f HE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
and I always grow it. It is easily grown. I 
raise it as 1 do other celery; plant in rows 20 
to 24 inches apart, and six or seven inches 
asunder in the rows,and as the “turnips” form, 
araw a little earth over them with a hoe. 
Frirsia rkfracta alba.— It you can af- 
lord it, do as Horticola (p. 724) tells you—grow 
some of this. It is quoted at three bulbs for 
lifty cents, or seven bulbs for $1.00. The 
bulbs are small and you can plant them sevea 
iu a six inch pot. The dowers are white, 
pretty, fragrant, aud have a high-toned look 
about them. The bulbs, when grown in pots, 
increase in number, and if you dcn't cutoff 
the flowers, the plants seed freely, aud if you 
sow the seeds as soon as they are ripe they 
will germinate in 12 or 15 days, and tue seed 
lings grow big enough to become blooming 
plants when a year old. 
BLACK CURRANTS. 
Kinds. —I do not think the common black is 
worth growing. The Black Grape is an excel¬ 
lent currant, but I prefei Black Naples because 
it is a heavy cropper and beats larger berries 
thau do the others. I have not grown Lee's 
Prolific; but some of my ueighbors who have, 
like it better than any other black currant. 
SOIL.—A rich, loamy soil is best; but, in¬ 
deed, black currant bushes will grow almost 
anywhere. I find a heavy mulching in Sum 
mer of great benefit to them in keeping the 
ground cool and moist; and it also preserves 
the berries from being spattered with grit in 
the event of heavy rains. This mulching may 
consist of farm manure, lawn mowings, salt 
hay or thatch, eel grass, half-rotted leaves, or 
other handy material. 
Form of the Boshes.— Raised from cut¬ 
tings from vvbieh the lower eyes had been 
removed, we secure the bushes not much given 
to suckering. For garden purposes I prefer 
bushes having a clean stem four to eight 
inches high, then a well balanced, thin head 
of vigorous wood some four feet high. I 
much dislike standards that need a stake to 
support them all the days of their life, or the 
open-hearted, cup shaped bushes so common 
in Europeau gardening. For field culture the 
the several stemmed system is adopted, be¬ 
cause iu this way the bushes are more tena¬ 
cious of life and require less attention in pru¬ 
ning. But in the garden let our fruit trees and 
bushes be beautiful as well as productive, es¬ 
pecially wheu handsome, symmetrical forms 
add to, rather than detract from, them fruit 
bearing propensities. 
Pruning. —Avoid heavy pruning. Main¬ 
tain a stock of young, vigorous wood and cut 
out old, gnarled or enervated branches. Keep 
the bushes moderately thiu. Remove Email, 
switchy and stout, watery shoot3. A little 
thinning aud shortening of the current year's 
shoots iu Summer will much lessen winter 
pruning. After the bushes are in good bear¬ 
ing condition, with a little care in Summer 
they will need very little pruning. 
an “expert’s” opinion. 
My esteemed friend Mr. Benj. G. Smith, of 
Cambridge, near Boston, who is Treasurer 
of the American Pomological Society, is a 
most successful and pains taking cultivator of 
currants, gooseberries, Juneberries, and other 
small fruits, and for them has, I believe, 
taken more premiums at the exhibitions of 
the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, than 
any other exhibitor. He writes me as follows: 
“I consider black currants among our most 
valuable small fruits, and it is a matter of 
surprise to me that our American people do 
not more generally appreciate tnem. For the 
past ten or fifteen years 1 have cultivated 
Black Naples, which I consider most satis 
factory, althougn I have experimented with 
other kinds. Like other currants, it requires 
a deep, rich soil and abundant manure. 1 use 
cow manure annually and liberally. It re 
quires but little pruning except occasionally 
to cut out old wood. It is entirely free from 
injurious insects—the currant worm has never 
troubled it in my grounds. It has never failed 
to bear an abundant crop. We have made 
from them a very acceptable wine, valuable 
medicinally—especially for inflammation of 
the throat. The fruit is equally good for jam 
or jelly. It is six or seven years since we 
made the last wine. It improves by age.” 
JJamoidgirnl 
AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
TWENTIETH BIENNIAL MEETING. 
(RURAL SHORT-HAND REPORT.) 
THE LAST AFTERNOON SESSION. 
On the last afternoon a large number of the 
members accepted tne invitation to visit the 
fruit farms of Messrs. Munson & Kuapp, 
where the Worden and Concord vines were 
well loaded, but the fruit was not yet fully 
ripe. Those who did not go assembled in the 
cburch promptly after dinner, and business 
proceeded, Mr. Campbell in the chair. W. 
I. Chamberlain, of Ohio, read a paper on 
“The needs and methods of gathering fruit 
statistics.” Technically he was not a pomo¬ 
logical expert, he said, though he owned a 
good sized commercial apple orchard, which 
he planted and pruned himself. If a special 
ist at all, it was as a proguosticator of crops. 
Statistics taken a year after mops were har¬ 
vested and sold, like the census, have a his¬ 
toric, corrective aud comparative value; but 
so far as giving the producer any aid in judg¬ 
ing how to sell his crops, they are like a tele 
scope after tne eclipse is past; like medicine 
after the post mortem Fallacious argmmuts 
and conclusions are dedu ed from census sta¬ 
tistics. To he of value in this respect such 
statistics must be gathered far more frequent¬ 
ly ; monthly reports of condition and prognos 
tications and final estimates of the outcome 
are needed. Many States are now doing this 
with ordinary farm crops. An accurate 
knowledge of the condition of crops, month 
by month, is the only legitimate basis of prices 
aud trade. Such know ledge should be prompt¬ 
ly furnished by the agricultural and horti¬ 
cultural departments of State and Nation. 
Both producer and consumer should have ibis 
information as the basis of an equitable ad¬ 
justment of prices, that speculators may not 
be able to “bear" or “bull” the market. En¬ 
riching speculators is usually at the expense 
of agricultural prosperity. But if the farmers 
get the profit, it goes largely into better 
buildings, improvements, stock, fertilizers, 
education for their children, comfort in their 
homes, in short, better business prosperity. 
Better knowledge as to time and place to mar¬ 
ket the crops and fruits, and as to distribu¬ 
tion from points of local over-abundance to 
others of scarcity, is needed. Financially 
and socially the gardener is not benefited by 
growing two apples where only one grew be¬ 
fore if he gets no more cash or comfort in his 
home for the two than he would for the one, 
and yet the mam effort has been merely to 
increase the quantity of products, heretofore, 
hence he made uo apology now for presenting 
this other equally important phase of the 
question. Mr. Chamberlain detailed the 
methods used by the State Board in Ohio in 
gathering such frequent statistics, but he said 
it was wholly defective in horticultural and 
especially in pomological products, in which 
there was greater need of them than with 
general farm products, from their being of a 
more perishable nature, requiring quicker 
handling and marketing, in conclusion, he 
urged all local, State and National horticul¬ 
tural and pomological societies to aid State 
Boards and the National Department of Agri¬ 
culture in obtaining and promptly dissemiuac 
ing such information. The paper was lengthy 
and valuable; nothing but a mere outline is 
given here. 
PACKING AND SHIPPING FRUITS. 
On this important subject, Mr. Parker 
Earle then addressed the society. Mr. Earle 
is always practical iu what he says and does, 
and when he speaks, fruit growers expect to 
get information. His remarks at this time 
were fresh from the garden of experience and 
not merely redolent of plausible theory. “The 
preparation of fruit for market is of great 
importance, especially to growers at a long 
distance, and iu the case of the tender buries. 
Surely we are not making use of Iran porta- 
tion and the best methods as successfully as 
they do in California, whence come most 
perishable fruits, which arrive in good con¬ 
dition at New York and Boston. The half¬ 
bushel drawer used in our country (Ohio 
aod Indiana), is a bad arrangement. No 
box could be more ingeniously contrived to 
spoil berries. Boxes are rolled over ami over, 
and the berries leak out. The quart boxes or 
baskets packed in an open crate are the best 
contrivances 1 know of, especially for good 
weather, or refrigerator cars. 1 don’t mean 
the Michigan quart box; that is too deep; 
berries don’t carry as well in it. Wheu 
crated, the package is so nearly square, one 
cannot tell when it is rigbtside up. Tbecrate 
should be built to obviate this trouble. Has]) 
berries should be shipped in pint-boxes, 
packed 24 in a case. I have no difficulty in 
shippiug the teuderest varieties 00(1 miles in 
this way. But it could not be done in larger 
packages. The crate used in the Eastern 
States is improper; it is ingeniously adapted 
to spoil fruit. The Delaware peach basket Is 
too large for ripe peaches; the Michigan bas¬ 
ket is much better, but not quite the thing yet. 
1 prefer an oblong package like the Michigan 
grape basket. Tms will do for markets near 
and far. Tae so-called “Ripe Fruit Carrier” 
filled with peaches came to me a few days 
ago, the fruit having been picked three days 
before It reached me. I found them iu a re¬ 
markable state of preservation, and brought 
three specimens here to show you 11 days 
from the tree. (The fruit seemed firm and 
good). The box is filled with perforated paste¬ 
board trays, so divided that each peach is iu 
a little cell by itself. The box holds 100 
peaches. The arrangement of trays is similar 
to those used in egg carriers, but in this the 
patent i3 on the perforations or ventilation. By 
packing in this, I believe peaches could be 
transported from Michigan to England. The 
crates cost about HO cents each. My experi 
ence teaches me that in shipping fruit, it is 
best to avoid express companies, not merely 
to save expense, but to avoid rough handling 
and confinement in hot cars. Fruit must be 
kept cool, not eo'd, about 50^ is best Don’t 
have your fruit hot when it goes in the car. 
Have it cool before it goes, either before it 
is put in the car or immediately after in re 
Irigerator cars.” 
A specimen of the “Fruit Carrier” was then 
shown by the gentlemau who had it on exhi¬ 
bition over in the Fruit Hall. He said biuhel 
crates would cost about 20 cents each. One 
end of the crate shown was merely a box into 
which the peaches had been dumped in the 
usual way; these were bruised and rotten. 
The other end contained the individual cells 
with each peach well preserved. It had been 
brought from Maryland. 
FRUITS OF THE NORTH-WEST. 
Peter M Gideon, of Minnesota, then read a 
paper on “Fruits of the North-West.” He 
pictured the trials and hardships endured by 
himself and family in that region while rais¬ 
ing an apple orchard from seed and cions af 
ter twelve years experience with Duchess, 
Blue Pearmain, and Cherry Crab, he fouud 
the Crab the hardiest. “About one in 500 
seedlings,” said he, “ will produce a fair sized 
apple. No variety without Siberian Crab 
blood in it, can stand our severe climate, 
hence the necessity of crossing. One way is 
to cross mongrel with mongrel, and select 
the best every time, aud we keep on this way. 
We plant close together, giving nature a 
chance to distribute pollen freely. Certainly 
all the manipulators of the nation cannot 
show as many good varieties of apples as we, 
to say nothing of hardiness of trees." 
“INSECTS INJURIOUS TO FRUIT, AND 
REMEDIES" 
was the subject of the next paper read by 
Prof. Lazenby. Says he, “ Insects are in¬ 
creasing on all sides, aud uuless we fight them 
more efficiently they will drive us from the 
field. The best remedy is that which is effec¬ 
tual, cheap, easy of application, and harmless 
to the plant and the user.” He had not been 
very successful with kerosene: preferred py- 
rethrum. Detailed accounts of his experi¬ 
ments with the various pests at the Ohio Sta¬ 
tion were given. “ I want to enter a plea for 
the birds, even the poor, abused little spar¬ 
rows.” said he, “ I tbiuk they are doiug more 
good than harm.” Mr. Plumb asked about 
the use of arsenic as an insecticide; the Pro¬ 
fessor had not tried it. Professor Budd. “I 
wa9 surprised last night during Professor 
Cook's excellent lecture, not to hear arsenic 
mentioned among the successful remedies. I 
have fouud it of much value in some in¬ 
stances, One pound of white arseuic to 200 
gallons of water is about the right propor¬ 
tion. It is largely used in California. 1 know 
of uo special danger in its proper use. Ar¬ 
senical water can be strong enough to destroy 
insect life, without being dangerous to man. 
It is effectual in the destruction of canker- 
worm and codling moth. It is best to dis¬ 
solve the arsenic in water by boiling.” Mr. 
Green also had a good word for the birds. 
“ They work night aud day." he said. Mr 
Augur: £ * I’m glad to hear that arsenic cun be 
used to advantage. It is much cheaper thau 
Paris green, and there is less trouble to ap¬ 
ply it.” Mr. Richardson of Michigan: 
Does anybody kuow of a remedy for the 
curculio in the plum.” Mr. Benuett, of 
Michigan, said a weak solution of carbolic 
acid had been used with success. Mr. Rogers 
said it was uo good in New Jersey. 
At this point Mr. Campbell called Parker 
Earle to the chair, as he was obliged to leave 
for home. Reierring to the 
COJtRT-LAWSON FEAR 
controversy Mr. Lyon said: “I would like to 
have the committee report upon this question 
now. Home think the pear is unworthy of a 
name, I rather think so myself, the quality is 
not good enougn.” Hr. Robert Manning, the 
only member of the committee present, said: 
“i have not thought the pear worth naming; 
it is not good enough, ‘the game is not worth 
the candle 1 ” He made some further remarks 
on the subject to the same effect aud the Comet 
was left to shine on ia special committee with 
two names, but no certificate of baptism. 
HARD PROBLEMS IN POMOLOGY. 
Prof. Budd then road a brief paper on this 
supject, suggesting a few hints toward im 
provement. In the beginning, he said, “ We can 
now show more dead apple trees west of Lake 
Michigan than at any previous period of the 
world’s history.” The paper contained several 
good points, and it was received with ap¬ 
plause. Some little discussion followed in 
which Messrs. Green, Woodward, and others 
participated. Speaking of new fruits, Mr, 
Woodward said: “This paper audits author 
nave opened a subject of the utmost import¬ 
ance to tnis country. Millions of dollars have 
been worse than stolen from the people by 
the sale of worthless varieties, and of bogus 
plants in place of valuable varieties, and this 
has destroyed much of the reputation of 
honest propagators. Some system which 
will secure tae full testing of new fruits all 
over the country and an Honest report upon 
the same is imperatively needed. At the 
same tuue the rights of the originator must 
be protected; he works many years in grow¬ 
ing seedlings and when he has secured one of 
real value it is his, and his ownership should 
be most carefully guarded, l am iu favor of 
establishing esperimentatatious in every State 
and in various parts of each State in which new 
fruits shall be tested under the charge of the 
State societies, the details to be arranged satis¬ 
factorily.” 
Mr. Augur heartily indorsed the plan, and 
offered a resolution to the effect that each 
State Society or Board of Agriculture be 
urged to empower a certain number of experts 
to try all new fruits that shall be submitted 
to them for growth and test, whose duty it 
shall be to report the result in each case. The 
resolution was adopted. Mr. Green was then 
called to the chair, Mr. Earle hurrying away 
to his homeward train. Mr. Gibb was asked 
for an immediate report on Russian nomen¬ 
clature, that it might go dowu on the record, 
and appear in the published proceedings of 
the society. He promised to comply with 
the request. 
Mr. E. T. Field, of Red Bank, New Jersey, 
then read a most interesting paper on “The 
Cocoanut, its Uses, and How and Where to 
Grow II” He is the practical member of the 
firm of Field & Osborne, who are extensively 
engaged in the growth of the Cocoauut Falm 
down on the Florida Peninsula. Members 
were deeply interested in what be said, and 
the paper includes much information of 
general interest aud value upon this new and 
promising industry in the United States. 
NEW FRUITS. 
At the conclusion of Mr. Field’s paper the 
discussion of sundry new fruits was taken up. 
The Champion Gooseberry was inquired 
about, but elicited uo response. The Hatha¬ 
way Strawberry No. 5, was then called. Mr. 
Hathaway said aait was now Lsing tested by 
various fruit growers, “ better pas3 it over 
for tne preseut,” he said. It was the moet 
promising thing among all his varieties thus 
far. Mr. Green said that the quality was 
good, and it grew well. Mr. Munsou then re¬ 
ported as to the examination of the Worden 
and Concord Grapes, made at the vineyard in 
the afternoou,showing specimens of each sort, 
vine and duster, Worden being nearer ripe 
than tne CODeord. The decision was that 
the Worden was about four days earlier than 
the Concord, but that it needed a week more 
to ripen; quality differed very little from that 
of the Concord, probubly favoring the latter. 
Worden more watery; not quite so much su¬ 
gar in it; less foxy perhaps than the Concord; 
but the cluster would look better in market. 
The leaf of the Concord was slightly more 
vigorous, altnough anthrax was found to 
be present in the Worden. The sorts were 
equally productive a9 far as the committee 
could see. 
Mr. Woodward asked about the Jewell 
Strawberry. “ It is very promising with us,” 
said he, “berries uniformly good iu size aud 
shape: very productive; flavor better than 
that of the Sbarploss.” Mr. Rogers: “I have 
grown it two seasons in New Jersey, and seen 
it on Mr. Augur's place; growth ot plant 
vigorous, fruit large to very large, extreme¬ 
ly productive, i eons! ier It worthy of trial.” 
Mr. Augur referred to Its name; if that point 
could be settled uow. be would like it. The 
name “ Jowtll ” lie said was given it in honor 
of ex-Governor Marshall Jewell of Connec¬ 
ticut, who was a particular friend of his. The 
berries had attracted much attention from a 
brother of the Governor. Mr. Green of Ohio, 
spoke well of if, saying: “not q uite as vigor¬ 
ous as Sharpless, but fully as healthy, givesa 
better crop, ratner larger thau Sharpless, no 
special fault to find. Some of the berries are 
inclined to be rather irregular in shape." 
This concluded the last afternoon session. 
H. H. 
ENGLISH METHODS OF PEAR CUL¬ 
TURE. 
The Gardeners’ Chronicle, of London, Eng¬ 
land. gives considerable space to the ^rowing, 
pruning aud traiuiug of pears, and from It 
our cuts of this number of the Rural are re- 
engraved. Pears do uot succeed iu England 
as they do in most parts of our own country, 
and hence the use of walls aud peculiar 
