110 



THE WESTERN POMOLOGIST^L 



1871 



m MtBittn §0molojgist. 



American Pomological Society. In notifying 

 us of the next biennial meeting of this society, the 

 President, Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, remarks : 



" I have just appointed September 6, 7, and 8, for 

 the next session of the American Pomological So- 

 ciety at Richmond, Va. Our Society is almost a quar - 

 ter of a century old, and has become wide world re- 

 nowned for its efforts in establishing a Standard of 

 American Pomology. The States have doubled 

 nearly since its formation, and among its represen- 

 tatives may be found most of the distinguished cul- 

 tivators of the land. In a national point of view, it 

 is our duty to foster and perpetuate thi.s institution, 

 and I trust you will see that the West be fully 

 represented. The great interest manifested in the 

 fruits from Kansas and California at our meeting in 

 Philadelphia, evince the desire felt by the public in 

 the prairies of the West. Already the South are 

 mustering their forces for a grand exhibition of 

 men and fruits, and I hope the rest of the country 

 will do the same, and form us in one ;'reat circle of 

 interest and brotherhood." 



Entomology— Ho^v to Send Insects. 



It will be seen by reference to another page that 

 Dr. S. H. Kridelbaugh, a gentleman who has made 

 Entomology a study for many years, has takeu 

 charge of the Entomological Department of the Po- 

 MOLOGiST. There is no subject more intimately 

 connected with pomology and horticulture at the 

 present day than is the study of entomology. The 

 Doctor asks that any insects found depredating up- 

 on orchard, garden or farm crops, not generally 

 known, be sent to him for examination and 

 report. For the information of those who may have 

 occasion to forward specimens, we copy from the 

 Entomologist the following directions : 



" Insects sent for name should be put up in tight 

 boxes (tin ones are best), loosely packed in cotton 

 wool, if they are dead, or with a supply of the leaves 

 or fruit upon which they feed, if living specimens 

 are sent. Very small insects may be enclosed in a 

 quill, and sent in a letter. All larvae caterpillars, 

 worms, grubs, &c., must be furnished with a suffi- 

 cient quantity of their propei; food to last them 

 during the journey, as it is often necessary to rear 

 them to the perfect state before the species can be 

 pronounced upon with certainty. Insects in the 

 perfect (winged) state should be killed previous to 

 packing ; this may be done by touching them with 

 a litttle brush dipped in chloroform, or by putting 

 them into a bottle or other tight vessel and immers- 

 ing them a few moments in hot water. Butterflies 

 and moths, whose delicate wings are so easily in- 



jured, carry best fastened to a piece of cork or corn- 

 stalk pith, by a pin put through the thorax, a little 

 way back from the head ; the cork or pith having 

 been previously secured to the bottom of the box 

 with glue or tacks. All insects should be accompa- 

 nied by a letter, giving such facts in regard to them 

 as the sender is possessed of, never omitting the 

 name or specimens of the plant or plants they are 

 injuring. The cheapest and most convenient way 

 of transmitting is by mail, unless the packages are 



very large." 



— • — *^-* 



W^eather, Fruit Prospects, &.e.. In micbiean. 



Ed. Pomologist : We have been having it pret- 

 ty warm for the season, though no danger is yet ap- 

 prehended from the swelling of fruit buds. So far 

 as the peach crop is concened it is already given . 

 over as a failure in the greater part of the State. 

 So far as I can learn there are a few live buds of 

 late, common sorts, but the finer kinds, especially 

 the early kinds, are mostly dead, (fxcept possibly, in 

 portions of the peach region proper, and even there 

 the reports are that the early sorts are pretty badly 

 used up. 



Still, if only a tenth of the buds are alive, we 

 shall have a fourth crop of peaches at least. As for 

 other fruits. Western Michigan never had a fairer 

 prospect than at present. Last year the cold storm 

 in April after the very warm weather destroyed the 

 most of the apples in that part of the State. The 

 result is that the trees are full of buds for the com- 

 ing crop. 



And as the. winter has been tolerably mild until 

 late in February, the promise for small fruits is al- 

 so good, except some tender kinds, like the Lawton 

 Blackberry, that with me kills, three winters out of 

 four, and is injured now past recovery. The Wil- 

 son's Early is also tender on our heavy soils, 

 though it is successful, I believe, nearer Lake Mich- 

 igan, as is also the Lawton. 



The prospect for a good strawberry crop is not so 

 flattering, as, owing to the severe drouth, the plants 

 went into the winter in a weakened state. Still, 

 plantations that had the best attention and winter 

 protection, are more promising. 



Grapes are not grown here to any great extent, 

 and as they are generally protected, and the canes 

 are in good order in the fall, so far there is a good 

 indication of a crop, except with the half-hardy 

 kinds that were left on the trellis. 



B. Hathaway. 



Little Prairie, Mich., March 17. 



Fruit Prospects. Friend MiUer: Hardy grapes 

 all look promising. The peach, so far as I know, 

 are nearly all killed in the bud. Apple trees are 

 loaded with fruit buds here and around Herman; 

 pear also. Strawberry and Raspberry plants look 



