REPORT OP THE POMOLOGIST. 263 



cumii for some few years. He has grown a few varieties from cross- 

 fertilized seed that produce fruit of good character. These two pomo- 

 logical experimenters are working each with an understanding^ of 

 what the other is doing, and it is to be expected that something 

 good will result. 



Soon after my return to my home near Geneva, Kans,, that being 

 my headquarters at that time, I was directed to attend the meeting of 

 the American Horticultural Society at Cleveland, Ohio, and to -vdsit 

 such other places in Ohio and Michigan as might be desirable in 

 my pomological investigations. 



In compliance therewith, on the 3d day of September I started 

 for Ohio, and after spending several days at the old home of our 

 beloved and lamented Dr. John A. V/arder, examining his orchards 

 and pomological notes, I arrived at Cleveland, where the meeting was 

 held. As the proceedings of that meeting have been quite generally 

 published in the papers of the country, and a full report is in process 

 of publication by the secretary, W. H. Ragan, of Greencastle, Ind., 

 it is not deemed desirable to give more than a few of the principal 

 points of interest. 



Mr. J. M. Smith, of Green Bay, Wis., read a paper showing the 

 efficiency of drainage and thorough cultivation as a remedy for 

 drought. He is one of the most successful growers of strawberries 

 and other small fruits in the United States, and during the drought 

 of the past summer, which was one of the severest ever known, by 

 the application of these two principles his plants retained their vigor 

 and bore heavily. Too much stress cannot be laid upon these two 

 points in practical pomology. Underdraining not only carries off a 

 surplus of water, but retains the soil in a comparatively uniform 

 state as regards moisture ; and every thoughtful farmer knows that 

 frequent stirring tends to the same end. In other words either, or 

 better yet both, of these methods together make a dry soil moister 

 and a wet soil drier. 



In the discussion of the strawberries it was clearly seen that 

 the Crescent had the greater share of praise as a practical market and 

 family berry nearly all over the United States and Canada. In the 

 South, Neunan is one of the leading kinds. Among the newer ones, 

 Jessie is perhaps the most promising. It is a seedling, originated by 

 Mr. F. w. Loudon, of Janesville, Wis. The Jewell was also well 

 spoken of by nearly all who had tried it. 



Among blackberries the Snyder seemed to be as well spoken of 

 as any, its extreme hardiness (for the colder Western and Northwest- 

 ern States especially), productiveness, and good quality offsetting its 

 small size. Kittatmny holds a good place yet in public esteem. 

 Among the newer kinds, Minnewaska, from Mr. A. J. Caywood, of 

 New York, is likely to receive favorable notice. It is large and very 

 robust in growth, even more so than Kittatinny, and much the same 

 in fruit. Lucretia Dewberry is very early, large size, and productive, 

 but it is said to be very difficult to pick because of its trailing habit 

 and ugly prickles. It is also not of first quality when compared with 

 good blackberries. 



In the face of all the discouragements from Mildew and Black-Rot, 

 the grape elicited much discussion. Leaving all the older sorts, be- 

 cause of their generally well-known characters, both good and bad, 

 I will mention a few of the newer ones. Niagara and Empire State 

 seem to be making a rather even race for the leadership among white 

 grapes. Indeed, they seem, from what I have heard others say and 



