, or, at least, lose 

 some very valuable aid; both of which results 

 seem to me unnecessary and undesirable. So, 

 whichever way I regard the future, as things 

 seem to be now tending, I can see only evil, and 

 would therefore turn to another scene, as pleasing 



as the other is displeasing ; and, to my mind, as 

 realizable as pleasing. 



Now, letting the vexed question, of" legitima- 

 cy" or " nationality," entirely alone, and burying 

 the past, why cannot measures be taken, at the 

 next session of the two bodies, to blend them into 

 one grand, harmonious whole? What is there to 

 hinder? Who, of our eastern horticulturists, will 

 devote themselves to the accomplishment of so 

 desirable an object? Or rather, who will not? 



Will you not, Mr. Editor, propose some honora- 

 ble, feasible plan, whereby this rupture may be 

 healed, and peace once more proclaimed in the 

 horticultural world? If the thing cannot be done 

 otherwise, would it not be better to " rub out," 

 and begin anew? Or, lastly, if it be really im- 

 practicable or undesirable, will you please tell us 

 why it is so? that, having the facts in the case, 

 we may judge and act accordingly. Very re- 

 spectfully, F. K. Phceniz. Delavan, Wiscon- 

 sin, June, 1849. 



[We have received several letters of the same 

 tenor as the two foregoing, so that it is perhaps 

 unnecessary to publish more. 



We entirely agree w r ith our correspondents, that 

 there is no real ground of difference between the 

 two pomological conventions; and could the lead- 

 ing members of these two bodies be brought to- 

 gether, it seems to us impossible that they should 

 not fraternize. 



The convention at Syracuse will, undoubtedly, 

 be attended by many horticulturists from various 

 parts of the country. We promise ourselves the 

 pleasure of being there; and we expect to meet 

 there many members of the Congress of Fruit- 

 growers. 



If, as we believe, the spirit which animates po- 

 mologists and fruit-growers generally, is not one of 

 rivalry, but of cordial good will, all these clouds 

 will be very quickly dispersed by a meeting face 

 to face. 



Everything, as regards future union, (which 

 we cannot but agree with our correspondents in 

 thinking desirable,) depends on the convention 

 which meets at Syracuse; because to that conven- 

 tion properly belongs every question which will 

 arise there ; and out of the spirit of fraternity and 

 universality which that body contains, must chiefly 

 spring the materials of future united and harmo- 

 nious action. Ed.] 



Cheaf and Durable Wash. — It has often oc- 

 curred to me, that the editor of a horticultural 

 journal, as thyself, must have need of both pa- 

 tience and good humor, to attend to the many 

 troublesome enquiries of subscribers; many of 

 which may have been propounded ami replied to 

 more than once before, for the gratification and 

 information of other " novices." 



Without knowing whether or no I am thus tax- 

 ing thy politeness, I would draw on thy fund of 

 experience, to ascertain if any wash can be re- 

 commended, readily coloured, of a stone or earth 



