300 



GENESEE FARMER. 



Dec. 



neighbor's garden several fine trees of Seckel 

 have been lost by it within the two last years. 

 The blight seems to affect it just as fatally us any 

 other, and isolated cases might induce those of 

 limited obersvation to say more so. We deem 

 nil such conclusions as this unsafe in the present 

 state of knowledge respecting this malady. 



The " Congress of Fruit Growers," recently 

 held at New York has appointed a committee, 

 at the head of which is Professor Harris, to 

 investigate this and other maladies of trees and 

 plants. We hope that this committee, with the 

 aid of the standing Fruit Committee, appointed 

 by the same body, and comprising some of the 

 most intelligent cultivators of America, will be 

 able to throw some light on this dark subject. 



With regard to the name, we think that what- 

 ever may have been its original title, it is now 

 so well, and we might say so exclusively known 

 as " Stevens' Genesee," that it would not be 

 well to alter it. Genesee was at first added, 

 and we think with some propri-ety, to character- 

 ize it as originating in the Genesee country, at 

 that time not so famous for its fruits as at present. 

 Mr. Prince described it in his Pomologrcal Man- 

 ual as the Guernsey Pear, because he received 

 it from Mr. Guernsey; but his new name was nev- 

 er adopted, as no new names ought to be. — Ed. 



During the next three months we shall be 

 absent on a journey to Europe. Our purpose is 

 to visit the principal Horticultural Establishments 

 of Fiance, Belgium, and Great Britain, to col- 

 lect information not to be obtained in this coun- 

 try, and only by personal research. We shall 

 also purchase large quantities of such articles as 

 are wanted here at the present time, and such 

 new and rare trees and plants as are worthy of 

 introduction and dissemination in this country. 



In regard to the Farmer, we have made such 

 preparations, and secured services in our absence, 

 that this Department will not suffer, to say the 

 least. All communications and letters of inquiry 

 should be addressed to the Publisher, and will 

 receive the same attention as heretofore. We 

 may find some useful facts to communicate, while 

 absent, if we find leisure enough to write them 

 out ; but at least, on our return, we hope to be 

 able to furnish such useful and interesting items 

 as will fully make up for any possible deficiency 

 in the interim. 



We are happy now, at the close of another 

 volume, to say that the success of the Farmer, 

 and the interest taken in this Department, of 

 which alone we are expected to speak, not only 

 affords us ample satisfaction for what labor we 

 have given it, but has far exceeded the expecta- 

 tions we were indulging a year ago. We ex- 

 pect no abatement of that interest or success 

 during the coming year, as there will be no 

 abatement of efforts on the part of ourselves or 

 associates to earn it. 



Quality of Apples, 



AS DECIDED AT THE BUFFALO I'OMOI.OGICAL CONVENTION. 



In the October number of the Farmer we gave 

 the decisions of llie Convention relative to pears, 

 plums, peaches, apricots, and nectarines, and 

 intended to follow it up last month with the 

 apples ; but absence from home, and a desire to 

 advise our readers of the doings, in part, of the 

 New York Convention, prevented us. 



The Si. Lawrence Apple. — Several gentlemen from Can- 

 ida, Western New York, and elsewhere, regarded this fruit 

 IS being nearly first rate, and some even quite first rate, in 

 quality. The tree is a vigorous grower and a good bearer, 

 and tlie fruit always large, fair and fine. Mr. Thomas of 

 Macedon objected to it on account of its coarseness, and said 

 he regarded it as not more than second or third rate. After 

 considerable discussion it was voted, though not unani- 

 mously, to be first rate. 



Pomnie Royal or Dyer.' — Mr. Elliot said this apple was 

 cultivated in Ohio, in some collections, as Calebs Spice and 

 Golden Spice. Mr. Thomas said it was cultivated in West- 

 ern Mew York, in forne collections, as Hol'^ow Crown. — 

 Unanimously passed as first rate. 



Early Joe. — AH who knew this fruit concurred in its 

 being one of the very best apples of its season, but that it 

 sliould be eaten soon after being ficked from the tree. — 

 [We have had this fruit in fine condition G weelcs alter being 

 athered.] 



Early Strawl'erry.- — First rate for its season. 



Sweet Bough. — First rate for its season. 



Sine qua nan, — First rate for its season. 



Minister.^-A famous New England apple. Passed as 

 second rate. 



Snmmer Rose. — Unanimously passed as first rate. Mr. 

 F.i.LioT of Ohio remarked that if he sliould cultivate but 

 one early apple it would be this. 



Sinnmer Queen. — A sweet variety was presented under 

 this mine, but was decided to be the Augustine. The true 

 variety, being that described by DoWiMNo, passed as first 

 rate for cooking, and second for the table. 



Angu&tine —Third rate. 



Dntchees pf OJilenburg. — First rate for cooking, and .sec- 

 ond for the table. 



IVaggener Apple. — A new variety from Chas. Lee, Penn 

 Yan, passed by, being unknown to most members of the 

 Convention. J. J. Thomas considered it as comparing fa- 

 vorably with the Spitzeribnrg and superior to the Melon : 

 defective only in being a little too compact, but first rate. 

 P. Barry considered it as nearly if not quite first rate. 



Famense or Pomme de Neige. — Considered by many as 

 first rite, especially in the more northern localities. 



Red AstracaH. — Passed as first rate for cooking and second 

 for the table. This is a beautiful and very popular summer 

 fruit, always commanding a high price in market. Mt, 

 Thomas remarked that it was regarded as good for market 

 on account of its beautiful skin, but beyond the skin it had 

 little merit. He says, however, in the Cultivator of last 

 month, that '-it ought to have been stated to the Conven- 

 tion, that this variety, though not a good table fruit, pos- 

 sesses great excellence as a very early cooking apple, being 

 far superior, in this respect, to the Yellow Harvest." 



Rhode Island Greening. — Passed a.s a first rate standard 

 fruit, both for table and cooking. Mr. Allen, of Mo., said 

 there it was an autumn fruit and grew much larger than here. 



Ne7ctown Pipjiin (Yellow). — Thisnpple elicited much dis- 

 cussion — western cultivators generally agreeing that, with 

 them, it was not worthy of ciiltivalion. Laid on the table. 



Neuifotrn Pippin (Green). — Gentlemen from Western New 

 York, Canada, Ohio, and Illinois, stated that their experi- 

 ence wilh this apple was unsatisfactory, ftlr. DoucALLand 

 Mr. Beadle of Canada, stated that tlicy had succeeded in 

 raising a good crop by the application of manure and ashes. 

 All agreed that it required good soil and good culture. .Mr. 

 Thomas remarked that even with Mr. Pkll, under his high 

 culture, a large portion of the crop was knarly and unmnr- 

 ketablo. Mr. I'hince thought that in a good soil, and with 

 manuring and good culture, it would be good every where. 



Roxbury Russet. — Passed as first rate. 



