President: Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, of Massachusetts. Vice Presidents: S. L. Goodale, Maine; H. J. French, New Hampshire; Samuel Walker, Massachusetts; Frederick Holbrook, Vermont; Stephen H. Smith, Rhode Island; A. S. Monson, Connecticut; Benj. Hodge, New York; Thomas Hancock, New Jersey; Caleb Cope, Pennsylvania; E. Tatnal, Jr., Delaware; Ch. B. Calvert, Maryland; Yardley Taylor, Virginia; Walter F. Steele, North Carolina; Robert Chisholm, South Carolina; Richard Peters, Georgia; Jos. S. Moultrie, Alabama; Dr. M. W. Phillips, Mississippi; Henry E. Lawrence, Louisiana; J. S. Downer, Tennessee; W. Davenport, Oregon: C. B. Lines, Kansas; J. W. Felt, Bayou Sara, La.; Thomas Affleck, Texas; Lawrence Young, Kentucky; A. H. Ernst, Ohio; J. G. D. Nelson, Indiana; W. D. Haylay, Illinois; N. J. Coleman, Missouri; Geo. Worthin; Arkansas; B. F. Nourse, Florida; Robert Avery, Iowa; J. C. Brayton, Wisconsin; Simpson Thompson, California; Joshua Peirce, District of Columbia; Edward Hunter, Utah; Hugh Allen, Canada East; James Dougal, Canada West; Amasa Stewart, Minnesota. Secretary: Thos. W. Field, Brooklyn, L. I. Treasurer: Thomas P. James, Pennsylvania.

The Convention agreed to meet for three days at 9 a.m., and disperse at 5 P. M., with recess from I to 2 P. M.

Report of General Fruit Committee being in order, the Chairman moved that instead, the State Committee Report be read; these being in order, he again moved that they be laid on the table, and that New Business be the order for the day.

An able paper, written by Louis E. Berckmans, of N. J., was then read by T. W. Field - "Fruit Culture from a general point of view." Great calamities have befallen the cultivator of fruit in the way of insect enemies, blights, etc, and much of a discouraging nature has been said, but I would suggest that the failure of our common crops is very frequent, yet they are still grown; so with* tomatos and other choice vegetables. In France, notwithstanding the severe loss from attacks of oidiumt fruit culturists are not discouraged, and even now the vine is flourishing again. Mr. B. then refers to the necessity for close study of varieties, locations and treatment, attention to vertical as well as horizontal latitudes. We should be most grateful for the sunny and fine climate we have for fruit. Had seen in one exhibition in Boston finer fruit than in the best twenty in Europe, where so much more care and labor is required. In the South, land which was not worth five dollars per acre for the production of grain and other farm crops, yielding five hundred to six hundred dollars worth of grapes.

T. W. Field presented and read a paper on the adaptation of pears to soils and localities, showing the folly of growing pears indiscriminately, and pointing out the necessity of giving special attention to those kinds peculiarly successful in a given place. He spoke of several best varieties having originated on Long Island, and presented paintings of the Bergen, Island, and other pears, executed by Mrs. A. O. Moore, of Orange, N. J.

Both papers were referred to Committee on Native Fruits. The President read a letter from J. J. Thomas, on Fruit Culture, especially pointing to root development. Cultivators were not right in believing that the quince root did not extend far. Had examined a dwarf pear tree with head two feet in diameter, and traced the roots three and a half feet, their fibres distinctly for half a foot further, making a complete circle eight feet in diameter. New grass roots average one foot each side of the stalk, and in order to benefit trees growing in sod laud, it is not only absolutely necessary to dig a circle of eight feet where the roots actually run, but two feet wider, to prevent the grass from affecting the tree. Several other interesting instances of a similar character were cited.

Samuel Walker, of Mass., read a paper recommending the society to revise the past and mark out a line for the future. Make a complete history of all fruits of whatever kind ever grew in this country, and divide the list into absolutely worthless varieties, and first, second, and third qualities. This would serve as a general catalogue. Then make a local list for each peculiar section of country. This labor should be done by a master mind under the direction of the President, supervised by a committee of the best cultivators. Mr. W. instanced the fact that there were six valuable varieties of apples known in Ohio, which had not reached the hand of Downing; how important then that this labor be well performed.

A Committee of Seven was appointed to consider the expediency of adopting Mr. Walker's suggestion.

Reports on rejected varieties called for; Committee not ready and laid over till last day.

Treasurer's report read, showing $428,94 in hand, after an expenditure of nearly $400. $170 received at present session.

Adjourned to meet at 7 p. m.

September 14. Evening Session at 7, p.m.

The President called the Convention to order. Subject for discussion, "Pear culture, mulching" etc. The president called on T. W. Field. Mulching had always proved of no value, but rather injurious. I have found that the mulch dries out in summer when most needed, so as to be of little value, and the trees cast their leaves. Mulching material furnishes a good repository for insects, and in mulched grounds you are always liable to have pears stung. Moles and mice burrow under the mulch, and are protected in their ravages.

P. Barry, Rochester. Young and newly planted trees, with short branches, should be mulched. Large trees are not benefited, and the mulch is in the way of culture. Pruning. On this subject there is a great diversity of opinion. The pyramidal form is certainly the most beautiful. I should begin by cutting back to within six or eight inches of the bud during the first year, to procure the best form. Treat trees like hedges, making broad bases. The dwarf-pear is materially pyramidal when it commences from the first to grow with plenty of room on every side. As grown in crowded nurseries trees become spindling. In the gardens of gentlemen the pyramidal form is decidedly the best; but the dwarf or quince must not be pruned up too high, as it will topple and snap off. The objection that low pruning is bad for cultivation, has no foundation in practice. As shown by Mr. Thomas, the point to be cultivated is wider than the mere spread of branches. I cultivate to the end of the branches and prefer not to form a low pyramid, about 18 in. to 2 feet above the soil, and allow the branches to fall over and touch the soil, cut back for two or three years, then let it grow naturally, merely thinning when too thick.

The culture of the pear is no mystery; it is simple enough if the culturist has a love for the business, coupled with industry. A really industrious man of common sense will succeed. You cannot sit in your library and grow fine fruit by sending an ignorant man to care for it. Do with your own hands or go and see it done, as something occurs daily which needs attention. Gentlemen, this is a great fruit country. Plums grow well if industry be exercised. No difficulty in selecting proper soils for pears or any other fruit. If you cannot do it otherwise, go and see the beet localities where fruit now flourishes, and learn by that experience. Pears require dry soil; if not dry, drain. I believe the pear culture to be most profitable of all fruit. Full crops of pears are grown every year in Western N. Y. when the apple utterly fails.

0. M. Hovey, Boston. The pear on quince trained as a pyramid is prevalent in the Eastern States. The great fault is in the lack of attention to kinds for special purposes and localities. The orchards of pears are to be found in Western N. Y. In gardens we are very successful. Pruning. Moderately high above the soil. It has been proved in England that the temperature at the surface of soil is from 6 to 8, or 10 degrees lower than 12 feet above. Frosts often affect trees near the soil and not above. I have noticed trees in high grounds loaded with fruit, when those on low grounds were without fruit except at the top ana the leaves at the bottom instead - the fruit never being so good near the ground. I now prune off the lowest branches. The rale I adopt is, on high and dry soils low trained trees, in damp soils higher training should prevail. I agree with Field and Barry on mulching. I believe it is not good on the whole; it is best in dry soils.