Pomological Gossip. 403 



The Committee regretted the absence of the Eastern 

 pomologists who were invited to attend, as such an oppor- 

 tunity to test the new sorts with the best old ones may not 

 soon again occur. 



The process of testing and obtaining the unbiased opinion 

 of each gentleman was most unexceptionable. The fruit 

 had been previously arranged in separate dishes on a table, 

 with numbers, but without names, and each gentleman was 

 provided with paper and pencil ; when each sort was passed 

 around the table, in order, each of the company taking part 

 of the fruit from the dish, with its number, and making his 

 own remarks on its merits. These remarks were afterwards 

 read in the order taken down, after which was given the 

 name corresponding to the number. This examination em- 

 braced many of the Professor's seedlings, as also some of the 

 finer old sorts. A singular coincidence of taste and judg- 

 ment was developed, which almost amounted to a unanimous 

 opinion, on the merits of most of the sorts presented for 

 inspection. 



After this part of our pleasant duty was performed, the 

 company resorted to the trees, to inspect their general appear- 

 ance, bearing qualities, hardiness, the tendency of being at- 

 tacked by insects, &c. Here, again, the inspection was most 

 satisfactory, and with hardly an exception, showed their great 

 bearing properties, hardiness, arid freedom from the attacks of 

 insects. 



These comparisons were made in connection with such of 

 the old sorts as the Black Tartarian, Elton, Knight's Early 

 Black, Black Eagle, American Heart, Yellow Spanish, Amer- 

 ican Amber, Black Heart, Napoleon Bigarreau, Madison 

 Bigarreau, Reine Hortense, Belle de Choisy, &,c. The new 

 cherries on which an expression of opinion was had, were — 



Governor Wood. — Large, superior, and a great bearer. 



Ohio Beauty. — Very handsome, good, and a great bearer. 



Black Hawk. — Medium size, dark red, not fully ripe, but 

 indicating a superior fruit, becoming a liver-colored black 

 when ripe : excellent for market. 



Delicate. — Very fine, light red, and a good bearer. 



