558 Domestic Notices. 



tuted in its stead ; place the pots on layers of these, six inches thick, fill up 

 the space between, and cover them as mentioned above. By this means no 

 insect can approach the pot, so that if the compost in which the bulbs are 

 planted be free from them, no injury need be apprehended ; they will 

 now be safely lodged in their winter quarters, and by due attention will be 

 a provision to supply deficiencies. They can be easily turned out of the 

 pots into the bed. (Ilor. Cab. 1853, _p. 178.J 



Art. II. Domestic JVotices. 



North Western Fruit Growers' Convention, Fruit in Illinois, 



&c. — I had the pleasure of attending the North Western Fruit Growers' 

 Convention, at Chicago, Oct. 4-7 ; but did not have the pleasure of meet- 

 ing you, as I had hoped ; had you been there you would have seen a very 

 fine collection of fruits — said to be the best show ever got up in the West 

 It was attended by members from Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, 

 Ohio, New York state, and from all parts of this state. Among others, I 

 saw Mr. J. C. Holmes of Detroit, Michigan, Secretary of Michigan State 

 Agricultural Society ; Dr. Warder, Editor of Western Horticultural Re- 

 view, and Mr. Ernst of Ohio, Mr. Charles Downing of Newburgh, Mr. 

 Watts and Mr. Fahnestock, of Rochester and Syracuse, I think. Your 

 correspondent. Dr. Kennicott, was chairman. Mr. Avery of Iowa, came 

 there from the Iowa State Fair, and had, among other fruits, a large collec- 

 tion of apples, said to be 150 kinds. I made notes on several kinds, new to 

 me, and have others yet to ripen, some, I tliink, not in any fruit books, 

 and will some time send you some of the notes to dispose of as you see 

 fit. Among the pears there were none that would compare with some 

 Flemish Beauties, from the farm lately belonging to my brother Charles ; the 

 largest measured llg inches in circumference, and weighed one pound. 

 Another, not weighed, measured 1 1 inches ; so they were equal to your 

 prize pears at the exhibition in Boston, which your Magazine for October 

 says measured 11 to 12 inches. 



This year I fruited a pear tree sent me from Mr. Kenrick as JFhiter 

 Crassane. In color it answered his description, but it is a September pear. 

 Tree very upright, and vigorous growth. Some which fell last of August, 

 or early in September, ripened in the house, and were very fine ; the rest 

 were soon after found on the tree and on the ground, ripe and worthless, or 

 nearly so; they looked fair outside, but rotted and turned black inside. 

 Can you give me any idea of its true name ? The tree was affected with 

 blight in the limbs. What effect that might have had I can't say ; but the 

 fruit was on healthy wood. 



Has there ever been published a second edition of Cole's Fruit Book? 

 I was much pleased to learn at the convention, that we are to have a new 

 edition of Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees of America, wliich is now be- 

 ing prepared by Charles Downing and M. P. Wilder, with corrections, and 



