278 Notes and Gleanings. 



The Massachusetts Horticultural Society hold their annual exhibi- 

 tion, at their hall in Boston, September 19, 20, 21, and 22. Contributions will be 

 received from all parts of the country. Although the by-laws of the society do 

 not allow prizes to be awarded to any but members, there is a large fund from 

 which gratuities will be given whenever there is merit in the articles exhibited. 

 The display of fruits, flowers, and vegetables is always very fine, but there is 

 too great sameness. The same exhibitors come forward year after year, and 

 there is not much variation in the distribution of prizes, it not unfrequently hap- 

 pening that the same article will take a prize for several years in succession. It 

 was suggested to those having the matter in charge this season to advertise, and 

 make an effort to induce greater competition for the prizes and gratuities. The 

 reason given for not doing so was, it cost too much. The Massachusetts Horti- 

 cultural Society is w-ealthy, and capable of doing much more to create and extend 

 an interest in horticulture than it is now doing. Why not amend its by-laws so 

 as to throw open its prizes for general competition ? Advertise its meetings, 

 and let it be generally known that there is such a society, and what it is for, 

 instead of devoting its income to the benefit of a few selected and favored indi- 

 viduals. S. W. 



[The above communication has been received from a gentleman who feels 

 some dissatisfaction with the management of the Massachusetts Horticultural 

 Society, and we print it in the hope that others who may have the same feeling 

 may be induced to express it as the best way of securing better management, or 

 that any who are disposed may have an opportunity to reply. The only point 

 which we think best to notice at present is the intimation at the close that the 

 premiums are not justly awarded. Very likely it may have that appearance to 

 one who does not carefully examine the awards ; but if the same cultivators con- 

 tinue to present the best specimens for two or more successive years, surely that 

 is not the fault of the society. Still we have no doubt that a wider advertising 

 of the liberal premiums offered, as has been done the present season by the 

 Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, would result in interesting many more cul- 

 tivators in the exhibitions of the society, enlarging the number of competitors, 

 and thus promoting the advancement of horticulture. — Ed.] 



To prevent the Blight or Mildew from injuring Orchards. — A 

 paragraph with this heading is going the rounds of the horticultural journals as 

 follows : " Rub tar well into the bark of the apple trees, about four or six inches 

 wide, round each tree, and at about one foot from the ground. This eflectually 

 prevents blight, and abundant crops are the consequence ; " and on this one 

 editor's comment is that the tar remedy is good for borers, worms, or insects 

 around the trunk of the tree, but is not always a sure cure for blight. Now, we 

 believe it would be an absolutely certain preventive of blight or any other dis- 

 ease, fully equal to cutting them down with an axe. The tar would certainly kill 

 the tree in a year or less, and after that it would be invulnerable to blight or any 

 insect. Those who have used tar to protect their trees from canker worms know 

 that a strip of paper or cloth must be first placed round the trunk, on which to 

 apply the tar. If applied directly to the bark, it is sure death to the tree. 



