THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
garden, where they were removed from the 
pots and planted out. 
As the berries ripened, they were picked 
and drawn to their exact size and shape. In 
cases where a single drawing would not 
suffice to give a correct idea of the form, the 
fruit was drawn in two positions. Such draw* 
mgs are marked a and b respectively. To aid 
in comparison, drawings have been made of a 
few of the normal shapes of the Crescent and 
Wilson. The Sharpless varies so much in 
form lhat no attempt was made to illustrate a 
typical fruit. I noticed no difference in the 
color or firmness of fruits fertilized with the 
different pollens. As we were anxious to save 
the crossed fruits for planting, we did not test 
the flavor. 
The drawings are presented without com¬ 
ment as to whether the different pollens did 
or did not influence theform orsize of the fruits, 
leaving readers to draw their own coi elu¬ 
sions. The illustrations are true to nature,and 
the appearance of the fruit, together with the 
statements already made regarding color and 
firmness, is really all the evidence 1 am able 
to offer. The drawings were made by Prof. 
J. C. Arthur, Botanist to the Station. 
Thanks are due to Prof. W. R. Lazeuby and 
Mr. W. J. Green, of the Ohio Experiment 
Station, to whom I am indebted for the potted 
plants of the Crescent as well as for valuable 
suggestions in carrying out the experiment. 
New York Agricultural Experiment Station, 
Geneva, N. Y. 
EXPLANATION. 
Figs. 415—518, are selected forms .of the 
Crescent. Figs 419—4:21 represent the Sharp¬ 
less, artificially fertilized with pollen from 
other plants of the same variety. Figs. 422— 
425, are Crescents fertilized with pollen from 
the Wilson. Figs. 426—483, are Sharpless fer¬ 
tilized with pollen from the Wilson. Figs. 
434—136, are Crescents fertilized with pollen 
from the Sharpless. Figs. 437—440 are selected 
forms of the Wilson. 
THE BEST BLACKBERRY. 
W rich is the best is rather an important 
point, and must depend largely upon soil and 
climate. If for market, through all the great 
berry-growing section which supplies early 
berries to Philadelphia, New York and Bos¬ 
ton, there can be no question that among all 
the varieties that have been generally intro¬ 
duced, the old Wilson is the only really good 
variety—worth all the rest put together; and 
t,o my mind, it follows that if Wilson Junior 
proves larger, or in any way superior, with no 
defects beyond those of its parent, it must 
certainly be Urn berry. Kitt&tinuy and Taylor 
are certainly much better in quality, but the 
former has several defects as a market berry, 
and the latter will not succeed at all as a 
market variety in these sections, and Snyder 
has only vigor of growth to recommend it 
here. It bears berries enough, but they are 
extremely small and of very poor quality. 
I think the canes of black raspberries and 
blackberries should be pinched when one foot 
high instead of two. and our best growers 
have come to the conclusion that red rasp 
berry canes should not be stopped at all. 
Atlantic Co., N. J. wm. f. bassett. 
THE CBIMSON BEAUTY RASPBERRY. 
Most of the canes of the Crimson Beauty 
Raspberry were killed to the ground last Win¬ 
ter, while the Brandywine, Thwack, Cutb- 
burt, Turner and Shaffer were not injured. 
Some few canes bore fruit which was not 
equal in quality or quantity to the others 
named. G. C. B. 
Lawrence, Kan. 
THE KING HUMBERT TOMATO. 
There is without doubt a grave error in the 
spelling of the King Humbert Tomato. It 
should evidently be spelled King Humbug, as 
it proves to be nothing more than the old red 
Pear-shaped of 20 years ago. It is certainly a 
grand humbug. H. A. terry. 
Pottawattamie Co., la. 
pomologitfll 
THE RUSSIAN MULBERRY AND SOME 
GRAPES IN NEBRASKA. 
I am glad the Rural is so plain-spoken 
about the Russian Mulberry. It is a “big 
humbug” and no mistake. The fruit is infe¬ 
rior to that of the old White Mulberry, while 
the tree is inferior to any of our native trees, 
except, perhaps, the Box Elder, which I con¬ 
sider the poorest tree in the West. I have 
been watching the mulberry here, ever since 
its introduction by our neighbors, the Men- 
nonites. I have one tree on the lawn as a 
curiosity, and shall plant a few more in vacant 
places in the grove to feed the birds. But for 
fruit, plant Snyder Blackberries instead of 
mulberries, and then you won’t “get left.” I 
verily believe that one fourth of an acre of 
Snyders will furnish more good fruit than a 
whole farm of mulberries. 
I have Concord grapes uice and ripe; they 
were heavily manured. Other Concords are 
colored ; but will not be eatable for nearly 
two weeks. Hartfords are just hegiuuing to 
ripen; Elviras ditto; but this variety is later 
than the Concord here: the viue is hardy and 
thrifty and bears well; bunches small and 
compact; rotted somewhat this yeai\ Con¬ 
cords that were manured rotted a very little. 
Jefferson Co., Neb. d. t. gantt. 
THE RUSSIAN MULBERRY. 
From an article aud a cut in a late Rural 
some would thiuk the Russian Mulberry is of 
small size aud not hardy. Our leading paper 
here describes a tree one year old when set 
out, which bore the second year after plant¬ 
ing. There were not six inches of last year’s 
growth not loaded with fruit, and all ripened. 
We had very cold weather, as low as 30 and 
32 degrees below zero last Winter. Russian 
Mulberries grow faster than any tree I have 
ever seen. f. g. withoft. 
Montgomery Co., Ohio. 
AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
TWENTIETH BIENNIAL MEEKINi, AT GRAND 
RAPIDS, MICH. 
(RURAL SHORT-HAND REPORT.) 
In the note of President Wilder, read at the 
opening session of the convention, he said that 
on the advice of friends he had concluded not 
to risk the long journey, but would reserve 
his health and strength in the hope that the 
society would come to him in Boston in 1S87. 
Patrick Barry, who was chosen to preside, 
made a very efficient chairman, however, and 
if in a few cases members were allowed to 
become wordy and lose sight of the topic un¬ 
der discussion, he could not always prevent it 
perhaps. 
After prayer by Rev. Chas. Fluhrer, of the 
church in which the meetings were held, 
President Lyon, of the Michigan State Horti¬ 
cultural Society, addressed a lew words of 
welcome to the visiting guests. Mr. Barry 
returned thanks for the ample provisions 
made, and was followed by au address of 
welcome by Mayor Curtiss, of Grand Rapids, 
who said: "When l came to this city 15 years 
ago, it did not look probable that such a 
society would select this place for their meet¬ 
ing. But to-day our city deems it a high 
honor to have you here.” Mr. Barry then said 
“I find that when this society was organized 
in 1850, there were on)}' about 3,000 people in 
Grand Rapids; now 1 am told its population 
is over 50,000.” 
President Angell of Michigan University 
then delivered an eloquent address. He said, 
in part, “I am charged with the agreeable 
duty of welcoming you in the name of the 
State. This country has made more rapid 
progress perhaps in no particular, during this 
generation, than in the cultivation of fruit. 
The total value of our fruit crop must now 
run well up toward $100,000,000 in a good 
year, ami the improvement in quality and 
flavor must equal the increase in quantity. 
Who can estimate the elevating and refining 
influence exercised by the increased attention 
to the delicate processes of pomology i For 
you cultivate both a science and an art, and it 
often rises from a practical almost to a flue art, 
aud you study nature as closely as a geologist 
and many of you seek for grace and beauty 
w itb almost as delicate an aesthetic sense as 
the sculptor or painter.” In all this he said 
the society had been prominent and conspicu¬ 
ous. It had tired the whole people by its 
contagious enthusiasm. He then referred at 
length and in glowing terms to the favored 
location and influence of Michigan for fruit 
growing aud the rapid progress made there. 
“As a rule” he said “the friendly lake ou the 
West draws the sting out of the tail of the 
bitterest Dakota blizzard. During most of 
the year breezes soft as those of Eden woo 
the peach, the grape and the pear, coax¬ 
ing them to rejoice us with the autumnal 
splendor of their fruitage.” Speaking of the 
people at Michigan, he thought New York, 
New England aud (Ihio had been sifted to 
find a portion of their best men and women 
for the planting of Michigan. In conclusion, 
be alluded in the highest terms to the schools 
of Michigan which were open to all almost 
without money and without price. President 
Barry thought the society was being over¬ 
whelmed with kindness and then said it would 
now proceed to regular business. 
A Committee ou Credentials was thou ap¬ 
pointed, also an Auditing Committee and one 
upon nominations. After examination, the 
former committee reported the list of dele¬ 
gates who were present from the various 
States, the number being unusually large, in¬ 
cluding most of the leading pomologists, hor¬ 
ticultural writers and practical representative 
fruit men of the nation, as well as of Canada, 
aud a commissioner from Japan. 
At this point a telegram was ordered sent 
to President Wilder settiug forth the favor¬ 
able auspices under which the society was 
meeting. To this at a later period of the ses¬ 
sion, aud after he had been notified of his re- 
election as president of the society, the veu- 
erable pomologist wired the following char¬ 
acteristic response: “Good thanks for tele¬ 
gram. All right; go ahead. I accept the 
presidency. God bless the grand old Pomo 
logical.” 
Treasurer Smith then read the financial re¬ 
port, showing cash ou hand iu 1883, $1,518.20; 
receipts to September, 1885, $8,224.73, includ¬ 
ing old balance. Disbursements $1,003.03. 
Cash on band $1,226.09. Members were gen¬ 
erally pleased with the financial condition of 
the Society, and biennial members came 
promptly to the treasurer’s table aud paid 
their fees. After voting to go to Boston in 
1887, the following committee was appointed 
to award the Wilder medals, viz.: Dr. Hex- 
arner, N. Y.; Robert Manning, Mass.; J. J. 
Harrison, Ohio; A. W. Harrison, Penn.; W. 
C. Strong. Mass.; Dr. Hape, Georgia; aud 
Prof. Budd, Iowa, were then designated a 
Committee on Resolutions. The society then 
adjourned for dinner. 
On reassembling in the afternoon, it was 
found that many additional members bad 
arrived, and the church was now filling up 
rapidly. Many having gone to the Exhibition 
Hall a few blocks distant, it was somewhat 
late before the session began. 
The Committee on Nominations reported, 
and the list of officers was unanimously elect¬ 
ed by the society as given iu Rural of Sep- 
tember 19. The Committee on Native Fruits, 
Chairman Lyon, asked further time. Chair¬ 
man Ellwanger of Foreign Fruit Committee, 
regretted to say he had no report to make, as 
the committee had found uo foreign fruits 
worth reporting. All that had been tried 
failed to come up to the standard. The Com¬ 
mittee ou Revision of Catalogue, W. C. Barry, 
chairman, reported by President Barry; 
names had been increased from 900 to 1,003, 
showing changes in starring, and iu several 
other respects. He also read the report of the 
General Fruit Committee, of which his son 
was also chairman. About 20 State reports 
have been received ou fruits generally. Sev¬ 
eral States aud Territories yet remain to be 
heard from. Progress was reported from 
nearly all, showing great improvement in 
many casea. On motion of Mr. Lyon, it was 
ordered that the name of the standing Com¬ 
mittee on Synonyms and Rejected Fruits 
should he changed to “Committee on Nomen¬ 
clature.” The amendment was made. 
The address of President Wilder was then 
read by ex Secretary Beal, the members list¬ 
ening with profound attention throughout. 
In it he says it is 37 years since the society 
was organized. His resignation as president 
had always been declined, and a special officer 
having been selected to act in his place when 
absent, he regarded such action as a testimo¬ 
nial of regard for past deeds rather than for 
anything he could now do. He alludes at 
length, aud very fittingly, to the society’s 
mission, to what it set out to do, and what it 
has so well accomplished. He alludes tenderly 
and affectionately to the death of Charles 
Downing, according him a high place iu hist¬ 
ory. “As a pomologist, he was world re¬ 
nowned for his knowledge, accuracy, and good 
judgment, and had a longer experience than 
any man in this or auy other country. His 
books will ever be precious memorials of good 
fruits and good men; of a life whose great 
object was to make othei’6 happy iu the en¬ 
joyment of the beauties und bounties of 
creation, and which has been a Messing to our 
world.” Speaking of his fruit book, he says, 
“This encyclopedic work is now the authority 
iu regard to the multitude of fruits described 
in it. His works are a rich legacy to the 
American people, and au enduring monu¬ 
ment to his womory.” It should be said 
here that, so far as 1 am aware, the society 
omitted or forgot to take any official action 
in recognition of the death of that eminent 
pomologist, whom President Wilder so fitting 
ly eulogizes. The inadvertence is certainly 
strange aud unfortunate for the society’s 
minutes, which will he searched iu vain for 
this record by many in future years. In the 
list of the Society’s accomplishments, l’rdsi- 
dent Wilder enumerates a higher standard 
of excellence in judging fruits; education of 
taste; discouraging cultivation of inferior 
sorts, more than 600 varieties having boon 
discarded; a uniform system of rules for 
judging; reform in nomenclature, aud many 
other things. He again urges “a system of 
nomenclature pure and plain in its diction, 
pertinent and proper in its application,” and 
asks the nurserymen to aid in this reform by 
revising their catalogues. Speaking of im¬ 
provement by cross fertilization, he asks fora 
pear “with the riebuess of the Seckel, form 
and size of the Bose, and vigor and produc¬ 
tiveness of the Boussock," and predicts other 
fruits may yet be grown as perfect as those of 
Eden. Again he urges the injunction, “Plant 
the most mature aud perfect seeds of the most 
hardy, vigorous and valuable varieties, aud 
as a shorter process, insuring more certain 
and happy results, cross and hybridize our 
finest kinds for still greater excellence.” In 
conclusion, he adds, “Fruits are the overfliw 
of Nature’s bounty, gems from the skies 
which are dropped down to beautify the earth, 
charm the sight, gratify the taste, and min¬ 
ister to the enjoyment of life; and the more 
we realize this, the more shall we appreciate 
the Divine goodness to us, and the duty of 
providing them to others.” The address was 
loudly applauded, and on motion of Mr. 
Augur, a vote of thanks was ordered. 
Chairman Barry then made a few remarks, 
speaking of the great Apple Congress in Eng¬ 
land, last year, where 2,050 varieties were 
shown, 1,-550 being named. Of these, 120 were 
selected as the cream of the English apples;60 
for culinary and 60 for dessert purposes. Twen¬ 
ty of this list were in the society’s catalogue he 
said. He alluded to the strange aud inappro¬ 
priate names there aud said no attempt at re¬ 
form in nomenclature was being made. A 
Pear Congress was now about to be held there, 
he said. The subject of new fruit3 was then 
taken up and discussed at length. The Rural 
will resume its report of the proceedings from 
this point next week. H. h 
farm (Toques. 
OUR WATER SUPPLY. 
CHARLES A. GREEN. 
Five sixths of the human body, three- 
fourths of the earth’s surface, aud most of the 
blood of animals, and the saps and juices of 
plants and trees are composed of water. A 
man weighing 180 pounds carries 150 pounds 
of water, only 30 pounds of his body being 
composed of solids. Strictly pure water is 
odorless and tasteless, and would not be valued 
for domestic purposes, even if it could be ob¬ 
tained. If people were aware of what they 
are imbibing in common well and spring 
water, there would be less consumed; and yet 
many impurities can be taken into the system 
of vigorous people without seriously impariug 
their health. This is evident from the fact 
that were it otherwise the earth would soon 
be swept of its inhabitants. 
Of all impure waters none are so deadly as 
those of the stagnant pools and marshes. Such 
places should be drained of the surface water 
at least, if tor no other reason thau to remove 
their poisonous effect from the community. 
Stagnant water, either above or below the 
surface, should be avoided. Probably more 
diseases are engendered and disseminated by 
impure water than by any other means. 
When we remember that the best springs are 
impure, we can form some idea of the deadly 
ingredients swallowed by the mass who con¬ 
sume the muddy waters of the Mississippi aud 
Thames. The former contains the drainage 
of marshee and ctss-pools, aud the wasbiugs 
of thousands of baru yards, and the latter, the 
sewerage of a great city. [That portion of 
the water supply of London taken from the 
Thames is pumped out before the current 
reaches the city, Since the construction of 
the Thames Embankment, the sewage of Lon¬ 
don no longer flows Into the river.—Eos.] It 
is sad enough to contemplate the best water 
supplies of our cities, such as crystal lakes up 
in the mountains. These contain many im¬ 
purities at best, but iu comparison with the 
wells of cities, such lakes are purity itself. 
No well in the city can be relied upon as giv¬ 
ing healthy water. Taste cannot be depended 
upon in detecting impurities, as often they 
impurt no disagreeable taste, but, having a 
slight inclination to salt, uro often agreeaMe. 
The water supplies of the farm are general¬ 
ly supposed to be the purest, und yet it is 
found that very often they are the worst. 
This is generally for the reason that little at¬ 
tention is given to them, on the assumption 
that there can be nothing to contaminate them. 
It is never safe to assume that the ordinary 
supply is as it should be. If every farmer 
would scrutinize closely his wells and springs 
and their surroundings, not only us regards 
the supply lor the house, but that consumed 
by his stock, many diseases would be avoided. 
I have seen, in the heuted term of July and 
August, herds of milch cows driukiug the 
green, slimy water that had escaped from the 
marshes,and which had been simmering iu the 
hot sun for months. After driukiug this 
poisonous liquid, could auy one imagiue that 
