The Pomological Convention, at Rochester, was well attended, and well attended to. The 

 discussions were most interesting, and, as usual, were conducted and regulated by the able 

 President, Col. Wilder. 



The admission of fruits upon the list for " general cultivation," it will be seen by the 

 report, has been very limited ; more fruits have been added to the list as " promising well," 

 not yet having been sufficiently tested. Every variety was fairly discussed in regard to its 

 fitness for different soils, localities, and latitude. As there was representatives of twenty- 

 one States of the Union, California included, most of the varieties on trial had to undergo 

 a thorough examination from all sections. 



It is not to be doubted that such an open and broad discussion will have the most import- 

 ant results. At every session, the Convention seems to acquire new strength, and settle 

 facts. It is, in truth, most important for fruit growers of all denominations, to have all the 

 opinions and the sanction of the large majority, either for the admission or the rejection of 

 varieties. With such an institution, impositions, and even common errors, will rarely occur. 

 Nurserymen and dealers in fruit-trees or plants, are aware that their transactions with the 

 public will have to stand the trial of a competent jury ; and this will do away, measurably, 

 with one of the greatest evils of the trade — carelessness, and consequent occasional impo- 

 sition ; the one as bad as the other in its results, though widely different in principle. If 

 American pomology shall, ere long, be the most accurate and the best in the world, it is 

 owing to the great idea of a national convention, in which everything relating to fruit, is 

 fairly and honestly discussed by the most able horticulturists of all parts of the Union. 



The great controverted question of pear budding on the quince, has been examined and 

 discussed. Much remains to be said as experience increases ; but, by proper management, 

 it seems, beyond doubt, that the pear will succeed on the Angers quince ; much, if not all, 

 depends on the stock and on the manner of planting ; for the want of proper attention to these 

 two conditions, many have failed, and therein, perhaps, lies the origin of all those conilict- 

 ing opinions regarding dwarfs as orchard-trees. No one disputes their utility in garden 

 culture where they can receive proper attention. 



Many fine specimens of apples, pears, grapes, &c., were exhibited in the spacious hall which 

 was kindly left at the disposal of the Society by the active and able President of the Roches- 

 ter Horticultural Society, Mr. Reynolds. It would be an endless task to note all the fine 

 collections of fruit from the East and the West, and chiefly from the large fruit growers of 

 Western New York. Suffice it to say, that there was a fine display of all kinds in season, 

 mostly named correctly ; this is not the least important improvement in horticulture, when 

 we consider that, without correct nomenclature, confusion, errors, and deception, must be 

 of every-day occurrence. 



The splendid nurseries of EUwanger and Barry, Mr. Frost, Hooker, &c. &c., were visited 

 by the President, the members of committees, and, indeed, by all those interested in the 

 cultivation of frait. The President, and a great number of the members, accepted an invi- 

 tation to dine at Mr. Frost's, where, besides the ordinary delicacies of a good entertainment, 

 there was a rich display of fruit of the choicest varieties, to all which due attention was 



