I go LIGHT FROM [ 



of rubiginosis learned the labor-saving trick, as I re_ 

 peatedly saw them. during the summer still gathering 

 fibers of wood from fence-posts and boards after their 

 time-honored iashion —Mary E. Murtfeldt before the 

 Biology Section, A. A. A. S., Waski7zgton, D. C. 



Fruit-Growers and Transportation Companies.— I 

 noticed in one of our late issues a great complaint by 

 growers that the transportation companies get the lion's 

 share of the proceeds from the fruit-growers' efforts. 

 We have had a great deal of like experience. In 1887, 

 we organized the Arkansas Fruit-Growers' and Shippers' 

 Union. Through this we have secured better rates and 

 facilities from time to time, but we still have been subject 

 to the difficulty of conflicting with other sections and 

 glutting markets. By the organization of the Mississippi 

 Valley Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Association re- 

 cently effected, we expect to obviate the trouble ma- 

 terially, and finally overcome it entirely. Its success 

 depends on complete co-operation by the growers in the 

 sections embraced. — R. J. Winn, Secretary. 



Missouri State Horticultural Society. — At its last 

 meeting they adopted the following ; Resolved, that the 

 following measures be adopted as the standard : For 

 apples, a barrel I'&Yz inches in length with chines 34- 

 inch at the ends, diameter of heads 1.']'% inches and di- 

 ameter of center, inside, 2o>4 inches ; for peaches, a 

 6-basket crate for fancy and 3/3-bushel box for medium 

 to small peaches ; for small fruits, a full dry measure 

 quart-box shall be used, except for red raspberries, which 

 shall be a shallow pint-box. The standard size of apples 

 must be as follows : Ben Davis and other large apples, 

 not less than 2^ inches in diameter. 'Winesaps and 

 others of that class shall not be less than 2)4 inches in 

 diameter and all shall be free of worms, scabs and 

 bruises. In nursery stock Stark Bros, made a wonder- 

 ful display from their 1,000-acre nursery. This firm 

 believe in whole roots for grafts, and their exhibit of 

 trees grafted on whole roots and on pieces gave a visible 

 and substantial support to their belief and claim. 



New Jersey Horticultural Society. — The following of- 

 ficers were elected at last meeting ; T. J. Blackwell, 

 Titusville, president; E. O. Beebe, Elizabeth, vice- 

 president; Wm. R. Ward, Newark, secretary. Executive 

 committee : J. M. White, E. O. Beebe, D. A. Vander- 

 beer, W. H. Goldsmith, J. B. Rogers. 



Soils for Potting Plants. — Fibrous loam of good tex- 

 ture, with sufficient coarse sand for the purpose of giving 

 the degree of porosity required by the character of the 

 roots of the plants to which it is about to be applied, 

 forms the best compost in which to grow the greater 

 number of pot-plants in general cultivation. Heaths and 

 plants having similar roots are, of course, excepted, and 

 instead of the loam they require a good fibrous peat. 

 Leaf-mold and well-decomposed manure are useful in 

 the earlier stages of the growth of most plants ; and in 

 case of those annuals which are considered worthy of 

 pot-culture, and require the protection of glass to bring 

 them to perfection, both materials are of much service 

 in promoting their healthy and early development ; but 



'HE SOCIETIES. 



I have a decided objection to either leaf mold or rotten 

 manure being employed, in however small quantities, 

 as part of the compost intended for the growth of plants 

 the balls of which are not to be disturbed, it may be, 

 for years. Forall such plants a compost of more durable 

 materials is necessary. Although the former may for a 

 short time produce a quicker growth in the plant, their 

 power of sustaining it is limited in comparison with that 

 possessed by good fibrous loam. In reference to large 

 plants I would recommend broken potsherds or crocks 

 equal to half-inch bones being mixed with the compost 

 to ensure a good drainage ; and as to matures, I prefer 

 an artificial one. In reference to moisture, it is agreed 

 by all who understand the matter that all potting-ma- 

 terials should be kept under cover, either in open sheds 

 or beneath some material capable of protecting them 

 from drenching rains. At the time of using they should 

 incline to over-dryness rather than to the reverse. Thig 

 is a good practice, and for this reason, that when a little 

 over-dry they maybe madeasfirm in the pots as possible 

 without fear of undesirable consequences following 

 therefrom. 



There is a difference of opinion as regards the length 

 of time turf should remain in a heap before it is fit to 

 use on the potting-bench. My opinion is that three or 

 four months is quite long enough. If left much Icnger 

 the fibrous or organic portions of it will have become 

 considerably decomposed, and these while undergoing 

 decomposition contribute much to the health and vigor 

 of the plants, the roots of which are in contact there- 

 with. 



Destroying the 'White Grub. — Mr. Race had used 

 wood-ashes very freely in the fall, and thus had kept 

 his ground free from them. Mr. Turner had had no 

 success with ashes. Mr. Rice advised the growing of 

 buckwheat whenever possible. Mr. Willard had found 

 that his most effective way of dealing with them was to 

 pay boys ten cents per hundred for all they could find, 

 and that it did not take long to clear a piece of land of 

 them. A preventive that is nearly as good if not better 

 than a remedy, is to keep the ground clear, free from 

 weeds and rubbish ; the beetle never deposits her eggs 

 on clear ground, but under shelter of some kind. James 

 Fletcher, government entomologist, said that nearly all 

 the available accounts of the transformation of white 

 grubs contain inaccuracies which particularly affect the 

 question of a remedial treatment. The eggs are laid by 

 the female in June, she burrowing a short distance be- 

 neath the surface of the ground for the purpose. These 

 hatch out in a few weeks, and the young grubs grow very 

 slowly and are only a quarter of an inch long when the 

 first winter sets in ; at the end of the second growing- 

 season they are about two-thirds their full size, and 

 during the third season of growth (about July) they 

 form a smooth cell in the earth and turn to pupas, and 

 before winter sets in they change to the perfect beetle, 

 but remain in their cells until the following May or 

 June. The difference between this life-history and that 

 which is given in nearly all the published accounts is 



