:5^: 



EDITOR'S TABLE. 



n your State; particularly -whetlicr lime or potash abounds in the soil, or subsoil; whose decom- 

 position furnishes these, or olher mineral substances, essential to the peifeetion of the fruit. 



1. If the result has been obtained by the use of manures, or any peculiar system of cultivation, 

 what kinds of manures or composts have been applied; — how, and when ; and upon what tind 

 of natural soil. Also, what mode of culture has been pursued. 



2. In districts remarkable for the excellence of a given variety of good fruit, ascertain if such 

 io the case upon various soils in such distiict, or only upon particular soils; and in tiie latter 

 case, the character of such soil. Al=o, how large are the annual crops; and how long the variety 

 has been in cultivation. 



Second. — What are the most profitable market fruits of good quality in your State. Also, the 

 best fruits for the table ; and whether any particular sorts require extra pruning, manuring, or 

 other peculiar mode of culture. 



1. "Which varieties succeed only, and which thrive best, upon particalar stock, (as the Louise 

 Bonne de Jersey Pear on Quince, <fec.) 



2. What varieties have been tried and condemned as inferior, or worthless, by experienced 

 fruit growers in your State. 



3. What are the synonymous, or local names, by which any standard varieties are known in 

 your State. 



4. Whether the trees of any particular varieties are particularly liable to blight, or other and 

 what diseases. 



5. Wliat Grapes are the best for vineyard culture ; (if vineyards are planted in your State.) 



6. What Raspberries, Strawberries, Currants, Apricots, Nectarines, and other minor fruits of 

 good quality, are found best adapted to culture in your State. 



To arrive at uniformity in judging of the flavor of fruits, it will be well to use the compara- 

 tive degrees of merit adopted at the Convention, viz: — Good, Very Good, Best. And that we 

 may agree regarding these terms, certain standard sorts should be taken as representatives of 

 these classes, wherewith to compare other fruits, and ascertain their value. 



The following form, and the varieties therein named, will serve as examples for this purpose : 



Good. Very Good. Bent. 



Apples Maiden's Blusli. Gravenstein. Esopus Spitzenburg. 



Pears, Napoleon. Bartlett. Seckel. 



Plums, Lombard. Washington. Green Gage. 



Cherries, Black Heart. Eiton. Black Eagle. 



Peacues, Crawford's Late. Old Mixon Free. George IV. 



Fruits falling below the rank "good" (excepting culinary sort?,) are unworthy of cultivation, 

 unless their hardihood and productiveness are so remarkable, as to make them valuable in par- 

 ticular localities, or for market cultivation. 



Though tha attention of this Committee is understood to be chiefly directed to acquiring infor- 

 mation regarding varieties of fruit already known, yet some attention should be paid to the ex- 

 amiuation of remarkable new varieties. Unless the latter, however, rank as high as "good," 

 they ought not to receive attention ; and a new sort, even if excellent, if it is also meagre, un- 

 healthy, or unproductive, is unworthy of notice. 



Wiien a variety of "very good," or "best" quality is presented to the examination of a State 

 Committee, and there are doubts whether it is really a new variety, specimens should be sent to 

 the Chairman of the Fruit Committee at Boston, Philadelphia, or the Chairman of this Commit- 

 tee, so that it may be subjected to more complete examination. Outlines, also, and careful dc- 

 ecrii)tion3 of new varieties of high merit in all respects should be made for the use of the Society, 

 lu drawing up such descriptions, the " Pomological Rules" adopted by the various Horticultural 

 Societies should be followed as a guide, in order to avoid diflfusencss and variety of terms on the 

 one hand, or imperfection in details on the other. 



SAMUEL WALKER. Chairman General Fruit Committee. 



