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NORTH AMER5CAN POMOLOGICAL CON- 

 VENTION. 



The report of the proceedings of this convention is 

 very interesting and instructive, as it contains the dis- 

 cussions and different opinions on various kinds of fruit. 

 Eut the mere decisions of such bodies of cultivators, 

 from variovis sections of an extensive country, embra- 

 cing different climates and locations, are of but very lit- 

 tle practical utility to the cultivator. For instance, a 

 variety of fruit may be thoroughly tested and found 

 to be worthless in New England, and in a convention 

 the delegation from this section might condemn it, 

 and yet, as the majority of the convention may be 

 from the Middle and Western States, whore that 

 fruit flourishes well, it may be recommended as first 

 rate. This illustration shows that the decisions of 

 such bodies of men, however skilful, are not to be 

 relied on. 



At this convention, a committee was ajipointcd to 

 recommend fruits for discussion. In some cases, 

 their recommendation passed without opposition or 

 comment. In other cases, members of the conven- 

 tion opposed the views of the committee, or made 

 confirmatory remarks. 



APPLES. 



We present our readers with the list of fruits 

 offered by the committee, and their opinion of them, 

 and briefly some of the remarks on them. Some- 

 times we make comments of our own — for some 

 very important considerations have been entirely neg- 

 lected in the discussions. The committee report — 



Jioxhurij Rtcssct — Jirst rate. — No objection was of- 

 fered to their opinion. In this section, where this 

 fruit is cultivated more extensively than in any other 

 region, many arc discarding it as very uncertain. 



llatclhorndcn — first rate for cookinri — second t/ualifi/ 

 — productive and handsome. — A number of members 

 supported the views of the committee. Most of the 

 apples called Ilawthoraden in this section, are the 

 Maiden's Blush, and wc have no doubt that the same 

 mistake prevails in other sections. 



Maiden's Blush — second rate — very beautiful. — It 

 ■was remarked that it bore well that season, while 



most kinds had failed, and that it resembled the 

 Ilawthornden. 



Autumn Stcaar- — A member remarked that it was 

 a handsome second rate fruit. 



liambos — The president, Mr. Kennicott, said that 

 it was the fall and early winter apple of Illinois. Mr. 

 Bateham said that in Ohio it was esteemed higher 

 than any other variety. 



Rawles Janettc-, — The president said it was much 

 esteemed in his region. An excellent keeper. Mr. 

 Bateham said that it was admirably adapted to the 

 valleys of Southern Ohio, whore other fruits were 

 liable to decay from early ripening. Mr. Byram said 

 that it was one of their standard fruits in Kentucky. 

 lie had kept specimens till the 4th of August. 



Fondante d^Autonwe — first rate. 



Duchesse d' Angoulenie — second rate. — Mr. Hovey 

 said that it could not have been seen in its best con- 

 dition, to have been presented as second rate. Mr. 

 Barry, one of the committee, said that it was not 

 first rate in quality. A rather long discussion fol- 

 lowed on this variety, sonic spcakcis regarding it as 

 first rate, others as second rate, which shows the ab- 

 surdity of arranging fruits under a gradation, A\itb 

 the grades so wide apart as first, second, and third 

 rate. There is so wide a space between first and 

 second rate, that many fruits are intermediate be- 

 tween them ; and this pear is one of that class ; and 

 pomologjtts might discuss the subject a whole year, 

 and not agree to call it first or second rate, when it is 

 iiitcnnediate between these wide grades. As well 

 might tliey fix on a mode of counting 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 

 &c.. and thus dispute about arranging 2 or 3 with 1 

 or o. Fruits should bo arranged from 1 to 10. Then 

 what is called second rate would be about 5 or 6, and 

 third rate, as now reckoned, would be 9 or 10. 



GaiiscU's linyumot — first rate. — Several members 

 said that it was a bad grower and poor bearer ; the 

 fruit, when in perfection, was first rate, but it was 

 uncertain in some locations. 



Napoleon — good secorul rate. 



St. G/iistlain. — T\<o of the committee called it first 

 rate, and one regarded it as second rate. Mr. Barry 



