- PROCEEDINGS OF THE HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. 709 



berries, cut roses and Fuchsias, 1)8 held in the month of June, and that the 

 committee on Horticulture submit a schedule of premiums. 



Adjourned. John W. Chambers, Secretary. 



April 4, 1865. 



Mr. Benjamin C. Townscnd, president, in the chair. 



Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter called the attention to the fine specimens of Catawba 

 grapes from the 'preserving house of Prof. B. M. Nyce, of Cleveland, Ohio, 

 which were examined by the members. 



Mr. James Hogg did not think that the grapes retained the rich aromatic 

 flavor of the fruit in its proper season. 



Mr. R. G. Pardee. — The specimens of grapes are in a fine state of preserva- 

 tion ; the bloom on them looks as fresh as when first gathered. I think the 

 method of Prof. Nyce is worthy of all praise. It is a step in the right direc- 

 tion ; the subject is one of immense importance to fruit growers, as well as 

 the lovers of fine fruit, and had engaged the minds of scientific men. 



Prof. Tillman gave an interesting summary of the causes of decay of fruit. 



The chairman then introduced to the audience Dr. Isaac M. Ward, of New 

 Jersey, who chose for his theme 



The Culture of the Pear. 



In this series of lectures of the Horticultural branch of the American Insti 

 tute, there has been assigned to your speaker the pleasing though novel duty 

 of inviting this audience to a walk through the pear orchard. Accepting the 

 invitation it would be natural for him to asK you whether you love the country 

 and find delight in rural scenes. Regarding your presence here this evening 

 as an answer in the afiirmative, he will cherish the hope you will be interested 

 in the thoughts presented for your consideration, and the scenes surveyed by 

 the mind's eye, as we walk through the orchard, though no romance or poetry 

 be woven in the landscape ; and that this may constitute a pleasing interlude 

 in this series of lectures. 



Nature would make all men happy if they would appreciate her gifts. 

 Rightly to do this you need not worship, only love and revere her; and con- 

 fess her power over your hearts. Nature's bounties are not confined to the 

 fruits of the earth, they are found as profusely scattered in the garniture with 

 which she has beautified its surface ; garniture that is necessary for the pro- 

 duction of its fruits, while at the same time charged with provision for the 

 sentiments of the soul, and in which the powers of the imagination may find 

 scope for exercise till our better natures are purified for Heaven. 



Before we go into the orchard it will be well for your speaker to tell you, 

 as your guide, you will no sooner have entered within its portals, than you 

 may discern the temple where the presiding deity is wont to receive the offer- 

 ings of her votaries. That the goddess Pomona is so jealous of her honor that 

 she accepts only the ofi"erings of the heart, and the true worshiper is wont to 

 propitiate her favor, by recognizing her right to adoration in all her works. 



The tree that is destined to be majestic in form, and venerable in years, she 

 may show you, just starting on its career of development. The tiny bud that 

 her well instructed house-maid has caused to be inserted in a wild and barba- 



