526 Pomological Convention. 
little benefit to the country, far less than was performed by the 
Buffalo Convention. A list of 14 apples was reported by the 
fruit committee, and adopted without much objection as worthy 
of general cultivation. A list of 14 pears was also reported, one 
of which was referred back, and others accepted very doubtingly. 
The Glout Morceau and the Rostierzer, two of the most eminent 
variety in point of excllence, and which had been highly recom- 
mended by the Buffalo Convention, were left out by some unac- 
countable lack of knowledge, or by prejudice. Even the Jargon- 
elle, Fondante d'autumne, Dix, Columbia, and Laurence pears 
were left in oblivion by this highly intelligent committee. Of Plums 
only 8 varieties were reported, but by special amendment the Pur- 
ple Gage was added. How this most estimable variety should 
have been left off and the inferior Frost Gage have been put on, 
can only be accounted for by the fact, that the Frost Gage (which 
is only a large Damson) is grown in great numbers from suckers 
in the vicinity of Newburgh. 
The Prince's Imperial which flourshes more generally through- 
out our country'than any other variety, and which is deemed one of 
the most useful and estimable of the whole class, was reported as 
* 'suited only to particular localities." The Lawrence's Favorite, 
Columbia, Diapree Rouge, and Red Gage, four of the most esti- 
mable varieties, received no notice whatever, but Coe's Golden 
Drop, which does not mature well, if at all, in several sections of 
our country, was sent forth to the public as "worthy of general 
culture." Of Cherries 8 varieties were recommended, and the 
erroneous title of " Bigareau," misapplied in Downing's work on 
Fruits, was amended so as to read " Graffion or Bigarreau." Why 
the Black Eagle, a cherry of honeyed sweetness, and the Ameri- 
can Amber, one of the most estimable known, the Flesh-colored 
Bigarreau, the Sweet Montmorency, Napoleon, Gros Cocuret, 
Archduke, and others, were left off, and inferior varieties adopted, 
requires explanation. Of Peaches, ten varieties were reported, 
but the early Tillots, so highly extolled by Downing, but which 
numbers declared was both inferior and sickly, was stricken out, 
and others were stricken out for being erroneously named by the 
committee; leaving but six out of the ten recommended by them, 
and two of the remaining six were disputed as to iheir value.* 
We here possess a most remarkable proof of the knowledge and 
discrimination of this Fruit Committee, acting under the advice 
of Mr. Downing as chairman. 
But such results as are here presented might have been expected 
* I have jast been informed, that a fe^A' minutes before the breaking up of 
the Convention, and when but few persons besides the officers were present, 
Mr. Downing maneuvered to have these three varieties reinstated, which had 
been voted down in full Convention. 
