FRUIT-GROWERS’ SOCIETY OF WESTERN NEW YORK. 
Ye ■* r u4r s97m **& 
ANNUAL M1EETTNO. 
SLANDER. 
In many of our Homological Meetings, and in 
the Agricultural and Horticultural paper?, we often 
hear and read the most slanderous statements made 
against farmers as a class. This we have endured 
until our human nature can bear it no longer 
until forbearance has ceased to be a virtue, and 
now, for once and forever, we enter our protest. 
How often is it said that it will not do to recom¬ 
mend farmers to plant pears, particularly dwarfs, 
for they would not take care of them — that farm¬ 
ers need trees that will bear neglect, as hardy as 
oaks, and with as many lives as a cat. 
This is all slanderous. There is nothing about 
the culture of the dwarf pear, or any pear, beyond 
the comprehension of the farmer — nothing more 
difficult than a score of other things that be per¬ 
forms every year. It would be strange, indeed, if 
the farmers who breed our fine Durham? and 
Devons, so soft and sleek, with such beautiful 
form*; the Saxony and Merino sheep, with their 
fine fleeces, and the South-downs, making such 
delicious mutton; who grow tobacco and perform 
the nice process of curing; who are trying to make 
our sugar, and arc Boriously talking of growing 
our tea; who subsoil and drain, and feed and 
clothe the world; we repeat it would be strange, 
indeed if the men who do so much und are striv¬ 
ing for the accoraplispment of even more than this, 
are too careless or too stupid to grow an acre of 
pears, which requires but very little more care, or 
skill, or lime thun to grow a decent ucre of corn. 
Ix;t us then hear no more of this slander. It is an 
insult to the farmers that we can endure no longer. 
He who repeats it does so at his peril. 
Tub Annual Meeting of the Fruit-Growers’ 
Society of Western New York was held in the city 
of Rochester, on Wednesday, the 4tli instant. The 
attendance was large, almost every county em¬ 
braced in the territory known as •• Western New 
York,” from Onondaga to Erie, and the better 
fruit-growing parts of Canada, being represented. 
The session tasted nearly two days, and the inter¬ 
est was kept up until the moment of adjournment 
The discussions were practical, interesting, and 
often exciting. The officers for the past year 
were unanimously re-elected, and are as follows: 
President— BunjaMIN Hones. of BoITalo. 
Vice-Presidents —,f. J. Thomas, Union Springs; W. 
Brown Smith, Syracuse; 1'rof. W. It Coppock, Buffalo. 
Secretary —C. P. Bissoll, Rochester. 
Treasurer —W. P. Townsend, took port. 
Executive. Committee — P. Barry, Rochester; J. J. 
Thomas. Union Springs; C. t. Hoag, Lockpoit; W. B. 
smith, Syracuse; Joseph frost, Rochester. 
The President, Col. Hodge, delivered the An¬ 
nual Address, which wo know our readers will 
thank us for giving entire. 
Gentlemen oe the Association:— In closing 
my official term, 1 desire to call your attention, 
brielly, to a few subjects of interest. 
OBJECTS OP THE SOCIETY. 
The great object of this Association, as I under¬ 
stand it, is to promote the advancement of the 
science, of Pomology, and the art of Fruit Culture 
generally. Or in other words to ascertain the 
best varieties of fruit, and the best modes of 
growing them. 
That we have made rapid advances in the right 
direction during the past live years, no one will 
deny. Hut if much has already been accom¬ 
plished, very much more remains to bo done. 
SOIL ANn CLIMATE OP WESTERN NEW YORK. 
DANA’S HOVEY PEAR. 
About the 15th of December we received from 
IIovey A Co., Doston, several specimens of a new 
winter pear, raised from seed, by Mr. Dana, of 
Roxbnry, Mass., and named Dana's IIovey, in 
honor of the well known pomfldgistC. M. Hovky. 
Mr. Dana has for some years been engaged in 
growing pears from seeds of the best varieties, in 
opposition to the theory of Van MoNS, that needs 
of the finer varieties will never produce fine 
fruits, and the resulthas been, thus far, very grati¬ 
fying. He is said to have grown several excellent 
pears, but Dana's IIovey, we believe, is conceded 
to be the best of all. 
Pei haps no country in the world possesses 
greater advantages for fruit growing, than West¬ 
ern New York. In soil, climate and position we 
can hardly be surpassed. The large bodies of 
water on our northern and western borders, to¬ 
gether with our numerous inland lakes; all have a 
most beneficial influence OU the atmosphere, ami 
enable us in many planes to grow even the pencil 
and other tender fruits most successfully. 
Our soil and climate are most admirably adap¬ 
ted for growing trees to great advantage. It Inis 
been assorted again and again, that within a circle 
of ten miles about Rochester, there, are more 
trees grown than in any other place of equal 
extent on the face of the globe. Reside these we 
have many other large and extensive nursery 
establishments, in various places in Western New 
York. From the nurseries, there are sent out 
annually Immense quantities of trees, amounting 
in the aggregate'to many hundreds of thousands 
of dollars in value. 
LOSS OF TREKS. 
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The engraving shows the specimen we selected 
for a drawing, though Mr. Hovky, iu a note, says 
those sent us were “ not quite np to size.” It 
somewhat resembles the Winter Nells in appear¬ 
ance, and we were fortunate in having a few 
specimens of this fine pear in good condition, 
with which to compare it, in company with a few 
pomological friends. 
In form it is obovate, regular, and largest about 
the middle. Skin yellow, like the Nelis, but 
is more evenly covered with a thinner bright 
russet coating. Eye open, cavity very shallow. 
Flesh, dullish white, very fine and sweet, more so 
than Winter Nelis ,but not so juicy and refreshing. 
Flavor, sugary, lueious, with an aroma peculiar to 
itself, and which some thought resembled the 
Sec/cel, yet it is far from being so spicy or musky. 
This is the first time we have had an opportu¬ 
nity to taste this new pear, yet we have no hesita¬ 
tion in placing it with the highest flavored of our 
winter pears. If the tree proves hardy and pro¬ 
ductive, it will be an important acquisition. 
In connection with this matter comes a. most 
Startling announce me at; which, if true, demands 
our most serious consideration. Some of our 
best informed and most reliable politologists, who 
have bad the most extensive observation, assure 
us that at least three fourths of all the fruit trees, 
which leave the nurseries, never reach a success, 
ful bearing state. Others assert that at least nine 
out often perish, from various causes, during the 
first few years. If this be so, then truly it may be 
said thut wo liavO not im yet attained to per 
fection in the art of tree culture. It follows as a 
matter of course that three-fourths ut least, of all 
the money invested in the pure base of these trees 
is a total loss to the purchasers. Now I will not 
assert that this ratio of loss is applicable to the 
large and enlightened audience of poinologisU 
now before mo, for I would hardly dare to make 
such a declaration in your presence unless I had 
at least one loot cm the platform of a car attached 
to the lightning express train, ail ready to start. 
Hut, 1 do say, there Is no doubt at all, that at least 
three-fourths of all the trees sent out from the 
various nurseries, throughout the length and 
breadth of the laud, are a total loss to the pur¬ 
chaser#* 
The question then arises is there is no remedy 
for Ibis wholesale destruction of our choice trees? 
Comparatively but few of them perish from the 
effects of disease; or from the ravages of injurious 
insects. Hut man, thinking and reflecting man 
alone, is responsible for the loss of the most of 
them. 
If three-fourth# of the wheat or out* sown by the 
farmer, should never vegetate, or come to matu¬ 
rity, then I apprehend the farmer would conclude 
that his cultivation has proved a failure. If the 
merchant should lose throe-fourths of the money 
invested in merchandise; then, truly, we should 
say that he hud made a failure. And docs not the 
same rule apply to the cultivation or fruits? It 
has been said that more dwarf pear trees are lost 
than of any oilier sort. Without admitting this, 
for dwarf pear trees may be transplanted with the 
greatest ease, we will look at 
THE CAUSES. 
A New Horticultural Society has been organized at 
Marietta, Ohio. The following are the officers: —George 
Dana, Jr., President; Joseph Holden, Jr., Vice President; 
Timothy I,. Andrews, Secretary; William 8. Ward, Treasu¬ 
rer; W R. Putnam, Henry Fearing, Louis Soy ex, W. F. 
CurU ■ W. W Rathbone, Council. Heartily do we wish 
this society a career of usefulness. Let every officer and 
every member do his duly with prompt ness and efficiency. 
The Ladies, too, must grow flowers for the Summer and 
Autumn Shows. A few good annuals and verbenas, and 
other bedding plants almost every lady e.an grow with a 
little care and a little knowledge. The latter we will 
give freely in thu columns of the Rural. 
Tub Delaware Grave, —Mr, Ott, of Pennsylvania, who 
talked so Uippuntly of giving away any quantity td cut¬ 
tings of the Delaware grape to those who would apply, 
and who further stated that it was unproductive, has. 
made the discovery that he was mistakeu. He acknowl¬ 
edges that it was not the Delaware. Now, he advertises 
cutliugs of the true sort at a high price. For the sake of 
those who may chance to buy, we hope he is not again 
mistaken. 
Catalogues.—W o are in receipt of a large number of 
nursery an'! send catalogues, which we file away for refer¬ 
ence or give to those who call ou us lor such documents. 
T River, of Brantford, C. W.. wishes to obtain roots and 
herbs from some one in the neighborhood of Philadelphia 
who is in the habit of gathering. 
Let us enumerate some of the causes of this 
wholesale loss. 
1st, Dad Planting, and I will name a few cases 
which have come under my observation. Many 
plant a tree just us they would a post. Dig a 
small hole in the hard soil, thrust in and double 
u|i the roots, and lill in With tile surne hard soil. 
A gentleman purchased some 4b or 50 lino fruit 
trees, and had them planted near the house; the 
ground was not plowed, and in planting, the 
earth had been drawn up around the base of the 
tree forming a cone near a foot high — neither 
sun or rain could penetrate to (lie roots. Near 
one-half of the trees died the first hou.mi/i. It wa* 
a mystery to the man that his trees should 
die. He put the ldame on the nurseryman for 
selling had trees. The same season, there was 
planted on a farm not many miles distant, a 
thousand peach trees, less than two per cent, of 
which died. A live acre field was plowed very 
deep, and the soil well pulverized, and then 
planted with standard pear trees, A row was 
planted near the fence, where the soil had not 
been plowed. In this row, nearly one-half of the 
trees died. Of the others less than one in twenty. 
All were equally well planted. 
2d, Planting in an improper soil ,—a wet Hoil; 
an impervious sticky soil, without sufficient 
drainage. Also on a high, dry gravel soil, the 
Dwarf pear rarely prospers, unless the trees are 
kept in a very high state of cultivation. InstanecB 
not a few could be cited where individuals, even 
in Western New York, have planted orchards iu 
unbroken fields of grass land, merely by excava¬ 
ting holes in the hard soil, just large enough to 
thrust in the trees. It is to be hoped that this 
tribe of genus homo have now pretty much become 
extinct. If any are left among us it is moBt 
devoutly to be wished, that they might be sent to 
a certain institution in Die vicinity of Utica, 
and not suffered again to go at large, until a com¬ 
petent board of pomological doctors shall pro¬ 
nounce them cured. 
3d. Destruction by the Quince Borer .—The Dwarf 
Pear often suffers from the depredations of this 
insect This is mostly ow ing to the trees not being 
planted deep enougli in the soil. When the junc¬ 
tion between between the pear and quince is kept 
an inch or two below the surface of the ground, 
the borer rarely meddles with the trees. Hence, 
great attention should be paid to this matter. 
4th. Bad Trees ; or varieties of the pear not l 
well adapted to growing on the quince. It is well tree 
known that there are many varieties of the pear of s 
that do not unite well when w orked on the quince, gro 
And, indeed, among our very best growers, not a I 
few arc often found that do not unite firmly and ol | 
kindly, but often leaving a large unsightly bulge; Kvt 
showing that the parts are not well united. A ten 
storm or heavy wind often breaks Diem down, and 1 
then the defect is sem. Strong, healthy, vigorous poi 
growiug trees, of medium size, are by far the best, lim 
5th. Bad Cultivation; or, rather, uo cultivation a v 
ut all. Sowing the land to wheat or oats, or or 
otlier grain; or stocking down the land to grass; ma 
suffering the grain, or grass, or weeds, to choke the > 
trees to death. Much more might be said under flu l 
this head. K . n 
6th. Winter Killing.— Thi# is the most prom- »i*« 
incut cause of the destruction of the peach, the I 
cherry, and, more particularly, the dwarf pear.— for 
The constant freezing and thawing in a wet soil— *bc 
or, indeed, in almost anv soil where, the water is stu 
permitted to stand around the tree. Often, during lav 
the Tain and wet of autumn, the dwarf pear, with 1 
its heavy top and feeble roots, swinging back and <l» 
forth in the wind, loosens the tree In the ground, 
forming a cavity around the tree; this cavity soon fer 
becomes filled with water, and when the winter 
sets in the tree is completely encased in solid ice. «>' 
This freezing and thawing during the winter and 
spring, is almost sure to destroy the tree, 'The 
roots of the tree are often dead while, the top is 17“' 
alive. What is sometimes called frozen sap blight, 
often grows out of this cause. n; J 
7th. Fire Blight .—This is generally a local mnl- 
adv, mysterious and unaccountable in its appear 
once. 'The wisest heads arc as yet Ignorant of the mi 
causes producing it. Prompt and fearless cutting P« 
away of all the diseased parts of the tree, is, per *'•' 
haps, tile most efficient remedy yet known. "j 
success and this causes. ^ 
That there arc difficulties to be surmounted in H t,i 
the growing of the pmir, successfully, no one will 
deny. Many, very many, perhaps, have been very p, 
much disappointed in tlic result of their labors; at 
and, perhaps, some almost ready to abandon the ha 
pear altogether. But that the dwarf pear, as well 
as the Standard pear, can be grown successfully, a li 
wc have many living witnesses in Western New m 
York. Let those who have any doubts in regard 
to this matter visit these plantations. There they in 
can gain much valuable Information—information n, 
that will convince the most skeptical. Dun with a cc 
good soil, line trees of the right, sorts, and good ,. v 
clean culture, there, is no very great difficulty in Tl 
the way. . w 
Of some of those plantations which are now in 
successful bearing, wc might give figures showing ai 
the quantity of fruit per tree and per aero; and j !t 
also the prices per barrel for which they have q 
been sold in the eastern market. But, as these ( ; | 
tacts would perhaps appear somewhat fabulous to Di 
some of our credulous Down-Eastern, therefore, on f„ 
the whole, it has been thought best, to withhold I ,p 
the figures for the present. The great secret of L,, 
(heir success will perhaps be found in the fol- 8f 
lowing: I, A deep, rich clay-loam, well drained, i* 
; 2, A sheltered situation. 3, Healthy, vigorous 
trees. 4, A few varieties only. 5, Proper pmn- 
Dig. 6, Deep, rich culture- a , 
The most of the above programme, together n 
with iny remarks generally, arc intended to apply \ 
not merely to the dwarf pear, but also to the 
; standard pear, and other fruits also. For exten- j, 
sivc orchard culture, many are of the opinion tliut fi 
, the standard pear is the most desirable. Sending 0 
. forth its long, branching roots deep into the 
ground, it very soon becomes a solid fixture, and I | ; 
’ will sometimes succeed well, oven in spite of bad t ] 
. treatment and total neglect. I }ll 
! QUALITIES NECESSARY FOR GENERAL CULTURE- I 
One of the greatest disappointments in fruit [' 
growing, has arisen from tl. t .owing of inferior 11 
1 sorts; or, rather, not confirm*. their culture, to a " 
1 few choice, productive varieties only. The card!- 
i ual points of varieties of fruit, worthy of exten- ” 
t nive cultivation, may be Hummed up under four 
' distinct heads: 
J. Fruit of superior flavor, ranking as best. 
II. Fruit of fair size, and handsome in appear- ‘j 
■ ance. ,1 
1 III. Productiveness. 
IV. Trees hardy, and strong, healthy, vigorous x 
‘ growers. v 
j Reside these, there are a few other minor points, , 
which we. will pass over for the present. At first | 
sight, and perhaps without much reflection, wc i 
r m ay fancy that wc have abundance of variet ies of < 
V fruit, possessing all these good qualities. Hut on f 
a more dose examination wc shall find compare- , 
3 tividy but few that come up to the standard of | 
1 perfection; but enough, indeed, that comes so | 
C near that the intelligent fruit-grower finds no dif 
lieully on this head. Let us examine some of t 
t . these varieties of fruit, commencing with the j 
i. apple. < 
,, The Baldwin apple, is perhaps one of our most | 
Q popular varieties, and truly worthy ol tin* most ] 
y extensive cultivation; fruit of fair size, and hand- m 
q some in appearance; the tree very productive, , 
and a strong, vigorous grower. The fruit, how 
I ever, is not of superior flavor, but good, to very 
,t good. On the whole, it has but few equals. 
. The Estijnt v Spitteidmrgh is, in flavor, the stand- 
aid of perfection; of fair size, and beautiful in 
' appearance. Tree a rather fro hie grower, and not 
generally very productive. Somewhat extensively 
grown for its very fine flavor. 
■ The Rhode Eland (•evening, in size, flavor, pro- 
|s ductivenessand growth of tree, compares very well 
with the Baldwin, and is extensively cultivated. 
's /•>,// Pippin. Fruit of flue flavor; and of good 
Y size and appearance. Tree a strong, vigorous 
a grower, but not productive. Perhaps hot much 
lc more than one half as productive as the Rhode 
Island Greening. 
it Northern Spy. Fruit of Superior flavor, genc- 
IL * rally of fair size and handsome in appearance; 
10 the tree a fine, upright grower, and may bo called 
lC productive, and with all, a fine keeper. Here we 
■r have a combination of good points—but we are 
lr obliged to add, tins tree is very tardy in coming 
into bearing, and its upright shoots, require un- 
hi nual thinning to let in the sun and air; and also, 
,r requires rich, high culture, in order to produce 
good fruit. 
« Large Sweet Bough, considered as our best early 
of sweet apple; a beautiful fruit, of large size and of 
ry line flavor. Tree a moderate grower, and can 
Jl hardly be called productive. 
as Early Harvest possesses many good qualities; 
°i but requires rich, biglv culture. 
Williams' Favorite, and Dutchess of Oldenbnrgh 
7* possess many line, points; and lor early autumn 
varieties for market purposes cau hardly be ex- 
d; ceiled. 
ut The Autumn Strawberry and (Iravenstein are also 
be among our most prominent autumn varieties, ami 
rG possess such good qualities, that both are becom¬ 
es ing very popular. Wc might mention many other 
eu very lino varieties; such as the Early Joe, Benoni, 
'« Red A-Dnchan. Fa me use, Tompkins County King, 
Porter, Hubburdstou Nonsuch, Minister, Rod Can 
to a( j 0i Winter Swaar, Ac. All these, and many 
•i-s others that might be named, possess more or less 
116 good qualities. 
jst Now fet us for a few minutes turn to the list of 
10 pears, and here we shall find about the same state 
-a. of things. We will say nothing about the many 
m * hundreds of varieties of the pear, laid down iu 
ro- some of the books aiul catalogues of the day, 
tlncc-fourtbs of which arc perfectly worthless ami 
arf the sooner they die out the better, 
his We will name in the first place, our old favorite, 
ng the White Doyenne. In flavor, size, productive- 
tic- ness and line growth of tree; it is all we could 
;pl, wish, or rather has been. But the blight, fungus, 
nd, or something else, has of late rendered it almost 
ce, an outcast iu some localities; but in other places 
it is truly the pear pur e iceltenrr. 
The Seckel is celebrated for its superior flavor; 
tree a slow grower, but producing fair crops; fruit 
of small size, and, on that account, not extensively 
grown; yet on the whole a favorite with many. 
The Bartlett would have come up to the standard 
of perfection, had its flavor been a little higher. 
Even as it is. few varieties are nlore worthy ol'ex¬ 
tensive cultivation than this. 
The Flemish Beauty has all the four good 
points: but lias sonic drawbacks. The fruit, some¬ 
times prematurely falls from the tree, and it is not 
a very good keeper, requires to lie gathered early, 
or it very soon rots lit the core. For a home 
market, however, it haft but few superiors. 
The Kostiezer, as a standard or dwarf, is of 
superior flavor, productive, and a good rampant 
grower, often needs cutting back; fruit uf small 
size, too small to be popular. 
Duehesse de Angouieme, one of the best sorts 
for dwarf culture*, but in ilavor it generally falls 
short of many others, and yet comes so near the 
standard of perfection as to render it a great 
favorite, and Very justly so. 
Louisa Bonne de Jersey, a fine grower on (he 
quince; very productive, fruit of line size, but not 
of fine flavor. However, there are some who pre¬ 
fer its vinous flavor, and with such it is a favorite. 
Among our favorite varieties, wo may name 
j&pL, 
Mm 
m 
m 
HEALTHY RECIPES.—USE OF SALERATUS, &c. 
Benrre de Anjou, Iteurrc Diet, Tyson. Belle Lucra¬ 
tive, Stevens' (Intesre, Lawrence, Cchanisle, (tlout 
Morceau, W inter Nelis, Sheldon * l war oj Wink- 
field, >$-r., Sfc. , _ i 
All these, and many other BortH (hat we might 
name, have good points which go into the compo¬ 
sition of our most valuable varieties. The ama¬ 
teur, growing for Iris own use, will of course grow 
many varieties, while the orcliardist for market 
purposes, finds it for his interest to confine him 
self to the culture of a very few sorts only, fine 
of our most successful fruit growers of Die dwarf 
pear, grows only the Duehesse de Angouieme; 
another one grows nothing but the Bartlett* us a 
standard. 
The grape culture of late has raised a new im¬ 
pulse. Until within the past few years but little 
attention has been paid to the cultivation of our 
hardy American varieties. But of late the public, 
mind haa been turned that way, and now it may 
almost be said, that we aru iu the midst of a grape 
mania. 
A very large number of new seedling varieties 
have of late made their appearance. Not tl few of 
them are said to be of rare excellence, and ol 
course sold for high prices. Time, alone, how¬ 
ever, can determine the. value of these new sorts. 
The great desideratum is to obtain varieties that 
will ripen some two or three weuks earlier than 
the Isabella, and of flavor, size, productiveness, 
and hardiness, equal, if not superior to this old 
favorite variety. It is said we have such; indeed 
it is noticeable that in the various descriptions of 
the new grapes, nearly all are said to be earlier 
than the Isabella, and many of them from one to 
four weeks earlier, it is to be hoped that these 
declarations will prove true. But many well 
praised humbugs lire yet fresh in tile minds of 
sumo of us, and, consequently the bump of caution 
is just now rather prominent. 
I do not know as 1 can better express my views 
in regard to this subject, than by relating a, little 
anecdote which occurred in the State of Con¬ 
necticut, in the early settlement of the country. 
An Indian who had been out hunting one day, 
came to a tavern and informed the landlord that 
he had killed a. very line fat buck, which ho had 
left down in Wuugtun meadow, lying by the side 
of a large birch tree, and which lie offered to sell 
to the landlord lor n small compensation. Tin- 
landlord being satisfied with the truthI'uInOftR of 
the Indian’s story, purchased the deer, and soon 
after started off with his team to bring it home. 
The Indian went on his way. The landlord bad 
no difficulty in finding VVangum meadow, and the 
large birch tree; but the deer was not tlmm — 
mir any indication that a deer had over been Micro. 
Of course the landlord returned home, not a little 
chagrined at being so badly cheated. 
Some time after this the landlord met the To- 1 
dian and accused him of cheating and lying, say¬ 
ing,— "You arc a very bad Indian, you cheat 
and lie.” “ Ugh!!” said the Indian, '-sometime 
Indian lie, sometime white man lie, sometime In¬ 
dian cheat, somoti me white man cheat — .you no 
find Wauguiti meadow?” “ Yes,” said Iho land¬ 
lord, 11 I found Wangum meadow, but the deer 
was not there.” “Good, gooff," replied the In¬ 
dian, “you find VVaUguin meadow, good. You no 
find large birch tree?” “ Ych,” said the landlord, 
“1 found the large bircli tree, but there was no 
deer there.” “Good, guod,” said the Indian, "you 
find large birch tree, good; you find WttUgum 
■ meadow, and you find large birch tree but you no 
>’ find deer. Well, two truths to one lie; pretty good 
for Indian, after all.” 
1 fear it will be pretty much so with some of 
I' these highly recommended varieties of the grape. 
' 1’orhaps for size um) productiveness, they will 
correspond very well with Wuugnm meadow, and 
I the large bircli tree; but lor earliness, and per- 
I imps for good quality, we may well have our fears 
• that they will be very much like the Indian’s 
> deer. 
* CONCLUSION. 
F.ds. Rural New-Yorker:—I n your paper of 
Nov. 26th, a lady writing in the Department of 
Domestic Economy complains bitterly of the use 
of suleratus, soda, Ac., in cooking. She is right. 
1 suppose that those articles have a truly delete¬ 
rious effect upon the stomach; and slneo alio has 
led the way I cannot refrain from finding my 
share of fault with the recipes which have from 
time to time, appeared in your columns. 1 notice 
an unsparing use of butter and lard. Do tlio fair 
ladii-H who recommend their favorite, dainties, 
know that these articles are hurtful, indigestible 
and actually ruinous? I opine if they did, they 
would endeavor to invent somo dishes which can 
be made palatable and wholesome; and avoid 
recommending poisonous dainties. I am very 
fond of good tilings, but 1 value ray health, (what 
little I have,) and I also value the health of others. 
Permit me, therefore, to give you a few recipes 
which are perfectly healthy, as far as 1 know. I 
would like to have others “ follow"suit” 
A SUPERIOR Dessert. — Quarter and core a 
Other subjects I had intended to notice, hut I 
have already detained you quite too long. I now 
lake my official leave of the members of this Soci¬ 
ety, aud I can assure them that it is with great 
pleasure that, we are now about to transmit to 
other, and l trust more able hands, the chief exe¬ 
cutive office of this Association. I have already 
apprised my friends that 1 desire to be released 
from my present position. Let me say, however, 
that my humble efforts, and most willing assist 
ance iu Ibis good work in which we are engaged, 
will not be relaxed. Let us all, fts far as possible, 
attend the Summer, Autumn, and Winter meet¬ 
ings of this Society. Pleasant, indued, it is, to 
meet our pomological friends in these delightful 
convocations. May they lung bo continued. 
exhibition of fruit. 
a very lino exhibition of fruit was made. Wc 
never saw so lino a collection of Winter Pears as 
that of Ki.i.wanokk A Barry, consisting of 53 
varieties. The Committee presented the following 
report: 
The collections pvc '-uteff they found to contain many 
Kpeciracns of much interest—the most so is the &{]luu*at>io 
display of winter pears Iron* Lllwanoer A-. Harkv, (.ou- 
siKting of fifty-three varieties, u. large portion In fine 
eating order, and well worthy of fifing eaten. Among 
some of tli« best or most interesting, the committed ob¬ 
serve the following: , .... , „ , 
Comparatively hci/i *ort*—JOHOphino de Mahnos, Mine 
Dumas, Doyenne Sieullc, tlezi SanSuariel, Brands St. Ger¬ 
main. Doyenne d’ Utsncon. Belle W illiams, Heading, Wil- 
lermiM, SeutlQ, Hergfimout, d' Kspcrcn, Niles. 
Older hinds in fine, condition -- St. Germain, Beurro 
d’ Areuiburg, Virai 4 of Wi'ditloULFaster Hem re. Juminetle, 
Prince's St. Germain, Winter Nelis, Striped St. Ocnniun, 
Bezi Vaot, Ohimuiontel, Wiulei Hon Chretien. 
The same exhibitor* also presented sixty dishes oT fine 
winter apples, comprising nearly all the celebrated stand¬ 
ard sorts, and the newer cues most sought at the present 
t l .) boN.VELLAN k I'm. of Greece, presented a dozen fine 
dishes of apples, containing among others very large arid 
well grown Northern Spier, Newton Pippins, and Wag- 
quautity of apples, put one layer into a deep pan, 
sprinkle over sugar and a little flour, lay on slices 
of bread, (toasted if preferred,) sprinkle more 
sugar and cover with another layer of apples. 
Bake, and eat with sugar, or sweetened cream. A 
little nutmeg might bo added, but spices are all 
more or less unhealthy. 
Potato Pu ddino. —Take two pounds of mealy 
potatoes and roll them well with a rolling-pin. 
While still hot add half a pound of sugar and a 
pint of cream, which have been well stirred 
together, and then add, gradually, seven well- 
beaten eggs. 
Boiled Cracker Pulvdincl— Put four pounded 
crackers to a pint of new milk; add four eggs 
beaten to a frotli and a little suit, lie it up in a 
floured cloth and allow a little for swelling,— 
boil an hour. Eat with sweetened cream. 
Potato Crust _Take nice, mealy, boiled pota¬ 
toes, mash them very line, put a teacupful of thick 
cream and some salt to live or six good sized 
potatoes and add flour enough to roll out. Excel¬ 
lent for pot-pie or meat-pie. Good also for plain 
pies. 
Snow Cake.— One pound of flour; one do. of 
crushed sugar; hall a pint ol creaiu, and the 
whites of sixteen eggs. 
CoOKma.—Two cups of cream; three of sugar; 
three eggs; ft little'salt; flour enough to roll out. 
Where coarse brown sugar or molasses are used, 
it, Is necessary to add a little saleratus or soda; for 
sour or heavy bread and cake are unlit for any 
stomach. 
Frumenty.— Put boiled hulled corn or wheat 
into a kettle, pour on plenty of milk, and when it 
bolls up stir in a little Hour which has been wet 
in cold water, and add sugar to your taste. A 
favorite dish among the English in haying-tiiuc. 
Here is a refreshing and wholesome beverage 
for summer: 
Currant Suucil — Put a pound of loaf or 
crushed sugar to a pint of currant juice; boil five 
minutes; stir constantly while cooling, and when 
cold, bottle. When wanted to use put a spoonful 
ur two into a glass of cold water. 
Farmers have every opportunity to procure 
good, healthy food—if they would forsake pork— 
use cream instead of butter—wholesome bread 
instead of hot biscuit—fruit and nuts instead of 
cakes and preserves—and throw spices, pickles 
and pepper to the—pigs I was going to say, but I 
mean in the fire; they will be a heartier, better- 
iiatured and better-looking race. Who agrees with 
me ? A. T. JONK8. 
Black Rock, Erie Co., N. Y . 1860. 
STEAMING FOOD. — APPLE DUMPLINGS, &c. 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker:— Did house-keepers 
and cooks more generally understand and appre¬ 
ciate the advantages of steam in cooking, our 
stoves would be much better supplied witli con¬ 
veniences for that purpose. Almost anything can 
be cooked by steam much quicker, and with a 
less arnouut of fuel than in any other way. Pota¬ 
toes, and most otlier vegetables, to say nothing of 
puddings, custards, Ac., are muck better if steamed 
till nearly done, and then placed in the oven, for a 
short time, only. Tn warm weather, particularly, 
when a great fire would be necessary to heat the 
oven, (as well us the house,) a very little would 
heat a steamer and be much more comfortable as 
well us economical. Apple dumplings arc much 
better steamed than cooked in any other way. If 
baked, they are apt to be dry and hard,— if boiled 
in water they are quite as likely to become watei- 
soakod and clammy. Steaming avoids both these 
extremes. 
Fine specimen* e? the Ortloy and of Kawlcs Janet, 
(the latter the largest miff best colored the committee 
have met with) were aviit fiy 1‘. V. A. Da VIS, of LinOU 
Co., ill 
j' B. PlMtSox. Of Union Springs, forwarded specimens 
ol the Springport Pippin, a new variety, which originated 
la that neighborhood, and which wiu fcmnd to U* \yvy 
gooff,” accinline to the zcale adopted by tha American 
Pomological Society. . . 
A eel lection of ten tine varieties <W apple* wen 4 exhib¬ 
ited l,v Hknjamin Fisa, containing *oioe. excellent speci¬ 
fied by BENJAMIN Fibb, containing excellent spu-e 
(lions—and another similar collection wtw presented Of I 
Comstock, .vf divider., N. Y., and K. L. Niuckr, of Murray, 
N. Y„ a branch of about two feet in length, containing ZS 
good .specimens of Roxbury Russet. . 
L. B. Laxowortht, Chairman. 
In our next we will give a full report of the dis- 
Bkst Method for Making Apple Dumplings.— 
On baking days, take a bit of the bread dough, 
according to the size of the family, and work iu a 
little more butter, or other shortening, than for 
biscuit. Make out the dumplings, put them on a 
plate to rise the same ub biscuits, and when light 
set the plate with the dumplings upon it in the 
steamer, and steam half an hour, then set them In 
the oven for a few minutes for the moisture to dry 
from the surface, and they arc ready for the table. 
Serve with whatever sauce you please. 
Preserving Eggs for Winter. —Pack them iu 
a close vessel, with Iho small end down, strewing 
bran between each layer, then place one or two 
thicknesses of brown paper over the top and cover 
with about an inch or inch and a half of salt. 
Cover close and keep iu a cool place, and they 
will he much better than the old method of salting 
down, which only hardens them. 
A Countrywoman. 
Venice Centre. Cayuga Co., N. Y., I860. 
E(T 
