No. 129.] &65 



blight, insect blight, frozen sap blight. In June or July the new 

 wood will turn brown and the leaves black, in two days, and the 

 wood hardened, and this continues down to the place where the 

 insect is located. The Scolytus Pyri (the insect) leaves the tree 

 the moment the harm is done. It deposits its egg, in August, 

 behind or below the bud. To remedy this cut off the branches 

 affected one foot below the disease as soon as it is seen and burn 

 the branches. 



The Frozen Sap Blight. — For the pear tree too rich a mulcher 

 manure throws ftstid water into the soil, which the pear takes 

 up and then has to throw it off as excrementitious matter of which 

 it always ha^ much to throw off. The late growing sorts are 

 most liable to disease. Mucilaginous matter is formed between 

 the wood and the bark, which freezes in winter and makes shriv- 

 elled spots on the bark. Lay bare the roots by removal of the 

 mulch in the fall to check late growth. Lime induces fruit 

 spurs, while azotlsed manures make long soft wood. 



Rev, Mr. Garter described a wooden case with shelves, with 

 open wire work on its outside, to admit light and air, which is 

 taken to the tree, and as the fruit is carefully picked by a small 

 hand machine or by hand, it is put into this case until it is filled 

 bj some four or five bushels. This case, according to weather, 

 is kept out or in doors, and is carefully turned upside down every 

 day, until the fruit is properly prepared for keeping. Here the 

 pears ripen. This plan is good also for curing pared and cut ap- 

 ples — it admits free circulation. 



Mr. Cameron, from the house of E. G. Roberts, G8 Pine street, 

 presented for examination Claussen's Flax Cotton, and cloths 

 made wholly or in part from it — shirting, sheeting, &c. He 

 stated that now in England, a pound of this flax cotton is made 

 and sold lor six cents, and that it can be made and sold in this 

 country for four to five cents a pound. The members examined 

 it and were surprised generally at its remarkable resemblance to 

 cotton. It can be seen at any time at the store of Mr. Roberts, 

 68 Pine street. 



Among the seeds distributed were choice ones of many sorts, i 

 from the Hon. Thomas Evvbank, Commissioner of Patents, Mr. 



