4886 
THE rtURAL NEW-YORKER 
■ 
3ntmst’l Bocutuz. 
AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 
AT CLEVELAND. 
(RURAL SPECIAL REPORT CONTINUED.) 
Sensibility of plants; fruit and flower dis¬ 
play; officers elected; a “ millionaire ” 
horticulturist; high praise for wood ashes; 
drainage; why potash is good in a drought. 
A paper ou the sensibility of plants, by 
Charles A. Green, New York, was read by the 
author. He thought people often forget that 
vines or plants are real live beings, and said 
their sexual characteristics provo them dis¬ 
tinct from the rocks in being endowed with 
sensibility. He alluded to the recent crosses 
between wheat and rye, the raspberry and 
blackberry by the Rural New-Yorker, etc., 
the latter producing a pomologieal mule, as 
he said, and many similar illustrations were 
cited in support of this theory. 
Though not large, there being less thau 200 en¬ 
tries, the fruit and flower show was attractive. 
It included some flue apples, grapes and peaches, 
and a choice collettionof rare plants and flowers, 
the latter bciug mostly from the greenhouses 
of Mrs. Ella Grant Campbell, the lady who 
started on a capital of 15 cents a few years 
ago, ami has now attained a national rep¬ 
utation as a floral artist. Her parasol of car¬ 
nations, tuberoses and sweet peas, shown in 
the hall, was a unique design, winning the 
first prize. The collection of Mississippi ap¬ 
ples, shown by Dr. McKay, about 25 sorts, was 
remarkable for the size, color and beauty of 
the specimens. Several of his Roxbury Rus¬ 
sets measured 12 inches around each. He got 
second premium for collection. 
In peal’s, the display of Ford & Sons, Ohio, 
took most of the honors. For grapes, the 
special prize for collection went to L. Harris, 
of Euclid, with single plate prizes pretty widely 
distributed. Cay wood A' Son, New York, took 
first and second for best named seedling, res¬ 
pect! v’cly with Ulster and Poughkeepsie, a.small 
display of which attracted much attention 
among the Western grape-growers. R. A. 
Hurd, of Euclid, took first prize for plums. 
W. N. Cook, Michigan, for peaches. Geo. W. 
Campbell had 10 of his recent grape seedlings 
on exhibition. Some 50 varieties of grapes 
were shown by the Eastern Cuyahoga Horti¬ 
cultural Society; and a threc-y on r-old Worden 
vine, bearing IS bunches, lo pounds of fruit 
upon it, was shown by Cushman A Son, Euclid, 
Ohio. 
Though not in the regular order of the pro¬ 
ceedings hero, it may be stated that Parker 
Earle was unanimously re-elected president of 
the Society, aud IV. H. Ragan Secretary. T. 
V. Munson, Texas, was chosen Finst Vice-Pre¬ 
sident, J. C. Evans, Missouri, Treasurer, and 
a Vice-President from each State. S. D. Will¬ 
ard, of Geneva, for New York, and .T. S. Col- 
lius for New Jersey. Mr. Earle, on resuming 
the chair, said: il l don’t know whether to 
thank you or not, or whether you have acted 
with propriety or not. In oue respect at least 
I am uot the proper person for your presiding 
officer. A society without financial resources, 
and without national or State aid, should have 
a wealthy president, like President Wilder, of 
the American Pomologieal Society." Presi¬ 
dent Smith, of the Wisconsin Horticultural 
Society, was surprised. He thought Mr. Earle 
was a millionaire, and a little later, when 
money was being raised by teu-dollar subscrip¬ 
tions for compensation to Secretary Ragan, 
and Mr. Earle took five shares, Mr. Smith was 
surprised anew, saying: “Our president is 
thing to hold the moisture. In May, 1885, I 
planted two acres of strawberries on land 
which had been manured for years. This 
Spring I applied wood ashes aud cultivated 
the ground several times, watering a portion 
at times, but plants thrived best when not 
watered. Never saw such hot weather as dur¬ 
ing piokiug season, mercury went to 95 de¬ 
grees, and even to 102 degrees in the shade. 
But in spite of that, aud the unusually low 
price of strawberries, I realized handsomely 
from my strawberry patch." Continuing, he 
said: “Potatoes treated with ashes held out 
better than when compost was used. I have 
now 80,000 cabbages growing to the surprise 
and delight of everybody: nearly half have 
had no rain; land has been heavily manured 
for years, and thoroughly cultivated. But in 
addition I applied 100 bushels of ashes per 
acre." 
Mr. Ohiner wished to emphasize the impor¬ 
tance of this subject, Said he “I saved four 
acres of blackberries by watering and culti* 
vation, while my neighbors lost their entire 
crops. I got 562 bushels of berries which 
brought me nearly $3,000. 
A lively discussion then ensued on the sub¬ 
ject of drainage, Mr. Smith being plied with 
questions from all sides. He began to under¬ 
drain nearly 25 years ago, aud thought his 
discussed at length, being shut off with diffi¬ 
culty by the president. The only point of 
value elicited was that the smaller the tile, so 
that it carried off the water, the better it 
would keep clear, by reason of more perfect 
flowing. In closing their discussion President 
Earle said Mr. Smith was one of the most 
successful gardeners in the Northwest. He 
was a theorist but never promulgated his theo¬ 
ries until found successful in practice. 
H. H. 
PERSONAL NOTES FROM THE AMERI¬ 
CAN HORTICULTURAL MEETING. 
Parker Earle must have a constitution 
of iron to endure the strain put upon him at 
this meeting. He presides with dignity and 
grace. His address was considered worthy of 
the man and place. It will be published in 
full by the American Horticulturist, Detroit, 
Michigan, and widely distributed ou the re¬ 
commendation of a committee voted to do that 
work. 
L. B. Pierce was the leading spirit at the ex¬ 
hibition hall. The Ohio State Society gave 
$100 for premiums, and $300 were raised by 
local subscription. The exhibition was an at¬ 
tractive one. especially in grapes, apples and 
flowers. A floral parasol and a floral fish 
richer than he said he was.” 
The second morning session opened with the 
reading of an important paper on “How shall 
we Protect our Crops in Time of Drought*" by 
J. M. Smith, Green Buy, Win. He said, “We 
were too apt to leave our own crops entirely 
in the hands of Providence without using the 
hands and brains He has given us to help our¬ 
selves. Thorough draining is necessary. My 
garden contains 40 acres, having a slight 
slope. It is laid off in beds, with alleys be¬ 
tween for carrying off surplus water. Be¬ 
neath t he alley is a tile water course for tak¬ 
ing off the water that soaks through the soil. 
We have now passed through one of the most 
terrible droughts ever known in Southern 
Wisconsin, with only two light showers in 
June, But my cabbage roots extend from 18 
inches to two feet Itelow the surface, aud they 
are doing splendidly. Deep plowing, and 
thorough and frequent cultivation of the soil, 
are most important. In dry weather especi¬ 
ally 1 keep stirring the soil very often. Loose, 
mellow soil at the surface acts as a mulch, 
and in case of light- showers the effect is al¬ 
most marvelous: every drop scorns to go 
where it- <s most needed. I find wood ashes of 
great value, uot only as a fertilizer, but ns a 
protection from drought, and I apply it free¬ 
ly, using 30 to 40 loads j>er acre. It is a great 
(See p 
father laid the first- tile drain ever made in 
the United States. His were three feet deep, 
costing about $15 per acre. Members were 
surprised at the low cost and wanted to con¬ 
tract with him at once. Mr. Harrison, Ohio, 
had drained about 70 acres last Spring at a 
cost of $45 per acre. Mr. Smith’s soil was 
loose, and tile is very cheap there. Chas. A. 
Green thought J. J. Thomas was the origin¬ 
ator of frequent cultivation for drought. Mr. 
Cay wood said it was nobody’s invention, but 
as old as the bills Mr. Ohmer quickly re¬ 
plied “that is probably so, but there are more 
who don’t know about it than who do." Cay- 
wood: “I admit the fact.” Mr. Green thought 
ashes of no use where the soil was supplied with 
potash. Mr. Smith said ashes should not be 
plowed under deeply. Prof. Clay pole, of 
Akron, gave a definite reason for the good 
effects of ashes in a drought, which seemed 
to surprise and please nearly every member. 
Ho said, speaking as a chemist * ‘The carbonate 
of potash is a very powerful and attractive 
agent for moisture: os every chemist knows, it 
is almost impossible to keep it dry iu bottles. 
Hence the effect alluded to.” Mr. Smith used 
double the quantity of leached ashes with sim¬ 
ilar result*. The drainage question was again 
ge 655.) 
placed upon the reporters’ table, attracted 
much attention. The parasol was lined with 
red flowers aud covered with white flowers 
outside, nicely fringed, resting upon a base 
of ferns. A largo stage was covered with 
greenhouse plants iu blossom. All this from 
the local florists. 
Matthew Crawford, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, 
is about 43, tall and serious, excessively mod¬ 
est and retiring. His opinions are sought, and 
he is an able writer and •arefnl cultivator. 
Charles Carpenter, of Kelley’s Island, planted 
the first vines in his vicinity. Ho is well ad¬ 
vanced in years aud his tall form is bent, but 
his eyes are as bright aud his face as well lit 
up as ever. George W. Campbell, who orig¬ 
inated the Delaware Grape—honor enough 
for one man—appears as sprightly as he did 
twenty years ago. He has seen many changes 
iu grape growing in his da}’, and is always 
prominent when gra{>es are discussed. Frank 
II. Leavenworth, of Detroit, Michigan, rep¬ 
resented the American Horticulturist, Editor 
Myriek the Farm anil Home, Mr. Hendricks 
the Daily Tribune and Rural New-Yorker. 
Dr. H. E. McKay, and Professor A. B. Mc¬ 
Kay, of Mississippi, Ivan Lindley and George 
E. Boggs,^of North Carolina, gave us some 
We are sending specimens of the 
R. N.-Y. to some of our old subscribers 
who are not subscribers now. We re¬ 
spectfully call their attention to our 
proposition to send the Rural from now 
until the end of next year for $2 00, 
or in Clubs of Five or over for $1.50. 
We invite them to send for our new 
16-page Premium List, which, it will 
be conceded, offers very liberal com¬ 
pensation to all who are willing to aid 
in extending the Rural’s circulation. 
new ideas of horticulture in the South. Mis¬ 
sissippi grows strawberries by the 100 acre 
patch, by methods not practised North. Her 
Agricultural College is a progressive institu¬ 
tion. The high lands of North Carolina are 
destined to become famous for fruit growing 
W. H. Ragan, the indefatigable secretary, is 
a persistent and successful worker. President 
Earle could uot secure a more efficient lieu¬ 
tenant. He is well informed and his heart is 
enlisted in the work. Mr. Vandenmn, of Kan¬ 
sas, is the newly appointed manager of the 
Pomotogic-al Bureau recently established by 
act of Congress. He is about 40, and served 
au apprenticeship under Dr. Warder. 
President Earle stated that in 1853 Ohio had 
half of its surface covered with forest. In 
1884 but 17 per cent, of the area remained in 
timber. Now only one-sixth of the surface 
is covered. Thus climate changes. Cold 
Winters are followed by hot Summers, and 
drought by disastrous floods. President Earle 
traced the growth of horticulture in Ohio 
from the early days when Johny Apple Seed, 
an interesting figure in history, preached the 
gospel of Christ and scattered apple seeds, 
which germinated and produced trees which 
bear fruit to this day. 
John M. Smith, of Wisconsin, thinks the 
first thing necessary is thorough tile draining 
for gardening. No artificial catering is so 
good as rain from the clouds. If you water at 
all do it thoroughly, for half-way work does 
more harm than good. Mr. Harrison had put 
iu 70 acres of tile this season, at an expense of 
$45 per acre, 31^ feet deep, two rods apart, 
using SO rods of tile per acre. Professor 
McKey said that drains iu Mississippi did as 
much service by promoting moisture iu dry 
spells, as by carrying off surplus water in wet 
seasons. Mr. Cushman's management of the 
excursion to Euclid was a success. After vis¬ 
iting 3,000 acres of vineyard, we returned to 
Euclid, where we were welcomed by music 
from the Euclid band. Long tables were 
spread upon the lawn. After dinner, speeches 
were made by a number in response to senti¬ 
ments proposed by the President. 
Does this society conflict with other socie¬ 
ties? No. There is work and room for all. 
There should lie no attempt to subordinate 
one society, and no feeling of rivalry, except 
that each should endeavor to do all the good 
woi-k possible. The more societies the better, 
so long as they can be equipped and sustained. 
Rochester, N. Y. Charles a. green. 
« » ♦- 
SOCIETY NOTES. 
The Bay State Fair, which is to be held in 
Boston October 5-8, promises to be a great suc¬ 
cess. Maj. H. E. Alvord has been placed at 
the head of the dairy department. It is in¬ 
tended to make this department one of the 
strongest features of the exhibition. The so¬ 
ciety offers prizes amounting to $275 for but¬ 
ter and $100 for cheese. The New England 
Farmer offers $100 more for butter made on 
private farm dairies, and free subscriptions to 
all exhibitors whose butter scales over 80 
points. The Bostou Herald offers $100 to be 
given in prizes for the best displays of utensils 
and appliances connected with the milk supply 
of cities and towns. This latter exhibit will 
be something unique AU articles are to be 
admitted which are useful iu connection with 
the milk service anywhere between the cow 
and the consumer. Maj. Alvord has prepared 
a circular stating the facts connected with 
the exhibition, which all who are interested 
should secure. His address is Amherst, Mass 
The second annual exhibition of the Essex 
Co. Agricultural Fair will be held at the 
Skating Rink, Montclair, N, J., Sept. 29 to 
Oct. 1. Those who desire to witness a farm 
exhibition pure and simple are notified that 
they will find it at Montclair. One excellent 
plan adopted by this society is that of offering 
for prizes a year’s subscription to various 
farm papers. Nursery stock, bags of fertil¬ 
izer, shoes, robes and other useful articles take 
the place of money prizes in many classes. 
We are sorry to see a box of cigars offered as 
a premium for the best collection of apples. 
Suppose a lady should show the best collec¬ 
tion? Some man will at ouce feel himself 
bound to smoke himself into the condition of 
a ham in order to do justice to the victory. A 
goodly partjof the display k will be given up to 
