;' 1 1 I 1 . '. ! ■ 1 TRANSACTIONS ILLINOIS STATE HeBTieULTUBAL m\m FOR 1879, Being the Proceedings of the Twenty-Fourth Annual Meeting, HELD AT Normal, McLean Co., December 9, 10 and i i; TOGBTHBR WITH THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS; ALSO, OF THK Warsaw, Galesburg and Kankakee Horticultural Societies, FOR THE YEAR 1879. Etnbracing Reports, Essays ajid Discussions in all Departments qf Tree and Fruit Culture and Floriculture , with Lists of Fruits, Trees and Plants adapted to the several Fruit Districts of the State : also Papers, by Special Scientists, upon those Sciences which are related to Horticulture. New Series— Vol. XIII. EDITED BY THE SECRETARY, O. B. GALUSHA, MORRIS, ILL. CHICAGO: PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY. C. E. Southard, Printer, 175 Monroe St. 1880. ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. m REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR. To His Excellency Shelby M. Cullom, Governor of Illinois: In accordance with the requirements of the Act of the General Assembly re-organizi?ig the Illinois State Horticultural Society, I have the honor to present you with a copy of the Thirteenth Volume of the new series of its Transactions, containing the proceedings of the Scciety for the year i8jg, together with a statement of its receipts and expendi- tures for that year. Your obedient servant, O. B. GAIUSHA, Secretary Illinois Stale Horticultural Society. Morris, III., February 21, 1880. IV ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. FRUIT, OR HORTICULTURAL DISTRICTS. I. NORTHERN ILLINOIS. 1. Fox River District — Boone, Cook, DeKalb, Du Page, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, McHenry, Will. — 12. 2. Rock River District — Bureau, Carroll, Henry, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Putnam, Rock Island, Stephenson, Whiteside, Winnebago. — 11. Total, 23. II. CENTRAL ILLINOIS. 3. IliiTwis River District — Adams, Brown, Cass, Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough, Marshall, Mason, Mercer, Menard, Morgan, Peoria, Pike, Schuyler, Scott, Stark, Tazewell, Warren, Wood- ford.— 21. 4. Grand Prairie District — Champaign, Christian, Coles, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Ford, Iroquois, Livingston, Logan, McLean, Macon, Moultrie, Piatt, Sangamon, Shelby, Vermillion. — 17. Total, 38. III. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS. 5. Centralia, or Wabash District — Clark, Clay, Crawford, Cumber- land, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Jasper, Jefferson, Lawrence, Marion, Richland, Wabash, Wayne, White. — 17. 6. Alton, or Kaskaskia District — Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Randolph, St. Clair, Washington. — 13. 7. Grand Chain District — Alexander, Gallatin, Hardin, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union, Williamson. — 11. Total, 41. Grand total, 102. ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. OFFICERS FOR 1880. PRESIDENT. PARKER EARLE, Cobden. Vice-President — J. T. Johnson, Warsaw. Secretary — O. B. Galusha, Morris. Treasurer — S. G. Minkler, Oswego. EXECUTIVE BOARD. Parker Earle • President, State Society. O. B. Galusha Secretary, State Society. W, A. Pratt President, Horticultural Society of Northern Illinois. Jonathan PERiAM,Vice-Pres't, Horticultural Society of Northern Illinois. A. C. Hammond.. . .President, Horticultural Society of Central Illinois. J. W. Robison, Vice-President, Horticultural Society of Central Illinois. J. M. Pearson. . . .President, Horticultural Society of Southern Illinois. E. HoLLiSTER, jR.,Vice-Pres't, Horticultural Society of Southern Illinois. COMMITTEE ON GENERAL HORTICULTURE. This committee is expected to report, each for his respective district, on the status of Horticulture therein, modes of culture and results, the weather and its effects upon trees and plants and the development of fruits, adaptation of different species and varieties to different soils, prev- alence of insects and remedies for noxious species; in short, to report all facts which he may be able to collect which will be of benefit to the fruit- growers and tree-planters. ist District W. T. Nelson, Wilmington. 2d 3d 4th 5th 6th 7th .Arthur Bryant, Jr., Princeton. .C. N. Dennis, Hamilton. . H. K. VicKROv, Normal. . B. Pullen, Centralia. .J. M. Pearson, Godfrey. .T. A. E. HoLCOMB, Cobden. Vi ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. STANDING COMMITTEES FOR 1880. Gentlemen named on these committees are requested to investigate and report independently in their several departments. ORCHARD CULTURE. S. G. Minkler, Oswego; J. W. Robison, Tremont; E. A. Reihl, Alton. BERR V CUL TURE—S TRA WBERRIES. C. N. Dennis, Hamilton ; E. C. Hatheway, Ottawa ; G. W. Endicott, Villa Ridge; J. H. Stewart, Quincy. BERRY CULTURE— RASPBERRIES AND BLACKBERRIES. J. H. Sanborn, Anna; Henry M. Dunlap, Champaign; O. B. Galusha, Morris. GRAPES AND GRAPE CUL TURE. Fred. Hayden, Alton ; James Crow, Crystal Lake ; T. J. Hale, Galesburg. PEACHES AND PLUMS. E. J. Ayres, Villa Ridge; B. Pullen, Centralia; J. T. Johnson, Warsaw. VEGETABLE GARDENING. E. Hollister, Sr., Alton; H. K. Vickroy, Normal. FARMERS' HORTICULTURE. N. J. Colman, St. Louis; A. C. Hammond, Warsaw. NEW FRUITS, TREES AND PLANTS. Samuel Edwards, Mendota; Parker Earle, Cobden ; J. S. Johnson, Warsaw. FLORICULTURE. Prof. J. V. N. Standish, Galesburg; Mrs. A. M. Mitchell, Warsaw; Mrs. G. A. Tryon, Galesburg. FORESTRY AND ORNAMENTAL TREE-PLANTING. Robert Douglas, Waukegan ; J. W. Fell, Normal ; Dr. J. A. Warder, Ohio. LANDSCAPE GARDENING. Dr. A. G. Humphrey, Galesburg; Jonathan Periam, Chicago. ENTOMOLOGY. Prof. Cyrus Thomas, Carbondale ; Miss Emily A. Smith, Peoria; D. B. Wier, Lacon. ORNITHOLOGY. Prof. S. A. Forbes, Normal ; Charles K. Worihen, Warsaw. BOTANY AND VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY. Prof. T. J. Burrill, Champaign; Prof. G. H. Fiench, Carbondale; Dr. C. W. Spaulding, St. Louis. METEOROLOGY. Prof. J. H. Tice, St. Louis; Dr. N. E. Ballou, Sandwich; T. McWhorter, Aledo. ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. vii LIST OF MEMBERS For iS8o. NAME. ADDRESS. BUSI.NESS. Augustine Henry Normal Nurseryman; Snyder Blackberry a specialty. Augustine John Pontiac. Avery Henry Burlington, Iowa E. R. Cherries and Hardy Small-fruits specialties. Baldwin Jackson Jacksonville Nurseryman. Bailer F. A Bloomingtpn Florist. Bancroft L. R Pontiac Fruit Grower. Bigham J. R Chatsworth. Blodget Daniel Brighton. Boardman Dr. E. R Elmira, Stark Co. Bouton H. C Anna Pub. and Prop. Farmer an^ Fruit Grower. Brown K. M Normal Fruit Grower. Bryant Arthur, Sr Princeton Orchardist and Farmer. Burnham John Batavia Amateur Fruit Grower. Burrill T. J Champaign Prof Horticulture 1. 1. University. Cart J.J Morris'nville,Christ'n Co. Hedge Plants and Apple Seedlings. Clapp Henry Morris Fruits and Vegetables; Hard Maples. Cochran J. W Blue Island Amateur Fruit Grower. Colwell William Sparta, Randolph Co. Cowing G Muncie, Ind Strawberry, Raspberry and Blackberry Plants. Daniels L. E Mazon, Grundy Co Farmer and Fruit Grower. David Dr. E. B Aledo. De Garmo R Assumption Fruit Grower. Dennis C N Hamilton Fruit Grower. Dennis Mrs. C. N Hamilton. Dewey D. M Rochester, N. Y Original Colored Fruit-plate manufacturer. Douglas Robert Waukegan Grower of Evergreen and Deciduous Tree Seedlings. Dunlap Henry Champaign Fruit Grower. Earle Parker Cobden Fruit Grower. Eaton O. H Tremont, Tazewell Co. Edwards Samuel M'dota.formerly Lamoille. Nursery and Small-fruits. Edwards Mrs. Samuel... Mendota. Emerson F. M Bloomington. Farnsworth, W. W Waterville, O Nurseryman and Grower of Large and Small-fruits. Fell C. E Bloomington Nurseryman. Fell J. W Normal. Fisher S. D Springfield Sec. State Board Agriculture. Frazier Dr. J. V Viola, Mercer Co Practicing Physician. French Prof G. H Carbondale Prof, in Normal University. Galusha O. B Morris Grower of Choice Plants, Str'b's, Raspb's and Bl'kb's. Galusha Mrs. M. J Morris. Gaston A. H Lacon Nurseryman; New Pears a specialty. Gaston J. R Normal Fruit and Vegetable Grower ; Prop, of Creamery. Gaston Mrs. J. R Normal. Garrett G. \V. Roscoe Fruit Grower. Gatchell A Quincy Grower of Small-fruits and Vegetables. Graves E. W Sandwich. Graves H. C Sandwich Nurseryman; Apple Stocks and Root Grafts specialties. Haines James Pekin Insurance. Hammond A. C Warsaw Orchardist ; Apples, Cider and Cider Vinegar. Hatheway E. C Ottawa Grower of Small-fruits and \'egetables. Holdridge W. H. H Tonica Farmer and Fruit Grower. Hollister Capt. E Alton Grower and dealer in Small-fruits and Vegetables. Humphrey Dr. A. G Galesburg Physician and Fruit Grower. Jackson William Godfrey Grower of Fruits and Vegetables Johnson J. S Elderville F'armer and Fruit Grower. Johnson J. T Warsaw Fruit Grower. King S. M Bloomington. Kinney D. F Rock Island Nurseryman and Fruit Grower. Knodle Brothers Irving Nurserymen. Laughlin E. L Normal. Mann W. H Oilman Nurseryman ; Hedge Seeds and Plants. Viii ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTUKAL SOCIETY. NAME. ADDRESS. BUSINESS. McKinstry B Grant Park, Kank. Co. ...Nurseryman and Breeder Short-horn Cattle. McWhorter T Aledo Nurseryman and Orchardist. Metcalf B Normal. Miller & Hunt Chicago Roses and all kinds Plants by mail. Send for list Minkler S.G Oswego Orchardist and Farmer. Minkler Mrs. S. G Oswego. Minier G. W Minier Farmer and Orchardist. Muir Henry Galesburg. Nelson \V. T Wilmington Nurseryman, Farmer and Orchardist. Ridings J. W Morris Farmer and Orchardist. Robison J. W Tremont Orchardist and Farmer. Roots Prof. B. G Tamaroa Teacher. Sanford E Morris Solicitor; Money loaned to Farmers. Schrceder Dr. H Bloomington Grape Grower. Spalding Frank E Springfield. Spalding J. B Springfield Nurseryman, Wholesale and Retail. Spicer R. H Viola, Mercer Co. Stewart J. T Peoria Physician, Surgeon and Botanist. Stichter H Washington, Iowa Grower of Small-fruits and Plants. Storrs, Harrison & Co....Painesville, Ohio Nurserymen and Florists. Teas E. Y Dunreith, Ind New Chinese and Japanese Pears ; Small-fruits. Terry J. W Viola, Mercer Co Nurseryman; Apples a specialty. Thomas Prof. C Carbondale State Entomologist. Turner Prof. J. R Jacksonville Farmer and Fruit Grower. Van Emmon W. W Yorkville. Vestal Prof. Geo Lafayette, Ind Prof, in Purdue University. Vickroy H. K Normal Grower of Small-fruits and Vegetables. Vickroy Mrs. H. K Normal. Waller Edward C 94 Wash'gt'nst.,Chicago.Real Estate. Washburn Andrew Bloomington. Watson Mrs. N. J Normal. Watson W. A Normal Nurseryman; Snyder Blackberry a specialty. Webster jabez Centralia Fruit Grower. Wells A. W. & Co St. Joseph, Mich Best Fruit Packages at Lowest Living Rates. Whitney A. R Franklin Orchardist ; Cider Vinegar. Wilson Silas Atlantic, Iowa Centennial Grape and Seedling Nursery. Honorary Members. Dr. J. A. Warder, North Bend, Ohio; Dr. J. M. Gregory, Champaign, 111.; Prof. Cyrus Thomas, Carbondale; Prof. J. H. Tice, St. Louis; Prof. J. B. Turner, Jacksonville; Prof. B. A. Mathews, Knoxville, la.; Dr. Allan t urnas, Danville, Ind.; Prof. S. A. Forbes, Normal, III.; Miss Emily A. Smith, Peoria; Mrs. H. V. Austin, W. A. Ragan and Mrs. W. A. Ragan, Clayton, Ind.; Mrs. Sally Soper, Danville, Ind.; Mrs. F. A. Jones, Ind ; Mrs. Mary J. Harland, Ind.; Chas. W. Murtfeldt, Kirkwood, Mo. PROCEEDINGS OF THE TWEXTY-FOURTH AnNUAL MeETING OF THE ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, HELD AT Normal, December 9, 10, n, 1879 The Illinois State Horticultural Society met, pursuant to adjourn- ment, to hold its twenty-fourth annual meeting, in the Philadelphian Hall of the State Normal University, at Normal, McLean county, December 9, 1879, ^t ten o'clock A. M. The President of the Society, Prof. T. J. Burkill, of Champaign, presided. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev. A. Ethridge, of the Congregational church of Normal. ADDRESS OF WELCOME. E. C. Hewitt, LL. D., President of the State Normal University, in behalf of the citizens of Normal, welcomed the Society in the following words : Mr. President ami Geniiemen of the State Horticulturai Society: It is a fortunate thing for us when duty and inclination point in the same direction. I am in that happy condition this morning. I am 2 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS directed by the citizens of Normal to welcome you to our town on this occasion. This we gladly do, for we have known you well in times past ; many of your prominent members have lived in this community ; some are with us yet; some have moved away from us, and some have gone from us on that journey from which there is no return. We have known these men as intelligent, upright, public-spirited citizens ; and for this reason we are glad to welcome the body of which they were or are members. I can well remember when only rank grass and prairie flowers covered the surface now occupied by our pleasant village. The change in its appearance we recognize as due largely to the work of some of your members, and to the influence of your Society. For this reason, also, we welcome you to our town and to our homes. In the name of the State Board of Education I welcome you to this building. We desire you should feel perfectly at home here ; that you should use its halls for your purposes ; that you should freely visit its recitation rooms and its laboratories at any and all times when you may choose. We feel that your work and ours are not very far apart. We are striving to elevate the people of this great commonwealth, intellectually and morally; you are striving to benefit them by increasing their physical comfort and by ministering to their love of the beautiful. In all my acquaintance with the affairs of this institution I have never known a member of this Society who was an enemy of the Normal University. There may have been such a case; but, if so, it has not come to my knowledge. I desire to add my personal welcome. I remember attending one of the meetings of your Society when I first came into this community. If I mistake not, it was twenty-one years ago this month; the meeting was held in the old "College Hall," in Bloomington. I was then much pleased with your work, and interested in it, and some of the members I there met for the first time I was afterward privileged to call my friends. It is not necessary for me to prolong these remarks. Your time is precious, and I have claimed quite enough of it. In conclusion, I desire again, in the name of the people of Normal, of the Board of Education, and for myself, for I would not be excluded, to welcome you heartily to this place and this people. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. RESPONSE BY THE PRESIDENT. To this eloquent and cordial greeting President Burrill responded : In the name of and for the members of this Society I return to you, sir, very many thanks for the cordial and encouraging words with which you have greeted us. And you will allow me to say that your remarks are indeed encouraging, and will be treasured as fresh incentives for renewed and redoubled activity on the part of these my colleagues in their laudable efforts to contribute something of good in their day and generation to the fair land in which we live. Your own arduous labors are in other fields, and your tribute of praise is therefore of greater worth and your appreciation of our art and efforts the more highly valued. Daily contact with a certain class of phenomena and ceaseless stud in a given line may unduly influence the judgment and mislead the devo.- in the true estimate of his calling; but when commendation comes from those free from such bias the spoken word carries with it a meaning and value worthy of remembering and cherishing. Again I thank you for the pleasantly chosen words with which you have expressed your good will and appreciation for yourself and the citizens of this community. But your own interest in our art has been, to my knowledge, quickened in the past by a participation in its labor. Memory carries me back, how many years I can hardly tell, and presents now in mental vision what my eyes at that other time beheld. It was a warm, bright day in spring-time, and with coat off and spade in hand you were toiling upon the home lot still occupied as your home residence ; and I can say that in this as in other undertakings you won success. President Hewitt, the trees grew. I can testify to that. They were not like those planted by our late honored Secretary of State, Wm. H. Seward. His time had been taken by employments other than those of horticulture, and in the acquirement of knowledge, great as was his store, the facts, and processes concerning tree-planting had not found a place. But having a home place to im- prove, he zealously undertook the work at his own time and in his own way. While thus heroically at work, a neighbor, better informed than himself in this particular, came along, and after watching the interested activity of his more famous friend exclaimed : " Well, it is fun to plant trees, even if they will not grow." Now permit me to say that it seems to me eminently appropriate that you, sir, should address us. You are accustomed to talking to students. These whom you now see before you belong to that class. They have the 4 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS great book of Nature open before them, and all feel that there is very much to be learned from its glowing pages. Some truths have been mastered, some problems have been solved ; but there are many mysteries unexplained, and depths of meaning not yet fathomed. It is the busi- ness, as well as pleasure, of this body to investigate and study, and I can assure you these students need not the schoolmaster's rod to stir them to their duty. There is interest in it. Pleasure and profit combine to stimulate diligent and persevering effort. Again. Your students expect to become teachers ; they are prepar- ing themselves for that purpose. So these students, the members of this Society, are, and are to be, teachers. Whether they choose to do so or not they must teach by precept and example. You will bear me witness that I do not flatter when I say that this teaching has been in the past and will be in the future eminently successful. They are good teachers, because live teachers, because they work with keen personal interest and heart-felt enthusiasm. I will not prolong these remarks, though I feel there is much that might be said by one well acquainted with the flowers of rhetoric. I hope our meeting may prove interesting to you and the members of your great and noble institution. I am heartily glad that it may be said with truth that the members of the State Horticultural Society are warm friends of the State Normal University. Our studies are different, but they do not conflict ; our labors take different directions, but they tend to the same end — the upbuilding of the State, and the intellectual, social and moral welfare of the people which compose it. REPORT OF SECRETARY. Mr. President and Fellow Members : In presenting my special report for the fiscal year of December 9, 1878, to December 8, 1879, allow me to congratulate you upon the continued and increasing interest in the work of our Society, which is manifested in the demand for copies of its transactions. Officers of sister societies, of public libraries, of colleges and institutions of learning, and superintendents of public instruction, not only of our own State but of surrounding States, have solicited copies, and upon their receipt expressed appreciation of their value. In accordance with instructions of the Executive Board I have distributed among the county superintend- ents of the State, upon their request, about four hundred and fifty copies, consisting of volumes 10, 11, 12, for the use of district-school libraries in their respective counties. The reports from the various committees will better place before you the status of horticulture in our State than your Secretary can do. STATE HOKTICULTCJRAL SOCIETY. e Although the year has not been as favorable for horticultural work and success as we could wish, yet upon the whole we have cause for encouragement rather than despondency, as there is an evident general advancement in modes of culture and improvement in varieties of fruits and trees. The great need of our Society at present seems to be the enlistment of intelligent, energetic young men to swell our ranks and be prepared to take the places of those who are older and whose work will soon be com- pleted. If we constitute ourselves recruiting officers for this purpose it will soon be accomplished. FINANCIAL REPORT. The following is a list of the orders drawn upon the Treasurer of the Society since the last report : Date. No. In whose favor. For what purpose. Amount. 1878. Dec. II, 19, E. Hollister, expenses at meeting of Board, Jan.,' 77, $ 5 95 " 20, Dr. A. G. Humphrey, expenses at meeting of Board, Jan., '77 II 50 21, O. B. Galusha, balance on settlement (as Sec.) 36 36 22, S. G. Minkler, percentage as Treasurer 15 39 23, Prof. J. H. Tice, expenses as lecturer, meeting 1878, 7 96 1879. Jan. 16, 24, H. K. Vickroy, half amt. for services reporting... . 10 00 " 25, 25, L. K. Scofield, expenses of meeting of Ex. Board. . 21 20 Feb. 6, 26, A.C.Hammond, " " " ... 12 10 27, T. J. Burrill, " " " .. 7 50 14, 28, S. M. Slade, " " " .. 20 00 Mch.i8, 29, C. E. Southard, publishing Transactions 1878 766 50 " " 30, O. B. Galusha, expenses of meeting Ex. Board 16 50 Nov. 7, 31, O. B. Galusha, salary as Secretary for 1879 3°° °o 25, 32, H. K. Vickroy, balance for services as reporter 10 00 (< I ( ( ( CREDITS AND EXPENDITURES. Salary for 1879 $300 00 Office rent, fuel and lights 30 00 Traveling expenses (while publishing) 22 30 Freights and expressage 7 50 Postage on correspondence 1 8 03 Postage on books and circulars 9 83 Telegrams i 75 Stationery 4 02 Printing bills 13 00 Boxes and cordage for books i 65 Total S408 08 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS RECEIPTS. Order No. 31, for salary 1879 $3°° 00 Thirty-one Memberships for 1879 ■ 3^ 00 Five Memberships for 1880, and 30c. postage 5 30 Total receipts $336 30 Balance due on all accounts ^71 78 Respectfully submitted, O. B. GALUSHA, Secretary. Mr. S. G. MiNKLER, Treasurer of the Society, presented his report : TREASURER'S REPORT. DEBITS. Amount in Treasury at last report ' $ 433 76 Received from State Treasurer (March) 500 00 " " " (Nov. 8) 800 00 ** for Memberships 52 00 *' from Huggins's estate 9 85 Total ^Ij795 61 CREDITS. Paid out Warrants, Nos. 19 to 32 inclusive , ^1,240 96 Emily A. Smith, on verbal order (for expenses as lecturer) 8 40 Expressage 2 30 Postage 50 i' Exchange i 30 Total ^1,253 46 Balance in Treasury Dec. 8, 1879 ^542-i5 Respectfully submitted, S. G. MINKLER, Treasurer. On motion of Dr. Humphrey, the reports of the Secretary and Treasurer were received, to be handed to the Auditing Committee for examination when such committee is appointed. Mr. Minkler stated that there was a balance of fifty-four dollars due from the Huggins's estate, but that since both sons of our late Treasurer had died, and the family was left without the means or health to enable them to discharge the obligation, he moved that the Secretary be instructed to cancel the debt by returning the note to Miss Sarah Huggins, who is administratrix of the estate. STATE HORTICULTUKAL SOCIETY. After remarks by Messrs. Earle, Galusha, Murtfeldt and others, expressive of sympathy with the family, the Treasurer was substituted for the Secretary, and the motion was put to vote, and prevailed unanimously. AUDITING COMMITTEE. The President appointed Messrs. Hammond, Graves and Mann as committee to examine the reports of the Secretary and Treasurer. REPORT ON GENERAL HORTICULTURE— FIRST DISTRICT. The President called for the report of the First Horticultural District by H. C. Graves, Committee. By request of Mr. Graves, it was read by the Secretary, as follows : Mr. President and Members of the State Horticultural Society : Out of the thirteen correspondents appointed by your Secretary seven have responded, and, although quite a number of counties remain unheard from, enough is received to show quite clearly the status of horticulture in this district. There is very little left to say without repeating what some one or more of the correspondents have already said. I will only make a few general remarks, and a brief local report of the fruits, etc., at this point. The season, the past year, in this district, has had its variations of wet and dry, heat and cold, but has not been marked by extraordinary extremes and excesses. The spring opened in medium season with a fair amount of rain in April, but running rather dry in May and early June. During midsummer there was plenty of rain-fall and heat, which pushed the fruits and cereals rapidly forward, giving strong vine and wood growths. The last of August, with September and October, were dry, with more than ordinary heat in the latter months, causing trees and vines of all kinds to mature an excellent growth, so that I think little danger from cold the coming winter is apprehended. Plum and Cherry trees commenced to bloom at this point May 2d, coming out very slowly, as cold northeasterly winds prevailed, with frost and freezing every night for seven days ; then, turning warmer, the Apples and Strawberries commenced to bloom, and warm, dry, windy weather followed. We were a little surprised that the repeated freezing did not affect the Plums and Cherries seriously — the former making a fair and the latter nearly a full setting of fruit. This is testimony in favor of the idea advanced by your committee last year, and our esteemed friend, E. C. Hatheway, viz. : that greater destruction of our fruits emanates from long rains at time of inflorescence than from frosts. Apple-trees here bloomed quite generally, but most kinds rather sparingly, very few trees, comparatively, in this district, giving more than half a crop, and from that down to none at all. There was a moderate supply of summer and fall apples of home growth in our markets for a 8 TKANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS short time. The late fall varieties ripened early in the fall and soon rotted. Of winter varieties there were very few, and owing to the warm, dry fall weather they ripened too early and fully, consequently the very few we have are keeping poorly, so, as usual, we are dependent on Michi- gan and other States to the east for this staple fruit. Our old orchards are going to decay; the middle-aged ones are neither healthy nor fruitful and already show unmistakable signs of short life. Of young orchards, while some look well, the majority are spotted, some trees have died out, some half dead, others not vigorous nor healthy, etc. There is, Mr. President, a cause or causes for the short, unhealthy life and unfruitfulness of our apple orchards in Northern Illinois, and it is now time for our Society to make (since it has become able to do so) able and diligent search for these causes, and if found publish them to the people, with the remedies, if there are any. There are many theories concerning the failure of our orchards which I will not take time to enumerate, but there is likely to be found something real in many of them; and while I am willing to concede that proper drainage and protection, careful selection of location, judicious cultivation and pruning, etc., have much to do in the matter, I hold that our prairie soil and its climate are peculiar and different from those of Michigan and States farther east that produce the apples in abundance that we like to eat; and that, after all we may do artificially on these points, we will fail in a great measure to grow healthy, long-lived, fruitful trees that will give us first-class, long-keeping fruit, especially so long as we plant varieties originating in and adapted to soils and climates quite different from ours, which is the case with nearly all the varieties in the orchards of to-day. I lean to the theory that when we get an apple that is every way a success in our soil and climate it will have to be originated here, inheriting its peculiarities from the soil and surroundings, or in some other soil and climate exactly like this. The want of a first-class, long- keeping apple is keenly felt in our district ; in fact, we may include the entire Northwest on this point. This fact has been accepted by this Society, and it is conceded by many that such variety or varieties will have to originate here with us. But, gentlemen, what are we doing to produce them? Nurserymen, as a rule, sell nothing but grafted trees: in fact, the rule with them is to consign every seedling that appears to the brush pile. Nothing, so far as I can learn, is being done by any society or persons at all commensurate with the task. With this state of affairs, and with the taste and desire everywhere amongst us to reach abroad to different and distant soils and climes for what we want, when will we produce the varieties in question ? The time, under the present circum- stances, surely appears distant. With the hope that this Society at this meeting will discuss this important subject and take such action as will result in a thorough and able examination of all the theories connected with the subject, and give us back facts and something practical in place of theories, I will leave the subject with two suggestions which appear to me practicable : STATE HORTICULTUBAL SOCIETY. g (i) If the nurseryman, when digging his trees, would save the smoothest and most promising seedlings that appear and plant them in an experimental orchard, or, if not situated to do that, give them out to customers (of course after first selling them all the grafted trees he can), something good might result from it. (2) Then some of us might save seeds from the best long-keeping varieties of home origin and add a few seeds from old standard long keepers, and after growing them two years or more select the most promising in appearance and plant in orchard. Such an orchard would he, to some extent, of value, and stand a chance to give the kind wanted. The experiment would be interesting and cost almost nothing but a little time and attention, and any of us that will can do it. Other and more scientific methods might be adopted, and I trust will be. We suggest these because they come within the reach of all.* Pears. — The few trees we have bore moderately. From our obser- vations of the failures of others we would recommend keeping the pear orchard, after well established, in blue-grass sod. Plums gave a fair setting, but no harvest. Cherries. — Early Richmond, the only variety grown to any extent, was nearly a full crop here. More attention is being paid to small-fruits in this district than in former years. With the new and improved varieties they can be grown with much certainty, and the people are beginning to find it out. Currants and Gooseberries were a medium crop. These fruits, although indispensable, command less attention since the introduction of the finer varieties of strawberries, raspberries and blackberries. Grapes. — Concord, the only variety grown much, was injured by frost when in bloom, and from one-half a crop to less was the result. Blackberries. — The Snyder is being planted quite generally and promises well, although the canes were injured by the winter and gave, on our grounds, but half a crop. Raspberries. — Black-caps were injured by the winter; not much fruit. Turner was a little hurt, but made a fair crop of excellent fruit. Strawberries, in this vicinity, were injured some by drouth, pro- ducing one-half to two-thirds of a full crop. Having written much more than I intended at commencement, I will now present the reports received; all of which is respectfully sub- mitted. H. C. GRAVES. * While, as Mr. Graves remarks, the effort to introduce better long-keeping apples is not "commensurate" with the good to be attained, yet there is very much doing in different parts of the State in the way of planting seeds of our best apples and fruiting those which seem promising. The display of seedlings and the award of a ten-dollar premium for them at this meeting is evidence that the Society apprehends the impor- tance of the work and is desirous of encouraging effort in this direction. — Editor. lO TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS REPORT OF LASALLE COUNTY, NORTH— By Sam'l Edwards. H. C. Graves, Sandwich, 111. — Dear Sir, — The past season, like all others, has given some peculiar experiences to horticulturists. The mercury went 30° — last winter. Peaches and blackberries were generally killed ; the only exceptions known to me are a choice seedling freestone peach grown by W. E. Chapin, at LaSalle, which has not failed to bear for several years, and the Snyder blackberry. Wallace and Taylor black- berries, which have been sent out as hardy, were so much affected as to fail in fruit, though they are hardier than Kittatinny and Lawton. In some instances the hardy raspberries were somewhat injured by winter, but in sheltered locations escaped. Apple-trees generally, in nursery and orchard, were not damaged, but from some cause the crop of fruit was light. In a few instances the yield was good. Maiden's Blush, Duchess of Oldenburg, Lowell, Warfield, Perry Russet and Stark bore well with me, while Willow Twig and Ben Davis, noted as profuse bearers, gave only a few specimens. The remark is often made that apple-trees do not bear as well as formerly. Is it owing to drier seasons and to seeding down orchards, thus robbing them of moisture? This theory has been raised in my mind, and the remedy would seem to be frequent cultivation of the surface soil and mulching through the hot season. Codling-moth was not as plenty as usual. Bark-lice are disappearing. Wash- ing trees in June with diluted carbolic acid and soap did not prevent deposit of eggs for the borer; it may need frequent repetitions in a rainy season; I intend to give it further trial. As first apple orchards are failing and few trees planted now, our markets must soon be supplied from other localities. Pears gave a better crop than apples ; no blight observed. Miner P/ums, as usual, blossomed full, but set no fruit. Younger trees of Wild Goose bore well. Early Richmond and English Morello Cherries gave good crops. Strawberries were injured materially by May frosts. Downer's, Downing and Green Prolific were most abundant in our market and give good returns ; Sharpless is very promising, vines vigorous, bore well, of good quality, large size, with a small part of the crop coxcomb-shape, larger than any other berry ever grown in this vicinity; Crescent is very robust and healthy in foliage, bears well and fruit is of good quality; Forest-Rose foliage browns badly; Miner's Great Prolific is rather promising — of fine quality; Col. Cheney and Capt. Jack are good; Wilson does not succeed well with me and I have excused it ; Prouty does not bear well with ordinary field-culture. Turner Raspberry is the best red raspberry tested for this locality ; Pride-of-the- Hudson is an unmitigated humbug ; Florence is hardy and productive ; Gregg is hardy, good, and from the large size of the fruit it must take the lead as a market berry. Snyder Blackberry is still considered the most valuable fruit of its species for the family or market. Liberal mulching for the hot weather is advised for all small-fruits. Currants bore a moderate crop. Gooseberries were a failure. Concord Grapes were plenty, and are being planted for family use by our farmers more generally than any other small-fruit, except Snyder blackberries and chenies. Vegetable gardens among farmers are slowly improving, with no serious pest except the green cabbage-worm, for which salt and hand-picking have proved effective reme- dies, but in most cases the crop has been abandoned and lost. Planting of Evergreens for screens is yearly increasing; very few planting for timber; barbed wire has nearly given, a quietus to hedge-planting. All fruits ripened earlier than usual. Bellflower and Domine apples, generally used in January and February, are now (Nov. 27) in fine eating order. Of late-keepers the Salome, from E. C. Hatheway, of Ottawa, is decidedly the best apple, succeeding here, known to me. It was in perfect condition in June. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. l j REPORT OF LASALLE COUNTY— By E. C. Hatheway. Mr. H. C. Graves. — Dear Sir, — In compliance with your request to send you facts respecting the status of horticulture in this county, I will say that the season generally in this immediate locality has been favorable, in the main, for growth of tree and vine; in fact, I never saw such an abundant growth of cane as the grape-vine has made this year, which no doubt is due not only to the favoraljle season for growth, but as well to the spring frosts cutting off the bloom, which occasioned a crop of less than half the usual quantity. Very warm weather early in April -started buds and pushed them into growth. May came in cold and diy, with frost every night, destroying strawberry bloom, except where mulch was allowed to remain very late, so that not more than forty or fifty per cent, of this crop was realized. Dry weather with high winds continued until the 13th of May, injuring bloom and also setting fruit on orchard trees ; very heavy rains about the middle of May destroyed young plants just breaking through the soil in vegetable gardens. Our whole season has been peculiarly favorable for all vegetable and plant growth, as it has been steadily hot, with freijuent showers. Cherries were a very short crop and brought two to three dollars per bushel. Early Richmond was the only variety that produced much fruit, and then only ~uhere worked on the Alahaleb. What few English Morellos ripened were zvorthless, being zvormy. Currants were scarce in general. Most plantations have been allowed to take care of themselves, and consequently have become infested with lice [aphides), and also stalk-borers, to such an extent that they are of little consequence for producing a crop. Gooseberries are neglected, and consequently but few other than the hardy Houghton and American Seedling are found in our markets. Plums are cultivated so little here that they are hardly worth mentioning, unless it may be the wonderful " Wild Goose," which, though the trees are plentiful enough in this locality, is like its namesake, so shy that if Mr. Curculio had to depend upon this one variety of fruit for his commissariat, and eat the whole, starvation gaunt would beset him in his early existence. Grapes were a short crop, caused by frosts during inflorescence. For ability to stand grief I place Concord at the head all the time. Prices for this fruit ranged a little better than last year. Pears were not quite up to the usual amount in this locality, as the severe storm of seventh of July whipped off the most of them. I think that the time is not far distant when pears can be grown as plentifully as apples ; at least I have not lost faith in them, being fully satisfied as to what is the occasion of the blight ; and I believe we know the remedies, but fail in the proper application of them. Apples were quite plentiful in fall varieties, and brought low prices ; but winter fruit was very scarce, and what little there was rotted badly. Apple-trees made fine growth this year, and branches are thickly studded with fruit-buds for next season. Some twig-blight on English Golden Russet, Maiden's Blush and Willow Twig, but no leaf-blight on any variety. Baldwins nearly all killed with cold, last winter. Blackberries are but little grown here, but Mr. Samuel Edwards writes me from the northwest part of the county that he had a large crOp of splendid Snyders. I was fortunate enough to be the recipient of a crate of them from him, which he termed "culls, or the last run of the pickings." They were splendid, and if these were " poor " Snyders, I propose to go, if necessary, a long way to see some good ones next season. Strawberries, as stated before, were a short crop in this locality. Wilson, except in few instances, was a total failure. Crescent, with me, did wonderfully the past season, seven-eighths, or less, of an acre producing more than 8,000 quarts, which sold at two to two-and-one-half cents per quart here more than the best Wilsons would bring. I sold fine Wilsons in Chicago for ninety cents per half-bushel crate, and on same day, 12 TUAlfSACTrONS OF THE ILLINOIS and from same shipment, Crescents brought one dollar and seventy cents per half-bushel crate. I grow strawberries to sell fruit, not plants, and shall still plant Crescents. One peculiarity about this variety is that it blooms five to eight days later and ripens its fruit four to seven days earlier than Wilson. Crescent is almost thoroughly pistillate ; and I think it has been condemned by many because they did not plant perfect varieties near it. I like the appearance of Capt. Jack, but fear the petiole of leaf is too short to protect the immense trusses of fruit which this variety produces. I would advise any one desiring to learn regarding the honest merits of berries of various kinds, both old and new, to get the recently published catalogue of small-fruits sent out by our respected Secretary, O. B. Galusha, as, in the main, my experience and observation coincide with the results given therein. J'egetables were a fair crop of good quality, except potatoes, which in the central and southern part of the county were quite a failure, but in the northern part of the county they were very fine. Cabbage was badly infested with the larvre of the imported cabbage-butterfly [Pieris rapes). REPORT OF DeKALB COUNTY— By C. Bailey. Owing to my limited travel through the county I can only report for my immediate vicinity. The cold weather of last winter probably killed some of the fruit-buds. The light crop of apples is partly due to this cause and partly to the large crop of the previous year, and to scorching sun and severe winds and storms during the critical time of flowering. There has been more pear-blight here than usual this year, but the cause is not known. The extreme warm weather just as apples were ripening caused fall apples to rot and caused winter apples to prematurely ripen, so that at this date (Nov. 27) they are soft. Apples were a light crop ; pear-trees bore well but blighted considerably ; cherries and all small-fruits were in profusion ; we have but few plum and peach-trees which gave very little fruit. Cultivation. — It is now the general opinion that the kind of treatment of trees which will give a moderate growth of new wood each year is best for the health and productiveness of the trees; and each one must judge for himself as to the condition and needs of his trees. Too much wood-growth is not favorable to the formation of fruit-buds, and also renders trees more liable to be damaged by the cold ; and a stunted growth produces inferior fruit. Yet no rigid rule can be adopted in orchard culture, for some kinds will thrive and do well in a sod, while others, like the Wagoner, would die in such a situation. Pear-trees I would cultivate while small, and then let blue-grass take possession of the ground, as I think the blight is akin to rust and blight in small grain, caused by extreme heat and wet combined, which forces an unusual flow of sap, more than can properly be elaborated into leaves, fruit and wood, and so it culminates in blight. Gathering and Keeping Fruit. — It is now well understood that all fruit to keep well fresh must not be bruised in picking and handling. Apples should be carefully hand-picked and put at once into barrels or boxes. Farmers here sell by the barrel or bushel in the little towns around us. Winter apples should be kept as near the freezing point as possible, for if allowed to get much warmer for any length of time they will get ripe and become insipid in taste. Soils and Exposure. — The soil for an orchard should be dry, of course ; our prairie soils develop too much wood-growth, hence those orchards on the edges of groves give most fruit. Orchards upon the prairies should be protected by belts of timber, else your fruit will be blown off in some high wind before it gets ripe. The raising of small-fruits for market is attempted by but few, for as soon as our fruits are ripe we are confronted in Chicago by the Michigan growers — and their name is Legion — whose lighter soils are adapted to fruit-growing. They have cheap trans- portation, while ours is quite the reverse, so that they can undersell us in the market. Late-keeping apples are the only fruit which can be profitably raised here fo shipment. STATE HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY. I 3 Varieties. — Of Apples the following are most esteemed : Red Astrachan, Duchess of Oldenburg, Snow, Tolman Sweet, Wagoner (not hardy), Domine (has not done as well latterly as formerly, rotted badly this year), Minkler, Rawles' Janet, Ben Davis and Willow Twig. This has kept sound in the barrels until they were wanted for filling the next year. It is not a choice eating apple, but is a good cooker. Flemish Beauty Pear does as well here as any. Bartlett is good while it lasts. Winter "Nelis is the best late\)ear. I have several trees about as large as a broom- handle, which bore from ten to sixty pears each. Early Richmond Cherries are so plenty as to supply the birds first and the people after\vard. The old-fashioned Eastern cherry, known under different names, is grown here; it is larger and not as sour as the Early Richmond (Early May), and is different from the Morello. The Lombard Plum is as good as any. The Concord is the Grape for us. There is no good excuse for any land-owner to be without currants, strawberries and raspberries, as they are so easily grown. We farmers do not go much into floriculture or gardening. The former is left to the ladies, and the latter is sadly neglected. The best way for a farmer to grow vegetables is to put every sort into long rows, three feet apart, and cultivate between the rows with a horse, cleaning out in the rows by hand. Let him try this and he will be surprised to see how quickly he can clean out his garden. Insects. — Potato-beetles have not been as plenty as in previous years. The only cures for them are to pick off the old ones early, then sprinkle the vines with Paris green and leave the lady-bugs to do the rest. The striped cucumber-beetle was plenty upon the melon and cucumber vines, also a worm at the roots ; the new cabbage-worm destroyed nearly all our cabbages. To keep the apple orchard free from codling-moths the best way is to fence it for the pigs, and as soon as the wormy apples begin to drop turn in the pigs every day, just long enough for them to eat up the fallen fruit. Although we are not favorably located for raising fruits for market, yet there is no good reason why every farmer should not produce enough for a full supply throughout the year; and no fact is better established than this, that the consumption of plenty of ripe fruits the year round is conducive to health and happiness. Besides, there is a peculiar pleasure in watching the growth of the trees, from year to year, seeing the fruit develop, and gathering it when ripe. One who has moved out on an open prairie, with nothing but the green grass around him, and has seen his live fences, wind-breaks, fruit-trees and shrubbery grow up, has something to attract him to his home and keep him away from saloons and other places of idleness. REPORT OF KENDALL COUNTY— By J. S. Seeley. As I have been requested to report as to fruit crops, etc., for the present year, I will attempt to give some of my experience and observations as to some of the sugges- tions made in the card of inquiry. The cold of last winter was very severe on Grapes unprotected and shortened the crop very materially. Kittatinny Blackberries killed to the ground, and Doolittle and Philadelphia Raspberries were badly hurt and did not produce half a crop ; the Turner was uninjured and bore a good crop. Not having noted the time of blooming of various fruits, am unable to give partic- ulars, but the whole list was from seven to ten days later than usual. Strawberries and Turner Raspberries gave a fair crop ; Richmond Cherries about one-half crop ; Apples a very light crop and very little bloom. The few that did grow were mostly injured by the codling-moth. The present state of horticulture is not very promising in this vicinity. Our proximity to Michigan is against us; for an enormous quantity of small-fruit ripening there at the same time as ours is shipped here and sold at ruinously low prices — straw- berries from five to six cents per quart and other fruits in proportion — so that, if we are so fortunate as to raise a surplus, we have to sell it at very low prices. I 14 TKANSACTIONS OF THE rLLIXOIS The principal injury by insects, ihe past season, has been from cabbage-worm (which has made a clean sweep of the raw material for kraut) and codling-moth and curculio. The absence of plums has caused the "little Turk" to depredate on the cherry to a considerable extent. The Colorado beetle made something of a show early in the spring, but soon disappeared with but little damage. COMMUNICATION FROM HON. LE#IS ELLSWORTH. The following was read in connection with Mr. Graves's report : Naperville, III., Dec. 4, 1879. H. C. Graves, Esq. — My Dear Sir, — I have received from Secretary Galusha a request for a report on some subject for our annual meeting at Normal, on the 9th inst. I regret that my time has been and is so controlled that I cannot fully comply, nor shall I be able to attend the meeting, which I deeply regret. I would suggest, for consideration and discussion, the cause or causes of the prema- ture old age and decay of our apple-orchard trees. Is it alone attributable to climate, our severe winters and bright, warm sun? our late, growing autumns? or want of thorough drainage ? or want of protection by timber-belts ? or to the system of propaga- ting by root-grafting, weakening the constitution of the tree, as clahtied by so9>te ? My impression is that the first and perhaps the greatest cause of injury to our fruit- trees is the want of thorough drainage of the orchard grounds. There is an opinion with many that our flat lands, only, require drainage ; others think that all, the rolling as well as the flat lands, are greatly benefited by drainage. My own observation convinces me that all our lands with a clay or clayey-loam subsoil should be thoroughly tile-drained for the highest development of any crop, especially fruit. Shelter-belts for the orchard is another subject upon which there is a diversity of opinion; the general practical experience on that subject has not been sufficient to demonstrate positively the advantage or non-advantage, hence the diversity of opinion. I incline to the protection side of the question. As to the kind of tree for protective belts, I consider the evergreen far superior to the deciduous trees. They afford protection at the time of year when protection is most needed, whilst the dicid- uous trees have dropped their leaves, leaving only partial protection. One other consid- eration in favor of the evergreen is, they occupy much less ground than the deciduous trees — one row of the former is sufficient for a shelter-belt, while of the latter two or more rows are required to afford only a slight protection. The location of an orchard is a matter worthy of consideration ; a northern is preferable to a southern declivity, or an eastern to a western slope. Protection for our fruit-trees in some manner is a necessity, for without it on the prairies fruit-growing for market purposes must be a failure. Whether that protection be in a well-drained soil, or protection by timber-belts, or a change in the manner of propagation, or the location of the orchard, or all combined, are questions worthy of consideration. The loss is not owing so much to the short life of our fruit-trees as to their unhealthy condition, for an unhealthy tree produces defective, unsalable fruit. Go through our fruit markets — Chicago, for instance, one of the largest on the conti- nent. What do you find ? If inquiry be made it will be found that the fairest, best fruits come from Michigan, Ohio, New York or some State outside of Illinois. Is there no remedy for this ? It is the duty of horticultural societies, especially the Illinois State Horticultural Society, which by liberal appropriations by our State Legislature is kept alive finan- cially, to inaugurate a system, through appropriate committees, or otherwise, of practical investigations that will furnish reliable information on a subject of so much importance as fruit-growing for market purposes, which is one of the great productive interests of the State. Failing to do this, we are not worthy to receive financial aid from the State, nor can we consistently ask it of the Legislature. If we cannot grow fruit successfully for market, the sooner we know it the better, that our lands covered with orchard trees may be cleared and appropriated to the growth of other and more successful crops. STATE HORTICULTURAL, SOCIETY. 15 REPORT OF GRUNDY COUNTY— By J. \V. Ridings. H. C. Graves, Committee on General Horticulture for First District. — Dear Sir, — " Little Grundy " county does not boast a high position in the noble art of horti- culture, yet the number of those who appreciate the value of fruits, and are extending their cultivation, is, I think, increasing from year to year. It is quite noticeable, also, that there is a growing discrimination in respect to varieties ; people are not satisfied with fruit simply because it is fruit of any particular variety or species, but are learning that there is a wide difference in the value of varieties in each species, and are inquiring for and planting such varieties as are known to have the requisite hardiness and pro- ductiveness of tree or plant combined with good qualities in the fruit. The one great obstacle to success and progress in this direction is the swarm of conscienceless leeches, in the name of " agents" for nurseries, which yearly spread them- selves over the county, duping farmers and owners of village lots, by selling them, at exorbitant rates, trees and plants with new and high-sounding names, not one in twenty of which has ever proved worth the planting. It is true that the purchasers of "iron-clad Russian" apple-trees, "hardy sweet cherries," " curculio-proof " plums, "blight-proof" pears, "grape-vine" raspberries, "Japan" persimmons, tree-roses, etc., etc., etc., are almost universally those who do not take agricultural journals, all of which, every year, warn the people against these marauding parasites. If every farmer would take, read and heed some good agricultural journal the "occupation" of these oily-tongued gentry would soon be gone. Much has been written and said of the scourge of tramps which for several years has infested all parts of the country, yet I venture to affirm that the actual loss to the country at large has been ten-fold greater through tree- peddlers than tramps. Is it not high time for a law to be enacted to suppress them, even though it neces- sarily exterminate all classes of agents who take orders for goods ? The weather is usually the first topic for discussion when anything is to be said or written, however remote the subject on hand or in mind may be from any meteoric influence; but horticulture is so directly dependent upon suitable warmth and moisture that these necessarily demand the first place in a horticultural report. Yet I feel so keenly in regard to the scourge of tree-peddlers that my mind is never free to discuss any other subject relating to horticulture until I have worked that off. Now I feel better, and will go on with my say about the weather. Perhaps in not one year in twenty have the extremes of temperature, drouth and rain-fall come so near meeting as during the past spring, summer and autumn, in this county. Last winter found the soil drier than usual, and this circumstance in connec- tion with the intense cold of 26° below zero damaged many trees and plants usually hardy. Snyder blackberry, never before known to be damaged by cold in this latitude, was considerably hurt, yet not so much but the canes put out full-sized leaves in spring. Spring opened with timely rains, and with extreme heat in March and April, which was followed by extreme cold and drouth in May, so that the blossoming of all trees and plants was from one to two weeks later than usual. To these extremes, following each other in a reversed order, is probably due, to a great degree, the blasting of blossoms of our apple and cherry-trees, and the dropping, when quite small, of more than half of all the fruit which set. There were many exceptions to this general failure in the apple and cherry crop, however, some apple orchards bearing quite fully in close proximity to others which were almost barren ; and I have not been able to account satisfactorily to myself for the fact. In short, the behavior of api)le-orchards has been unreasonable, and in many instances quite trying to the temjier of the owners. Here, orchards cultivated or " set in clover," according to the most approved modes, were barren of fruit, while just over there a neglected orchard bore a good crop; yonder, orchards rewarded the owners for good culture by returning a bountiful crop of fine fruit, while near by neglected orchards seemed to chide their owners for such neglect by refusing to mature sufficient fruit for their families' use. Generally, however, good cultivation, with moderate use of the knife and saw, has paid in the quality if not in the quantity of fruit, even in this freakish year. A severe freeze 1 6 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS occurring while the earliest blossoms were open destroyed a large portion of them, and in consequence such early-blooming sorts as Domine generally failed; and it was also true that the latest blooming sorts, such as Rawles' Janet and Northern Spy, were almost destitute of fruit. In my own orchard Maiden's Blush, Roman Stem, Benoni, Golden Russet and Triumph bore good crops; Domine, Snow, Keswick Codlin, Sweet June, Carolina Red June and Rawles' Janet, moderate crops, while nearly all other sorts, comprising those recommended by your Society for cultivation in Northern Illinois, were almost entirely barren. I saw in Mr. Galusha's young orchard whole rows of Ben Davis, Willow Twig and Jonathan which were loaded with fruit of the best quality, many of the trees having their branches propped up to prevent breaking. This orchard is on a sandy loam and had been moderately manured and cultivated. The Duchess of Oldenburg, Roman Stem, Ramsdell's Sweet and some other varieties also were bearing good crops; but trees in his orchards generally seemed as capricious as elsewhere, most of them holding but little fruit. The crops of berries and grapes have been fully up to the average in quantity, though the size of all species as well as that of apples was diminished by the severe drouth. The earliest and medium-ripening strawberries were seriously damaged by the great drouth which extended over the last half of May and the first half of June ; the later strawberries, also raspberries, were much benefited by timely, though insufficient rains. From the eleventh of June till the first of October there were occasional rains, though at no time sufficient to produce an average growth of tree and fruit; but with October came intense heat — the thermometer for six consecutive days marking from 90° to 94° in the shade. This in connection with severe drouth caused premature ripening of late-keeping winter apples and a quite general dropping of the fruit. To the drouth of May, quite as much as to the severity of the weather in winter, is no doubt due the killing of Snyder blackberry canes, which reduced the crop nearly one-half in this county, as the foliage withered and dropped, and the canes died after they were in leaf and many while in full bloom. Kittatinny blackberry canes were dead and dry in the spring. All the older varieties of raspberries were somewhat injured, and Philadelphia nearly all killed. The extreme heat of October caused very many buds of raspberries to break, and great damage to canes must ensue if the present winter proves severe. Recent rains have revived the strawberry plants so that they may produce a fair crop next year. Fruit trees appear in good condition and promise well for 1880. The timber in the groves of this county is decreasing and tree-planting scarcely keeps pace with the destruction; so that, on the whole, I think the leaf-surface is diminishing from year to year. There seems to be, however, an increasing disposition to plant trees, especially evergreens for ornament and shelter. After reading the report the Secretary remarked : Mr. President, the gentleman reporting from Grundy county is not, and never was, a nurseryman. The President. — Nor a tree-peddler. (Laughter.) Mr. Galusha. — We would infer as much from the tone of the paper. His fruit took the first premium at the late State fair, over strong com- petition. He is a successful orchardist. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS DEFERRED. 17 The Secretary moved that the address of the President, which is the next in order on the programme, be deferred and made the special order for to-morrow afternoon, immediately after the discussion of topics from query-box, stating as reasons for the motion that the time was short, that the address was somewhat lengthy, that it was of a character to interest all, being upon the " Mission of Horticulture," and he hoped there would be a fuller attendance then than now. Mr. Pearson asked what was the wish of the President. The President. — I would prefer that it be deferred, especially as I understand that the Committee on Soils and Fertilizers, whose reports are due at that time, will not be ready to report. The motion was put to vote and carried. DISCUSSION UPON THE REPORT. Dr. Humphrey. — In one of the papers read the writer says the great State of Illinois gets its apples from Michigan, Ohio and New York. Why is it that we can't raise our own apples? I say our black prairie soil is too fat; I have seen orchards on these rich soils die out in six or eight years, while orchards thirty feet higher, planted on "the barrens" — land where white-oak had grown — were thirty years old and in good condition. I think the main fault is in the soil. Mr. Pearson. — I don't think the fault is all in the soil. Dr. Humphrey. — On these rich soils they die before they are old enough to bear fruit — die from over-feeding, and this is the reason they are so short-lived. On the barren bluffs they live thirty or forty years. Mr. McWhorter. — I fear we will be led into error by Dr. Humphrey's statement. It does not damage trees to have the surface of the orchard covered with water, provided it does not remain long ; the trees must not stand a long lime with wet feet. I would probably not agree with Mr. Ellsworth as to the cause of the early decay of our orchards, for I think it is mainly owing to climatic influences ; severe cold of winter, succeeding seasons of less than the usual amount of rain-fall, is very damaging to trees. Orchards on dry prairie soils in Mercer county have done best, because these soils endure dry sea-sons better than the stiflTer timber soil. My old Pomeroy orchard was planted on dry prairie soil nearly thirty years ago, and is now in better condition than the one where I now live, which was planted on timber soil or "barrens " from which I grubbed out scrub-oaks and hazel brush. 3 1 8 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS We have greater irregularity of climate here than in the States east of the lakes, and to this fact is mainly due their advantage over us in growing orchard-fruits. Mr. Minkler. — Is it not true that a large portion of fruit sold as "California fruit" does not come from California? Ben Davis apples grown in Illinois are sold as California apples. The fact is that the largest and most showy apples, no matter where grown, are very often sold as " California apples." As to the cause of decay in our apple-trees, I agree with Mr. McWhorter that it is climate rather than soil. Our hogs do not get the cholera from over-feeding, neither do our trees get sick because the soil is too rich. When the climate is right we get good crops on either prairie or timber lands; but when our trees go into winter with the ground very dry, and the winter proves severe, our trees are damaged. If it was the nature of the soil or the mode of treatment which causes the early decline complained of we could in a measure remedy it, but it is not easy to manufacture a climate to suit us. Mr. Holdridge. — I have no experience in under-draining orchard lands, but have in tile-draining lands for farm crops, and know that such lands withstand the extremes of both wet and dry weather far better than undrained lands ; they never are muddy or mushy in wet weather or lumpy in times of drouth. I could tell land that has been tile-drained by walking over it blindfolded. I believe tile-draining will greatly benefit orchards, for the reason that has been stated here that trees freezing very hard in a dry, lumpy soil are liable to damage ; draining prevents the extreme dryness of soil. Mr. Galusha. — Mr. President, this is one of the most important subjects in practical horticulture. I believe in draining all tenaceous soils and in giving good cultivation ; but before we condemn our prairie soils as not adapted to orchard culture we should use our brains in ascer- taining what elements are needed to make these soils good fruit soils, and our muscles in applying the remedies. This is an old story, one which came up in the early history of this Society. It was then claimed, as it is now, that our virgin prairie soil is surcharged with ulmic acid, which, when in excess, is detrimental to healthy growth of fruit-trees; but this is only true of comparatively new soils. After they have been turned up to the light and the warmth of the sun, for a few years, they become sweetened and better suited to orchard growths. The trouble is not that new soils are too rich, but that they contain too much of this humic (or ulmic) acid. I have several times called the attention of this Society to STATE HOBTICULTURAL SOCIETY. ig orchards upon the prairie which had been a long time in grass and were literally starving to death, being rejuvenated and rendered productive by plowing and manuring. Barn-yard manure contains all the elements needed ; and if judiciously applied to unhealthy, unfruitful trees, good cultivation given, and the land, where it is needed, either under-drained or surface-drained by throwing into ridges before trees are planted, we would hear but little about the soi'/s of Illinois being too rich or too sour for orchard sites. As has been well said, the climate is somewhat inimical to the orchardist, and we must therefore keep on trying to secure varieties which have the greatest amount of vitality to withstand our extremes of weather. A. H. Gaston. — Let Illinois raise her own seedlings if we are to have healthy iron-clad trees. Ben Davis, one of our hardiest, is a native of Kentucky ; Rawles' Janet is failing, and so is Willow Twig. I am glad the fruit-growers of Illinois are turning their attention to the pro- duction of new varieties. The Wythe is a new apple. Mr. Hatheway has brought out the Salome, which so far has withstood all changes and borne every year. There are samples of good seedling apples on the tables in the other room, exhibited by Mr. Hammond ; I have three seed- lings in the fruit-hall which I wish you would examine. I believe we can raise healthy pear-trees here as well as apple-trees. When we find smooth, nice-looking seedlings we should save them. Mr. Burnham. — Need we wait till the seedlings grow up to test them ? Can they not be grafted into orchard-trees and so learn in two or three years whether the fruit is valuable ? Mr. Gaston. — Yes, and this is the best way to prove whether they are worth any farther care; we will then only lose a very little labor for two or three years at any rate, and if one in fifty proves good we will get paid. INTRODUCTIONS. The President. — Now is a good time to call on and make the acquaintance of the Treasurer, and present him with your card and a dollar for membership. Mr. Minkler. — Yes, I like to make the acquaintance of all the members, and especially in the manner spoken of by the President. The President. — We have here from Indiana, as delegates, Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Ragan. Dr. Humphrey will please to introduce them. Mr. and Mrs. Ragan rose and were introduced. 20 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS W. A. Ragan (of Indiana). — Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is a pleasure for me to be with you to-day, and although not personally acquainted with but few of you, I feel as though I knew you well through correspondence. I am no speech-maker, but a practical fruit-grower. I desire to say that there are other delegates from Indiana, ladies, who will be with you this afternoon. Upon motion, the Society adjourned till 1.30 P. M. FIRST DAY— AFTERNOON. The Society assembled at the appointed time, with the President in the chair. TOPICS FROM OUERY-BOX. The regular order of business was taken up, the Secretary opening the Query-box and reading the contents. After the reading, on motion, the Society voted to take up the questions seriatim for discussion. The Secretary then read the first query : Query No. i. — Will some one name the contents of the little box inclosed in this paper and tell what we are to expect from their work ? The Secretary stated that the little box referred to contained the pupae of insects. On motion, the question, with the accompanying chrysalids, was referred to the Committee on Entomology, wi'th request to report at this session. Questioti No. 2. — Is winter a better season for grafting the grape- vine than spring or summer? Mr. McWhorter. — I think it is better to graft vines ih winter than in spring, as the vines will not bleed — the atmospheric influence upon the vine itself is less at that season than in spring or summer. In reply to a question, Mr. McWhorter said the vines would not bleed before the frost leaves the ground. Mr. Minkler. — Does the bleeding damage the vine materially? Dr. Schrceder. — No ; the bleeding in pruning vines does not hurt them much, but when they are cut off and grafted while bleeding the flowing of the water prevents the cion and stock from uniting some- times. You will have the best success in grafting early in spring, before STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 21 the sap starts. I have grafted in January, but those grafts did not do very well. Mr. Baller. — Buds or cions will grow, even if the mother vine does bleed ; yet it is better to graft at some time before bleeding com- mences. I have succeeded in grafting the vine by keeping the cions in a cool place, where they would not dry, and grafting when the parent vine was nearly in full leaf. A Voice. — Do you graft above or below the surface ? Mr. Baller. — I have noticed no difference in the success, whether the grafting was done above or below the surface. A Voice. — In grafting above ground do you cleft-graft or ring-graft ? Mr. Baller. — I would ring-graft. Dr. Schrceder. — When I have an old vine to graft I graft it above the ground, for the vine may throw out suckers, and if the graft is set in the ground you could hardly tell the grafted part from the suckers. But I don't think this talk about grafting grape-vines amounts to much. We don't want to graft grapes, we can grow them so much easier from cuttings or layers. Once in awhile we will want to bring a new kind into bearing right away, and then we can graft it. The Secretary. — I practiced root-grafting grapes over twenty years ago. The grafting was done in winter, the same as root-grafting the apple, except that I took pains to use roots which had branches or fibers — packing them away in earth after grafting, and in spring, when planted, they would generally be well cicatrized, and perhaps two- thirds of them made vines ; but, as Dr. Schrceder says, it don't pay to graft grapes, except in some cases to increase the quantity of wood of a new sort or bring it sooner into bearing. A. H. Gaston. — I would graft them in winter, using wild vines for stocks, as they are free from phylloxera, and will give feeble growers a vigorous growth. I have grafted as late as the tenth of June on strong roots, and the grafts made a good growth. J. R. Gaston. — Would we not get stronger vines of some of the more feeble-growing sorts by grafting them on the Concord ? A. H. Gaston. — Yes, they will grow much stronger. Question No. 3. — Will the Brighton grape have more value for the vineyard or for family use than the Concord, its parent ? Dr. Schrceder. — I have seen the Brighton grape in bearing and think I know something about it, but will not say anything in its praise. I have said for many years that the Concord is the grape for the people, and, as the people's friend, I say stick to the Concord. 22 TBANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Mr. Baller. — I saw the fruit of the Brighton in Rochester, where it originated, and was not impressed very much in its favor. It is said to be a cross between Diana and Black Hamburg, and if so its parentage is not much in its favor for this latitude. I think it not as reliable as the Concord. A. H. Gaston. — I am a progressive man, yet I will stick to the Concord unless I get something better. The Brighton was exhibited at the Wenona fair last fall and was the object of much attraction ; the fruit is better than Concord ; and a friend of mine who raises them says the vine is more vigorous than Concord. Question No. 4. — Will the Salome apple have more value for the commercial orchard or for family use than the Ben Davis ? Signed, A. H. Gaston. Mr. Robison. — Will not Mr. Hatheway's seedling, the Salome, be brought out and introduced ? The Secretary. — A description of this fruit and history of the tree may be found in volume twelve, page 133, of our Reports, and, as I speak of it also in my report upon New Fruits to be read at this meeting, I prefer to defer discussion upon it. Mr. Hatheway states in that history that the tree has borne so heavily that it has been difficult to procure cions. I will say, however, that he has said to me that he is very sensi- tive to the cry of "humbug," and does not intend to offer trees of it until and unless the fact of its superlative value is established beyond a peradventure, after having fruited in different localities and on divers soils. I have watched the tree and fruit, using the fruit in the summer after other apples were gone, and can assure the members of this Society that it keeps fresh and crisp, retaining its aroma. From December to July it is a good dessert apple and a superior cooking apple. Mr. Hathe- way has put cions into the hands of many leading fruit-growers in the country, who have promised to give the variety fair tests and report the results. Mr. Bancroft. — Is the apple keeping well this year ? The Secretary. — Yes. It has been kept in a tight barrel and opened one year from the gathering, and not a half dozen decayed apples found. J. S. Johnson. — The Committee on New Fruits is to report on Thursday, and I move this subject be referred to this committee. It was referred. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIKTY, 23 Question No. 5. — Is the Duchess of Oldenburg more valuable for the commercial orchard or for family use than the Red Astrachan? Mr. Galusha. — With me — yes, for both. A Voice. — Red Astrachan ripens early and sells well \ it does not drop from the tree as much as Duchess. Mr. Galusha. — The Duchess succeeds over a larger area than Red Astrachan. Duchess does drop from the tree, and the fallen fruit is valuable ; but when the gathering time comes the trees still hold a good crop of beautiful, salable apples. Mine brought fifty to eighty cents per bushel in our home market this year. Mr. Murtfeldt. — This Society formerly published lists of fruits which it voted to recommend for cultivation, and I think it would be well to take up the apple lists and discuss and vote upon the merits of the different varieties — to review the Society's list. Mr. Wier. — The old apple lists we know are not reliable, and neither can we make one now which will be reliable over the State for two years. Some apples which were placed at the head of our lists we would now consign to the foot. If I were to plant a new orchard and was confined to the two sorts named in this query I would plant one thousand Duchess to one Red Astra- chan ; for the Astrachan don't bear well with me nor on any soil in my vicinity, and we have almost all sorts of soils. I can get ten bushels of Duchess to one of Red Astrachan. Mr. Murtfeldt. — Trees of the Red Astrachan will bear when they get older. Mr. Hammond. — We should profit by the remark of Mr. Murtfeldt. In Hancock county Astrachan trees will bear from two to three times as much as Duchess trees. They are much larger and have more bearing surface of head. I would like to have the apple list discussed ; these varied experiences are of value, for there are reasons for these results. Mr. Webster. — At Centralia the Duchess never gets ripe; it falls from the tree. Red Astrachan tree bears well, but the fruit rots. Williams' Favorite and Benoni are both better than either of those under discussion. J. T. Johnson. — In the region of Chicago, and to the north and west, the Duchess is good, but not as valuable in the extreme western or southern parts of the State. Mr. Minier. — Is not the Duchess of Oldenburg a i?«j-j/a;z apple ? If so, it is of course a northern apple. 24 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS The Secretary. — Yes, and Red Astrachan came from Sweden, in about the same latitude. Both are hardy trees. Mr. Bancroft. — I had, in Livingston county, twenty bushels of Astrachans on a tree, and sold them at seventy-five cents per bushel. This fruit always sells well. Mr. Nelson. — There is no Astrachan fruit, of any amount, in Will county. I have one Astrachan tree fifteen years old, but have had not a peck of fruit. I have Duchess trees, and get plenty oi fruit ixovsx them too — my young trees bore full this year, Mr. Wier. — Trees of many varieties vary greatly in productiveness in different localities, nearly all trees have a local reputation. As Mr. Hammond says, Red Astrachan trees have more bearing surface than Duchess, but with me they bear leaves — "only leaves." Duchess trees may be planted ten by twelve feet apart and will bear well for many years ; but when they close in each alternate tree may be cut out. Mr. Holdridge. — My land is clayey loam, and three years in four my Astrachan trees are well loaded. The orchard was planted twenty- one years ago. Sweet Vandevere I prize, it holds on the tree well. Duchess trees planted a few years ago are bearing well, but Red Astra- chan was a long time coming into bearing. INTRODUCTIONS. Dr. Humphrey. — Mr. President, I have the honor to introduce to you and the members of this Society Mrs. Harlan and Mrs. Jones, dele- gates from the Indiana State Horticultural Society; also Mrs. Lewis, of Bloomington. The President. — Ladies, we are pleased to welcome you. On motion of Dr. Humphrey the delegates from Indiana were made honorary members of the Society. PRESENTATION OF FLOWERS. The Secretary. — Mr. President and Brother Members, I take pleasure in presenting to you, in behalf of the donors, these baskets of most beau- tiful flowers, arranged with such skill and taste as few ever acquire or possess. One was donated by Messrs. Baird and Tuttle, of Bloomington, arranged and handed in by Mr. Samuel Phenix ; this large one was the work and the gift of Mr. F. A. Bailer, of Bloomington. There are also other baskets and bouquets upon the tables in the other hall which I trust STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 25 the committee will notice. I feel assured you will take pleasure in viewing their lovely tints and beautiful forms, and in their artistic arrangement. The President. — There is only one failing in these beautiful memen- toes of God's goodness, with which, with lavish hand, he decks the bosom of Mother Earth, one only fault — they are not immortal. (Sensation.) REPORT UPON ORCHARD CULTURE. Reports from the Committee on Orchard Culture — Messrs. Ham- mond, Robison and Pearson — came next in order, and were called for by the President. A. C. Hammond, of Warsaw, read the following report : To advise wisely and intelligently, on a subject of so much impor- tance as orcharding, especially when our field is the State, extending over almost seven degrees of latitude, fanned on its southern borders by the soft breezes of the Gulf, on the north swept by the fierce, blasting winds of the arctic circle, with a soil as varied as the climate, from the rich drift-deposits of the river-bottom and the Loess formation of the bluff, to the rich, black soil of the great prairies, is an undertaking of great mag- nitude, and one from whicTi I would gladly escape ; but to neglect duty is unmanly; to shrink from it is cowardly. I will therefore perform my allotted task to the best of my ability. The year just passed has not been a profitable one to the orchardist. The terrible cold of January injured nearly all the peach, pear and cherry- trees, as well as cut off the entire crop of fruit, and probably killed twenty per cent, of the apple-trees in Northern and Central Illinois. Then we had a late frost, that cut off at least two-thirds of the apple-crop. What apples we had, however, were of good size, and unusually well colored, but ripened two or three weeks earlier than usual. About gathering time (the twentieth of September) the weather turned excessively hot, the mercury ranging from 80° to 92° in the shade for nearly a month. The effect of this August weather was to ripen and rot apples that were gathered, and to cause those on the trees to drop, causing great loss to growers and dealers. The year may therefore be set down as an unsatisfactory one, although in some sections the crop was fair, and some orchardists have made money ; yet the measure of success has not been large enough to tempt, to any great extent, those seeking investments to plant commercial orchards. Yet we now and then find a man who has the courage to brave torrid heat and arctic cold, floods, drouths, tornadoes and ten thousand insect enemies, and in the face of an over-stocked market and low prices to plant a commercial orchard. The first and most difficult question for these men to decide is that of varieties, and on this point hinges the success or failure of the enterprise. For a number of years past planters have gone wild on Ben Davis, and a very large proportion of the orchards planted have been — perhaps univer- sally— of this variety. 26 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS But what shall we plant, if not Ben Davis? asks the anxious inquirer after light — a question more easily asked than answered. Twenty-five years ago the Janet was the popular apple, and more largely planted than any other ; but we have learned that as the tree grows old the fruit becomes small, and is not wanted in market at any price. Later the Winesap was all the rage, and was planted by everybody. It was then a regular bearer, the fruit large and handsome, and brought the highest price in market, and the hopeful orchardist, in the simplicity of his soul, cried, Eureka ! Eureka! ! A few passing years, and " lo, a change came o'er the spirit of his dreams ! " The spur-blight attacked the tree, and the scab destroyed the fruit ; and now hundreds of thou- sands of trees are but cumberers of the ground. Later still the Willow was supposed to be the ne plus ultra, and was planted in large quantities ; but a large portion of these trees has either been grubbed up or they stand blighted and dead monuments of the credulity of the unsophisticated orchardist. Except in a few favored locations it is not now planted. Then the Rome Beauty, Minkler, Stark, Smith's Cider and Grimes' Golden were each supposed to be the coming apple, but they have all " been weighed in the balance and found wanting." This brings us to the Ben Davis era. No tree has ever been planted in the West in such quantities as this, and it is probable that not more than one-fourth of them have yet come into bearing. When they all come to full bearing, and their product is crowded upon the market, already overstocked with better fruit, we may safely predict that the price will fall below the cost of production. True, it possesses many of the requisites of a popular apple : The tree is healthy, vigorous and a good bearer, the fruit large and handsome, and, notwithstanding its lack of quality, has heretofore sold for fancy prices. Extensive planting has thus been encouraged, and many a young orchardist hopes and believes he has discovered a sure and rapid road to wealth ; but we fear that many of these hopes will prove like apples of Sodom, fair to the eye, but dust and ashes in the grasp, as the observing orchardist, even now, sees signs of deterioration, and in all probability it will hold the same relation to the next generation that the Newtown Pippin, White Bellflower and Rawles' Janet do to us. " But," says one, " you have not yet told us what to plant." Very true, nor do I feel competent for the task. My own last planting has been : Summer — Red Astrachan, Duchess of Oldenburg and Sops of Wine. Fall — Maiden's Blush. Winter — Ben Davis, Jonathan, Red Canada, Wythe ; and I do not know that I could do better now. That we need a new apple, combining the good qualities of our best apples, with the size, color, hardiness and productiveness of the Ben Davis is a foregone conclusion ; but how to obtain it is the question. There is no doubt that by a careful system of hybridization, crossing some of our delicate and best varieties with the coarser and more hardy ones, good results might be obtained; but, in my opinion, the true plan is to grow trees from seeds, from some of our hardy and desirable sorts, like Ben Davis, Bellflower, Red Canada, or Pryor's Red. It is well STATE HORTICULTUBAL SOCIETY. 27 known that, as a rule, trees flourish best in their native soil, and that their removal a few degrees of latitude or longitude often changes the quality and time of ripening of the fruit and all the conditions of the tree. The Baldwin, so satisfactory in both tree and fruit in the East, is almost worthless here, the fruit being inferior in quality and ripening in October, and the tree tender and short-lived. The same may be said of Newtown Pippin, so long regarded one of the most profitable apples in New York. The Rome Beauty is a native of Southern Ohio, and there ranks high as a commercial apple, but on the prairies of Illinois the tr^e is tender and altogether unsatisfactory ; and the fruit scabs so badly, four years out of five, as to render it unfit for market. The popular apples of Michigan are but cumberers of the ground with us, and the Wealthy, so highly lauded in Wisconsin and Min- nesota for its hardiness and keeping qualities, is an October apple in Illinois. In my own county some attention has been given to this subject. Seeds of the Bellflower, Janet, Rambo, Romanite and Ben Davis have been carefully planted by different individuals, and in nearly every case the result has been gratifying. The Wythe is a seedling of the Janet, bears and blooms at the same time, and resembles it very closely in leaf, bark and the general appearance of the tree ; but the fruit is much larger and of better quality. We have an apple that possesses several of the unmistakable characteristics of the Bellflower, and evidently a seedling from it, that ought to be disseminated, as it is equal to the parent in quality and appearance, and apparently more productive. I have also had my attention called to two seedlings of the Rambo, one of which very closely resembles it in every respect except color, which is white ; the other is a better keeper and more juicy, and will probably prove to be an acquisition. I have also seen a seedling of the Ben Davis that resem- bles it closely in appearance, and is claimed by the originator to be much better in quality, and is certainly worth looking after. I do not wish to be understood as saying that all seedlings are hardy, or that one in a hundred will be of any value. Out of a thousand, grown from seeds — say of the Bellflower — the practiced eye will, before they are three months old, discover that at least nine hundred and fifty are worth- less, while from the remaining fifty one or two of value may be obtained. These experiments require considerable time and money, and will not therefore be engaged in by any great number, but if a dozen members of this Society would consider themselves a committee to grow and test new varieties great good would result. It is becoming more and more apparent that commercial orcharding must fall almost entirely into the hands of the specialist, as in these days of insect enemies and diseases the ordinary farmer cannot or will not give his orchard the attention that is necessary to produce satisfactory results. Then, again, the man who has two, three or five thousand bar- rels of apples can make better .sales then the man who only has as many hundred, and if the waste of the orchard is utilized by drying it must be done on a large scale. The same may be said of the making of cider. 28 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS To be a success it must be made in large quantities, by the man of expe- rience, who knows how to make and handle it, and can afford to look up a market. I have in this paper spoken of orcharding only from a commercial standpoint, not because I consider the family orchard of less importance, but space will not permit of any discussion of this point. Mr. Robison. — Mr. President, I have prepared no paper upon orchard culture, for I presumed the other members of the committee, experienced orchardists, would exhaust the subject. Mr. Pearson. — Mr. President, Mr, Robison has made my speech (laughter); but as he has no report, nor I either, perhaps it is best that I should say a few words upon the subject. I wish to urge upon the members of the Society, that they do not allow themselves to go into the cultivation of too many varieties. If I had planted but three or four kinds they would have paid four times as much profit as corn, I think our list as already published wholly suffi- cient ; and I wish further to say, that I agree with Mr. Hammond that the growing of apples for commercial purposes must largely pass into the hands of commercial orchardists. I don't know that the apple "boom" has struck us in Madison county very bad, but am satisfied that apples pay better than any other crop in our locality. In my orchard, planted about fifteen years ago, Smith's Cider, Ben Davis and Benoni have paid for the land on which they stand three or four times over, and the trees are good for fifteen years yet. We think if we can get a dollar a barrel we are getting a good price and are doing a profitable business. There is no orchardist in our section but has made money in raising apples, and any man that can't make money at it had better quit and go to speculating (laughter). Fall fruit don't pay — we have no market. In my orchard I seed to clover, and as the clover in time kills out or is run out by the blue-grass I plow or harrow and sow to clover again. On the first of November the fruit-buds looked splendidly and a finer prospect never existed for a big crop of fruit of all kinds on the trees; but now they are swollen badly, except Rawles' Janet, and I fear for them, especially for the peaches, the buds of which on many of the trees show the red ; and if we should have a winter which is at all severe we shall lose most of our fruit. Mr. Minier. — You have what is termed the Loess soil, I believe. Mr, Pearson, — Mine is a white-oak and hickory soil. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 29 J. T. Johnson. — Do you think there is any decrease in orcharding in your locality ? Mr. Pearson. — I don't know but there may be, possibly. With us peaches pay wonderfully when they bear. The Secretary. — How often is the curculio-catcher used in your peach orchards? Mr. Pearson. — We don't run the curculio-catcher at all. The curculio will take Amsden and the first early, then work on the nnedium early to a certain extent, but the late ones will be all right. A Voice. — How about the plums? Mr. Pearson. — We grub up the plum-trees to keep the Curculio in check. Mr. Robison. — I felt satisfied the subject would be exhausted by others, but since Mr. Pearson has given his experience I will say a few words in reference to my locality. In planting apples it is advisable to learn what varieties to plant in order to meet with the best success, and in planting select those best suited to the market, and which observation or experience has taught us would succeed. With us, where judicious selections have been made, the apple crop has paid far more than the wheat crop. I think that on an average it has paid one hundred dollars to the acre. It must be understood, however — and I wish to emphasize this point — that some varieties may do well on some soils, while others may do as well on some other kinds of soil ; yet reverse the order of setting, that is, change the trees but not the soils, and they might both prove worthless as to pro- ducing fruit. Jonathan, Ben Davis and Rawles' Janet will do nothing on wet or very moist land, yet on such land the Willow Twig succeeds won- derfully. Now, some varieties that otherwise might do well are disposed to drop their fruit or have it blown off by heavy winds; one of these varieties is the Winesap. On the day of the great Chicago fire we all know that it blew rather lively. Well, that day, from three acres of Winesaps which were very heavily loaded, every apple blew off — three thousand bushels lying on the ground the next morning. Yellow Bellflower on the prairie grows big trees, but not any fruit, while on clay land it is profitable; Smith's Cider is another apple that does well with me. I have been somewhat amused at the idea of growing new seedlings to take the place of our standard sorts, for the reason that they are running otit. Apples ^/^w'/ deteriorate if you have them on con- genial soils. The apples of a thousand years ago are as good now as c> 30 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS they were then ; but of course improvement is gradually going on and we are getting better varieties. Peaches pay when we get a crop. Two years ago Early Barnard gave us two bushels to the 'tree. Crawford will not pay with me. Old Mixon is as good a peach as the new varieties ; yet the peach also varies like the apple, depending upon the situation and soil where it is grown. In my apple orchard the borer infests some trees and not others, and is also very persistent in its attentions to certain trees. It is a very easy matter, however, to keep this insect in check, if you will keep the ground around the bodies of your trees free from weeds and grass, then go along the rows of trees two or three times during the season, and the eggs can usually be found by the little holes in which they are deposited, and they can be crushed by pressing over them with a knife blade; or if the insect is in the bark of the tree, his castings are quite plainly to be seen and he can be dislodged. The Canker-worm is our worst pest. I have never yet found any means of entirely getting rid of him, though I have spent time and money without avail; I do not find the tar bands reliable. Of late, however, I am happy to say they seem to be disappearing. I would say that I found Rawles' Janet and Willow Twig quite exempt from the attacks of the canker-worm. It has been argued here that non-success in apple-culture is due principally to climatic changes. I myself am satisfied that climatic influences to a certain extent control the growing of this fruit, but not so much as soil. Mr. Wier. — I am somewhat surprised that brother Robison don't know why borers affect some varieties more than others. I will tell him the reason : some varieties are earlier in their strong downward flow of sap than others, and in such varieties the borers are drowned in their burrows. September is the best time to hunt out and destroy the borer, as his castings are easily seen then, and it does not require much cutting to reach him. Mr. Robison (in answer to a question). — I find borers do more damage in certain spaces, within certain limits, rather than on certain varieties. I don't think the borer is drowned out, at least I never saw one that appeared to be. All kinds of apple-trees seem subject to their attacks, but, as I said before, in certain places. Mr. Wier. — The beetle lays her eggs indiscriminately on all varieties, and they all hatch equally as well on one variety as another ; it is after hatching, in June or July, that the young borer makes his way into the wood through the bark, and this is when the flow of sap drowns him. STATK HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 31 Mr. MiNiER. — I hope to hear more from orchard cultivators; this subject is getting rather interesting. With me, the chickens keep down the borers. We do not feed them, but compel them at that time of year to hunt their own living. A Voice. — What is the best grass for an orchard ? Mr. Minier. — The best grass for an orchard is what is termed orchard grass. A Voice. — Where can it be had, if it can be bought at all ? Mr. Minier. — It can be procured from seedsmen in Chicago. I think I have seen it advertised for sale. When cut it should be left on the ground to serve as a mulch. I object to this deep cultivation in orchards, which has been recom- mended ; if you cultivate deeply you will tear up the roots of your trees, and then they will become unhealthy and may die. If plowing must be done in the orchard, let it be done very light. Mr. Galusha. — I have found plowing in an orchard beneficial ; but, of course, the roots should not be torn, for this would be an attack upon the life of the tree, and I would object to this for the same reason that I objected to mutilating the trunks and branches ; it might induce fruitful- ness, but at the expense of health and longevity. In young orchards I plow deeply in the centers of spaces between rows, and shallower as the trees are approached — examining to see that roots are not broken. I pulverize the soil finely with harrow and clod-smasher to secure moisture in time of drouth. Dr. Schrceder. — A few years ago this Society recommended root- pruning. How is it now? Mr. Pearson. — It was not recommended by the Society, I think. but was started by one of the members as a preventive of blight. I think a society ought to disband who will discuss blight. (Laughter.) While up, I want to say a word about peaches. If I were to plant any more I would plant the Heath Cling; they will bring more money in the market than any other variety. And, oh ! ain't they nice? Why, I buy Heath Cling to can, when I have got more than I can sell of other varie- ties, just because we want it. They have some seedling clings in Alton that are good. People will eat and can good clings if they can get them. Mr. Robison. — Do I understand Mr. Minier to say that chickens feed upon the borers? Mr. Minier. — They cannot well get at the larvae, but, as I saiil before, I think they hunt out and destroy the beetles; besides, they cat( h vast numbers of moths, saw-flies, etc. 32 TKANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS A. H. Gaston. — The Downy woodpecker will pick out the borers. Take care of him. Dr. Schrceder. — Will he stay in the orchard when you get him there ? (Laughter.) Mr. Minkler. — Yes, and when the chickens scratch away the dirt from around the trees the woodpecker will catch the borers ! (Renewed laughter.) little more friendly sparring about the chickens eating borers and catching the beetles was indulged in ; but, as no one had seen the work done, no conclusion was reached. The discussion (or badinage) was arrested by a call from the President for the REPORT UPON FARMERS' HORTICULTURE. C. N. Dennis, of Hamilton, presented his report, reading as fol- lows: The subject of Farmers' Horticulture is general horticulture in its broadest sense, as it is only the farmer who is properly situated to practice it. Horticulture in cities and suburbs is of necessity dwarfed, more or less, but here also it is that we find some of the best results in specialties — a verification of the old adage, "A little farm well tilled." Webster defines horticulture to be the cultivation of a garden ; and a garden as a rich, well-cultivated spot or tract of country, a desirable spot. The soil of Illinois is naturally rich, and if her farmers would do their full duty the State would be a rich, well-cultivated tract of country, and if properly horticultured (have I made a new word) would be a desirable spot, such as was and is approved by God, as is shown by His placing Adam in the Garden of Eden in the avocation of horticulturist. And when he disobeyed He drove him out to the more ignoble avocation of raising "hog and hominy" by the sweat of his brow. The old adage, " What is worth doing is worth doing well," is just as true to-day as when it was first uttered ; and the object for which this committee was formed is to induce the farmer to engage in horticulture more extensively, scientifically and successfully. To do this he must make less mistakes, buy less fancy frauds at high prices from unprincipled peddlers, plant less trees of kinds that did well in New York, Ohio or Kentucky, but never did and never will do well in his locality. In fact, he should join, and attend the meetings of, the State and local horticul- tural societies, become and keep posted in the kinds that do well in his locality, learn and practice the best modes of cultivating them, and then in cheerful confidence await the result. This he can safely do, as in his fruit and ornamental trees (if properly cared for) he has stock in trade, with Divinity at the helm; and as God does not get up corners for the express purpose of catching somebody, he will be reasonably sure of securing dividends, aye, good paying dividends, sometimes as high as STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 33 one hundred per cent, in a year. Again, it is duty, first to his family; for the man who does not provide as many of the comforts of life for his family as practicable does not fulfill his nuptial vows. The stock-raiser who does not provide a shelter from the summer's sun is just as unwise, nay criminal, as though neglecting to provide sufficient food; and what so good and cheap as a living tree — and if an evergreen, it is all the better. A good evergreen thicket is a better shelter for stock than thousands in Illinois will get this winter. As a hen-house it never gets lousy, and as a climatic modifier it is unsurpassed. The nurserymen of Illinois have large stocks of evergreens which are becoming overgrown, and which they will sell for less than cost, and any farmer who will carefully plant a hundred will make a profitable investment. If a home (farmer's home) is nicely fitted up with fruit and ornamental trees, roses, shrubs, vines, flowers, large and small fruits in abundance, and the house well stocked with good books and papers, all supplemented by good-humored polite- ness, fewer boys would seek the hardening, polluting influence of city life; and the ones that did would often sigh, "How dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood." There is a vast army of noble workers trying to get men to Heaven by faith and works, and how lamentably they fail. We are told that " faith without works is dead," and that a tree (society) is known by its fruits (results); therefore, let us get results (fruits) either with or without faith, and then if we don't get to Heaven we will get a kind of heaven nearer to us and be made better and happier by it. It will have a reflex action on our families, improve their health and happiness. The example will spread throughout a neighborhood, be taken up by some traveler and transplanted to some distant place, to again take root, spread and bless. In conclusion, let me urge everyone to engage in horticulture for the reasons : (i) That it pays as a business. (2) It improves the appearance and adds to the value of the farm. (3) It adds to the health and com- fort of the family. (4) It improves a neighborhood and prevents the predicted trouble occasioned by the destruction of the forests. (5) It is a living monument to the person engaged in it, long after his departure to the untried realms, and unimpeachable evidence that the world is the better for his having lived in it. L, C. Francis, of Springfield, another member of the committee, was not present and had not sent in a report. Parker Earle, of Cobden, from the same committee, being called upon, read the following, which he said was intended only to introduce and give direction to discussion: Horticulture, as far as it means the culture of all desirable trees and flowers, the making of fine lawns or the surrounding our homes with rural beauty, or the production of all possible varieties of fruits for home use, is to be commended to and pressed upon the attention of every farmer in the land. 4 34 TRAXSACTIOXS OF THE ILLIX^OIS But SO far as the word means commercial fruit-growing the less the farmer has to do with it the better for him, and the better for the rest of us. Large enterprises in farming and fruit-growing have not been gener- ally carried on successfully together. They continually conflict in their demands upon the attention and labor of the farmer. Many of us may be able to attain some success in one or two branches of fruit-growing or of farming, as a specialty ; few, if any of us, can accomplish much with them all. In attempting it we spread out too thin. At the close of the reading Mr. Earle remarked : You will all agree that my report possesses one merit — that of brevity. DISCUSSION UPON THE REPORTS. Dr. Humphrey. — Mr. President, I don't like to hear a professed fruit-grower discouraging the growing of fruit by farmers and others. Farmers can set aside a portion of the farm, say an acre, and attend to it ; a portion may be devoted to the garden, in which may be raised vegetables and small-fruits, and a portion to the orchard. By this means the morals as well as the wealth of the farmer will be improved : the morals will be improved, because if the boys have fruit at home they will not steal it somewhere else ; the wealth will be improved, because the farmer will have what apples he needs at home and perhaps a few to sell, so will not be obliged to go to " the store " for what little fruit he wants. Mr. McWhorter. — It is best for farmers to attain a better knowl- edge of the cultivation of fruits of all kinds which can be grown in their locality. Dr. Schrceder. — This horticultural society was created to give instructions in the art of growing fruits and vegetables. In the old country the farmers with their other labor make a business of growing and taking to market, as well as using at home, many varieties of fruits and vegetables, and thereby profit in health and purse. In Europe the women and children do most of this work, and I could not help observ- ing, in traveling over those countries, how healthy and strong they were. American women don't do enough work, especially in the garden. Children should be taught to raise early and other vegetables and also fruit. The farmer's wife should help the husband ; she should have something to sell from the garden, and in this way would help support the family and take some of the burdens off the husband. I have a great deal of respect for our farmers' wives, but they don't work out of doors enough to be healthy. They should raise all the fruit and vegetables on the farm and not be running to the city to buy every little thing. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 35 Mr. Murtfeldt. — That's the reason why I am going back to Europe. I can get rid of this work myself and make the women do it. (Laughter.) Mr. MiNKLER. — How would it do, Doctor, for the men to help the women do the housework? Dr. Schrceder. — Yes, I do it. (Laughter.) Mr. MiNKLER. — I wish to urge the farmers to plant evergreens, for wind-brakes. I would rather have a continuous row around my barn- yard than a tight board fence twenty feet high ; they are good for the chickens to roost in, and better for this purpose than any chicken-house that a carpenter can build. Rows of evergreens should be planted around our farms — they cost but little. I saw one of the most villainous acts performed at Mendota awhile ago that I ever witnessed. A man had cut down his orchard and was cutting down evergreens that had been planted twenty or thirty years, to make room to grow corn. The evergreen trees make nice ornamental hedges; nearly all of them may be sheared into a hedge ; the white pine bears the shears as well as the spruces and cedars. In reply to the question whether evergreen hedges would turn stock, Mr. Minkler said yes, for they can't see through them. Mr. Minier. — I am a farmer horticulturist, and my orchard clears me from ten to one hundred dollars per acre, and I would not try to dis- courage any one from raising trees, plants, flowers and fruit. Trees grow fast, they grow while we sleep, and it will be but a few years, if we plant rightly, before we will have all the fruit we need. I would plant peach-trees, for if we get one crop in ten years it will pay. Weeds and insects are blessings to man in disguise, they compel us to cultivate, which is a benefit to the tree and fruit. A woman raised in the house and afraid to touch anything out of it may be a lady, but is not a woman. Mr. Galusha. — There is an increasing interest among American women in fruit-growing and in cultivating flower-gardens. Those of us who are nurserymen can bear witness to the fact that the wives and daughters of the farmers are generally the moving spirits in the purchases, especially of the small-fruit plants, frequently coming with the husband or father to the nursery to make sure of the plants. It is not an unusual thing for orders for plants to come by mail directly from the ladies ; and 36 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS any nurseryman is a dolt who would not fill such orders with nice plants and give liberal count. The women do all the gathering of the small- fruits upon the farm and much of the cultivating -too; possibly the American women may yet become as healthy as the famous German women, of whom the Doctor is so proud. Mr. Spalding. — We cannot do enough towards inducing farmers to raise fruit; it is all folly to say we cannot raise all the fruit we can con- sume in the State. Springfield receives apples from Ohio, Michigan and New York by the car-load ; Chicago is full of Eastern apples. Shall we continue to let these States supply these fruits which we can as well grow ourselves? Farmers can grow them. Ask farmers what they will take for their apple orchards ! Nine out of ten will tell you, " I will not sell at any price," which would show their opinion as to its profitableness. Fruit- growing is profitable for the farmers if they will take proper care of their orchards. Mr. Murtfeldt. — I think Mr. Earle did not intend to discourage farm orcharding, but only meant that those who entered the business of commercial orcharding should attend to that and nothing else. Our climatic conditions prevent us raising apples of superior excel- lence profitably; other States have a better climate for this purpose than we, and that is why they have better fruit, and having better fruit, of course we buy it. We must labor to the end that we may raise as good fruit as others, and that end can be best reached by raising seedlings that will be adapted to our peculiar climate, as this Society is now doing. Mr. Wier. — I am of the opinion that apple-orcharding for commer- cial purposes should be a business of itself, and the same may be said also of the small-fruits. Mr. Robison. — The farmer must raise enough fruit on his land for his own use, adapting the quantity to his own needs. By the proper laying-out of his fruit-plot so as to use the plow and cultivator mostly, he can with little labor have a great variety of fruit on a small amount of ground. I would plant evergreen trees around the house and where- ever wanted in groves, but would not stretch them in lines around the whole farm ; it makes the landscape too monotonous, and besides, they occupy more room planted in this way. The Secretary. — Mr. President, I rise to make an announcement, as I see some are leaving the hall. Prof. David Swing will lecture in the Assemby Hall, opposite, this evening, for the benefit of the two literary societies who have so kindly donated to us the use of these two beautiful STATE HORTICXJLTUKAL SUCIKTY. 37 halls. They request that we take a recess during the hour of the lecture to allow our members to attend. A motion to this effect was then made and carried, almost unanimously. Mr. Earle. — Mr. President, I feel gratified that my little paper has elicited this lively, and, I think, healthy discussion. The President invited the ladies present to participate in the dis- cussion, since the influence and horticultural work of the ladies has been made one of its topics. There was no response to this invitation. Mr. Ragan (of Indiana). — Air. President, I wish to extend an invitation to the members of this Society to attend the meeting of our State Society, which takes place next week, at Dublin, Indiana. I will furnish passes to any member who will signify to your Secretary his purpose to attend. ELECTION OF HONORARY MEMBERS. On motion of Mr. McWhorter, Messrs. C W. Murtfeldt, of St. Louis, and W. A. Ragan, of Indiana, were made honorary members of this Society. Mr. Murtfeldt then arose and said : Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Illinois State Horticultural Society : I thank you for the honor you have conferred upon me. I was formerly a resident of Northern Illinois, though now I live in St. Louis, and take a deep interest in the horticulture of your State. As a member of the Kansas State Horticultural Society I invite you to the annual meeting of that Society next week. You will be heartily welcomed. Mr. Ragan. — Mr. President and Gentlemen, I return thanks for the courtesy shown me. CHANGE IN THE PROGRAMME. J. S. Johnson said that he was somewhat out of health and found he would not be able to be present to-morrow, when his report on General Horticulture would be due, and asked the privilege of reading it this evening, before the hour of Dr. Swing's lecture. The request was granted by vote of the Society. On motion, the report on Floriculture, which would be the order of business at the hour of the lecture this evening, was made the second business in order for to-morrow afternoon. 38 TKANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS The regular order of business was then resumed by the call of the President for the reports. REPORT ON CURRANTS AND GOOSEBERRIES. Samuel Edwards, of Mendota, presented the following report : Mr. President and Members of the State Horticultural Society : Forty years ago currants and gooseberries grown in and along the borders of the kitchen garden, and an occasional mess of black-cap raspberries from fence corners or a new clearing, constituted the list of small-fruits for nearly every farm in Western New York, my old home. With what anxiety the good housewife watched for the currant blossoms to fall, that she could use for pies and sauce the incipient fruit. The hairy gooseberries were deemed a luxury. People often speak of the wonderful progress of this age in mechan- ical inventions. Has it not been fully as great in improved modes of cultivating and in the extension of our lists of small-fruits? Compare the currants and gooseberries of the olden time with those grown at your own homes and those of your neighbors. For thirty years you and the revered ones who have rested from their labors have toiled for the consummation of those results and similar ones in pomology, arboriculture, landscape, vegetable and kitchen' gardening — in the glorious work of re-instating man in a garden wherein "grows every tree pleasant to the eye or good for food." While striving for greater attainments, choosing for our motto " Excelsior," have we not great reason for gratitude that we have been permitted to be co-workers in the good already accomplished, and to cherish fond hopes for the future? But what has this to do with growing currants and gooseberries ? Little, it is true ; but, as you saw proper to place me on this committee with one who has been eminently successful in their culture, I can say but littj,eclirectly upon the subject which will be regarded with interest. Land, for a plantation of these fruits, should be in good condition for growing a crop of corn ; thrifty young plants set in fall, or very early in spring, four feet apart each way, five feet between rows, are better for all currants except white grape. Frequent, clean cultivation should be given the fore part of the season, mulching with coarse manure the latter part of June. A good dressing of manure should be given annually; coal and wood ashes are good to be used with other manures. \\\ this latitude and farther south partial shade is advisable for currants. As they attain age the older wood becomes massy and should be cut out each winter, the longest shoots shortened one-third, and a part of the smaller shoots cut out. Red and White Dutch, Cherry, Versailles, Fertile d' Angers, Victoria, Long-bunch Holland, White Grape and Black English or Naples (no difference visible) are all the varieties of currants retained by me. American Seedling, Houghton, Downing and a green English variety of gooseberries are all I can recommend. After investing in many STATE HORTICUI.TURAL SOCIETY. 39 new, high-priced fruits — notably the Pride-of-the-Hudson raspberry — I decided not to test the new gooseberries Emerald and Ruby at a dollar each ! E. C. Hatheway, of Ottawa, member of the same committee, reported as follows: ■ So much has been written and said respecting these fruits, that it seems quite superfluous to attempt to make any report that would add to the knowledge we already possess concerning them. Notwithstanding the repeated urgings to give better cultivation to these fruits, in order to increase their productiveness, thereby increasing ffie money value of the fruit market-garden, or creating a supply of cheaply grown, yet very valuable fruit, in the home garden ; yet we find these fruits, as a general thing, occupying the neglected corner, or in the fence row, where cultivation cannot be well given them. Why this is so is to me an unsolved mystery. There certainly is no fruit that is more easily grown, or, especially in the case of the currant, more hardy ; and, as to productiveness, there is no fruit more so than the currant and the small varieties of gooseberries of American origin, such as Houghton and American Seedling. Then, again, the refreshing and cooling juice of the currant, in its pleasant acidity, offers us one of the most valuable agents known in the Materia Medica for the soothing of fevers, being, as a refrigerant, quite equal to the tamarind. In the black currant we have a most valuable remedy for bowel and summer complaints, either in the leaves, branches or roots, used as a steep to drink, or in the fruit, made into a jelly and used in water. Currants should be planted three or four feet apart in the row, and the rows not less than six feet apart, better eight; this admits of plowing and horse-culture. Plants should be of one or two years' growth in nursery, from cuttings, but never old roots divided up. Neither do layers ever make as upright and sightly bushes as cuttings. In localities where the currant- borer is unknown the tree form for both currant and gooseberry will do, but with us they should be grown in stools. Attention should be given to pruning, which should be thorough, keeping the bushes well open, annually cutting away the old wood which has fruited, say twice, and annually selecting a few of the strongest shoots to become fruiting canes, and cutting away all the rest of the young growth at the crown of the stool. Annually, or biennially at least, the plantation should receive a good liberal dressing of manure, and in summer sufficient cultivation to keep down weeds; or a good heavy mulch should be spread upon the ground. The latter is best through the fruiting season, as it keeps the fruit clean, also the ground cool, thereby lessening the liability of the leaf to drop in hot weather, which would destroy the fruit. The crop, the past season, was very good wherever the plants were well taken care of; but neglected patches produced but little fruit, and 40 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS the latter case being the rule prices consequently ranged high — here in our local market at Ottawa from ;^i.5o to ^2.00 per bushel, wholesale, for currants. We have but comparatively few insects to contend against with these fruits, but the operations of these few are sufficiently great, if neglected, to generally destroy the whole crop. A few years ago the most troublesome of these pests was the currant span-worm, or geotneter caterpillar; of late, however, I have seen nothing of them ; the most effectual way of ridding the bushes of them is by thorough hand-picking. The stalk-borer and leaf-aphis are our worst foes at present. The stalk-borer is not so easily banished, but can be kept well under control by proper pruning, and the brush taken away and at once burned. The larvae is generally found in the canes that have borne once, and but seldom in the young shoots ; it burrows in the pith of the cane, J:unneling its way upward ; it remains in the cane over winter, and there- fore, if the pruning is done in the autumn or winter, is quite easily eradicated. White hellebore mixed with water, or a weak solution of carbolic acid, either of which may be applied in spray to the leaves, being careful to wet the under sides of them, will destroy the leaf-aphis. As yet, so far as varieties of currants are concerned, I have found none to supersede Red and White Dutch and White Grape. Victoria, with me, is not sufficiently productive, neither is the Cherry. Long-bunched Holland is the best very late variety, but here will not sell in market, its place being filled with other berries and apples. Black Naples for family use is the best of the blacks, but no black currant can be made profitable to grow for market, so far as my experience goes. Many varieties might be mentioned as "fair to good" in bearing and quality, but I think it useless to multiply varieties when they possess no merits of greater value than those we already have. Of gooseberries the Houghton and American Seedling are small in size, but great bearers, and of very good quality. Smith's, Downing and Mountain Seedling are larger and more salable. I would discourage planting the English varieties, as they are very liable to mildew, but in localities where they are not troubled with this difficulty I would suggest the planting of Crown Bob, Roaring Lion, Red Champagne and Whitesmith. These should be severely pruned and but few canes allowed for fruiting, and the fruit on these thinned to obtain the largest specimens. As the foregoing remarks principally apply to currants and goose- berries as raised on my own place it may be well to state that my soil consists of a rich sandy loam, highly cultivated and heavily manured with both special and domestic manures. On motion, the Society then adjourned to half-past six o'clock this evening. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 41 FIRST DAY— EVENING. The Society re-assembled as per adjournment. The first order of business being the report of the Committee on Entomology, the Secretary suggested that as the lecture or report of Prof. Thomas was to be of a general and popular nature he would secure a larger audience than this hall can accommodate and it should therefore be deferred and be delivered in the Assembly Hall. The President. — Dr. Thomas will deliver his lecture at some future time, not yet fixed ; there is not time for it this evening. On motion of the Secretary, the lecture of Prof Thomas was fixed for to-morrow evening in the Assembly Hall. The special order was then taken up, being the report from Mr. Johnson. REPORT ON GENERAL HORTICULTURE— THIRD DISTRICT. By J. S. Johnson, Elvaston. Mr. President and Members of the State Horticultural Society : In performing the task of reporting on the General Horticulture of Central Illinois, composed of twenty-one counties, I am at a loss to know where horticulture ends and agriculture begins, they are so intimately connected and managed by almost every farmer, as well as gardener and florist. Since your last meeting I can say of a truth, we have had a very unusual twelve months of meteorology in this locality, 40^° north, and in the extreme western part of the State. We went into winter with trees in good condition, wood well perfected. The snow fell on the 7th, nth, 1 2th and 13th of December, 1878, to the depth of eighteen to twenty inches, ground not frozen and quite dry. January 2d the thermometer showed 20° to 28° below, and remained for a week. During this time I think peaches, blackberries and nearly all our cherries and tender roses were destroyed above the snow line. February was very mild. The December snow all left, and, for the first time in the remembrance of ye writer, did not raise the branches by its going; the ground not being frozen, the snow-water went directly into the earth. February 12th snow fell two inches; on the 15th, i6th and 17th six inches; on the 26th the mercury was 4° below zero. March ist, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th and 6th warm; 7th and 8th 75° above zero, and I planted potatoes, lettuce and ratKshes. March 27th violets in bloom in flower beds. Cabbage, turnips and potatoes under snow all winter grew as well as if transplanted from cellar ; apples were found under trees as good as when gathered in the fall. April was cold and dry ; rain fell on the nth, wetting the ground three inches. Still cold and very dry through May 42 TBANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS and June. On 3d of July we had rains, but none worth mentioning again until August 5th, and but little then. No more rain fell until November 8th and loth. This much for the season, hoping some scientist will be so good as to tell us what planet, star or world has dis- turbed the order of things so that neither dews nor rain have visited us for twelve months. The unprecedented winter and summer killed many of our hardy apple-trees; some died in spring, many m,ore in autumn, with fruit and leaves all on ; more died in low grounds than on high lands, in the same orchards. Maiden's Blush, Janet, Winesap and Willow Twig suffered most. In some orchards as much as twenty per cent. died. Old peach- trees were nearly all killed, and few young ones survived. The roots of trees which were killed to the snow line have sent up new shoots which have made good growths. One word about the cause of such destruction of our fruit-trees. During winter the wheat and grass grew all the time. The heat must have been near forty-five degrees, and in this condition the sap was flowing in all the roots with rapidity, while above the snow line it was frozen to such a degree that in many instances the bodies burst open, and from others under the snow the bark was thrown off like bursting from excessive sap. This excessive flow during winter in the roots has, in your humble servant's opinion, been one of the causes of the death of so many of our trees. Apples in Hancock county were not a general crop; though in a small strip of country, say six miles north and south and ten miles east and west, lying nearly east from V¥arsaw, they were better than usual. One small orchard of four acres of Ben Davis, belonging to A. C. Ham- mond, made 700 bushels to the acre, which sold at fifty-five cents per bushel. This, without doubt, was the best in the district. The trees were from fourteen to fifteen years old. The varieties that have been a success this year are the following, named in order of bearing : Ben Davis, Wythe, Jonathan, Red Canada, Winesap, Rambo, Stark, Hubbardson's Nonsuch and Willow Twig. Of summer apples we had Early Harvest, Red June, Red Astrachan. Orchards set in 1878 lost no trees; those set in 1879 ^o^t five per cent., and the loss in old orchards will average eight per cent, in this county. All apples have ripened very early. We commenced barreling and shipping to Texas Sept. 12th, at fifty-five cents per bushel, and the same apples are now worth ^i. 00 per bushel. We have no method of utilizing our surplus fruit but making into cider and vinegar, and as vinegar does not pay, all small and specked apples are made into cider. I find E. McCune has made 410 barrels, A. C. Hammond 300, Ham- mond & Co. 300, and there have been made for sale, say 100 more, making in this small fruit-section spoken of 1,110 barrels, price six to eight dollars per barrel. The manner of making is to grate the apples; the capacity of the mills, 100 bushels in thirty to forty minutes, yielding three to three-and-one-half gallons per bushel, though the amount this STATK HORTICULTUEAL, SOCIETY. 43 year is at least one-half gallon less, owing to apples being too ripe. All of said cider has been put in 4o-gal]on iron-bound casks, and put in hot, or "canned," as we call it, to keep from fomenting; it will remain without fomenting until opened. Peaches, there were none ; the few young trees that lived are full of fruit-buds and very forward, waiting for old Boreas to blast our hopes. Of Cherries we had but few ; our dependence is on the Early May, and they were nearly a failure. Plums. — I saw but a few grown in this county. The Chickasaw grown by Mr. H. Thompson, of Adams county, were as perfect as were ever grown. They were beauties. He says " curculio-proof." Pears. — I would not recommend the cultivation of pears unless a man has money he wants to squander. Blackberries were a failure this year. The following are recom- mended for early and late : Kittatinny early ; Snyder and Lawton for late. Some are cultivating the Taylor, and think it will prove the best of all. Raspberries were very fair for so dry a summer. Miami and Doolittle stand at the head of Black-caps. We have a seedling grown in Hamilton, this county, by Mr. Carrier, that is worthy of mention; it is very hardy, an upright grower, needs no trellis, fruit large, and bears equally with Cluster. In Red-caps the Turner stands first for a lazy man's berry. Currants the last season were not plenty ; our favorites are Red Dutch and Cherry ; the latter wants rich land and good cultivation and to be well cut back. Strawberries were a short crop ; our best are Russel's Prolific and Crescent Seedling. Grapes. — Our vineyards were a success as far as the Concords were concerned, and there is no other variety that we can name that would pay to plant. I can only speak of a i^w vineyards out of the many : Brow Brothers gathered and made into wine from ten acres of Concords 4,000 gallons. The first mash is white wine, the lees are then put in tub, left to ferment, say from four to eight days, and when pressed make red wine. The Americans and Germans run the white wine, then put the lees in tubs and as much water as they have taken juice, and sugar enough to make by fermentation a red wine, which they sell for some ten cents less per gallon than the white. The Brows have sold theirs at forty-five cents per gallon, making to the acre $180. Next year they will have fifteen acres and in 1881 twenty-two acres. Four hundred gallons to the acre, they say, is not a large yield ; those that add water and sugar make much more — some say 1,000 gallons. I was in hopes that I could give the acres in Concord grapes in this county, but find it too large a task, and will leave it to the census man. Our garden vegetables ought to share in our attention with fruits. One-half our living, nay, I might say more, comes by way of vegetables, 44 TKANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS which every family should raise for themselves ; it takes but little time to raise them^ compared to the amount of good living, saying nothing of the health they bring. It is true you cannot raise asparagus, pease, beans, onions, carrots, beets, cabbage, cauliflowers, squashes, cucumbers, radishes, potatoes and melons without labor and good attention. The better the cultivation and richer the ground the better and more perfect they will be. It is not necessary for me to enumerate the best kinds, they have already been published many times in your reports. I would recommend that the head of every family instruct the rising generation in horticulture in its highest sense. In fact, I would have it added in connection with botany in our common schools as one of the sciences. Our Enemies — The Insects. — They deserve more than a mere men- tion. The apple has been injured by tent-caterpillars, canker-worms and codling-moth, the greatest injury being done by the moth, in some orchards nearly every apple being attacked. We have had enemies on our vegetables. Four varieties on potatoes — the Colorado beetle and the ten-lined, four-lined and black blister-beetle, in many localities devouring the entire crop. A bug we call squash-bug, shaped a little like a turtle, with a hard shell of a dun color, infested the squashes ; he would leave when fresh lime was used, but would soon return. One more, which is new here, is the worm that has destroyed nearly all our cabbages, and, from appearances, has prepared itself for a good start next season. I have a few seed gathered for this Society to examine, which will be found in the query-box. We used lime, cold salt water and hot salt water ; the hot brine was found to be the best, but none a full success. Scale-lice on maples and Osage hedge trees were plenty, but a friend was found following, taking the substance from them before they could do us damage. I feel to rejoice in the improvement that has taken place in the last five years in this district in the cultivation of flowers. Where we only saw a few in the towns and cities, we now find them at nearly every house, in all their glory. Small orange-trees, in bloom and fruit, are occasionally seen, while geraniums, heliotropes, begonias, dahlias, carnation pinks, tea-roses, fuchsias, calla lilies and cacti, with a large quantity of coleus plants, are often seen, and are beautiful to behold. I am aware a few old fogies say they would prefer corn, but give me the boy or girl with a cultivated taste for the beautiful in nature. I wish to say a word for the planting of forest trees, for protection and timber. My attention, some fifteen years ago, was called to the subject of timber-belts by noticing an orchard with a natural grove on the south- east of it. When the apple-trees were in full bloom there was a three- days' cold, southeast storm, and tl-iat orchard was not affected like those without the timber-belt. I think more fruit is destroyed in time of bloom from the meteorological conditions than from all other causes combined. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 45 It would pay for any man, in comfort to his stock (if in no other way), to plant timber-belts. Plant on all our prairie farms timber for fuel and for use in the arts. For fuel plant soft maple ; for the arts, black walnut, hard maple and chestnut. Soft-maple seed, planted and well tended, will make in two years a growth of ten feet ; then transplant and tend well for two to four years, and in twelve years you will have trees from twelve to fifteen inches in diameter. For ornament, a few in the yard, planted not too thick, of the ever- green varieties, and a few clusters in the background of the same, make the premises look home-like and cozy at the same time. I find, by actual tests, that a double row of pines, cedars or arbor vitjes mark a difference of five to eight degrees in winter; stock of all kinds will take advantage of it, if you will but give them a chance. Oh, yes, give the poultry such protection, it will pay in egg-fruit. Plant for ornament. No person should build a house, improve a lot or farm without ornamenting the same, if he expects to make his sons and daughters satisfied with home-life. A great amount of advice has been given in regard to setting ever- greens. My opinion is, when you let the sun strike the roots of an evergreen (as will be the case when shipped a long distance, and sometimes when purchased near home) you will be subject to loss, for the sap in the evergreen contains a gum, and when once hardened there is no possible way of softening it to make it flow through its pores again, and it must die. My advice would be to purchase trees near home, keep the roots damp and set the same day taken up, cultivate well, and you will raise ninety-nine out of every hundred. I submit the following two sub-reports, which are the only ones I have received : REPORT OF MORGAN COUNTY— Bv A. L. H.w, J.a.cksonville. J. S. Johnson. — Dear Sir, — In compliance with a request from O. B. Galusha I send the following report upon the Horticultural interests of this county : While partially following the line of topics suggested by him, 1 will not confine myself wholly to them or attempt to cover the entire list. yirst. — The severe cold of- the past winter was accompanied with a heavy fall of snow which thoroughly protected the Strawberries and the roots of all other plants, but the entire canes of the Blackberry were killed, and all prospects for a crop of course destroyed. Raspberries were considerably injured and the crop shortened at least one-third, but the Turner cecovered sufficiently to hurden the market, and for the first time in its history forced its market value down to a level with the black-caps. Many trees were baaly damaged either from the effects of the severe winter or the unprecedented drouth of the past summer, and have gone into bankruptcy. This is especially the case with the Mountain Ash, of which many beautiful specimens in this vicinity are dead. Owing to the late spring the blossoming of all fruits was from two to three weeks later than the year previous ; however, a late frost in May very materially damaged the Strawberry crop, and in connection with the protracted drouth, which began in April 46 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS and from which we are still suffering, so shortened the yield that our market was at no time glutted and our producers realized from fifteen to twenty-five cents per quart for their entire product. There was probably not a quart of home-grown blackberries offered on our market. The Cherry crop, with the exception of the Morello, was an entire failure ; the trees w-ere in good condition and showed about half an average crop of blossoms, but the late frosts and the dear little birds made the story and the crop a short one. The early Apples were not very abundant, the Early Harvest producing more than any other variety, while the Red Astrachan, of which there are a goodly number of trees in this county, did not show a blossom. The yield of fall apples was much more abundant, the market being supplied at very low rates. The amount of winter apples produced far exceeded the expectation of any one, the poor or barren lands giving decidedly the largest crop and the best specimens. However, where old orchards did not do well young trees, under apparently similar circumstances, produced remarkably, one young orchard of Ben Davis giving the largest yield ever known in this county. The Winesap also gave a good yield in most orchards. Janets in young orchards cropped well and gave good, large fruit in good condition. The crop of Pears was remarkably short ; trees passed the winter in good condition and blossomed well, but late frosts harvested the crop while in bloom and saved the grower a great amount of trouble and vexation. The Concord Grape is capable of producing more genuine surprises and more grapes to the square inch, under unfavorable circumstances, than any other fruit cultivated in this county. After battling with the severe cold of winter and the unprecedented drouth of summer, and the army of hungry birds in autumn, the yield was so abundant as to force their market value down to two and three cents per pound. Any man who would stand up and advocate the extension of vineyards under such circumstances would probably be shot on the spot, if not otherwise injured. The result of my experience leads me to practice as little cultivation in the growing of small-fruits (in our rich, black soil) after the first year as possible. The great trouble in such soils is a tendency to run to wood, thereby becoming too tender to endure our severe, changeable winters, and the canes of the raspberry and blackberry becoming utterly unmanageable, while grapes encircle everything in their loving embrace and reach out for other worlds to conquer. Looking at the cultivation of the apple and pear in the matter of dollars and cents, I believe that a slow, steady growth after the time for fruiting arrives will insure more and better fruit than the tender, rampant growth caused by cultivation. In planting an apple-orchard for profit I should say, set close — sixteen or twenty feet each way — head low, let them branch just at the ground if they show a desire to do so ; being close together they will not spread all over the ground, but grow straight up and leave plenty of room for wagons to pass between them. In regard to the cultivation of the pear I will only say that the more you cultivate the fewer pears you will have. After all the discouraging attempts at pear-culture here we are falling into the practice of stealing them from those who occasionally meet with success. If people will plant pears I would recommend standard trees, or to set the dwarfs so deep that they will root from the stock. The hill or drill system for strawberries, with clean cultivation and beds renewed each alternate year, gives best satisfaction with us; many are yet grown solid or in mats, but the fruit is inferior in quality and finds a poor market. Raspberries should be set three feet by six, with new canes stopped at about two feet in height, and the second growth stopped again in July, and plantations renewed every three or four years. Blackberries set three feet by eight, and new canes stopped at about four feet in height, give best results. Our market for fruit is mostly local ; occasionally a glut induces the grower to ship to distant points ; the ordinary twenty-four-box case, with every conceivable style of box, according to the fancy of the grower, is used. Berries for the home market are picked as early in the morning as possible, while those for shipping are picked mostly after four o'clock P. M., and shipped on the evening STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 47 trains. Where the crop is large this of course necessitates a great many pickers system- atically managed, or the close of the four hours before train-time would find the shipper with a vast amount of unfinished business on hand. Mr. J. Baldwin, the largest small-fruit grov/er in this county, appears to have found the very secret of success in this direction. At the tap of the bell a little army of from fifty to seventy-five, or even one hundred pickers, each carrying a case containing twenty boxes, and each twenty-five pickers under the care of an overseer, start into the field ; the cases are deposited in the shade at the ends of the rows and each picker places two boxes side by side in a little apron or pocket, made for the purpose nnd fastened about the waist. This prevents the dropping of boxes from careless holding, and consequent loss of fruit, and gives the picker the free use of both hands, and two pickers, one upon each side of the row, insures a clean harvest. At the second tap of the bell the little army return to the fruit-house, carrying their berries wiih them, where they are packed in cases, marked and started for market. Each picker must return the same number of boxes, either filled or empty, that he started out with ; if one is broken the pieces must be returned or the picker is charged with a box of fruit. From the experience of others and from my own, I am satisfied that a light thin dry soil is better adapted to fruit-culture than our ordinary rich black prairie lands. This is proven by the uniformly good crop realized from orchards and small-fruits planted on what are called our barren lands, while entire or partial failure is so often met with upon our otherwise productive soils. Were I setting an orchard for profit and had the choice of location I would select a northern or western exposure, not a steep declivity in either direction, but with fall enough to break the force of both the summer and winter sun, believing that more trees and plants are annually sun-struck than are injured from ail other climatic causes combined. As for shelter-belts, I am always in favor of them ; but for protection to orchards and fruit plantations I would plant them upon the south and west sides of the grounds, leaving them exposed to the north and east. Of course rapid-growing trees are preferable for this purpose, especially in new, treeless districts. Probably the soft maple answers the purpose better than any other one variety, and if interspersed with elm the maples may be removed as they increase in size. The Lombardy Poplar has failed entirely in fulfilling the promise it made of making a good timber protection Nearly all this variety of tree, in this county, over ten years of age, are now dead, and their places must be supplied with others of more durability or remain vacant. Under the head of "Present State of Horticulture," I will say that the past year has not been one calculated to make the hearts of the horticulturists glad. The almost total loss of the strawberry crop, except in isolated cases, was the first severe blow ; the loss of the cherry crop, following so closely thereafter, was not calculated to encourage the fruit-grower very materially, the drouth so affected the raspberry crop that the yield was not satisfactory, although the market was overloaded with a very poor quality of fruit, and consequently it commanded but an inferior price. The crop of grapes was good, but their market value was too low to be remunerative. The market for winter apples opened at about sixty cents, and as the season advanced the price receded to fifty and even forty cents per bushel. I cannot say just what fruit pays best at present, but I presume that the blackberry was the most profitable of any the past season, as it was so thoroughly winter-killed that the grower did not expect anything from it, and consequently did not squander any time or money upon it, therefore lost nothing from it except the use of the land it occupied. It seems a little presumptive for any one to select a list of fruits and pronounce them the best for any locality, for a variety that might be a success with one person ' might prove just the reverse withhis neighbor; not through the influence of climate <.r soil so much as through the disposition to "git up and git" of the grower, and especially might this be the case with small-fruits. 48 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Where dollars and cents are the object in fruit-growing, I still believe that quantity has more to do with success than quality ; that a great quantity of poor, miserable-look- ing berries or apples, or a variety that will produce a great quantity of large, good- looking fruit, though they be inferior in quality, will return more money to the producer than a much better quality of fruit produced at greater cost. With the strawberry the old Wilson still occupies a prominent place; and next I believe comes the Monarch, which does not set such a great number of berries, but carries them all through to good-sized marketable fruit. One of my neighbors has the past year been very successful with Forest Rose and Crescent, both in a small way, but being new sorts with us they have not been fairly tested as yet. The Mammoth Cluster, Doolittle and Davison-Thornless still lead the list of the black-cap raspberries ; and the Turner comes square to the front as a red berry. Of course there are others claiming favor, but the Turner comprises the great bulk of red fruit grown in this county. The Early Richmond cherry has not yet been superseded, and probably will not soon be laid in the shade by any competitor. Of course there are many better cherries, but one ripe cherry in the mouth is worth more than a bushel that rot on the tree just before they ripen. Our mai'ket is annually well supplied with home-grown Wild-Goose and Chickasaw plums; therefore, if their quality is poor they are more profitable than one hundred other better varieties that cannot be grown here. Any peach that would stand our climate and produce fruit in two years out of five would be considered the best for us, but at present we have none such, and as I do not like to abuse an old friend whom I have not seen for several years I will say nothing about them. The Red Astrachan and Early Harvest for early apples ; the Rambo, Maiden's Blush, Jonathan and Snow (or Fameuse) for autumn, and the Winesap, Janet, Willow- Twig and Ben Davis give a long enough list for winter. I do not consider the Ben Davis a good apple, but it fruits well and sells well, and that ought to be enough to expect from any one variety. As a rule noxious insects have not been remarkably active during the past season ; the robin and cat-bird have done more damage than any other insects now in mind. We always expect as many as one worm in each apple, and the codling-moth is not the insect to let man overestimate its working capacity, and we have not been disappointed this time. As for remedies, the shot-gun is the only one of value in dealing with the two first-mentioned species, and more apples and hogs are the only ones known to be a benefit in the latter instance. REPORT OF ADAMS COUNTY— By W. H. Thompson. The severe cold of the past winter killed all the plum-trees in this county, except the Chickasaw and Wild-Goose varieties; also most varieties of cherries, peaches, blackberries, Delaware and hybrid grapes, hardy perpetual and annual roses, etc. Stump-the-world, Morris White and Late Crawford are among the varieties of living peach-trees. Concord, Ives, Clinton, Martha, Lady and Norton's Virginia survived and yielded heavy crops. Fruit Crop of 1879. — Berries, plums, pears and cherries were scarce ; hardy grapes abundant. Cultivation. — Berries and all small-fruits want high culture; grapes, close pruning in spring, but none in summer, except surplus laterals or suckers; pears, at bearing, do best mulched or in clover; all plums are best in tramped, poor land, without manure — pigs and chickens are most convenient and beneficial. Apple and peach orchards at bearing should also be treated to clover, and hogs turned in to eat fallen fruit. These , orchards should be plowed shallow every few years and re-seeded to clover; small grain sown in them induces the borers ; a pint of salt close to and around the base of the trunk of each tree every year kills the grass there and checks the operations of the borers; pears need more salt, also rusty iron imbedded in the soil under the trees is beneficial. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 4g I consider rich, high and dry land and a northern exposure as best for most species of fruits. For Timber- Belts, rapid-growing evergreens — spruce, pine, etc., are most effectual all the year, but are detrimental except for summer winds, as high exposed locations are most productive of fruit. Pruning. — Orchards are more injured from excessive pruning than from neglect. Shape the young tree, and never after cut large limbs; hollow, open tops are short- lived, and no wonder, when Nature is so perverted ; one main trunk from top to base, with enough side branches (though not a popular theory), is the strongest and best tree. Best Sorts of Different Fruits.— li grown for money, the most prolific and salable; if for dessert, suit the taste. Select the fewest varieties for a succession. The most profitable on our black prairie soil might differ in other localities. A few of the most hardy and remunerative are given : Raspberries. — Black-cap and Mammoth Cluster. Blackberries. — Snyder and Kittatinny. Slawberries. — Charles Downing and Wilson. Currants. — Red Dutch, White Grape and Cherry. Cherries. — Early Richmond (for profit). Grapes. — Concord (most profitable), Ives' Seedling, Hartford, Clinton and Norton's Virginia; Concord Seedlings (White) Martha and Lady are both hardy and prolific. Rogers' Hybrid No. i, if protected in winter, is the most profitable grape for late keeping; the vine is a vigorous grower, very prolific; fruit with foreign flavor. Plums. — Wild-Goose and Chickasaw varieties. I am introducing a seedling Wild- Goose which I procured at Union Village, Ohio, and from the seed have grown trees giving a succession from late July to October, which surpass all varieties for hardiness and profit. It is doubtless thebest family and market plum for Illinois ; the tree, hardy and vigorous, occupies twenty feet of land, and has never failed me a crop. Pears suffer from blight and are not extensively grown. The standard trees suc- ceeding best are Flemish Beauty, White Doyenne, Belle Lucrative and Osband's Summer. Those with dark or reddish bark, such as Flemish Beauty and Osband's Summer, are most hardy. The Duchess d'Angouleme is unsurpassed as a dwarf. Peaches. — The money is in a few varieties, viz. : Troth's Early, Early Crawford, Old Mixon Free, Stump the World, Smock Free, Lagrange, Heath Cling and Allen's October. Apples. — The following are adapted especially to the soil and climate of this county : Early Harvest, Maiden's Blush, Rambo, Penn. Red Streak, Rome Beauty, Ben Davis, Winesap, Jonathan, Fallawater, Willow Twig, Rawles' Janet. DISCUSSION UPON THE REPORT. Mr. McWhorter. — I would like to know if Prunus Americana and Pninus Chicasa are identical ? A. H. Gaston. — All plums, natives in America, are Chickasaw plums. Mr. Murtfeldt. — My daughter has given some study to this cabbage-worm, the Pieris rapce, and has found it infested with parasites, v/hich may keep it in check. Mr. Hathewav. — These insects were very bad upon my cabbages last summer, and I thought at one time that I would have no cabbages, but by using one grain of carbolic acid crystal to one gallon of water, sprinkled over the plants, I kept them in check and raised a good crop of cabbages. 50 TKANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Mr. Murtfeldt. — My daughter has discovered them on mig- nonette. Dr. Thomas. — I have tried every remedy that could be thought of to drive them away or destroy them, but have found quite all to fail. Brine was the only thing that seemed to check them, and that only temporarily ; I have watched them eating away quite unconcerned when they were buried in slaked-lime dust. There are methods which I think, if followed, will quite rid us of this pest, and I will endeavor to discover to you more of this matter to-morrow evening in my lecture on ^^Life in Little Things y SPECIAL COMMITTEES. The President announced the following committees : On Fruits on Exhibition. — Messrs. McWhorter, Nelson and Earle. On Final Resolutions. — Messrs. Emery, Ridings and Webster. On Obituaries. — Parker Earle. On President s Address. — Dr. Humphrey and Messrs. Robison and Bailer. DISCUSSION RESUMED. Mr. Galusha. — I cannot agree with the statement in the report of the Third District, that "the Turner raspberry is the lazy-man's berry." The Turner is a wonderful grower, and throws up such multitudes of suckers as to cover the ground and prevent fruitage, unless kept in narrow rows and thoroughly cultivated. A neighbor of mine tried an experiment this year on his patch of Turners, thus : all the rows having been heretofore treated alike, he manured all as usual last winter; and during spring and until the berries began to ripen he thoroughly cultivated a part of the rows, while he merely plowed the others once, as is the usual custom to do to keep the young plants between the rows in check. The result was a good crop of good fair berries on the portion once plowed, but a much larger crop of the largest Turners I ever saw on the cultivated portion. If grown by a lazy man who would not even manure and plow, he would have a patch of lazy-man's brush, but few lazy-man's berries, and those of an inferior size. J. S. Johnson. — By lazy man I meant one who would give only ordi- nary cultivation; and that the Turner would give good fruit with such care. Dr. Humphrey. — I wish to say that in my county (Knox) apples were a failure the past season ; they did not bloom. My trees are eleven years old, but I did not get three bushels of good sound winter apples. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. SI Black-cap raspberries in some places were very good, and in others bad failures; strawberries quite an utter failure; Concord grapes the best I ever saw them ; red raspberries, esjjecially the Philadelphias, were quite a success ; currants were a failure, which I think was due to the stalk- borers working upon them. Early Richmond cherries were a good crop. Black Morellos were good in some localities, and in some others there were none. The Snyder blackberry is a wonderful success so far ; what it may prove to be in the future we can only surmise ; we think the question of its hardiness is now quite well settled ; our greatest fear for it, however, is that it may succumb to rust, which has attacked and conquered so many of other varieties; it does not bear its best until its fourth year from planting, and thereafter. J. S. Johnson. — I want to hear the cause of the death of so many apple-trees the last year explained. A. H. Gaston. — We all know that the ground was Warm under the snow. Some nursery-trees were killed down to the snow line. Mr. Robison. — I had no dead trees this year on my place, from the effects of cold. Snow fell early and on unfrozen ground, but I think the ground froze afterward, as it was very cold. The canker-worm killed some trees, however. Our Willow Twigs bore a fair crop, and in some orchards they bore very heavily. Mr. McWhorter. — I wish to ask Mr. Johnson if the trees that died had not been affected by the cold weather of the previous winter, and thereby had become debilitated, if, in fact, they were not killed? J. S. Johnson. — The trees were in fine condition before the winter set in. During the winter the snow fell to a considerable depth, and below the snow the bark was loosened and forced from the tree, but above the snow line the trees burst or split.open; in Adams county the trees died the most on low ground. My idea is that the ground being unfrozen below the snow the sap was active and forced itself upward and gorged the tree, so when the extreme cold came on the tree was bursted open by the expansion of the sap. Mr. McWhorter. — Did these trees make vigorous growth the pre- vious summer ? J. S. Johnson. — Yes, they made very good growth. J. T. Johnson. — I live on one of the highest bluffs on the Missis- sippi river, and my orchard is planted on an inclination to the north. I lost but one tree from cold weather of last winter, although my orchard occupies a place with the greatest exposure in our locality; the snow ^2 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS laid very deep among the trees, however. Along the bluffs there are what are called "draws," or ravines cutting deeply down through the high lands at right angles to the river. Along these run small streams, and on the low lands along the streams were some very fine orchards, the trees of which had been planted from twelve to fifteen years. Last spring the trees in these orchards commenced dying, and during the summer they nearly all died. The trees were very fine specimens, and appeared unusually healthy before the cold weather of last winter. They com- menced, seemingly, to die in the extremities of the branches, and gradually died downward to the ground. Along these little streams the most intense cold prevailed, the thermometer ranging much lower than on the high lands adjacent. In reply to a question, he said he did not know whether the roots of the dead trees were affected, as he did not examine them. Mr. Spalding. — What was the greatest degree of cold through these ^' draws?'' J. T. Johnson. — From 28° to 30° below zero, and perhaps lower; it was at least 25° below every day for a week. Mr. Hammond. — In my orchard I lost twenty-five per cent, of Janets ; they bore heavily the year before ; Ben Davis and Winesap died also, but Maiden's Blush trees were not injured at all. The President. — Any trouble with the bark ? Mr. Hammond. — Yes ; I found it loose in the spring. Mr. Holdridge. — We did not have it as cold in LaSalle county, yet we lost Janets, but no Maiden's Blush. I never saw a dead tree of Maiden's Blush that was large enough to bear fruit. Mr. Wier. — I recollect that we lost a great many trees in 1876; this loss was caused by the cold winter of 1873-4. Wagoners and Janets bore heavily in 1873, ^^^ have been dying ever since ; we have also had dead trees this year ; the severe winter of seventy-three and four damaged them, and the intense cold of last winter finished them. Mr. McWhorter. — We must congratulate Mr. Wier on his ability to cover up something we don't know anything about. Upon motion, the Society adjourned, to meet again after Prof. Swing's lecture. At the close of the lecture, it being late in the evening, the Society, upon re-assembling, adjourned till nine o'clock to-morrow morning. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 53 SECOND DAY— MORxXING. The Society was called to order by the President at the appointed time on Wednesday morning, and prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Irwin, of the M. E. Church, of Normal. The regular order of business was a report from the Committee on Vegetable Gardening. The Secretary stated that neither member of the committee had handed in a report ; whereupon the President read the following : "Is it practical to cause barren apple-trees to bear fruit by girdling the trunks or branches? " Signed, John Burnham. Mr. Burnham. — In Kane county the older apple-trees are dying out and the younger ones don't bear; and we want to know if we can safely bring these trees into bearing. I have a large orchard which was planted twenty years ago, yet we don't get fruit enough for our family's use. Mr. Nelson. — The people in our section are setting new orchards; the old trees are dying out, caused, we think, by the severe winter of 1873 ^"^ '74- Many of the old trees look healthy enough, and some of them make a good growth, but upon examination we find them all rotten and hollow inside, very many having only a half inch to an inch of solid wood, like a shell, on the outside. Such trees should be cleaned out and new orchards planted. The young trees are all healthy and sound. We lost no trees from the cold last winter,, except those that were "dozy" and dead inside. We don't have any such trouble in Will county as Mr. Burnham speaks of, but raise all we want ourselves and ship a good many besides. Mr. Spalding. — We can produce a great many sorts of apples in Illinois of good quality, but many sorts of trees are not productive ; .we hear many complaints of the Northern Spy; it grows well enough, but it will not bear; so also with Bellflower, but they can be made to bear if certain methods are followed. Mr. Nelson. — Northern Spy will bear when trees get old enough. It is notorious that this variety will not bear for the generation that plants the tree, and any one planting it in this country need not look for fruit until the tree gets to be twenty years old. Mr. Spalding. — We must plant for ourselves as well as for the generations that are to follow us, therefore must plant varieties that will 54 TKANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS bear young ; we cannot afford to wait twenty years for apples. If hard winters will kill the trees, so much the more necessity for getting trees to bear while young. I think we can incline trees to bear early by planting close, and as they crowd each other take out alternate trees. I have tried the plan of girdling every other tree where planted close, so that if the girdled ones were killed no real harm would come to the orchard, but find that no harm comes to the girdled trees, and it sets them into bearing at once, and they bear full too. The President. — At what age would you girdle the tree? Mr. Spalding. — Six years old. The President. — What varieties do you girdle? Mr. Spalding. — Janets principally. In Central Illinois, with our rich soils and warm summers, our trees grow too fast; by girdling the trees we check the growth. A Voice. — What time do you girdle ? Answer. — In April generally, as the trees if girdled then will heal up the wound completely in a single season. I have girdled them, how- ever, in different months, with good success. If the work is done in June the wound will heal quicker than if done at any other time. We can treat the trees roughly to appearances and not hurt them, for these trees have gone into bearing the following season and never after fail to be full of fruit. I have found, however, that Northern Spy is not affected as much by girdling as most others. Mr. Johnson, with whom I am acquainted, has Northern Spy and Yellow Bellfiower trees girdled, which are bearing well. I feel satisfied that girdling will not kill apple-trees unless too wide a space of bark is taken off, as I have performed the operation at almost every season of the year and no bad results followed, and have also girdled trees twice the same season, and it did not kill them. Mr. Burnham. — Can alternate bearers be made annual bearers? ' Mr. Spalding. — It is claimed that by the process of girdling they can be made so. Mr. Burnham. — It can be made more profitable if we can force our trees into full bearing early and then continue to keep them so. I want to have my trees bear all their crops in twenty years. The President. — Have you tried girdling or compressing by using bands of wire or other material around the body or limbs of trees with a view to force them into a bearing state? Mr. Spalding. — Yes, by strings or bands, and this quite often is accidentally done by leaving the wire (attached to the tag) carelessly STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 55 upon the tree ; the growing tree is cut by the wire, the downward flow of sap is impeded and in consequence fruit-buds are formed. We some- times find young trees in nursery rows bearing, but are not long at a loss as to the occasion of it, as almost invariably we find the bark cut through, and often we find the wire entirely out of sight, the bark having entirely closed over it. Mr. Burnham. — I have a neighbor who saws half way round the tree on one side, and then saws half way round on the other side a little higher up; the wounds heal up, and trees thus treated have borne well ever since. Mr. Spalding. — In relation to the matter of trees being dead or hollow inside, I think such trees will bear fruit and live a great many years. I don't think it does much, if any harm, and would not condemn a tree for this reason. A Voice. — How wide a ring of bark would you take out ? Answer. — Half an inch to an inch in width, and it will heal up without injury if done any time from April to August. A. H. Gaston. — I have stripped the bark entirely off a tree in June, and the tree healed up without injury. Mr. Spalding. — I would not recommend anything of the kind; it may not always kill, but it is not necessary to be so severe. J. S. Johnson. — I have had trees girdled in April by sheep, find the trees all died. I don't want any girdling done on mine. A. H. Gaston. — In girdling we must be careful and not touch the inner layer of bark. J. S. Johnson. — I understand Mr. Spalding to say that he pays no attention to the depth of the cut. Mr. Spalding. — I pay no attention to depth of cut, but take off the ring of bark say a half inch wide. If any one doubts my statements in relation to what I have done in my own orchards, I will say that if he will visit my place at any time I will girdle any number of trees, to show him that I am sincere in this matter, and will also show him a great many trees that have been girdled at all seasons in many years without injury. Mr. De Garmo. — I can confirm the statement of Mr. Spalding, as I once knew an orchard in which the bark was entirely stripped from the bodies of the trees in the month of June. It was maliciously done with the intention of destroying the orchard, but the trees all recovered and bore well afterward. Will girdling make the Bellflower bear? Mr. Spalding. — Yes, but does not seem to influence it as much as it does some other kinds. A neighbor girdles old trees of Bellflower and has apples; the orchard was planted thirty years ago. eg TKANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS A Voice. — Will the wounds heal as well when made in April as in June? , Mr. Spalding. — No, sir ; they will heal in June quicker than at any other time of the year. Mr. Murtfeldt. — Some one made the remark that "we want a little more pepper." I'll throw in a little. This process has been known for many years as an attack upon the life of the tree. Of course the tree will not always die at once, but it at once attempts to do the next thing to it, bear fruit; but it certainly cannot be as healthy and long-lived as though its life had not been aimed at, and it had been let alone. I hope this Society will be cautious as to what encouragement or indorsement it gives such things as this. Prof. Turner. — When I was a boy and lived on my father's farm in Massachusetts we had some Roxbury Russets that would not bear. We girdled them and it set them to bearing and did not seem to injure them; since I came to Illinois I have practiced it more or less on apple and pear- trees \ it works well. I have tried it also on grapes, but it does not seem to do so well. I girdled the Northern Spy every other year. Mr. Murtfeldt. — Why on every alternate year? Prof. Turner. — Because I wanted to change the time of bearing — wanted to make them bear regular crops every year instead of alternating. A Voice. — How did it work? Prof. Turner. — All right for a while, but they soon fell back into their old habits, and I let them go. A Voice. — How did you girdle? Prof. Turner. — I cut with a saw around the tree, through the bark, being careful not to injure the wood. As I said before, the grape-vines that I tried were injured by the treatment. I believe that all the trees in the country could be safely stripped from branch to the ground, in June, if protected from sun and wind and kept moist. Mr. Wier. — There is where /want to put in some-pepper: It will not kill the tree. Mr. Minkler. — Do you do your girdling in spring, and does it affect the fruit that year ? Prof. Turner. — I girdle in June, but no result in fruit occurs until the following year. Mr. Ragan (of Indiana). — I think we should be cautious about recom- mending this girdling; I have girdled in order to get large fruit, but the life of the tree is jeopardized by the process; trees will bear largely the first year after, poorer the next, and so down the scale. Nourishment is STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 57. carried to the top of the tree to the leaves through the white or inner wood, therefore girdling does not prevent the sap from flowing upward, but if girdled at certain times after the sap has flowed up, the tree will die. Stripping will kill outright only when the tree is not in full sap, but girdling lightly will not kill, perhaps, at any time. Mr. Wier. — I must take opposite ground from Mr. Kagan. I know I can take the bark from a tree at any time and not kill it ; I can take all the bark from a tree in June, and protect the tree from sun and air, and it will heal. I sometimes find trees barked by mice in winter. I bank them up with earth and the wound grows up all right. Considerable has been said about being careful not to injure the white wood; you can cut out a portion of the white wood and yet the wound will heal. It is a mistaken idea that bark is formed by building along the cells at the edges of the wound ; it is a granulated exudation from the white wood beneath. I had fruit on an Early Harvest tree which the mice and rabbits had barked for eighteen inches up from the ground, which was very fine, and it also ripened two weeks earlier. A Voice. — What became of the tree? Did it heal up? Mr. Wier. — No, it died. (Laughter.) Dr. Schrceder. — I don't want it to go out among the people that we are in the doctoring business. The State Society should discounten- ance all this business. Here it is: the trees don't bear; what is the matter? May-be they are debilitated from some cause; what do we do? Why, we do as the old-time doctors u.sed to do — stick in the steel and let out a little more of his life, as though he was not near enough dead already. (Laughter.) The first day of this meeting some of those girdling ^' fellers^' wanted to kick out some of the varieties of apples because they didn't bear, and here they are to-day giving us a sure remedy for the trouble, something certain to make them bear. (Prolonged laughter.) I have tried it on grapes, and they die, every time ; I have made big bunches by girdling, but fruit was no better. That is how I got the big bunches that made your eyes stick out when I showed them at State fairs, and you all wondered "how in the world did the Doctor raise them?" (Laughter.) If we must have trees girdled, why don't we let the little borer do it for us? He will do it without pay, only his board. But as soon as the little fellow gets at it, doing it for us, we go for him with a sharp stick. (Laughter.) It is bad business to plant trees and then doctor them. We don't want trees if we have got to eternally doctor them. ^8 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS The Secretary. — Mr. President, this discussion has already taken too much of our valuable time, but since so much has been said in favor of this mutilating process I cannot let it pass without entering my protest against it ; for I wish to warn the inexperienced here, and those who will read our published transactions, that girdling trees to promote fruitage is unwise — except to get a few large specimens for a special object, for, as has been truly said, it is an attack upon the life of the tree, and the recovery from the attack depends upon the extent of the damage and the recuperative energy of the tree ; for some varieties of trees, like some human individuals, will recover, or partially so, from attacks to which others would succumb. It is a law pervading the entire vegetable kingdom that the dying energy of a tree or plant is expended in reproducing its species ; and the very fact of the result^ spoken of in larger and more fruit, is a sure indica- tion that the tree or branch is nigh unto death. \\.%full recovery is next to impossible, and its premature decay or death quite probable ; hence, girdling should only be practiced when trees or branches can well be spared. Mr. Holdridge. — When we wish to kill trees by girdling we cut through the sap-wood, else it is not sure to kill them. While this subject may be an old one to many members it is new and interesting to me. I am getting some new ideas. I have seen one orchard in which the trees were gridled by rabbits in the spring, and the trees apparently recovered.* Messrs. De Garmo and Augustine mentioned instances in which trees entirely girdled by mice died, while those in nursery, girdled but half way around, recovered. Mr. Robison. — In this girdling process, as practiced by Mr. Spalding and Prof. Turner, the bark from above and below grows together and makes a union again, if the wound is not too wide, and no injury results ; but if girdled in April, I think the bark should only be cut around with a knife and no bark be removed, as death must certainly ensue where a space exists between the upper and lower edges of the bark. Where mice and rabbits girdle there are generally small portions of the inner bark that are left, and where this is the case if the tree is mounded up with earth soon after the wound is made to a point higher than the wound, then the tree may live; but where the inner bark is all gone, I * The Secretary did not understand him to state whether the trees were entirely or but partially girdled. — Editor. STATH HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 59 think the tree will die. I don't believe, with Mr. Wier, that the white wood exudes new bark. I have girdled cottonwood and willows by taking the bark all off when the leaves are ripe in August, and it killed them dead ; not even a sucker ever showed itself. Dr. ScHRiKDER. — Are you for or against girdling? Mr. Robison. — Both ; but would do as Mr. Spalding says we can, by wiring around the limbs, just to get some large specimens, but believe it best to do it on a small scale. Mr. Spalding. — I do not advise stripping — nothing of the kind; neither do 1 advise a radical system of girdling, but to girdle lightly and at the proper time, and no harm can possibly ensue, as in four or five weeks the bark is thoroughly united again. Mr. Wier. — Mr. Robison disputes my assertions. I can only say that he don't know what he is talking about. I know, from positive evidence, that the bark is formed by the granulation of sap that exudes from the white wood. I will take an orchard of 500 or 600 trees, four or five years planted, and cut away the bark for five or six inches entirely around the tree and into the wood, and I will agree to pay one dollar for every tree that dies, if any one will give me fifty cents for every one that lives. The President. — We must now close the discussion, as there are many valuable pajoers to be read and discussed. Mr. Wier wSIFnow read his paper on Entomology. REPORT UPON ENTOMOLOGY. Mr. Wier read the following : NOXIOUS insects and their enemies. This is a subject to which I have paid considerable attention during the past twenty years, and my conclusions are that the insects well known as noxious have but very few enemies, and this appears to be the principal reason that they become so numerous as to become injurious to our crops. And it is to try and correct some erroneous opinions that I write a few lines on this subject. In the first place, birds are considered by nearly all the one greatest enemy to noxious insects; that they, by constantly feeding on them, keep them from destroying everything in the shape of vegetable life ; that they are the great conservators of man's crops from destroying worm, bug and beetle. This view has been generally accepted without proper inves- tigation, and is very far from being correct; and this proper, practical investigation will prove. Radical as it may appear, I am inclined to the belief that if all the birds were stricken out of existence to-day, after five 6o TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS summers had passed we would have no more destruction by noxious insects than we had during the season just passed, and that the chances are at least even that there would be fewer insects the fifth season after the birds were all destroyed than there were before. Why ? Simply for the reason that the great destroyers of insect-life are insects themselves, and though the birds destroy myriads, their effect on the great mass practically amounts to but very little ; and besides, the birds generally destroy at least as many beneficial parasitic insects as they do noxious, and I will only qualify this seemingly rash assertion by saying that they destroy more beneficial insects than they do of those that are known to us as noxious ; yet, it is also a fact that some birds keep in entire subjection certain classes of insects that would be extremely noxious were it not for the birds ; but the swallow, the swift and the night-hawk, as they flash through the air of an evening, may, and do, in a kw moments overbalance the good work of all other birds combined during the day, by gathering to their destruction in their carnivorous mouths the tiny parasitic gnats that swarm in their love-flights through the air ; each and every pair of these gnats, so destroyed, was capable of the destruction of fifty to two hundred and fifty ravCnous caterpillars or other noxious larvae. The orchardist who with intense satisfaction watches the visits of the Baltimore oriole to the nest of the tent-caterpillar in his apple-tree, at each visit carrying ofl" a grub, becomes disgusted when on investigation he finds that the oriole is only rendering the existence of this noxious caterpillar possible by tearing the captured grubs open and taking from their bodies the grub of a parasitic ichneumon fly that had a foreclosed trust-deed on the caterpillar's life. But strange as it may appear, the oriole is doing a double duty, he is not only rendering it possible for the caterpillar to increase and multiply his species, but the ichneumon a,s well, for if he did not thin out and decimate the fly it would soon entirely destroy the tent-caterpillar race, and then it would necessarily cease to exist for want of its proper food ; but it is not possible for such catastrophies to happen unless the wheel of Nature is badly obstructed. The more we study this great law of "eat and be eaten," the greater our astonishment becomes at the vast and intricate system of checks and counter-checks in all life. The entire dependence of the life of one species on that of another has led some naturalists to believe and assert that the entire destruction of a certain species would destroy the harmony of Nature and bring about almost chaotic results. But I think there is no fear of such results, were one, ten or a hundred species of life completely destroyed, for each void place in Nature is covered from ten thousand different points, and is instantly occupied, and the disappearance, the sudden destruction of even a prominent species would, it seems to me, be like the casting of a pebble on the surface of a glassy lake ; it would only cause a slight disturbance, possibly wide-spread, but soon quieting, with ilo appreciable effect on the great mass of life, good or bad. Another great and general mistake made in this relation is this, that because birds of a certain species are entirely insectivorous they are necessarily the particular ones that are the most beneficial. This is far STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 6 1 from being a fact, and investigation will show the reverse to be true. Birds that feed entirely on insects, such as the swallows, swifts, night- hawks, whip-poor-wills and bats, feed only when flying, and investigation proves that their food is largely made up of our best insect friends and aids, namely, the parasitic gnats, flies and ichneumons ; and it is a mooted question whether this class of birds should have the protection of the law or not. My investigations, which I admit have been crude and imperfect, tend to show that they should not have protection, but be destroyed at will, as I think that thorough investigation will show them to be noxious in a certain degree. We are all liable to mistakes and to jump at con- clusions. That eminent scientific a.nd practical (for he is one of the very few truly scientific men who also observe the practical) ornithologist. Dr. Elliott Cones, cannot speak too highly of the strictly insectivorous swal- low, nor say too hard things of the almost strictly graminivorous English sparrow; yet I am confident that a set of books kept by double or single entry would show a larger balance on the right side in favor of the homely, saucy, thieving and pugnacious sparrow; yet I must agree with him in thinking that no more idiotic piece of business was ever accomplished than the introduction of this 7nost noxious bird of England into this country, the one tiny bird that the brave Briton, as history tells us, has been fighting and trying to exterminate for centuries. It would be equally sensible for Central Europe to introduce our plum-curculio to look after its prunes ! But enough. Before any one has the right to write authoritatively on the relations between birds and our insect enemies, the facts should be reached by the most thorough, patient, scientific investigation. Who is better qualified for this work than our own Professor S. A. Forbes? But I must make one more bold and characteristic assertion before leaving this subject, which is this : Birds, as a rule, do not feed upon, and in that way, or in any way, destroy what are generally known as noxious insects to any great beneficial extent. This may be proven by asking what birds destroy potato-beetles — black, striped or yellow, Colorado or native — the tarnished plant-bug, or other chinch-bugs, the squash-bug, the cucum- ber-beetle, the apple and other fruit-tree borers, the codling-moth, the plum-curculio, the Hessian fly? and so on ad infinitum. It is true that birds do feed upon and destroy many species of insects that might become noxious but for them ; and further, which is very aggravating, some of the most useful of the birds in this way are the ones most hurtful to the fruit-grower, such as the robins, thrushes, cat-birds, etc. ; and I am forced to say, in conclusion, that, after all the facts bearing upon the relations of birds to insects are determined, it is barely possible that man may successfully better his cond ition by conserving certain birds and destroying others. We now come to the great destroyers of noxious insects, namely, other insects. This part of my subject has been so ably handled by our own and neighboring State Entomologists that it is unnecessary for me to enlarge upon it. I will, therefore, only give a few observed facts, going to show what a slender chance there is for some species of young cater- 62 TKANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS pillars becoming butterflies, and how suddenly myriads of noxious insects can be swept out of existence by an enemy. I once noticed a field forty rods long by twenty wide, covered very thickly by a common weed, the heads of which at one end of the field showed a bright oraAge color, which died out gradually at the middle, and farther on towards the south end a dark shade appeared, which soon became black, but quickly gave place to the proper color of the weed, which extended unbroken over the south end of the field. This strange coloration attracted my attention, and I determined to investigate the cause. Commencing at the north end, I found the bright orange to be caused by the pupa-cases of the larvae of one of our largest lady-birds (probably coccinella novemnotafa) ; farther in the cases were still occupied by the pupae. A little farther the larvae were affixing themselves to the extreme tips of the weeds to undergo their transformations. ■ A little farther in and thousands of beetles were emerging from these cases. And here commenced a field of slaughter long to be remembered; more lives were being taken each hour than of human lives during the whole of our great rebellion. The weeds grew as thickly as possible, and were luxuriant. The lady-birds had been attracted at the north end of the field by a large, black plant-louse, which had spread, generation after generation, in serried ranks of millions, towards the south, sucking the life from the weeds as they passed. They had been discovered by the lady-birds and their eggs were deposited among them, which soon hatched and let loose among the tender plant-lice the gluttonous, tiger-like destroyers ; but the plant-lice had advanced in their march of destruction considerably while the lady-bird eggs were hatching, and the destroyer did not obliterate them until they had destroyed the weeds for more than twenty rods. From this example we can learn some lessons : In the first place, we see how wonderfully fast two kinds of life can multiply when all things are favorable ; secondljj, how quickly one species can destroy and be destroyed ; and, thirdly, how the irruption of a noxious insect, though it may do us serious harm at the time, may ultimately prove to our great advantage, in this way, by furnishing food in plenty for some very beneficial insect, thereby increasing its numbers to such an extent as to be of great service in destroying other noxious insects; for most insectivorous insects feed indiscriminately on several species. The coming among us of the Colorado potato-beetle made great and lasting changes in our insect-life, many of which are in our favor. I have watched and studied these changes with great pleasure. The coming among us of this one species probably produced as great a convulsion in all life as we shall ever see produced in a natural way ; for there is scarcely any life, vegetable or animal, in this State, that has not in some way been affected by its intro- duction, and before Nature had reached her proper balance from its intro- duction we meet with another visitor, obliterating another of our valued products in its devouring march, in the shape of the cabbage-worm {Fieris rupee), and our efforts to destroy it and save our cabbages are as inef- fectual as our first battles with the potato-bugs, and will continue to be STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 63 SO. But Nature will give us a Nemesis in the shape of some tiny, insig- nificant little insect, before which the cabbage-worm will disappear like the white frost before the morning sun ; yet we will always be troubled somewhat by these two pests ; but as soon as Nature regains her balance they will be held in subjection, so as to be only occasionally noxious, like the plant-lice before mentioned, which left their enemies behind at the start, but will be overtaken and destroyed ; and their introduction may prove to be to our ultimate benefit. There are numerous species of insects whose young would destroy utterly, in one or more seasons, their proper food-plants were their enemies stricken from existence. And the converse is true of these enemies. The chances for a caterpillar to reach maturity in the shape of a butterfly or moth are exceedingly few ; its deadly enemies are ever on the alert to place their eggs on its unprotected back, or to sink them in its vitals, or to carry it off bodily as food for their unhatched young. I once found feeding near together two of our largest caterpillars, those of the moth Attacus cecropia. On the back of one were glued eighty-two tiny eggs, on that of the other eighty-four, and from nearly every one of these eggs a little maggot would hatch which would burrow its way through the living tissue of the caterpillar and prey upon his substance to his certain destruction. If we observe carefully we will find that nearly every kind of life has its deadly foes, and is kept by them in complete subjection generally, so as not to become so numerous as to, for any length of time, occupy more than their share of space to the detriment of other life. The great fluctuations in insect-life as regards numbers, often to our misfortune, have their origin in causes that can generally be easily traced, but are sometimes obscure. The more prominent of these causes are : Firstly, the almost complete destruction of a species by an enemy that feeds entirely on it. When the food is gone the enemy in that region all starve ; the few left of the other, being relieved of this particular enemy, soon swarm in countless myriads (and may so increase in this way unchecked as to devour all its proper food within its reach and the whole brood starve to death before maturity, as I have seen chinch-bugs and locusts (grasshoppers) do); but its natural enemy attacks it on all plants, and again sweeps it from the face of our fair fields, and if all things are propitious destroys it so completely that again it must starve; and secondly, by climatic changes, destroying the eaten or the eater; or thirdly, from the one or the other being destroyed by disease, for insects are subject to disease the same as all other life. A notable example of the power of disease over insect-life will be recollected by many present, that happened about fifteen years ago, when by far the largest brood of chinch-bugs Illinois has ever known was almost entirely annihilated over the length and breadth of the State by disease, between two Sundays. By careful search hardly a specimen could be found for the cabinet the following season. Had I time I would like to say something of the many (though not always unreasonable) mistakes made by the unobserving when they think 64 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS they have made discoveries for the complete protection against or for the complete annihilation of noxious insects. They simply jump at conclusions, and think that one swallow makes a summer. I will only give one instance, and it is to the point decisively: Several years ago the street and park-trees in the city of New York were being disastrously defoliated by certain insects. Something must be done at once or the trees would be lost. That great community was at once relieved by some brilliant idiot publishing as an indisputable fact that birds were the great natural enemy of worms ; therefore birds must be had, and that the English sparrow was the most stalwart of wormers, and that he was domestic in habit, and that he bred very fast and was hardy and active. Here was a mixture of truth and fiction very captivating to the New York heart; the source was considered good, and all was taken for facts, and the English sparrow "boom" com- menced. A {ew charitable idiots imported a few dozen sparrows, the city a few dozens more, and New York was happy. The sparrow took possession ; he had crossed the perilous "briny " to do it, and he did it; he smote our no-account native birds with bill and claw; he brought his bow and arrow with him, the self-same bow with which he had smote poor innocent Cock Robin for his own good pleasure ages ago, and any bird too large for him to conveniently handle he smote with his arrow. The next season, having cleaned out his new ranch of all useless feathered bipeds, of this hitherto unhappy country, the nest was built, eggs laid and young hatched, which were carefully fed upon kitchen offal and sweepings, choice selections from the droppings of animals, green peas, some fruits and a few poor innocent tender harmless worms. After rear- ing two or three numerous families, they all, fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, uncles, aunts and cousins, went diligently to work, carefully spreading the horse-droppings over the streets, helping mow the grass of the parks, and beautifully frescoing and calcimining the fronts of the houses, and the hats and bonnets of the citizens. But the great, horrid worms disappeared from New York's trees. The sparrow did it and New York was happy. The sparrow "boom" went on; Philadelphia heard of it; her trees were wormy; she sent a policeman in citizen's dress to New York, who stole a dozen sparrows, when, presto, her worms were gone and she was happy. Baltimore, Washington, Boston, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Chicago, all were struck. The sparrows were obtained ; and they did not stop to look if the worms disappeared, it was not worth while. Five hundred sparrows had devoured the worms on 600,000 trees in New York city and Brooklyn, averaging three pounds of worms to the tree in three months. Fact ; Mark Twain, Henry Ward Beecher and other eminent divines had seen it and said it ; Prof. Thurber, P. T. Quinn and other practical farmers of a national reputation, ditto ; Jay Gould, Miss Anthony and others eminent in science gave the scientific details ; a// the old ladies of Boston wrote long essays on Sparrowensis ; the illus- trated papers gave most beautiful pictures of myriads of "those great, horrid worms" passing through the sparrows. One speculative fellow tried to start a company with a vast capital for collecting sparrow guano, STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 65 but all capitalists were engaged so pleasantly in seeing the worms go down that they gave him no attention. Here capital made a grand mis- take, for one must readily see from the abundant proof that from the amount of worms eaten by each and every sparrow fifty of them would furnish guano enough, of most perfect quality, unleached and unweath- ered, to render the whole State of New Jersey as fertile as a garden, even after allowing a very large margin for waste. When the sparrow business was "red-hot," a renowned scientist, whose opinions were sought for and accepted as facts, undoubtingly, on two continents, ventured to thus write : " The English sparrow is, in the strictest sense of the word, a graminivorous bird, more closely so than any member of its family, the Fringe Uidce ; its young are fed, to some extent, while in the nest, on soft insects, such as the larvae of j/«d!// moths, found feeding on grass and leaves. The principal food of the adult bird is horse- ." No farther word of the learned scientist's essay on the English sparrow was read by any of the sparrow maniacs, and things became lively generally. It were better for that poor scientist had he never been born, for column after column of the most abusive abuse was hurled at his head. The pastors of all the churches denounced him from their pulpits ; Boston called a meeting in Faneuil Hall, at which the most learned politicians of the country were invited to give the true scientific habits of the sparrow, his worming capacity, and the ultimate benefit that would accrue from his introduction to our greatest national industry — agriculture. Laws were passed making it felony to insult a sparrow, or to cause the death of one; no one was able to invent a law severe enough. The ridiculous craze went on until every town in our country is swarming with the dirty, noisy, pugnacious, entirely-useless, and will-soon-become-very-noxious English sparrow, to the almost com- plete exclusion of our every way better and songful native birds. Did the sparrows destroy the worms in New York City and Phila- delphia? No, the worms disappeared by reason of their natural insect enemies. I have sat in Franklin Square, in Philadelphia, in August, with the sparrows swarming around and under trees entirely defoliated by caterpillars, and with their trunks nearly covered by their cocoons and eggs, and have watched the sparrows there and in other places for hours closely, day after day, without seeing them eat an insect of any kind ; I saw them eat grass, crumbs and offal; I saw one play with a caterpillar for a long time, but he did not eat it. So mucli for jumping at conclusions, delusions and unscientific science. (Laughter and cheers.) DISCUSSION UPON THE REPORT. Dr. Thomas. — I am somewhat amused at the latter part of the paper, but there is no question that a mistake has been made in the introduction of the English sparrow, which is absolutely useless ; but as relates to the matter of birds performing no important part in the destruction of insects, this is going a little too far. In Europe, in some places, birds in former 66 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS times were allowed to be destroyed indiscriminately j but as the birds * diminished the insects increased, and to such an extent that destruction to the crops was threatened, so the Governments passed laws protecting and fostering the birds, when the insects decreased again. I can see but one way to test this bird question : let the authorities stop the destruction of birds, and have preserves established for the purpose of studying their habits and their sources of food. We must do something, and this seems to me the most feasible of any plan yet broached. I agree with Wier, except as to the little black beetles. In relation to the cabbage-butterfly, I will say that the true parasite of the imported species {^Pieris rapes) has appeared in Illinois, which will no doubt aid us another year in keeping this pest in check. Another one from Europe has also been found. I think also that we have a species of ichneumon that preys upon them ; I am not quite sure of this, however. I have observed the past season that the Pieris does not remain as long in the pupal state in Southern Illinois as it does in New York, and a striking difference between the imported and native species has also been observed in the way the eggs are laid. We find the eggs of the imported species deposited singly on both upper and under sides of the leaf, while the native deposits in clusters and on the under side of the leaf only. The butterfly of the imported species is very pugnacious and is driving the native before it. The worm of the imported one is very peaceful and quite sluggish, and in this respect both native and foreign are alike. Pieris rapce, does not bore into the head ; another new but different worm does bore into the head, however. Flat Dutch and Fotler's Brunswick are freer from them than other varieties on account of the solidity of their heads. Prof. Forbes. — I would suggest that thorough experiments be made to determine the value of birds, as to which are the more or the less beneficial or absolutely pernicious; this can be done only by long- continued and careful experiments. A preliminary survey should, however, be made by the examination of the contents of the stomachs of birds. A preserve should be established where observations could be made, long and patiently, and this could be done with but little expense to the State. Taking my examinations of the stomachs of birds of the State as a whole the result is somewhat in favor of the value of birds, but it is hard to tell whether some birds do more harm than good. Dr. Thomas. — I would state that while I appreciate these examina- tions made by Prof. Forbes, I think a law should be passed establishing a STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 67 preserve for birds, and in that way to test the matter as to how much good or harm they do. The expense would be but trifling, while the results would be of great value; I would say also that I would banish the shot-gun. I don't believe in saving some birds, and in shooting others because they eat some of our fruit. Upon the suggestion of Mr. Minier the students of the University were invited to examine the fruits on exhibition this afternoon. "Jhe report from Committee on Vegetable Gardening, being next in order, was called for, and the Secretary stated that neither Mr. Kimball nor Mr. Hay, members of the committee, was present, nor had sent in papers. Dr. II. ScHRCEDER, of Bloomington, another member of the com- mittee, was present, and read a paper upon Asparagus.* REPORT UPON FRUITS ON EXHIBITION. The Committee on Fruits announced, through the chairman, Mr. McWhorter, their readiness to report. Mr. McWhorter stated that the committee met with some embar- rassment in the discharge of its duties from two sources: the slight dif- ference in the merits of some lots where in competition for the same premium, and also from some doubt in certain instances whether it were best to award any premium at all on account of the fruit falling below the high standard of merit which it is deemed should be maintained. We have, he said, done the best we could under the circumstances The following is the report : Mr. President, — Your Committee on Fruits have examined the fruit placed upon exhibition and in competition for the premiums offered by the Executive Board of this Society, and have made the following awards: For Largest and Best Collection of Fruit, A. C. Hammond, Warsaw, first premium $25 00 H. M. Dunlap, Champaign, second premium 15 00 For Best Ten Varieties of Winter Apples for Northern Illinois, S. G. Minkler, Oswego, first premium 10 00 For Best Ten Varieties of Winter Apples for Central Illinois, H. M. Dunlap, Champaign, first premium 10 00 James T. Johnson, Warsaw, second premium 5 00 For Best Collection of Seedling Apples, A. C. Hammond, Warsaw, first premium 10 00 * This paper was not handed to the Secretary. If a copy is furnished in time for publication in this volume it will be found among the "Miscellaneous Papers," farther on. — Secretary. 68 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS For Best Peck of Ben Davis, James T. Johnson, Warsaw, first premium ^ 5 00 R. De Garmo, Assumption, second premium 3 00 For Best Peck of Ravvles' Janet, J. T. Johnson, Warsaw, first premium 5 00 A. C. Hammond, Warsaw, second premium 3 00 For Best Peck of Jonathan, O. B. Galusha, Morris, first premium 5 00 A. C. Hammond, Warsaw, second premium 3 00 For Best Peck of Red Canada, J. T. Johnson, Warsaw, first premium 5 00 A. C. Hammond, Warsaw, second premium 3 00 For Best Peck of Fulton, A. C. Hammond, first premium 5 00 For Best Peck of Northern Spy, H. M. Dunlap, first premium 5 00 A. C. Hammond, second premium 3 00 For Best Peck of Willow Twig, S. G. Minkler, Oswego, first premium 5 00 W. H. Lightfoot, Springfield, second premium 3 00 Mr. Minkler exhibited a peck of Cayuga Red-streak, also a peck of very fine Minkler apples, but for which there was no premium offered. There were also on exhibition some collections consisting of varieties for which the Board had offered prizes, but as the fruit was not of a high standard of merit, being not in good condition, no awards were made. These varieties were : Domine, Fameuse (Snow), Wagoner and Yellow Bellflower. (Signed) T. McWHORTER, ) PARKER EARLE, [ Committee. ' W. T. NELSON, 3 DISCUSSION UPON THE REPORT. Mr. Wier. — Mr. President, the only fault I find in the report is that the committee did not give the names of the varieties of apples taking the first premiums as best ten for each division of the State. Mr. Minkler. — The ten varieties taking the first premium for Northern Illinois are not the best ten sorts which can be grown there, but are the best ten which I had to exhibit this year. J. T. Johnson. — We are not to suppose that the varieties are actually the very best, only the best on exhibition. Mr. McWhorter. — The committee did not find any collection which, in their opinion, contained the very best ten varieties. The Secretary. — Mr. President, I move that the committee be continued, and requested to make an additional report for the purpose of STATE UORTICULTUHAL SOCIETY. 69 giving these lists, but more especially to report upon other articles upon exhibition, as this will obviate the necessity of appointing another com- mittee. There are bouquets or baskets of flowers in the fruit hall, also several new seedlings, and, perhaps, some other articles which should be noticed. The motion to continue the committee prevailed. On motion, the Society then adjourned till half-past one o'clock this afternoon. SECOND DAY— AFTERNOON. The Society convened at the hour named in adjournment, with President Burrill in the chair. QUESTIONS FROM QUERY-BOX.* The Secretary opened the query-box and read its questions, which were discussed in the order of the reading. They were as follows: Query No. i. — I have a piece of ground, black prairie soil, clay sub-soil, which has been used for a vegetable garden for the past twenty years, and has been, from year to year, highly manured with stable manure. For the past three years the angle-worms have taken possession of the ground, countless numbers working in it, until the soil has become so hard that when plowed or spaded up no vegetables worth raising will grow upon it. What shall I do with it to restore it? W. T. Nelson. Dr. Schrceder. — Plow and harrow often and turn on the chickens, they will clean them out after awhile. No other remedy was suggested. LIMITING THE DISCUSSIONS. On motion, discussions upon the topics were limited to three minutes each. Query No. 2. — Can the originators of new fruits get a copyright on them the same as authors do upon books? No response. Query No. 3. — Have our cultivated apples, such as we see on the tables in the other hall, originated from our wild crabs? Mr. Wier. — Our apples originated from the European crab. Dr. Humphrey. — I think it is fully admitted that all our cultivated apples come from the native crab-apples of Europe. 70 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Mr. Minier. — As the peach is said to have originated from the sou?* almond of Persia, so has the cultivated apple of this country originated from the wild crab of Asia. Dr. Schrceder. — Does not the big Book tell us that they were given to our greatest grand-parents, Adam and Eve? Surely, they didn't have such sour, bitter crab-apples to eat ! (Laughter.) Mr. Webster. — I have no doubt that our apples came from the crab- apples of Europe ; I saw crabs growing wild there last summer which were nearly as large and as fine-looking as the Snow apple. Query No. 5. — What causes the earth covered by plank, or a mulch, for twelve months, to become enriched and so well prepared for a seed- bed, either for horticultural or agricultural purposes ? Mr. Burnham. — Does the snow when covering the ground have the same effect ? The Secretary. — The earth accumulates nitrogen under the cover of boards or mulch*, and is thus better fitted to furnish food to plants, which are largely nitrogenous. J. S. Johnson. — Is it necessary to exclude the light to make nitrogen? Prof. Turner. — Not necessarily ; but by excluding air and giving rest the nitrates accumulate. The Secretary. — This is a question for agricultural chemistry. It is now pretty generally accepted 2.% proved by scientists that nearly all the elements of plant-food exist in molecules floating in the lower stratum of the atmosphere ; that the rains, dews and snows carry these into the soil, where they are utilized as plant-food ; and it is evident that if the soil is prevented from giving up its nitrogen, etc., by so covering it that plants cannot grow, and the sun and wind cannot dislodge and carry it away, and yet it is so left that the rains and melting snow can saturate the soil, it will soon become rich in all these aerial fertilizing elements. Let the ground beneath such covering be kept perfectly dry by a large building or shed and no such accumulation could take place. Query No. 6. — Can pears be successfully grown in Illinois upon apple stocks ? A. H. Gaston exhibited a two-year-old pear-tree which had been root-grafted upon an apple stock, and planted so deep in the soil that the pear cion had evidently taken root, also the apple roots were still alive and partially, as he stated, sustained the life of the tree. He said : Pears can be grown on apple stocks successfully. I have here a pear-tree grafted upon an apple root. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 7 I A Voice. — Is it a Birkitt pear ? Answer. — Yes, it is a Birkitt. (Laughter). The pear cion has taken root and it is now a double-rooted tree, better than if it was entirely on its own roots. Mr. Murtfeldt. — Does the gentleman's experience extend beyond the little tree which he holds in his hand? (Laughter.) A. H. Gaston. — I have seen trees that had been grafted forty years which had borne full crops a great many years. I have seen pears not only grafted on the roots but in the tops of apple-trees, which are now many years old, and which always bear well. Mr. Burnham. — Mr. President, I saw apple-trees grafted to pears twenty-five years ago, and now are living and bear full ; I also know a man in our section of the State who has the pear grafted on the apple and the trees bear well. The President. — The time is now up for the discussion of this opic. A Voice. — I move that three minutes more be allowed for discussion on this subject. — Carried. The Secretary. — Mr. President, I cannot be content to allow this discussion to end quite here, for fear some may be led astray. Had the gentleman exhibited the tree which he held in his hand to show an exception to a rule rather than as a sample of the union common between the pear and apple it would have been well enough. I tried this thing pretty well twenty-five years ago and succeeded in getting some nice-looking two-year-old trees, but not two in a hundred perhaps ever made valuable trees ; the union is not perfect and the pear will almost always break off at the point of the union. These gentlemen are no doubt sincere, but I am sure they have only noticed the exceptional trees and cannot have had experience and extended observation in this direction. Some varieties form better union with the apple than others. I remember that I succeeded better with Henry-the-fourth than any other, but these exceptions are so rare that it is folly to attempt growing pear-trees in this way. Mr. Minkler, — I had that fever once — bad. (Laughter.) Mr. Nelson. — So had L Come up, brethren, and relate your expe- riences. (Laughter.) Mr. Edwards. — I succeeded in grafting the Bloodgood on an apple stock, the tree doing well. Mr. Webster. — I have tried this thing with a little success, but would not recommend it. •J 2 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Prof. Turner. — I once had this fever too, but recovered entirely from it long ago. Query No. 7. — Do the Duke, Morello and Early May cherries make as healthy, hardy and productive trees when worked on the Mazzard as on the Morello stock ? Mr. Galusha. — No. They will do tolerably well when grafted below the surface. Mr. Edwards. — I have had some success in grafting on Mazzard stocks, though 1 do not claim that they are as good stocks as Mahaleb. A Voice. — How did you graft? Mr. Edwards. — At the surface, and I mulched the trees heavily for protection. A Voice. — The Mazzard is a good stock to graft on. (Cries of No, No, from different parts of the hall.) PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. The Secretary called for the President's address, which by vote was made the special order for this hour. President Burrill then called Vice-President C. N. Dennis to the chair and thus addressed the Society : THE MISSION, IN ILLINOIS, OF HER STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. The mission of the Illinois State Horticultural Society is to my mind a great and a grand one. Much has been accomplished during the quarter- century of its existence, and to-day patriotic citizens thankfully acknowl- edge and gratefully esteem its beneficial and benignant influences. Through these influences better political laws have been enacted, and important social and natural ones made known and established ; wealth has been increased; our beautiful State has been adorned and glorified, and above all, and better than all, the abodes of our people have been made brighter and happier, more worthy of that dear name, heart- treasured in every loving breast — home. This is the work that is to go on, this the accomplishment to be completed, this the mission, full and rich as the onward march of a high- honored humanity, to be fulfilled. If our Society prospers as it should, fertile Illinois shall, in time to come more than now and in the past, blossom as the rose, and all the trees of the forest shall clap their hands in glad acclaim to the memory of those whose deeds live after them, in blushing fruits and fragrant flowers, in perpetual psalms and enduring tokens of love. We have much encouragement to press on in the good work so well begun. Our material advantages are scarcely to be overestimated. Our STATE HOKTICTJLTUKAl, SOCIETY. 73 friends from sister States will excuse us if we of Illinois indulge a little, even in this presence, in the expression of our just pride and patriotic love for the beautiful and bountiful region of country which we claim as our own. It stretches out in its wide area over flower-decked prairies, diversified woodlands and sun-glorified landscapes ; it reaches down through feet and fathoms of fertile soil and mines of measureless wealth; it extends upward through fragrant air " Laden with the breath cf orchards Big with bending fruit " to the silvery clouds of sunny skies. The sun himself looks out from his throne of midday splendor and lovingly smiles upon the fair face of favored Illinois. The love of home and country is instinctive in every human breast, and its exercise gratifying and ennobling even in inhospitable climates and in Nature's roughest regions; but happy, thrice happy we whose patriotic love and pride is strengthened and exalted by dwelling in this garden of the Lord. Happy, thrice happy the cherished children of our fragrant and fruitful prairie State ! We surely have the material elements of a rich and prosperous commonwealth, the essential physical conditions for an enterprising and progressive people ; we have, as can scarcely be found anywhere else on this great, green earth, the combination of all the diversified material requisites for happy homes and cultured citizens, and so we have the natural requirements upon which may be based an exalted and ennobled civilization, and an enlightened and elevated social, political and moral life. No people confined to arid plains, parched by long-continued drouth, dwelling upon sterile soils walled about by rocky barriers and pinched to the extremity of life for food and fuel, can take many steps, at least in our day, in solving the great problem of man's social and moral advancement. It is essential for progress, it is a primary requisite, as a foundation upon which may be erected the proud structure of a fully developed humanity, that the climate be favorable and that mother Earth lend her increase in such manner and proportion that the question of "what shall ye eat and wherewithal shall ye be clothed" shall not be too hard to answer. An abundant food supply secured by an appropriate equivalent in labor is a corner-stone of wide dimensions in the magnifi- cent temple of human development. Freedom from the thralldom of unconquerable poverty, from the servitude of persistent and pinching privation, is an admission ticket, written by sovereign hand, to the glowing vestibule of this temple, where encouraging sounds may be caught of the inspiring music within. It is the great province of Agriculture to furnish the world with the staple articles of food, and it is to the prosperity of agriculture in our State that we must look for this fundamental basis of prosperity for our people. Conditioned upon its rise must also be conditioned their rise and progress in the scale of physical and intellectual development. And Agriculture comes before Horticulture. The fields must be plowed. 74 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS roads must be made, mills erected, houses builded, meat produced and bread provided before much attention can be given to the quality of a radish or the blush of an apple. Lord Bacon said with truth, that men come to build stately sooner than to garden finely, as if gardening were the higher perfection. But without trespassing upon the domain of Agriculture, it is one of the missions of this Society to contribute tow^ards the proper food-supply of our multiplying population. Our farmers need to have, for the welfare of their own homes and the others for which they provide, the gospel of good gardening continually preached to them. Ask the housekeepers of our State whether or not there is room for improvement here ; and, especially ask the housekeepers whose right it is above all others to have the best products of richly-cultivated soil for their tables, the farmers' wives, whether or not they have their merited aid and sympathy with regard to the kitchen and dining-room supply. The rough pioneer work has with us been mostly accomplished, and all honor to the brave men and sacrificing women who have done it, that we, their sons and daughters, may live with less of hardship to endure and under better conditions for improvement. But, under the altered circumstances of living, it is not enough that our tables are supplied with bread and meat. The rough rations of a soldier are appropriate in their place, but in the refinement of homes our physical well-being — and if so all other kinds of well-being — requires a due proportion of easily-digestible, fresh and crisp garden vegetables with appetizing and health-giving fruits. Even the pretty tinting of the surface and much more the improved flavor of fruits have their real value in alimentation as well as art, and are worth laborious efforts to secure. Horticulture has much to do with hygiene, and neither agriculture nor any other culture can afford to ignore or belittle its importance in this respect. Again, with the increase in population the processes and methods of horticulture must be more and more extended, that the supply in amount of wholesome food may be proportioned to the requirements. Thus are the teachings, by precept and example, of this Society to be more and more in demand and the mission of the Society to be more and more enlarged and exalted. To produce the best fruits and food vegetables with the least outlay of labor and money is not a thing of chance. They do not, like Topsy, come into existence without parentage and the foster- ing care of patient and skillful hands. There is required an intimate, working-acquaintance with science, and a masterly knowledge of high art on the part of those who would best succeed. Especially is this true with the teachers of this branch of learned industry, and these latter are to be found nowhere in Illinois if not within the membership of this Society. Captain Cuttle said of his famous watch, " There, Wal'er, take her for my sake; set her for'ard half an hour every morning and a quarter every afternoon, and she'll do you credit." But there must be no guess- work here. Mistakes have and doubtless will be made often enough in spite of heroic and persevering efforts to the contrary. Unscrupulous adventurers will foist their worthless wares upon a too credulous populace, STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 75 and vexation and discouragement follow. Eternal vigilance, high-minded and large-hearted counsel and assistance are imperatively demanded. The members of this Society have a high commission to perform and the Society itself an exalted permission to be instrumental in adding to the fruitful wealth of our glorious State, whereby an easy and abundant suste- nance may be had of healthful and hopeful quality, for its teeming thousands of the bravest hearts and fairest faces among the sons and daughters of our race. The past has accomplished wonders ; the crab has become the apple, the poisonous almond the peach, the dry and bitter colewort the cabbage and the cauliflower, the woody spindles of the wild plants the nutritious parsnip and carrot. The potato, now so universally used, became in America an article of ordinary food since our war of independence. Is the future to do less? Is our better science and higher art to fail for want of devotion? Let us rekindle the fires of our enthusiasm and go up and possess in its fullness the goodly land. But, after all, it is not natural wealth that makes a State. It is not the richness of the fields, the fullness of the forests, the treasures of the mines, it is not the beauty of the landscape nor the freshness of the atmosphere that makes earth valuable and man contented and happy. "Cellars and granaries in vain we fill » With all the bounteous summer's store, If the mind thirsts and .hungers still — The poor rich man's emphatically poor." CoWLEV. Human nature requires more than bodily necessities and comforts. Man shall not live by bread alone. There is other food of a higher kind, for the higher spiritual nature with which we are likewise endowed. The hunger of the soul is as real as that of the body, and its unsatisfied cravings are as detrimental as bodily starvation to the onward and upward progress of the race. In vain do we eat and drink, in vain are we clothed and sheltered from the scorching sun and shivering storm, if the mind is not awakened to a realization of the beauty and worth of its surroundings, if the heart is not touched by the sweet influences of associations and intimate acquaintance, if the aff'ections are not drawn out purified and strengthened through daily exercise upon the ennobling and lovely things of earth and heaven. To be supplied, however bountifully, with those things which minister to the bare necessities of our physical lives, and these alone, would render possible only a cramped and mean existence, entirely unworthy of the Creator and of the creature made in his image. Deprive us of the beauty which the eye drinks in from the natural world, of the melody and harmony to which the ear attunes itself from the groves and the valleys, of the fragrance of the flower-freighted air, the breath of the morning, and especially of the associations which these call up in the mind, and the aspirations which they kindle in the heart* — deprive us of these and the world would be dark and dreary, life a burden and immortality a dread. 76 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS But with the fullness and fairness of Nature about us, and with our senses quickened that we may become possessors of the lavish gifts which she bestows upon whosoever will enjoy them, existence is a warmly appre- ciated pleasure and every contribution to the welfare of life a thankfully received and treasured blessing. Even the untutored soul of the savage is stirred with the throbbings of a higher life as he gazes upon that "orient pavilion flushed with a thousand gorgeous and shifting hues, from out whose dazzling portals issue the outgoings of the morning." The whispering breezes through leafy branches tell many a tale to the dusky inhabitant of the forest of love and the purer enjoyments of life. The starry flower opens its bright petals to the admiring gaze of the Indian maiden and teaches her lessons of grace and beauty, of goodness and purity, of truth and love. Yet it is not over the rude and the barbarous that the beauty, variety and harmony of the objects of Nature and Nature's art exert their full power. It is only by those whose cultivated senses, refined intelligence and awakened sympathies permit the soft and silent influences, springing from a close and loving communion with the visible forms and vibrating sym- pathies about us, that the richest treasures are found and the fullest lessons learned in Nature's store-houses and in Nature's school-rooms. " To hi-m who, in the love of Nature, holds Communion with her visible forms, she speaks A various language ; for his gayer hours She has a voice of gladness and a smile And eloquence of beauty, and she glides Into his darker musings with a mild And healing sympathy that steals away Their sharpness ere he is aware." BRYANT. The painted cup upturned to catch the glistening dew, the hanging bell tolling its perfume upon the air, the simple leaf fanned by the evening breeze, the clustering purple of the vine, the spire of the pine, the flecked shade of the generous linden, have awakened memories and associations that have given the intelligence a wider reach and better compass, the imagination higher flights and purer creations, the affections stronger ties and holier bonds, the aspirations nobler aims and grander purposes, the conscience quicker sensibilities and greater power for good among thoughtful and cultured men and women in all lands, in every age. " When thy heart in its pride would stray From the pure first-loves of its youth away, When the sullying breath of the world would come O'er the flowers it brought from its childhood home, Think of the tree at thy father's door, And the kindly spell shall have power once more." Mrs. Hemans. Taught by our better instincts and the nobler philosophies of life joined to our dependence upon the objects of sense for so much of our knowledge and enjoyment, with such intimate relations to our moral improvement and future destiny, is it too much to say that the humblest STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 77 flower that blooms or the snviHest leaf that spreads its surface to the sun is without its purpose and its power in the world of thought and feeling? It is true we may trample them beneath our feet and know not their soft appeals; it is true that the uncultivated and the busy burdened, toiling relentlessly for bread, and especially those fretting with a feverish fond- ness for gold and gain, may pass unheeded these well-springs of love and life; even the gay girl may cull from the luxuriant bosom of mother Earth the fairest flowers, fairer and finer than the array of Solomon in all his glory, and remain untouched by any feeling beyond that of the pleasure of her own adornment and the selfish pride in her enhanced personal charms. Too many, oh, far too many ! claiming the proud title of man, and must it be said, sometimes even the exalted name of woman, have eyes and see not in these loveliest things of earth anything beyond green leaves and prettily-painted petals. To understand their real language we must by familiar friendship encourage them to speak to our hearts their lessons of surpassing interest. their love-stories of sublimest emotion, their counsels of uncloying and unerring wisdom. It is through their associations with human histories, it is through their symbolic uses and sentiments in human homes and native lands, that we derive from these gifts of God our highest pleasure and learn to love them as things of truth and life. How dear the three- leaved shamrock, pressed in the bosom of an immigrant from the Emerald Isle ! How the tears well up unbidden in the eyes at sight of some simple memento — a leaf, a faded flower — laid away in some sacred place, but not forgotten ! What lively and lasting interest we have in the unsullied objects so long connected with the joys and sorrows of human existence. Flowers have wreathed the proud brow of victory, and cheered the patient bed of pain ; they have adorned the bride in her lovliness, and rested upon the cold bosom of death; they have loaned their charms to the festive board, and sent a thrill of pleasure to the captive's cell. " Bring flowers to crown the cup and lute, Bring flowers — the bride is near; Bring flowers to soothe the captive's cell, Bring flowers to strew the bier." Miss Landon. Rip Van Winkle, in his wanderings in the mountains, is made to say that he loved the old trees and felt that they were worthy of his affection. Who has not learned to look upon them as, in some way, not distantly related to himself? We come to regard them as things of life, possessed of a spiritual nature capable of sharing our joys and griefs. More than one day-dreamer has shared the confidence of a "Talking Oak" so pleasantly pictured by Tennyson. Most writers upon topics connected with the social and moral life of man make frequent allusions to trees, as illustrative of character or emblematic in a higher sense of the attributes of man. In the Scriptures the cedar, the fig, the olive, the palm, the vine, the tree, are words of the common vocabulary. Poetry, bearing the badge of immortality for itself, abounds in references to the forest kings and sylvan queens. 7 8 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS How sadly should we miss the trees aryi vines about our homes, not more on account of their kindly shade and shelter, not more on account of their beauty in the adornment of the landscape, than for the nearness and dearness of our associations with them. When after the lapse of years the wanderer returns to his ancestral home, what objects so stir the emotions in swelling breast as the old oak whose spreading limbs his youthful swing upheld ; the well remembered elm in whose swaying branches his wayward kite was lost ; " The lime at dreary eve DiflFusing odors ; " the rounded maple shading the rustic seat, where upon a moonlit evening, never to be forgotten, the warm welling of a heart was first allowed to shape itself in words? While planting and caring for trees about a vine- embowered cottage we may sing with Burns : " To make a happy fireside clime For weans and wife, That's the true pathos, and sublime, Of human life." Let memory call up something from the past or imagination picture for us a sweet and happy home free from the sordid strivings of the world, where love brightens the heartii and lightens the toil, where contentment dwells and fond endearment strengthens the golden cords of rich affec- tion, and we shall have, with scarcely the possibility of an exception, the fair picture of a modest mansion, away from the din and clatter of the thronged thoroughfare, seated in green grass, bearing festoons of leaves and flowers and surrounded with friendly, peace-suggestive trees. One, gazing upon such a scene, not upon canvas but in living reality, ♦' Sweet as the primrose peeps beneath the thorn," breathes in something more than pure air and physical refreshment. He enjoys something more than the beauty which comes of color and outline, something more than the fragrance that floats upon the flowers, and something besides the melody that issues from the tremulous throats of birds. He forgets the measure of money, but is led to appreciate the priceless wealth and worth of domestic happiness and the inspirations derived from the good, the true and the beautiful. There may be want- ing those heavenly flowers " That never will in any other climate grow ; " but an earthly home like this, crowned with love, is the fairest type known to man of that Eden of the blessed, that paradise of the primal pair. If in these later gardens there is no tree of life, there is like- wise no beguiling serpent. Their influe'nce is wholly good, pure and vitalizing " As the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath." STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. jg The rich and the gifted may enjoy and gather many gracious lessons from music, painting and sculpture ; but Horticulture, as a fine art, is pre-eminently attractive to all tastes, and above every other adapted to the soul-life of all conditions and classes of mankind. A rose smells as sweet to the beggar as to the millionaire. " A violet by a mossy stone, Half hidden from the eye, Fair as a star when only one Is shining from the sky," addresses itself appropriately and appreciatingly to the sorrowing widow and to the joyous Queen of May. Happy they to whom the refining influences of the love of nature has come; thrice happy they by whom "the art that doth mend nature" is lovingly practiced and fondly cherished as a purifying and ennobling contribution towards the charm and potency of a true and joyous home. What a wail is this : " O, it was pitiful, Near a whole city full Home she had none." I have thus sought to portray the value to us as human beings, beyond mere sustenance and shelter, of the objects which we may collect in our parks and public grounds, with which we may adorn our streets and enliven our highways of travel, and by which we may surround and brighten our homes — culled from the infinite variety and matchless beauty of the vegetable world. I have endeavored to present the civilizing, spiritualizing effects of an intercourse with Nature and a loving association with her generous and guileless children, the plants and the flowers. The fascination and power of beauty, of intricacy and unity, of adaptation of means to ends, make the study and care of these common objects a perpetual pleasure, unsullied and unalloyed. To the toiling and striving no relaxation comes better than that of the garden and the borders ; to those with whom time might hang heavy, there are no better prescriptions than those written in God's great book of Fruits and Flowers. The grandest thing that can be said of a government, of the wide- reaching, all-comprehending authority and power of a nation, is that the homes of its common people are appreciated as sacred and enjoyed as blessed. Upon these homes rest the security and stability, the prosperity and perpetuity of all social and political organizations. In the measure that they are pure and appropriate, wholesome laws may be made and everywhere sustained ; in the measure that they are attractive and enjoyable, dissipation and crime are removed and their contaminating and blighting influences retluced. It is the high mission of this Society to contribute largely to the refined culture of the home, and thus to promote the true happiness of the people of our great State. No human organization ever had, nor ever will have, on this green globe, a more exalted aim or a more favor- 8o TBANSACTIOSfS OF THE ILLINOIS able opportunity. To those who have had the advantages of schools and the companionship of authors, it opens the way to further and fairer interests and enjoyments; to those who have been deprived of such aids as these, or of the facilities afforded by wealth, it offers a rich education through an acquaintance with the instructions of living pages, wide as " That horizon's fair deceit, Where heaven and earth, alas ! appear to meet," crowded with interesting lessons and embellished by an art higher than any to which man has attained, illumined by a light warmer and richer than electric batteries can ever furnish. With the plans of this Society matured in wisdom and executed with devotion, co-operating with other ameliorating influences, Illinois, now crowned a queen among her sister States for her physical beauty and material wealth, shall, for the domestic happiness and intellectual and moral excellence of her people, wear upon her broad brow the diadem of the world ! Having been carried by my theme to such a length, I dare not pre- sume upon your good-will and patience for much additional expression of opinion as to the future work of our Society. It, indeed, would be arrogant presumption for me to try to particularize what should be done and in what special manner it should be accomplished. There are many among you who have long made this a study, and who, by natural talent and experience are much better prepared to direct and shape the various departments than myself Special and standing committees wisely selected for the different branches of labor and learning have been and are earnestly engaged in the endeavor to promote the usefulness of these parts, thus advancing and improving the whole. I shall only speak of a few general matters, and of these especially for the younger members and later friends of the fraternity. With the heartiest commendation of what has been done, and with a feeling of gratitude for the self-sacrificing labors that the older members have not shrunk from, I may first state that the exalted mission, herein too feebly indicated, of the Illinois State Horticultural Society, can never be fulfilled without much labor — labor not for gold, nor perhaps for immediate reward of any kind. Living, no hosannas of praise from thronged multitudes shall sound in your ears ; buried, no monumental marble shall pierce the clouds to tell posterity your fame, but there will be some appreciative co-laborers and followers, and monuments will rise fairer and better than chiseled stone ever knew, as tokens of your achievements. I congratulate all to whom the opportunity comes to engage in this fertile field of toil, and assure you it shall not be labor in vain. Grapes grow not upon thorns, nor figs on thistles; but men do gather by proper effort rich harvests of golden fruitage. It seems to me our meetings have or ought to have two prominent, though perhaps not exclusive objects : ist. To revive and kindle enthusiasm. 2d. To advance knowledge. STATH HORTlCXTLTtrRAL SOCIETY. gl These are each again to be divided by two : ist. As to the members of the organization, 2d. As to the people of the locality in which the meeting is held. I understand that the first general division comes properly first in importance. To meet face to face, to grasp each other warmly by the hand, to talk of the days gone by and of the associations which we delight to recall, to gain a nearer acquaintance and firmer friendship, to sympathize with disappointment and defeat, to rejoice with joy and vic- tory, to gather encouragement from worthy examples, and to strengthen the confidence in success through agreed-upon union of effort; these and their kind are reasons enough to call for an assembly, if no learned papers were read and no new facts elicited. Every meeting ought to be in some way so shaped that before its close the persons present should be made to feel a lively and growing enthusiasm for our work and a readi- ness to undertake renewed and increased efforts to carry into effect the proposed plans of their own and of the Society. It appears to me that something more than we usually have in the way of social intercourse would tend to this end. A banquet or collation, in some room hung with mottoes and decorated with flowers, with a goodly number of toasts and responses, with plenty of time for chatting, merriment, introductions, etc., could not be counted dissipation nor useless. Again, China is called the land of flowers, but in China woman is excluded from the public assemblies. We have not done this. Indeed, many of the fairer sex have been admitted to all the privileges of mem- bers, except that of paying dues; and our meetings have been enlivened and our reports brightened in consequence. But have we had all the aid and assistance possible from those whose purer lives and finer qualities of mind and heart make them more than man's equal in the amiable art we seek to cultivate ? Have our programmes and meetings been specially arranged and conducted to secure this welcome encouragement and efficient influence? Though we, the "lords of creation," say it to our shame, it is to the mothers, the wives and the daughters of these imperious lords to whom we must look, as a usual thing, for the carrying into effect at the homes of the people the sweet and pure influences that flow from the horticultural art. The lord — oh, how meritorious the name ! — fills his pipe and elevates his feet above his head on the front piazza, permit- ting without compunctions of conscience the chickens to scratch up the precious treasures which have been fondly committed to the earth by a care-burdened wife, impelled by an inherent instinct which connects flowers with the divine emotions and rich affections of every true woman's heart. Blessings on the women of Illinois and crowns upon their horti- cultural tastes and labors I Let us solicit, at least in years not divisible by four, their increased attendance and assistance at our annual gatherings. Upon one of these other years they may possibly leave us out upon the programme, and raise the standard of excellence so high that we shall afterward feel like keeping back seats. At any rate, if our meetings shall have something more than heretofore especially designed to arouse 82 TKANS ACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS enthusiasm over and beyond that imparted by technical information, woman and the womanly qualities of mind must have a considerable share in it. Shall our assemblies be more of a horticultural reunion, as well as a horticultural school ? Turning now to the second great object named — the communication and acquirement of knowledge pertaining to our art, I shall only retain you to say that it does not appear to me necessary nor desirable that so great a proportion of the time be taken up in reading at length papers which are to be published in the reports. This is not because I value this reading less, but the time more. Three days in the year contain very precious moments for the assembled horticulturists of Illinois. Personal experiences and opinions ought to be called out and notes com- pared, questions and answers stimulated and direct communication freely and fully established. There are topics which cannot be generally discussed, and yet cannot or will not be understood from print. These must be presented in full and enlarged upon as required. There are such as require illustrations by specimens or drawings, such as record minute and unusually thorough investigations and need to be dwelt upon and explained ; but in these it does not strike me as important that the verbal presentation should necessarily be the same in wording or amount as that offered for publication. I am certainly of the opinion that at least some of the communications now, according to custom, read in extenso might with profit be presented in an abstract embodying the main points and stating the conclusions in one-tenth part of the time otherwise occupied. This might be practiced even upon subjects calculated to awaken valuable discussion ; but in these, as far as possible, some steps ought to be taken beforehand to provide for the best expression of opinion and argument. I recommend that such abstracts be sent to the Secretary, or to a committee appointed for the purpose, at least six weeks before the time of meeting, and that by some method copies be made and sent to such members as would be likely to be especially interested, and would prepare themselves to understandingly discuss the subject. Whether the paper should be read in full or by abstract might be left with the same officer or committee. In regard to the publications of the Society, while I regard the volumes of the "Transactions" now printed as among the best issued upon the continent, and know that this estimate is placed upon them by many capable judges outside our own State, it seems probable to me that improvement may yet be made. There are to my mind in these also two main objects — ist. The preservation and dissemination of knowledge. 2d. The cultivation of taste and the promotion of interest in the objects and processes of our art. These are somewhat similar to the foregoing, but are reversed in order. Public reports and documents as a rule have little interest for the people. Formal proceedings of societies, made up of statistics and busi- ness items, become lumber on most shelves, if they meet no worse fate. STATE HOKTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 83 Really important information and interesting reading is buried almost beyond hope of resurrection. Our annual volumes are valuable in the proportion that generally unreadable and uninstructive matter is left out. The size of the book is an item of no consequence, except that it must not be too large. The binding and general appearance is an important matter, and I congratulate the Society that this has been so carefully attended to in recent years. I recommend that the Executive Board be instructed — though it is their privilege to do so without instruction — to make or cause to have made a very careful revision of the matter furnished for publication, with the view of excluding everything not of real and general interest, and that we as loyal members consent and agree beforehand to such revision. I am informed that changes would have sometimes been made but for fear of giving offense. This hinderance ought certainly to be removed. Of course the matter offered by subordinate organizations would have to pass the same ordeal. Selected and contributed articles, not part of the proceedings, are by law authorized and may with much profit be substi- tuted for material, however useful for the meeting, not important in print. There is an abundance of matter that would not probably reach the readers of our volumes, at least in permanent form, that would greatly aid in making the books useful and our Society increasingly instrumental in accomplishing its good work. I further recommend that all contributors of articles accepted for publication, whether read at the meeting or not, upon request made before the printer obtains the paper, be furnished with twenty-five copies of the sheets as prepared for binding, containing said articles. If worth printing at all, these articles are worthy of distribution, and no one would be more likely than the writer to interest himself in placing them where they will do the most good. In many cases such extra sheets would accomplish the purpose of a volume, and be more serviceable in gaining the direct atten- tion sought for them. This is a common custom and can be carried out at little expense. No alteration of printer's composition, not even the paging, need be made. A little pasting and stitching is about all the extra labor required, besides running off the extra sheets. In conclusion, permit me to say that the enthusiasm aroused and the knowledge gained at our meeting can avail but little if they are allowed 10 be as a light under a bushel, or worse still, as lamps slowly extinguished for want of trimming. Let us, as apostles of good news and glad tidings, by examples at our homes, by friendly counsels with our neighbors, by the reading of and contributions to current publications, by deeds of interest and of love, by self-sacrifice if necessary, strive to bear worthily and well, individually and collectively, our part in the grand mission, thus to be fulfilled, of the Illinois State Horticultural Society. (Applause.) Dr. Humphrey introduced Miss Sally Soper, a delegate from the Indiana State Horticultural Society, who was made an honorary member. 84 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS EULOGY UPON HON. A. M. BROWN. Parker Earle, Committee on Obituary, signified his readiness to report, whereupon the President announced that the report would be heard. Mr. Earle read as follows: Our Society has often been a mourner by the bier of some noble member and brother who has ''found higher, nobler work to do" above these earthly gardens and orchards. Since I was last permitted to meet with you at this annual harvest of good thoughts, some of the most useful men of the nation have left our membership to join in the labors of the immortal fields where blight and storm destroy not. The names of Dunlap and of Hull, the indefatigable investigators and pioneers, and of Flagg, the Chevalier Bayard of American Horti- culture— "a knight without fear and without reproach" — will live while the records of rural industry survive. Our losses have been great ; we have had great wealth to lose. But my duty now is to say a word in memory of another nobleman of our ranks, another ex-president of our Society, Judge Brown, of Villa Ridge, the news of whose death, the past summer, carried pain to so many hearts. Alexander Montgomery Brown was born near Paris, Bourbon county, Kentucky, Dec. ii, 1818. His parents removing to Indiana, he was mostly educated in that State, where he graduated from Hanover College in 1838. He studied law in Indianapolis, and entered into practice, but removed to his old home in Paris, Ky., in 1844, where he continued in the practice of his profession until his removal to our own State. He was for eight years the editor of the Iran's Citizen, a long-established and influential Whig newspaper. His great love for horticultural pursuits led him to remove, in 1861, to Pulaski county, in this State, where he settled near the new station of Villa Ridge, upon the beautiful place which he occupied until his death. Here he commenced to build the pleasant home which so many of us knew, in the midst of the primeval forest ; his fine peach and apple and pear orchards supplanting the great oaks, beeches and tulip-trees of this most luxuriant woodland region. Horticultural art was newly born in Southern Illinois eighteen years ago, and the pioneers in that vocation had to strike out new paths, and adopt many new methods. Many years were given to experiments and researches deemed essential to the success of our young art in this new "environment." In all this patient and costly labor Judge Brown was foremost. No man has lived in our part of the State whose horticultural labors were of greater benefit to his neighbors and the community. He foresaw the importance of our section as the great early fruit-producing region for the Northwest. He believed in Southern Illinois. He believed in fruit-growing as a special business, and that it had a great future. He believed in horticulture as a refining and ennobling art for everybody. STATE HORTICULTURAL sociKTY. 85 Judge Brown was in the best and fullest sense of the word a country gentleman. Delighting in all the aesthetic influences of country life, with a nobleman's love of a tree and a girl's love of a flower, he gave the energies of a cultivated mind to all matters of research and improvement. His bearing was always dignified and gentle. His language never dropped below the line of strict refinement. His greeting was kindly for all, but particularly cordial and hearty for his many friends. No man opened a more hospitable door than he ; or invited to a family circle governed by a sweeter spirit, or overflowing with gentler courtesies. Though preferring the seclusion of his farm-life to any positions of public service or honor, yet he was called to many offices of responsi- bility. He was from its organization a trustee of our State Industrial University, and no man gave it more intelligent or faithful service. He was for the usual term a president of this Society j and no man ever con- ferred more honor on the office. He was three times elected to the county judgeship of his adopted county, and no truer man has sat upon the bench. Judge Brown died on the 27th of June of this year. He had suffered for several months from a very painful disease with uncomplaining forti- tude, saying to his wife as the final hour drew nigh, "N'ow I will rest r^ He has gone away full of honors, and has left us all bereaved. I believe I express the feeling of many members of this Society, when I say that this event brought to me a deep sense of personal loss. The world seemed poorer ; life was robbed of some of its sweetness. He has gone away, but the good works of the true life remain. The community and the State he lived in will for generations be the richer for the life he lived among us. The influences of such a life will go on blossoming and bearing sweet fruits in the years that are to be. For may we not believe " That not in Heaven alone, But here on earth we live when we are gone, And learn the helpful lesson of to-day: The world goes on when we are gone away. " The world goes on ; and happiest is he Who in such wise wins immortality, That should he sleep forever in the grave His work goes on and helps the world to save." LETTERS, GREETINGS, ETC. Mr. MiNKLER inquired if any other State Society in the West is in session this week; and upon the announcement that the Ohio Society was in session moved that the Secretary be requested to send greetings by telegraph to that Society. The Secretary said : I have lately received a very cordial letter from Dr. J. A. Warder, the president of that society, (which unfortu- 86 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS nately I have not with me,) expressing regrets that he could not be with us and wishing us a pleasant meeting. Whereupon Mr. Minkler's motion was amended, instructing the Secretary to reply to our friend's letter in behalf of and presenting the good wishes of the Society. Thus amended, the motion prevailed unanimously. The President handed the following letter to the Secretary, which was read : Clayton, Ind., Dec. 8, 1879. Prof. T. J. Burrill. — Mj' Dear Sir, — I avail myself of the opportunity of writing you, in response to your cordial letter of the 1st. The bearer of this, my cousin, W. A. Ragan, and delegate from our Society, will represent us in your convention at Normal. I hope he will present a cordial invitation, on behalf of our Society, to such of your members as may feel able to attend our meeting next week at Dublin. I can assure you, my good friend, that it would afford me great pleasure to be with you this week. It has been my good fortune to attend at least four of your meetings in times past, and I can assure you that I have not only enjoyed them as seasons of great social enjoyment, but as great schools of learning for the student in horticulture. Your annual reports are a treasure to any library — valuable scientifically, practically, and as literary productions of merit, no other similar reports equal them in value and interest. May your Society live long, and when Providence may have removed, one by one, the present efficient workers, may their mantles be handed down to worthy successors, who will keep alive the good work. Hoping to meet at least a liberal delegation of Illinois friends at our meeting next week, I am with great respect. Yours truly, W. H. RAGAN, Secretary. The special order for the hour — the Reports upon Floriculture — was then taken up, the President calling upon Mr. Bailer for his report. REPORT UPON FLORICULTURE— By F. A. Baller. Mr. President and Members of the Illinois State Horticultural Society: It affords me great pleasure to write a little article on Floriculture, though the field is so broad and the subjects to be considered under this head so numerous, that it would be a bewildering and endless task to attempt to cover other than a small part of the ground. It is said that every man has his hobby, and I presume I have mine in that Queen of Flowers — the Rose. But, before entering upon my task, allow me to congratulate my fellow-workers on the increased interest taken in Horticulture, and in the culture of Flowers in particular, as shown by all classes, the rich and poor alike, and is, in my opinion, one of the most encouraging signs of the times. But a few years since there were not plants and flowers enough sold here in Bloomington to pay for the fuel consumed in growing them, while at the present time $25,000 per year would be a low estimate to place on the sales. First on the list comes the old-fashioned kinds, commonly called June, or Summer roses, these are the hardiest of all, the most fragrant, and STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 87 comprise some of the most double, profuse flowering and brilliant colors : Auretii — crimson, shaded maroon and black; Centifolia — old cabbage rose, very double and sweet, rose color ; George the Fourth — fine double crimson ; Glory of St. Helena — fine red, shaded purple ; Mad. Plantier — white, in clusters, fine for cemeteries ; Mad. Russel — pink and crimson, in clusters, late flowering; Mad. Stuart — light rose, very double and sweet; Mad. Hardy — large fine white, one of the^best ; River's Tuscany — type of the old Damask, maroon crimson, etc.; La Volupte — rich rose, shaded fawn ; Persian Yellow — not strictly belonging in this class, but indispensable, deep yellow, very double ; Triumphans — bright red, shaded crimson. These are a small part of the list, but are some of the most desirable; their places are rapidly being taken, however, by the Hybrid Perpetuals, which are tolerably hardy, as well as being almost constant bloomers. We will next notice the Moss roses, favorites with every one, though sometimes, owing to our hot dry weather in spring, not as mossy as when bloomed in a milder climate; the H. P., or Perpetual Mosses, are a com- paratively new class, containing some fine varieties, originated by cross- ing the old mosses with some of the free-blooming hybrid perpetuals ; they are not quite as mossy as the original mosses, and bloom on the ends of the young shoots through the summer and fall, making them very desirable: A.deDalmas — pink, in clusters, free bloomer; James Veitch — fine crimson, shaded maroon, free; Mad. Edward Ory — fine bright crimson; Raphael — pink, in clusters, free; Palet — pink, good grower and very free bloomer ; Perpetual White — white, in clusters, mossy in bud ; June or Common Moss — these are the true old-fashioned moss roses that were prized so highly in old times, and there are no more beautiful flowers to-day, combining as they do beauty of form and coloring, fragrance, and the beautiful setting of moss that the poets have immortalized. Early morning is the time to see them at their best, when laden with dew, and before the sun has exhaled the delightful per- fume peculiar to them. Any on^who has not so seen them has not yet enjoyed one of Nature's richest treats. Agatha — white, in clusters, beautiful in bud; Crested Moss (not belonging to this class, yet would be readily taken for a moss) — pink, in clusters ; Duchess de Istrie — pink, very hardy and vigorous ; Captain Ingram — crimson purple, fine grower; Madam Wood — beautiful, bright red ; Luxemburg — fine dark red, a favorite rose. I now notice a few climbing varieties, which for covering piazzas, summer-houses, fences or a strong post set in the lawn, are very desirable., First on the list is Ayershire White — pure white, strong grower; Baltimore Belle — blush white; Eva Corinne — light flesh; Gem of Prairies — large, rosy-red; Queen of Prairies — strong grower, hardy, rosy-red; Seven Sisters — changeable, rosy-red and crimson, in clusters; Tennessee Belle — beautiful carmine, fragrant. I now come to the most popular class of roses grown, namely, the Hybrid Perpetuals; comprising as they do so many exquisite kinds, with a freedom of blooming unknown among the summer roses, it is not much 88 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS to be wondered that they are favorites. I give a list of twelve kinds, distinct in color and of free-blooming habit and vigorous growth com- bined: Coquette de Alps — pure white, cupped, constant; Gen. Wash- ington— rich crimson, double and free ; Giant of Battles — scarlet, crimson, very free ; Gen. Jacquemont — crimson, very beautiful in bud ; Marquis Bocella — hardy, blush, constant ; Mad. Masson — rich, ruby red, very fine and free; La Reine — large, globular, purplish rose; Mad. Chas. Wood — fine crimson, purplish, probably the finest rose in cultivation of its color; Peony — bright crimson, constant and free ; Princess Camille de Rohan — maroon, shaded black and crimson ; Pius IX. — rich, deep rose, shaded purple; La France — rich bloom, peach color, very fragrant. All the above roses are quoted hardy, and most of them are, in the true sense of the word ; yet all are benefited by bending down and covering with a few sods, or, better still, a barrowful of stable manure thrown on each and lightly forked in round them in spring. The proper time to plant hardy roses, in my judgment, is in the fall, though they will succeed well planted in spring, and from pots can be planted at any time in summer. All these need pruning back closely in spring, say to two or three eyes from the previous season's growth. All old and spindling growths should be cut out entirely, and after the first bloom is past bending them down will start a new strong growth from the ground, in hybrid perpetuals, which will bloom finely through summer and fall. Bourbon Roses. — These are nearly as hardy as the hybrid perpetuals and are very free bloomers. I give a list of six varieties, which are very fine : Appoline — large pink, in clusters ; Bourbon Queen — flesh, shaded fawn ; George Peabody — fine crimson ; Joseph Gordon — bright red, in clusters ; Hermosa — bloom, rich pink, cupped ; Malmaison — large, beautiful, flesh changing to white. Noisette ^or Climbing Monthly Roses. — Cloth of Gold — beautiful lemon yellow ; Gloire de Dijon (classed with the Teas, but it has the habit of a true Noisette) — color deep buff, shaded yellow and salmon ; Lamarane — pure white, in clusters ; Marshal Neil — splendid deep yellow ; James Sprunt, or Climbing Agrippina, probably a China, but succeeds well as a climber ; Washington — pure white, in immense panicles ; these, to be enjoyed, should be trained to a pillar or rafter in a green-house or con- servatory, when, with good care, they are hardly ever out of bloom. Tea Roses. — In a short article like this justice cannot be done to them. They are of very easy growth, and can be had in strong young plants in spring very cheap, in all shades — pure white, blush, bronze, rose, yellow, crimson, etc. No lady who has once grown them will willingly do without them, they are so beautiful for bouquets all summer and fall. I can name but a few varieties, though there are probably more than a hundred different kinds : Adrien Christoval — deep rosy pink, bronze, shaded; Bon Silene — bronzy pink, very fragrant; Duchess de Brabant — rich warm pink ; Mad. Bravy — beautiful pure white ; Perle des Jardins — rich deep yellow ; Safrano — saffron buff, very free and fine. China Roses. — Agrippina — fine double crimson ; Archduke Charles — pink, edged crimson; Cels — blush, very free bloomer; Queen of Lom- STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 89 bardy — pink, changing to crimson ; Viridescens, or Gem Rose — very curious and beautiful ; White Daily — beautiful pure white, desirable in bud. These last four classes are called tender roses, but they can often be kept through winter safely by bending down and covering late in fall, not too heavily at first, but gradually, as cold increases, and uncover them in the same way in the spring, being careful to protect them from late spring frosts even after growth has commenced, as damage at this time will cause the death of the plants. Mr. C. I. Hays, of Champaign, another member of the committee, being requested by the President, read the following : The reports on this subject heretofore read before this Society have failed to elicit such a degree of interest as the occasion should have war- ranted. Whether the fault has been in the reports, lack of appreciation in the audiences, or general apathy to this the most aesthetic branch of horticulture, is not for me to say. There is something wrong. Who or what is to blame ? It may be the writer of this article is sensitive beyond reason regarding his calling ; perhaps his stock of patience is of the minimum degree, or possibly, considering the few who love the beautiful for its own sake, Floriculture has been noticed and discussed even beyond its proportionate degree of merit. The professionals and amateurs of this branch are the ones who should be the zealous, active agents to push the matter, bring it to the notice of this Society, and through the latter to the public, and let the people understand that we are neither dead nor sleeping. The year 1879 ^^^ drawn almost to a close, and in Floriculture what has it taught us? Have we grown in knowledge and wisdom? Is our business in better condition than one year ago? In regard to our knowledge, have we come nearer the solution of those questions regarding the influences of temperature, the amount and manner of applying moisture, the best methods of handling stock and other matters of which there is much dispute ? Peter Henderson in his work on Practical Floriculture made a rattling of dry bones in his assaults on the old, clumsy, unprofitable ways of doing work. He has done m\ich good in that direction ; would that more Peter Hendersons would arise and bring out the opinions of capable men who, if not provoked to answer some keen writer, would not give their knowledge publicity. Of course such a man as Mr. Henderson, in his mass of good things, will be apt to give some trash or even bad suggestions, but let us pick out the wheat and discard the chaff. His method of indiscriminate watering by a shower-bath is a saving of time in the act of watering, but results in a loss of many plants. It may be economical in those cases where the florist employs a score or more of hands and raises plants by the 100,000, but where the owner's chief help is his two strong arms, and where a loss of even a thousand would cripple his resources, it is not profitable. I remember my tutor, an Englishman, only one-and-a-half years from Bristol, taught me to place each separate cutting in a distinct hole 90 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS (made by a dibble for its reception) and carefully pack the sand in place by the same slow process. After many years I learned better : with the sand in a firm condition, a single stroke of the arm and the excavation is made for twenty to fifty cuttings, these are dropped in place and a half-dozen strokes of a brick and all is complete. With nine-tenths of plants this process will root just as many as the other way, besides being more expeditious. " Knowledge comes but Wisdom lingers," the poet says. Have we learned by experience to look upon the novelties just received from Europe with suspicion ? Do we realize that because the Royal Horti- cultural Society has made special and honorable mention of Mr. A's new, striking, unique, wondei-ful, gorgeous and beautiful plant, be it a rose. dahlia, geranium or what not, it is no indication that such will succeed with us in our climate? Or, coming still nearer home, because certain plants succeed in New York or Massachusetts, do we bear in mind before purchasing or before recommending them to the public in our State, that they may prove tender with us, or if they do not die will only partially succeed ? Taking the word or even experience of Eastern growers regarding the good qualities of a plant, be it a shrub, tree or plant, is not sufficient to warrant us in recommending it to our patrons. Don't we rush into novelties with too much haste? Isn't there a matter of false pride with us in the making of our catalogues, believing that the public will think us slow coaches if one or more pages are not filled with novelties? The writer has been taken in by the glowing accounts of certain plants which were not worth the postage on a single package, besides the loss of time, vexation and disappointment not taken into account. To be strictly honest in our business we should not recommend a plant to our patrons unless we know it can be grown successfully, if they use reasonable care. I'll go one step farther: it is incumbent on us to give directions for the proper management of such plants as are difficult to grow. Are we so poor in manly honor to fear that if the rose just bought be successfully grown we shall lose the sale of another? I wist not, and yet purchasers have inquired of me about plants with such a doubting intonation, that I knew they had been deceived, even before they told me. Such policy is suicide. Solomon knew more about correct business principles than such people ; he was wise enough to be liberal, and encompassed a great deal of truth when he said, " There is that which scattereth abroad and yet increaseth, and there is that which with- holdeth and yet tendeth to poverty." How can we best acquaint our customers with such knowledge as will make them succeed with plants ? With the seller of a few hundred plants it may be by personal instruction. Ask them if they have succeeded, and act accordingly. With the grower of 100,000 this would not be possible, but certain plants could be classified together, and a small pamphlet or circular of two to four pages, giving explicit directions for each class, could be sent with the goods. The success of your customer is your success, and outside of all moral obligations it is the best policy you could pursue. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIKTV 9' Among all the new plants recently offered, which are now so reason- able that all might purchase, Beauvardia Humboldtii and Carnation Peter Henderson are the most promising. The first has unusually large blossoms (nearly one-and-a-half inches in diameter), pure white in color and very fragrant. The latter is the carnation we have been long expecting, prolific in blossoms, vigorous in growth, and has the good quality of not bursting the calyx in expanding. The new coleuses, of which there are many, are beautiful in color when grown in the house or in the shade, but for massing in beds there is as yet none equal to Nigricans Verschafeltii and South Park. Speaking of carnations reminds me of the question so frequently asked, "Why don't people grow them more as house-plants?" They will succeed if kept from flowering in the summer, then lifted the last of October, potted in well-drained soil, exposed to sunshine and kept in a coolxoovi\. (Temperature from 45° to 60° Fahrenheit.) The house-plants people attempt to grow are in nearly all cases kept where the air is so warm that it wrings out the moisture from the plants, then comes decreased vitality, insects and death. Geraniums, carnations, Chinese primroses and roses should be grown in a separate apartment from the parlor or sitting-room; a tem- perature of say 45° to 60° will be a strong thing in their favor; insects will be less likely to trouble them. The mealy-bug is the worst pest of green-houses. Who has a better remedy than the old-fashioned way of scrubbing-brush, soap and water? I have tried to kill them w^th strong solutions of strychnine, and it was a failure. Whale-oil soap, perhaps, you may suggest ; it is no better than common soap. In such a generally reliable publication as the Gardeners' Monthly we occasionally have seen statements of the efficacy of alcohol. I fairly soaked the insects in solutions ranging from fifty to ninety-six per cent., but they were only stupefied, and in a few hours were as lively as ever. The Superintendent of the Chicago Floral Company told me that he kept them in check by thorough and oft-repeated syringing. Finally, is our business increasing? The taste for things of beauty is rapidly growing, and we may confidently look forward to a better appreciation of plants. The last six years have been educators of the public in matters of taste for artistic goods to a greater degree than most of us yet realize; and thereby reacted favorably on our 'business. A careful inquiry will show that our business has not been depressed like other industries. Though for the last four years we have not spent one cent in advertising our green-houses the sales have constantly increased. In the sea the big fish eat the little ones; on land it is somewhat similar ; large floral houses, that employ from fifty to two hundred hands, are apt to injure the sales of the smaller, to a great extent. But it is a matter of gratification to me, that all or nearly all of those large firms that flooded the markets with cheap and poor plants have come to grief. If the stock sent out is only first-class, then the cheaper it ran be grown the better for all ; but cheap rubbish is dear at any price and demoralizing vy 92 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS to all engaged in the trade. Let us endeavor to raise the standard of our profession by growing better stock, giving value received in each instance, proving all things, holding fast that which is good, not deserting old varieties, but rather improving them; stick close to our business and our business will stick close to us. J. S. Johnson stated that Mrs. Mitchell, of Warsaw, who is a mem- ber of the Committee on Floriculture, was prevented from attendance by affliction in her family. He thought she had a paper prepared, and if so would forward it for publication. Dr. Humphrey. — Mrs. Tryon, of Galesburg, another member of the committee, expected, but a few days since, to be here and read a paper. The President. — Have any of the ladies present any thoughts or suggestions to give us relating to flowers ? Mrs. Jones (of Indiana). — Mr. President, I cannot make a speech, neithef will I attempt one, but will simply say for the benefit of the essayist who has so much trouble with the mealy-bug, that if he will use dilute liquid ammonia, sprinkling it over the plant, I think he will have no more trouble from that source. REPORT UPON STRAWBERRIES— By O. B. Galusha. Mr. Galusha, from the Committee on Strawberries — their Culture and Varieties, being asked by the President for his report, responded as follows : Mr. President and Fellow Members : I am again asked to report the experiences and observations of the past year upon Strawberries; and I can truly say that to report all the facts observed would require tenfold more space and time than can be allowed to the topic. I will therefore endeavor to give the leading and more significant facts observed, not so much in the hope of imparting positive knowledge, as to give hints to enable you to arrive at conclusions for yourselves. The interest awakened in strawberry culture some thirty years since has steadily increased until at present the strawberry may be claimed as the second fruit in importance in this State, if not in our whole country. Whether, however, this fruit stands next to the apple or whether the peach intervenes cannot be positively known, since the peach is grown only in the southern half of the State and the crop is nearly all shipped; whereas, the strawberry succeeds as well at the north as at the south, and it is safe to say that one-third of the farmers of the State raise and con- sume this delicious fruit. I would class the leading fruits grown and consumed as fruit, in this State, in the following order: (i) apples; (2) strawberries; (3) peaches; STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 93 (4) grapes; (5) raspberries; (6) currants; (7) cherries; (8) blackberries. If the manufacture and consumption of wine were taken into the account it would doubtless place the grape next to the apple in importance ; also, were the tomato, which is a true fruit — though classed usually among garden vegetables — to be included it might take rank next to the apple, since its culture has become universal. To illustrate the important place of the strawberry in the list of fruits I will refer to our own little city of Morris, containing about 5,500 inhabitants. I sold in this town, the last season (in round numbers), 12,000 quarts of strawberries, and this was less than one-half the amount consumed there, which would give an average of about five quarts to each person. At this rate, the two-and-three-fourths millions population of our State consume 13,750,000 quarts, which, at the low, estimated price of six cents per quart amounts to $825,000.00. It is not probable that the culture of this fruit has reached, or even approached very nearly, its maximum ; and not until its consumption is more than doubled, and until it can be profitably grown and put into the hands of the consumers, during the flush of the strawberry season, at an average price of five cents per quart, will, in my opinion, the mission of this Society have been accomplished in this direction. In making this suggestion I do not take into the account long shipments or payment of commissions to more than one set of middle- men. If people are impatient to secure this fruit before it ripens in their immediate neighborhood or county, and are able to do so, they will, of course, procure that grown farther south and pay higher prices ; but as before stated, since it can be grown as profitably and abundantly in the northern as in the southern portion of the State we should not relax our efforts towards improving its qualities and cheapening the cost of its pro- duction until the poor as well as the rich can partake freely of this most refreshing and health-giving fruit. Much has been done during the past year towards this end. The scramble after new varieties is rather increasing than diminish- ing; for there have been more "best" new berries advertised during the year than ever before; in fact, one can scarcely take up an agricultural or horticultural journal without reading of the "unequaled excellencies" of some sort of which he never before heard. If only one in twenty of these prove, upon trial, to sustain the claims made it will be a great advance towards the grand desideratum of large crops of large, rich, firm fruit, cheaply grown. It is encouraging to know that a few at least, of the many so-called improved varieties, are really an advance in the desired direction. I will speak specially of these in my report upon new fruits. In reporting upon this fruit last year I estimated the cost of picking at one-and-a-half cents per quart, which is rather below than above the prices heretofore generally paid ; the introduction of more prolific varieties bearing larger fruit cheapens this expense. Upon my own place, during the past year, industrious girls averaged eighty (8oj quarts per day through the season; and when the crops of Crescent, Charles 94 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Downing and Kentucky were at their best their daily gatherings reached over one hundred and thirty quarts each. The price paid was one cent per quart, which was higher wages than could have been received from almost any other employment ; and this might justly have been somewhat reduced ; in fact, some producers paid but three-fourths of a cent per quart this year, and it is safe to calculate that with the best modes of culture, and growing those varieties best adapted to each kind of soil, the price of picking will be reduced to one-half cent per quart, and the actual cost of production to two cents per quart. Planting and Cultivation. — Another year's experience in planting has not changed my practice, described last year, of setting each plant upon a mound in a hole with roots spread and crown scarcely below the general level, and of using freely weak liquid manure at time of planting and before the surface earth is placed around the plant. The August, September and October plantings, however, were nearly all of pot-plants, which are more expeditiously planted and more satisfactory, since there is no such thing as failure with a single plant where the work is well done, the plants each receiving from a half a pint to a quart of manure-water when the earth is half filled in about the ball. The plants set in spring should be about eighteen or twenty inches apart in the rows, which should be three feet apart. Thorough cultivation should be commenced early and continued well through autumn, running a narrow shovel-plow deep in the center of the space, and pulverizing and leveling with cultivator, leaving the row of plants from one foot to eighteen inches wide. At the first hoeings the plants should be layered along the row within this limit, and all others treated as weeds. In late autumn, and after the ground has frozen so as to bear a team, the mulch maybe put on, which may consist of horse-stable litter — using only that made where prairie hay is fed. Where this is not obtainable planing chips, cut corn-stalks, slough grass, whole corn-stalks or oat straw may be used. As heretofore I still use corn-fodder cut into short lengths with a horse-power cutter, as I stated at our last annual meeting. This, shaken from large baskets over the plants, settles into the spaces between the leaves and gives sufficient protection without smothering the plants, and does not require removal in spring, but remains as a summer mulch .to keep the vines fresh and the fruit clean, and as it gradually decays gives stimulus to growth and fruitage. In addition to this it has been for several years my practice to sow along the rows a mixture of ashes, plaster and hen-manure, adding a little salt — using six to eight bushels of this mixture per acre. This is applied early in spring, and sometimes a slight sprinkling, thoroughly pulverized and mixed, is again applied just at blossoming time. After the crop is harvested — as soon as condition of the soil will admit — plow the spaces with a one-horse mould-board plow, turning two furrows together, and harrow the entire ground level. The runners will then occupy the spaces, and early in autumn they may be again plowed, or, if it is desired to renew the plantation, the old strips may be plowed under and leave the young plants only for next year's fruiting. Where STATE HOKTItTJI-TURAL SOCIETY. 95 uncut mulch is used it is opened from over the rows in spring and left in the spaces until after the crop is gathered. Treated in this way a half dozen or more successive crops may be taken from the ground ; in fact, I see no reason why there will be any occasion for destroying the plants and making new plantings unless grass is allowed to grow or insects, preying upon the plants, threaten their destruction. How to Combat the Insects. — The strawberry-worm was not verj- troublesome this year upon old plantations, and were hand-picked and crushed from the newly-planted vines several times during the season of cultivation. This practice, which costs but little, will, if carefully and persistently carried out, keep these pests well in check. The strawberry-leaf folder is almost everywhere present among the vines, and sometimes so numerous as to almost entirely defoliate them. His attacks, unlike those of the strawberry-worm, are not made until after the crop is gathered; and hence he can be more surely destroyed. It has been recommended by some writers, and practiced to a small extent in this State, to cover the vines during a dry time and just before the earliest leaf- folders change from the larval to the pupal state by spreading straw over the plants, and burn straw, plants and insects together. This seems harsh treatment, yet the most luxurious vines it has been my fortune to see this autumn were growing where all was blackness about three months previous. The vines were thoroughly manured, plowed and harrowed after the burning. I shall look for an immense crop of fine fruit upon this plantation of Mr. Vickroy next year, and also expect to see vines nearly free from insects. It would not seem safe to practice this destruc- tive cultivation during a drouth, but only when the condition of the soil is such as to insure a quick succeeding growth. I am practicing, as an experiment, the hill-culture or single-plant system, and will report results next year, if with you then. It will be remembered that in my last report wider spaces or rows were recommended than now; for I find that with nearly all varieties the best fruit is obtained from rows not more than eighteen inches wide ; and where the best berries will command extra prices I would confine them to one foot in width, so as to give more light and a better circulation of air for the fruit and foliage. With such rank, dense growers as Crescent, Windsor Chief, Miner, Crystal City, Centen- nial Favorite, Sharj)less, Duncan, Glendale, Cumberland Triumph and Star of the West, full exposure in narrow rows is essential to secure large, fine fruit; while Wilson, Kentucky, Downing, Pioneer, Duchess, Col. Cheney, Durand's Beauty, Cinderella, Continental, Seth Boyden, Forest Rose may be grown with profit if planted three-and-a-half to four feet apart and allowed to occupy strips two to two-and-a-half feet. Varieties. — There is no species of fruit grown in our country of which there is such a diversity of opinions in respect to the real or comparative value of varieties as the strawberry; and it is safe to say that nine-tenths of this difference is due to the fact that this fruit is more capricious or rather more particular and discriminating as to soils and modes of culture than any other. This holds good in respect to nearly all varieties in cultivation; and it is rash, and unjust to the introducers of new valuable p6 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS sorts, to denounce a variety as a "humbug" because it falls short, even far short of its proclaimed excellencies, when grown in different soil or climate from that of its original birth-place. For instance, the Crescent has been called "a humbug of the first class" in my hearing by one fruit-grower in the State, and mentioned quite disparagingly by several others, while a large majority who have grown it rank it as first-class, and some of our best cultivators of the strawberry, after testing varieties of best repute, claim that Crescent surpasses them all. Monarch of the West, about which so much has been written, is another striking example of the influence of soil and location upon the habits of this species. Some soils in the West are so well adapted to develop both plant and fruit that it is placed at the head of the list when grown in them, while in a majority of instances with ordinary culture it is comparatively unprofitable. The reverse seems to be the case at the East, where, if we are to believe the reports in catalogues, it is generally productive. But this peculiar sensitiveness of the strawberry to soils and treatment is now so generally admitted that it need not be farther dwelt upon. The cold dry weather of last spring retarded the earlier varieties so that there was less difference in time of ripening between them and later sorts than I have before known. Upon my grounds the leading varieties ripened their first berries as follows; though the first general picking of each was five or six days later: May 26, Charles Downing; May 27, Crescent, Black Defiance; May 28, Cumberland Triumph; May 31, Prouty, Duchess; June i, Capt. Jack, Champion, Duncan, Cinderella, Col. Cheney, Monarch of the West; June 4, Centennial Favorite, Wilson; June 5, Continental, Forest Rose, Springdale, Windsor Chief; June 7, Great American, Miner's Great Prolific; June 8, Kentucky. Cowing's Seedling, . Sterling, Pioneer, Star of the West, Seth Boyden and others, omitted in my notes, ripened their first fruit about medium season. It will be seen by these notes that varieties did not follow their regular order in ripening — that this exceptional season affected some more than others in retarding their times of ripening — the result being to bring the earlier and later sorts nearer together in season. It will be expected that I recommend a list of varieties ; but for the reason already given no list can be made which would prove the most valuable for all, and any list will require modification nearly every year as improvements are made in varieties and culture. The following varieties, in the order named, will generally be found valuable in this State : For strong clayey, Loess and rich prairie soils, for near market and home use: Crescent, Miner, Charles Downing, Duchess, Windsor Chief, Cumberland Triumph, Sharpless, Champion, Captain Jack, Duncan, Continental, Seth Boyden, Great American, Prouty. For sandy-loam soils, near market and home use : Crescent, Charles Downing, Windsor Chief, Duchess, Black Defiance (home use), Centen- STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 97 nial Favorite, Miner, Kentucky, Sharpless, Cinderella, Champion, Crystal City, Capt. Jack, Col. Cheney, Seth Boyden, Cowing's Seedling. For distant market : Sharpless, Capt. Jack, Chas. Downing, Wilson, Continental, Prouty. For high cultivation in hills or single rows for home use and for fancy berries: Sharpless, Great American, Crescent, Seth Boyden, Miner, Monarch of the West, Essex Beauty, Centennial Favorite. There are other varieties which produce large, fine fruit, and have high local reputation ; among which are Pioneer, Star of the West, Springdale, Sterling, which, though grown on my place, my observation will not warrant me in fixing their places in these lists. Forest Rose, which has during the last two years enjoyed so high a reputation, recovered partially from the rust which afflicted it so terribly last year and bore a large crop, though the fruit was scarcely medium in size. In my report upon New Fruits I will speak of the habits of some varieties of recent introduction. Dr. Schrgeder. — Will you give the names of three or four varieties which are the best for everybody to plant ? Mr. Galusha. — I don't know any such varieties; as I intimated in my report it is impossible to name even one variety which is best every- where, for what would be best for me might not be best for Dr. Schroeder. Dr. Schrceder. — Well, give us the names of three or four varieties that are generally best. Mr. Galusha. — The Doctor will find them in the list; for I stated in the report that I named them in the order of their merit or ^^« 112 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS produced by this protean agent, so numerous the modes in which it operates, that, like a will-o'-the-wisp, it forever evades our grasp and eludes our search. What is life ? is a question which science as yet seems wholly in- capable of answering. Even those who hold that it is of a physical origin are wholly unable to account for its inception, or to explain what it is. Science is, therefore, forced to content herself with studying its works and investigating its operations. These are within her reach, and may, if carefully studied, at length lead to the solution of the great problem, if that solution is within the reach of the human intellect. Its various modes of operating are so many indices pointing towards it. And when we see that the same force can, out of the same earthy materials, form a minute fungus, erect a stately tree, shape a microscopic infusorian and construct the great monster of the deep, we have some conception of its varied powers. It is in the lower and more minute animal forms that its modes of operating appear to be most varied; although the individuals produced are less complicated than in the higher and larger forms ; hence, the attention of science has been very largely directed to them of recent years. As I have prepared a special paper for the Society for practical use, which will be printed in the proceedings, let us devote the time allotted me this evening to the phenomena of life as exhibited in some of the smaller and humbler animals. Let us take, for example, the European cabbage-worm, or larva of Pieris rapce, which has played such sad havoc with our cabbages during the past season, and briefly examine some of the more important points in its life-history, and by comparing these with corresponding points in the lives of other species note the various modes in which life operates ; and at the same time mark the boundary-line of our knowledge in reference thereto. At first, as is the case with all other insects, it is an egg — an egg which in this case appears as but a little glittering greenish-yellow speck on the leaf of the vegetable the parent butterfly has wisely chosen as a place where her progeny may find appropriate food ready at hand. And here, at the very commencement of our investigations, an interesting but puzzling question arises. How does the butterfly, whose mouth is adapted only to sucking nectar from flowers, and other liquid sweets, know that her offspring will need food of a different kind ? By what knowledge is she guided to the appropriate plant amid such profusion of vegetable forms? Are we to suppose she retains a remembrance of her former caterpillar life, and the food adapted to that state? Possibly this is the case, and though science may scout the idea, she has no better theory to offer. It has been found that the locusts hatched in Kansas and Nebraska will not deposit their eggs on the same ground occupied the previous season, but endeavor, for this purpose, to go back to their native habitats. STATB HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. "3 No other probable reason can be suggested than that they are aware climatic conditions and the presence of parasites render these areas unsuited for their offspring. Perhaps it will be said that insects in thus selecting appropriate places for their young are led by instinct. But what is Instinct ? Who can tell ? It is only a word coined to cover our ignorance ; a supposed irresistible law of their nature of which we know really nothing. We see a little parasite approach our aphis, tap it with its antennae, and, being satisfied, it punctures the body of the plant-louse with its ovipositor, and deposits a tiny egg in its body. Another parasite approaches the same plant-louse, and applying the same test leaves it without depositing an egg. It is evident in this case that the aphis is left undisturbed because another parasite had punctured it and deposited an egg. Is the second aware that one grub only will find sufficient food in the body of the aphis? The cabbage parasite, on the other hand, deposits a number of eggs in the same pupa. Is the parent Ichneumon in this case aware that her progeny will find sufficient food, or shall we attempt to hide our ignorance by saying it is instinct? Let us now borrow some microscopic eyes and examine the eggs of our cabbage-butterfly. If the light is sufficient they will appear like little golden-green pears, fretted with delicate ribs and minute furrows, objects of microscopic beauty (pointing to the illustration). But why is it that this species scatters the little glittering caskets singly here and there, while the nearest of kin, Pieris brassicce, the notorious white cabbage-butterfly of Europe, deposits a cluster of twenty or thirty in a place? Science can give no other answer than that the differences in this respect are specific laws. If we turn to Pieris oleracea, the white cabbage-butterfly of this country, we shall find that it deposits three or four eggs in a place ; while our native species, Pieris protodice (referring to figure), on the other hand, deposits them singly. It is probable that if we could trace the history of the species back to their origin in the past we could learn the cause of this variation, but at present this is one of the mysteries of insect life still closed to science. So far man is unable to write the entire life-history of a single species of the myriads of animals that inhabit the earth. As we gaze upon this little golden-green globule and strive to imagine what it really is, thicker and thicker grows the cloud of mystery around it. What is it? An embryo animal? Puncture it, and a little fluid is all that is there. It is in fact a tiny bottle of life, sealed up, to be developed at the proper time. How is it possible for the stream of life, flowing down the race through the chain of individual links, thus to be severed, and, as it were, bottled up ? An egg, which is but an enlarged cell, is beyond all doubt one of the most wonderful productions of Nature. How is blind force, if such life be, to plan the form, build it up and give the peculiarities belonging to the species? Science has no reply to make. And yet there are human wiseacres who, though unable to explain this single process of Nature, will undertake to construct a universe and operate it. 114 TKANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS If we watch the process of growth in our little egg we shall see the yolk-surrounding fluid first gathering into a denser ring, while that on the inner side is breaking up into granules (shown on diagram), as the first step towards forming cells, out of which the tissues are to be made. As the process goes on the surrounding ring becomes more dis- tinct and is marked externally with prominences and strictures, until at length distinct segments are formed and the little caterpillar is clearly outlined. The position the caterpillar occupies in the egg is quite different from that in the more flattened and disk-shaped eggs (diagram referred to); the head is also brought opposite the point of least resistance to an inside force. After eating its way out of its prison, the first act of the caterpillar, as long ago observed in reference to its congener, P. brassiccs, by Harold, is to eat the shell ; a habit which appears to be followed by most, if not all, of the species of the genus. Although the caterpillar, when it has attained its growth, is painted with the most delicate emerald tint, and trimmed with a dorsal line and lateral dots of gold, its beauty has but little attraction for the gardener, nor can he take any pleasure in watching it as it riddles the leaves of his cabbages with holes and bores its way into the forming heads. Though of a rqmarkably quiet and peaceable disposition, not venturing to encroach in the least upon the rights of other insects, passing carefully around even the little plant-louse rather than disturb it, the gardener, regardless of this, declares a war of extermination; and to this end salts it, brines it, limes it, powders it with hellebore, soot, ashes, tobacco, pepper, etc. ; drenches it with hot water, soap-suds, lye, elder-juice, decoction of dog-fennel, dilute carbolic acid and a host of other obnoxious things; and, finally, saves some of the most promising heads by picking the worms off of them. How are we to explain the remarkable tenacity of life in a worm apparently so extremely delicate and tender? Not only will many survive the treatment described, but may often be observed feeding away when coated over with lime, hellebore, etc. They have even been frozen in ice, and yet, when thawed out, lived and completed their transformations. Why is it that a substance which destroys the currant- worm has no injurious effect upon them? Will you answer, that it is some peculiarity of their nature? But what is this peculiarity? The tissues of their bodies are apparently as delicate as those of the saw-fly larvae. And here we may call attention to the fact that although the cater- pillar is so peaceable and unaggressive, on the other hand the perfect insect or butterfly is of an exactly opposite disposition. While other allied species, with the exception of P. brassicce, are more or less confined to their faunal regions, this one not only ranges over Europe, from Lap- land to the Mediterranean Sea, and over Asia from Siberia to the tropics and eastward to China, but has crossed the Atlantic and traversed North America from the eastern shore to the Missouri, driving before it, or out of the pathway of its progress, our native species. When it STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. "5 appeared in the Eastern States the native potherb-butterfly {P. oleraced) at once began to disappear ; and now our P. protodice is rapidly giving way before it. In what does its aggressive power consist ; and what peculiarity is there in its life or composition that renders it capable of becoming thus cosmopolitan? These are difficult questions to answer, but they must be answered before the life-history of the species can be fully written. A remarkable difference in habits between very closely allied species is often unaccompanied by any appreciable difference in external anatomy or markings. Our common red-legged locust {Caloptenus femur ■rudrum') is so nearly allied to the destructive Western species (C spretus) that it is difficult to distinguish the one from the other; and there is still an inter- mediate species (C. Atlantis). Yet the Western species is truly migratory, while the others are not. Still more closely allied are Acridiuvi peregrinum (illustration referred to) and A. americanum (illustration referred to), yet the former is the destructive species of the tropical regions of the Eastern continent, and is even found in America, while the latter is found in the southern part of our own State non-migratory. The only characteristic difference in the two cases is found in the form of the last abdominal segment of the males. Shall we ascribe such remarkable differences in habits to this small anatomical variation in one sex? The army-worm is a true cut-worm, although not appertaining to what is usually called the cut-worm genus. What gives rise to its migrating habit, which is not found in other species? I have even seen two different broods of the same species exhibiting the two different characteristics the same season ; the one as an army marching near a grassy plat, where the other as a cut-worm, hid from view, was cutting the grass until the sward could be rolled up as a carpet. Why this difference? Is it because of excessive numbers? But why does the other species never develop in such excessive numbers? The answer only carries the difficulty one step farther back. Will you answer, that such facts are not uncommon in the history of the animal kingdom? But this brings me no nearer to a solution of the problem. The why — the reason for this — is what I desire. But let us return to our cabbage-worm, for we shall be sure to find one the gardener has overlooked. Admonished, doubtless by some peculiar feeling, that the time for some great change in its life has come, it becomes uneasy and seeks some place of retirement. How far it is conscious what this change is to be we know not; but that it is aware something unusual is about to take place is evident from its uneasy movements. Having found a suitable place under some projecting board or rail, it spins a little silken mat on the surface to which to attach its feet; next it spins a strong thread across the middle oT its body, attaching it firmly to the plank on each side (calling attention to the figure). These are to serve as supports when it is in a semi-torpid state and its legs shall have disappeared. How it is aware that this is necessary science can only answer by tlic meaningless word — instinct. I 1 6 TEANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Its larval skin now begins to contract in length and in a short time splits open along the head and back, the pupal skin having been formed in the mean time from the inner surface of the larval skin, by peeling off as it were the inner portion of that skin. Casting off the old skin, the semi-torpid and limbless pupa supports itself by the silken loop and little booklets attached to the mat (pointing to the drawings). Marked changes have been going on and are still going on in the body; the muscles at some points are swelling and expanding, while at others they are diminishing; some segments infolding and contracting, while others are increasing their dimensions. The nervous system is also being materially modified. In fact there is an almost total destruction of the larval system of internal organs, and many of the external appendages disappear. To supply the material for the new organs, the fatty matter stored up by the larva is broken up into granules, which produce, by the multi- plication of cells, the new tissues. It is upon this fatty matter internal parasites live, and while it does not destroy the larva, yet prevents the development of the perfect insect. There is an almost complete tearing down of the old body and building up of a new one; and thus is accomplished the seemingly im- possible feat proposed by the Hibernian, of erecting on the site of the old one, and of the same materials, a new house without removing the old one. How different in form now is our insect. Instead of a sixteen-footed, wingless worm, we have a six-footed insect with broad, gaudy wings (pointing to diagram); instead of a mouth with biting jaws, there is an oral apparatus in the form of a long, slender, flexible tube, suited only for sucking nourishment. What has wrought these wonderful changes? You will doubtless answer, life. But what is life; and how has it performed this strange feat of inimitable workmanship? Was it only a latent force that lay hid in the food gathered from the external world? If so, then we may truly say it was all done by the gardener's cabbage-leaf As well might you say that cod-fish and potatoes wrote Hiawatha, and that pork and beans were the authors of the Declaration of Independence. Let us now turn our attention to another insect, in which life, as though desirous of showing its varied power over matter, exhibits still more remarkable feats. In the cabbage-worm, as well as all metabolic insects, the strangest part of their life-history consists in the changes from one form and mode of life to another. In the case now to be adduced we shall see not only more remarkable changes but new features. If we examine the abdomen of burrowing bees {AndrencB) during the months of May and June we will probably find, projecting between two contiguous segments, what appears to be the head of an insect. If we can succeed in drawing the body from its concealed position, we shall perceive a singular form, resembling this (calling attention to diagram), which is entirely limbless and without any apparent appendages. This flask-shaped creature, instead of being, as you might suppose, a grub or larva, is in fact a full-grown, perfect insect, a mature female Sty lops, or STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. I I 7 bee-paras^; and, though strange as it may seem, the place in which we found it is its normal position in the perfect state. If we examine this curious creature we shall find that its anatomy contradicts some of the most essential characteristics of the insect class. The abdomen is (as it appears in the figure) a true sac, closed posteriorly, the alimentary canal not extending through the body; the head and thorax are amalgamated as in the crustaceans, and this cephalothorax is the part extruded when in its normal position. The young are hatched from the eggs while yet within the body of the parent, and make their way out through an opening in the cephalothorax, thus reaching at once the external surface of the bee. They are furnished with six legs and two abdominal append- ages (as seen on diagram), and move freely and actively upon and among the hairs with which the body of the bee is provided. You might suppose from this fact that they do not pass through the true grub state as do other coleopterous insects or beetles, to which order they belong, but that, like the grasshoppers, they at once take the general form they are to retain. But be not too hasty. The bee returning to its nest necessarily carries them with it ; here they leave their host and attack the young bee gnibs, and by means of their jaws bore their way into the bodies of these grubs and here for the time take up their abode. Now a remarkable retrograde process in their life takes place. They undergo a kind of metamorphosis, during which they shed their outer skin, lose their legs and other appendages and become true footless grubs. The two sexes now commence to diverge in form ; the female from this time forward changes but little, gradually assuming the semi-larval form first spoken of (represented by the illustration); and about the time the bee is passing into its perfect state it thrusts its head between the abdom- inal segments, as before stated. The male Siylops, on the other hand, undergoes the usual regular transformations, first into a pupa, then into a perfect-winged insect with six feet, and cuts its way out of its host (shown on diagram). Almost every stage of this singular creature's history is contradictory of what we understand to be the usual laws of insect life. The position chosen by the female as her permanent dwelling-place, partly within and partly without the bee, may be compared to a man taking up his i)erma- nent abode across the window-sill of his house. The necessity for the eggs hatching in the body is obvious. The reason why the alimentary canal should be closed posteriorly may be imagined. We can also under- stand, in part at least, why the singular changes in the larval state take place. If the larvte were at first footless grubs it would be impossible for them to remain on the body of the bee, hence they are furnished with feet adapted to holding firmly to the hairy covering of their host. When they enter the body of the bee-larva the legs and appendages would not only be useless and cumbersome, but would keep the insect in which they reside in a constant state of irritation. It appears, therefore, that all these anomalous changes are made necessary in consequence of the unusual position assumed by the female Stylops. Why is such an unusual habit adopted by the female? Other I I 8 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS parasites reside in the bodies of insects, even of the same grOTp, without the necessity of this anomalous mode of life ; why, then, is it necessary in the life of the Stylops ? If the male can come forth as a perfect winged insect, why does the female remain a grub? It is possible the reason is to be found in the mode of life of the bee ; but as a species has been found infesting a Homopteroics insect, there would appear to be some other reason. This would appear to be a difficult nut for Sir John Lub- bock and other evolutionists to crack. One more illustration and we will close ; but now we leave the insect class and move a little lower down in the scale of animal life. There is a group of low, degraded animals, usually quite small, known as Entozoans or intestinal worms, which, though unpleasant objects of study, present some such strange phases of life that I cannot pass them entirely by in this connection. In the alimentary canal of certain water-birds is occasionally found a small worm of a peculiar form (shown in the figure), ^which is securely fastened to the walls by minute booklets and sucking disks. Similar in color to the membrane to which it is fixed, without appendages, small in size, and not even worm-like in form, it may easily be taken for some kind of an enlargement of the coats of the intestinal canal ; and few would imagine at first sight that it was an independent or distinct being. Like many other species of the group, the two sexes are combined in one individual, hence, in tracing its life, we might reasonably suppose we should have to follow only the one individual. Let us see. This produces a few — seven or eight — ova; whether these are hatched before they have passed out of the bird, or afterward, is a part of their history not yet clearly settled; but it is known that immediately after the pseudo-larva leaves the egg it is found in the water. It now resembles a club-shaped fleshy mass (as shown in the diagram), and is surrounded by minute cilia;, by means of which it can move rapidly through the water. Although thus active and capable of moving at will, it is, as yet, but little more than an egg, the visible external coat being but a kind of cloak or wrapper for the true embryo within. After swimming freely for a short time in this pseudo-larval state, it attaches itself to the body of some mollusk, as 2. Pahidina, or water-snail. Now the outer envelope drops off and the true larva, which looks more like a bud (represented by the illus- tration) than an animal, appears, but still remaining attached to the mollusk. Gradually increasing in length, it assumes the form represented on diagram, reminding one of a Salamander. When it reaches this stage of its life one of the strangest freaks of nature exhibited in the entire animal kingdom takes place. The larva, instead of advancing towards the perfect state, breaks up, as it were, into fragments, each of which is to become a separate individual with a life of its own. In its body cavity a process of gemmation or budding takes place, giving rise to a number of minute bodies, resembling a head of cat-tail with a part of the stem attached (pointing to diagram). These singular creatures effect their escape by bursting through the cavity-walls of the larval parent, or Redia, in which they were developed, causing its death. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 119 Mark well, as we proceed, the steps of progress in the life of our Eritozoan. First, it is an ovum, or egg; then a club-shaped ciliated pseudo-larva, or larva of the first stage (pointing to illustration) ; then a Redia, or larva of the second stage (calling attention to diagrams); then from this stage, from the one individual are developed numerous Circarice, or larvae of the third stage (pointing to the drawing). Our single indi- vidual has now multiplied itself before it has attained its growth, or performed the cycle of its life-history. These Circarite, or larvae of the third stage, swim freely and inde- pendently through the water by means of their tails. After enjoying this free life for a time, they penetrate into the body of some mollusk, where they again change form and become cysis or bladder-worms, some- what similar to those which form the measles in the hog; this is their fourth larval stage. Here their development must cease unless they are taken into the stomach of some water-bird. If the mollusk is found and swallowed by some water-bird, the cyst-wonn which it contains loses the bladder portion and the remaining part, assumes at length the perfect form of the original parent, and thus is completed the cycle of the life- history of the animal. If Nature appeared to be sporting with her power to diversify life-histories in producing the Stylops, in the case now before us she seems desirous of astonishing us with an almost wanton display of that power. Such a paradox does she present that our grammar fails to furnish us with appropriate and applicable terms to use in reference thereto. For if we say it, this will only apply to a part of the life-history of the creature, for ere its career closes it becomes they or them. Is it possible to imagine a more remarkable life-history than this ? Not only are its varied forms and modes of life calculated to surprise us, but when at one of the intermediate stages the larva multiplies itself so that at the end of one generation one tgg has produced several perfect indi- viduals, our ideas of individual life seem to be wholly contradicted. It is the same as though the chick from one egg should become an entire brood of perfect hens. Verily, truth is stranger than fiction; for neither the Arabian Nights, Tales of a Grandfather or Yule-tide stories present anything stranger than this. It is a mystery we cannot solve, that life even in the perfect insect or other animal should divide itself, as it often does to enter the new channels represented by the numerous eggs deposited. But when we see a Ikrval form breaking up into living fragments, each to be perfected by a separate individual life, the mystery becomes still more profound. Life is a strange workman; all around us and within us, ever busy tearing down and building up new forms, and yet forever invisible; equally at home in the huge elephant and the smallest form the micro- scope can reveal. Shall we say it is a force? Admit it. But now the problem is only rendered more complex, for it is very difficult, if indeed possible, to give a definition of force. In fact, force is a curious thing any way ; and somehow I am always imagining there is something behind it pushing it I20 TR.VNSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS on. And perhaps I am about as near right as those philosophers who are so anxious to find nothing there. An electric or galvanic stream may be extended to an indefinite distance by means of contiguous links. Let us imagine the life of a species to be a single stream of vital force proceeding from the great battery in the hands of Him who sits in the heavens, running through a chain of links which it forms as it proceeds, to cease whenever its con- nection with its source is cut, and we shall at least have a noble concep- tion of life, whether considered scientific or not. At the close of the reading the Professor was heartily cheered by the Society and the audience. REPORT UPON ORNITHOLOGY. Prof, S. A. Forbes, of the Slate Normal University, reported from the Committee on Ornithology as follows : THE FOOD OF BIRDS. BY S. A. FORBES, DIRECTOR ILL. STATE LAB. OF NAT. HIST. THE THRUSH FAMILY [TurcUdcB). In presenting to you another report on the subject which it has now been made my official duty to investigate, I do it with an increased sense of the magnitude and difficulty of the research, and also as an incentive, with a more positive conviction of its importance. I wish first to dispose of the question by which one pursuing such work is most commonly confronted, viz.: How is it going to pay? The careful estimates of three ornithologists and experienced collectors give, as an average of the whole bird-life of Illinois, three birds per acre during the six summer months. That is to say, if all the birds of the year, except the swimmers, were concentrated in the six months, equally distributed throughout them and equally scattered over the State, we would have three birds on every acre of land. It is my own opinion that at least two-thirds of the food of birds consists of insects, and that this insect-food will average, at the lowest reasonable estimate, twenty insects or insects' eggs per day for each individual of these two-thirds, giving a total for the year of 7,200 per acre, or two hundred and fifty billions for the State — a number which, placed one to each square inch of surface, would cover an area of forty thousand acres. Careful estimates of the average number of insects per square yard in this State give us at farthest ten thousand per acre for our whole area. On this basis, if the operations of the birds were to be suspended, the rate of increase of these insect hosts would be accelerated about seventy per cent., and their numbers, instead of remaining year by year at the present average figure, would be increased over two-thirds each year. Any one familiar with geometrical ratios will understand the inevitable result : In the second year we should find these pests nearly three times STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIKTY. i 2 I as numerous as now, and, with that astounding acceleration of increase characteristic of geometrical progression, they would multiply until in about twelve years we should have the entire State carpeted with insects, one to the square inch over our whole territory. I have so arranged this computation as to exclude the insoluble question of the relative values of birds and predaceous or parasitic insects, unless we suppose that birds eat an undue proportion of beneficial species. Take another view of this matter. According to the computation of Mr. Walsh, the average damage done by insects in Illinois amounts to twenty millions dollars a year. Large figures certainly ; but when we find that this means only about fifty-six cents an acre we begin to see their probability. Few intelligent farmers or gardeners would refuse an offer to insure complete protection, year after year, against insects of all sorts, for twenty-five cents an acre per annum, and we will, therefore, place the damage at one-half the above amount — ten million dollars per annum. Suppose that, as a consequence of this investigation, we are able to take measures which shall result in the increase, by so much as one per cent., of the efficiency of birds as an insect police, the effect would be a diminution of the above injury to the amount of sixty-six thousand dol- lars per annum, equivalent to the addition of over one-and-one-half million dollars to the permanent value of our property; or if, as is in fact a most moderate estimate, we should succeed in increasing the efficiency of birds five per cent, we should thereby add eight-and-one- fourth millions dollars to the permanent wealth of the State, provided, as before, that birds do not eat unduly of beneficial species. These figures will be at once rejected by most naturalists as absurdly low. The young robin of Prof Treadwell (a bird whose fame has extended over both hemispheres) required not less than sixty earth-worms a day, equivalent to at least two hundred and fifty average insects, to keep it alive. A pair of European jays have been found. Dr. Brewer informs us, to feed their brood half a million caterpillars in a season, and to eat a million of the eggs in a winter.* Compared with these numbers, my seven thousand two hundred insects a year seem certainly many times too few; and similar criticisms might very probably be made on other items of the estimate. I prefer, however, to put these matters with a moderation which will command general assent, especially as we see that the importance of the subject does not require exaggeration. Of course the individual farmer or gar- dener could, by intelligent and careful management, if he knew just what to do, increase the value of his own birds far beyond his individual share of the above-mentioned general aggregate. It is thus made probable that the birds intervene continuously between us and the complete destruction of our most important industries — the * A young mocking bird {Mimus polyglotlus), raised from the nest by my nephew, Robert Forbes, ate about 240 red-legged grasshoppers daily — equivalent to at least 480 average insects. 122 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS irretrievable financial ruin of nearly our whole population. That so gigantic a natural force as they seem to constitute, almost as necessary to us as the light of the sun or the rains of heaven falling in their season, should not have been carefully investigated long ago, in all its results and relations, is certainly a surprising phenomenon. What should we say of the intelligence and capacity of the mechanical engineers of America, if we should learn that, notwithstanding the enormous waste of force in a locomotive engine, no thorough scientific investigation by competent physicists had ever even been attempted of the laws governing the trans- mutation of fuel into mechanical work ? Let us hope that our agricul- turists and horticulturists will require and sustain investigations into the laws and forces of nature relating to their calling as precise and elaborate as those made in the interest of far less important industries. This investigation would well repay its trifling cost, if it should have no other effect than to give us an intelligent acquaintance with the subject; but we already see the way open to recommendations of practical value. I wish to say beforehand, however, that if any are listening to me with the hope of learning from this paper whether we should destroy or cherish any one bird or group of birds, they will certainly be disap- pointed. I have no positive conclusion to offer. If positive assertions are wanted, a plenty of them are already extant; nearly every work on ornithology abounds in them. Many papers have been published in this country settling this exceed- ingly complex and difficult question out of hand, without so much as a glance at a microscope. The time has come for the hesitation and uncertainty of careful and impartial study, and of a cautious balancing of evidence; for the modified and guarded judgment of those who are at least prepared to understand their own ignorance and to realize some of the conditions of the problem. I will not now enter into the details of the work that has hitherto been done in this country, but will only say that it all seems to me fatally defective as a basis for sound opinion or definite action, for this reason, if for no other, that scarcely an attempt has been made to determine the relative amounts of the different elements of the food of each species. The fact is that birds have their preferences among the objects which they will eat. With several appropriate articles of food around them in equal abundance, they will, for some reason, certainly select some and neglect others. These preferences have, of course, a great deal to do with the value of the species, and often determine the case, as we shall presently see. They can be discovered only by noting the relative amounts of these different elements in the stomachs of all the birds examined and averaging these ratios for each species. I do not know of a single case in which this has been attempted, except in a paper by Mr. Samuels, of New England, on the birds of Massachusetts, and this author has contented himself with giving in percentages the relative numbers of birds in which the different elements mentioned were found. If five per cent, of his birds have eaten caterpillars, for example, he concludes that caterpillars constitute five per cent, of the food of all, a STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 123 most misleading non sequitur, as a little study of the tables of food here given will prove. The caterpillar in a bird's stomach counts, by this method, as much as fifty in the final conclusion. A single leaf-eater taken by one bird will balance fifty lady-bugs eaten by another. The personal character of my criticism disappears when I confess that I have hitherto followed this method myself, supposing any other impracti- cable. I have found, however, that a little practice enables one to estimate with a good degree of accuracy the percentages of each kind of food found in each bird's stomach. If this were not so I should be inclined to give up the whole problem as insoluble, as nothing but the most general and uncertain notions of the economical relations of birds could otherwise be obtained. Most frequently those writing upon this subject have jumped to the conclusion that all itisects were injurious, and that their presence in a bird's food was sufficient evidence that the bird should be preserved. The conclusion reached in this paper will show the falsity of this opinion. Perhaps I shall account for this defect of our knowledge when I say that this is almost purely an entomological guestiofi, and that it has been thus far studied almost wholly by ornithologists only. It is not necessary, therefore, to suspect them of an unconscious bias in favor of the objects of their study to account for the apparent partiality of their judgments or the partisan fervor with which they frequently urge opinions whose foun- dations certainly will not bear scrutiny. In computing these ratios I have carefully reviewed all the material previously studied, using the opportunity, of course, to test my former notes and to add the many details which longer practice has enabled me to detect. In preparing these notes, and in summing them up for this report, I have felt compelled to give the fullest particulars possible, and to describe the methods used and the principles on which these are based, so far as they have not been already given in previous papers. It is a simple thing to satisfy myself on this subject — not very difficult, perhaps, to convince you that the work has been done carefully and in good faith. But if it is to have any real utility, it must carry with it evidence of its accuracy and honesty sufficient to satisfy the general public, and especially sufficient to commend it to the confidence of experts, whose decision will finally determine its repute, and consequently settle the question of its practical worth. If I have given you a good deal of dry detail, this must be my excuse. This paper was intended to embody not only results and opinions, but all the proof upon which they rest ; to supply, in truth, the whole body of fact thus far arrived at, so that those indisposed to agree with me can, at least, have the material for conclusions of their own. Every detail of the food of the Thrushes which I have personally noted is contained in the tables which follow this paper. The contents of every stomach examined have been separately bottled in alcohol, labeled and systematically arranged, so that the tangi- ble basis of every statement can at any time be found. I must briefly allude to some of the difficulties encountered, and to some of the methods used to avoid or surmount them. Of course, the greatest difficulty lay in the fragmentary character of the material to be 124 TKANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Studied. All the synopses and descriptions of insects or groups of insects presuppose the presence of a whole specimen. If you will try to fix the germs of a fossil hickory-leaf by using an ordinary manual of botany, you will appreciate the perplexity of the student who attempts to determine by the study of a crushed and mutilated head the number of segments in the abdomen, or to decide whether the paraglosscs are con- nate with the ligjila when he has nothing but a mandible to go by. The heads of beetles are, however, usually well enough preserved for study, and the mouth-parts are structures of great variety and complexity, and can commonly be made to solve the question of family and often of genera also. I consequently had mounted at the laboratory, for reference, a large number of slides of mouth-parts of all the families of Illinois insects of which we had specimens for dissection. By a careful collection and arrangement of the mouth-characters used in the descriptions of families, I constructed a key to the families or groups of families of beetles, based upon these head-characters only. This has proved very useful in settling doubtful cases. I soon found that the Thrushes ate more largely of Carabidae (pre- dacious ground-beetles) than of any other Coleopterous family — these constituting nearly one-third of all the beetles eaten. The determina- tion of their genera, therefore, became unusually important. To this end I dissected and mounted the mouth-parts of all the Illinois genera in our collection, usually several species of a genus, and by an original study of these constructed a set of analytical keys, by whose aid I have found it easy, usually, to classify the Carabidae. These keys, being at present incomplete, have never been relied upon solely, but have been used with caution merely as clues to the determination. I have now most of the material in hand for the completion of these keys, and shall print them hereafter. Another serious perplexity arose when the attempt was made to fix the economical values of the different insects encountered, since to do this as well as it ought to be done required a complete command of the whole subject of economical entomology; a command so ready as to enable one to bring to bear upon any genus or species the whole body of our knowledge relating to it. If I had been a thorough specialist in economical entomology, which I am very far from being, I should have hesitated to form exact opinions on these matters without a review of the literatum of my specialty, since we are so likely to give undue prominence to the facts of our own observation, or to those which have most recently come to our knowledge. Under the circumstances such a careful scanning of the literatum of the subject was indispensable, and I there- fore commenced, and have well under way, a complete index to all the most important published matter in this department, including the works of Harris, Fitch, Packard, Walsh, Riley, Le Baron and Thomas. This index contains not only references to every fact stated respecting the injury or benefit attributable to any insect or group of insects, but also compact statements of the facts themselves, so that when finished it will form a nearly complete compend of the economical entomology of this STATE HOKTICULTUKAL SOCIETY. I 25 country. A reference to this will show, in brief space, substantially all that is known respecting the economical relations of any insect eaten by birds, and will thus furnish the best possible basis for an estimate of its value. In short, this whole subject was so new that the first step in the work was necessarily the manufacture of the tools. Visible progress is consequently slow in the beginning, but will be much more rapid when everything is well organized. Another serious obstacle to the fullest success in this matter is the deficiency of our knowledge of entomology. This may appear remark- able to some of you ; for there seems to be an impression current that, excepting the answer to a few insoluble problems, we already know about all of entomology that is really worth knowing, and, indeed, a good deal more. I had not been long at work on the food of birds, however, before I discovered that all entomology is economical. Only Omniscience itself could form a perfect judgment of the relative values of insects. It is not too much to say that there is no fact relating to the name, structure, relations, habits, development and published literature of any species or other group of the insects of the State which has not its bearing upon this question. I find use, therefore, at every turn, for even the most trivial details of the specialist. Now that for days and weeks together we have been compelled in the course of this research to study minutely the smallest details of the mouths of beetles, mounting, drawing, record- ing the teeth on their mandibles, the hairs on their tongues, the dimples in their chins — finding such knowledge necessary at every turn to reduce to sharp certainty what must otherwise be left in the fog of general estimate and conjecture, nothing could add to the positiveness of my conviction that there is really nothing essentially trivial or useless in science \ that every part of it so modifies every other that we can know nothing truly until we know it all; and that the more detailed and accurate is our knowledge, the more definite and valuable will be our reasoned-out conclusions. Before the food of the separate species of Thrushes is considered, a few words will be necessary respecting the family as a whole. It consists, in this State, of nine species of birds, the Robin, the Cat-bird, the Brown Thrush or Thrasher, the Wood Thrush, the Hermit Thrush, Swainson's Thrush, the Alice Thrush, the Mocking Bird and Wilson's Thrush or the Wren. The first four of these stay with us, in this latitude, during the summer ; the others migrate beyond our borders, except the Mocking Bird, and that only reaches the southern third of the State in any numbers. The first three, the Robin, Cat-bird and Brown Thrush, are by far the best known and most important garden birds ; and it is on account of their close relations to the business and labors of the members of this Society, making them more interesting to you than any other birds, that I have selected the family to which they belong for my report at this meeting. I have now carefully studied the contents of the stomachs of one hundred and forty-nine specimens of the family, shot in various parts of 126 TKANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS the State, and in all months, from March to September. Some unex- pected and important generalizations have been made, and the outlines of a number of others begin to appear as we study the mass of facts accumulated. The subject, as we shall see, proves to be much more complex than the statements of other observers had given me any reason to expect, and and I have, therefore, found my material insufficient to determine positively many most interesting questions that have unexpectedly arisen. On most points, consequently, I shall reserve a definite judgment until another season, using every opportunity to collect an abundance of specimens. These I can study now much more rapidly than heretofore, and I shall probably be able to settle, in a general way, most doubtful points respecting the food of this family before your next meeting. I intend also this year to commence a similar critical study of the Starling family (the blackbirds, orioles, and their allies) — a family more especially related to agriculture, but also of interest to horticulturists in some of its members. The food of the Blue-bird I shall also study next season with all possible care. I shall further undertake next year to learn all I possibly can of the food of the young of the various common species, transferring the nests to cages in such a way as to invite the continued care of the old birds, and watching their operations with a field-glass. This is the proper place to acknowledge my indebtedness to the several persons who in various ways have aided me ; to Mr. C. K. Worthen, of Warsaw, who has sent me the stomachs of birds from that place; to Prof. Riley, of the U. S. Entomological Commission, for the determination of the eggs and larvae of diptera; to Miss Emma A. Smith, of Peoria, to whose services here at the Laboratory I owe most of the slides of insect structures ; but especially and particularly to my assistant, Mr. W. H. Garman, to whose ceaseless industry, careful judgment and thorough and unusually accurate knowledge of the entomology of the State I have been a daily and hourly debtor. I. The Robin {Turdus migratorious , L.) This bird, as familiar to every one as the domestic cat, is the most abundant of the thrushes, and plays so large a part in the economy of the garden as to make the question of its food one of unusual importance. That a species ranging from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from the Mexican plateau to the Arctic circle, apparently at home in all the lati- tudes and longitudes of this vast and varied country, should be at all select in its tastes is not to be expected. The present question for solu- tion is not, what will the robin eat? but, what does he eat here, and in what relative proportions? Not, what would his relations to horticulture be in other places and under more or less hypothetical or exceptional circumstances? but, what are they in Illinois under average conditions? I do not profess to be able fully to answer this question. If I sup- posed that the examination of forty-one stomachs of this bird, however skillfully and critically made, could give me a full knowledge of its food STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. I 27 in any one State, I should only betray my ignorance of the magnitude and complexity of the problem in hand, and my consequent unfitness to solve it. I shall, therefore, offer the data I have collected only as a con- tribution to the subject, anxious rather to underrate them than to exaggerate their value. We must not forget that the actual facts I have to give you relate only to the contents of the stomachs of forty-one robins, and that the estimates of benefit and injury that I shall read simply express my best judgment of the good or harm done by those forty-one birds at a single meal each. How much of an inference as to the habits of the species we may erect upon this foundation depends upon the fixity or invariableness of the food-habits of this group. If the same species will eat substantially the same food, year after year, in the same situation, then, of course, a good deal may properly be inferred from comparatively few data; but if the food varies widely, either arbitrarily or under slight changes of condition, then we can infer but little. Upon this fundamental question I have two suggestions to make. First, if several species allied in structure, occupying the same terri- tory at the same time, living side by side, with the same sources of food- supply open to them, are found, on the examination of a limited number of stomachs, to present certain characteristic differences of food, so that the investigator can point out definite peculiarities of the food of each species, and finds these peculiarities reasonably constant, year after year, then we may say unquestionably, without going farther, that there is a fixity of food-habits in this group of birds which will allow us to reason from the data observed. This is especially true if the species are not mutually hostile, if they do not actually fight, so that a stronger or bolder species may exclude the weaker or more timid from certain situations. Second, if there are any other habits of the species in which there does not seem to be any greater reason for invariableness than in those relating to the food, which are nevertheless found to be substantially unvarying, then we may, with considerable force, argue the probability of a like unvarying character in the habits of alimentation. Respecting the first of these tests, you will see, when I sum up the food of the family now under consideration and bring the data respecting the various species into comparison with each other, that I have made out certain very well-marked specific differences of food, even among those eating at the same table, that the different species of this group, while agreeing in many particulars in food as they do in structure, present also certain peculiarities, so marked that I can usually determine the species by the contents of three or four stomachs. For the second test we may properly use the nesting habit. There seems to be no more urgent reason why one species should select from the same store-house different materials for its nest from those used by another closely allied species of nearly the same size and similar general habits, and building in the same locality, than why each should use a similar fixed discrimination in selecting its food. Yet no expert, scarcely a school-boy even, will hesitate a moment between the nest of a robin and that of a cat-bird; and the descriptions of the two given in the books 128 TKANS ACTIONS OF THE IlililNOIS are so different as to enable any novice to distinguish between them at a glance. In fact, a friend mentions, as I write, two birds whose nests are much more easily distinguished than the birds themselves. Satisfactory as this argument seems, I do not wish to rest too much upon it, and I will content myself with concluding that there is a fair probability that the stomachs of these forty-one birds give us a correct general idea of the ordinary food of the robin under such conditions as have prevailed in this State during the last three years. When a species, or its nest, or its eggs, may be very well described from two or three specimens, I may reasonably express some confidence in conclusions based upon these forty-one stomachs. I must, however, make one correction. In one important particular my conclusions may be unfair to the bird. I have taken no account of the food of the young ; and the robin is said by many observers to feed its young largely on worms, larvae and soft-bodied insects. Doubtless a good many earth-worms are taken in this way, but grubs, cut-worms and caterpillars are also said to be used.* The experiments of Prof Treadwell, of Cambridge, as to the voracity of young robins have been so often cited that I will only recall the fact that he was compelled to feed his young robins every day at least their own weight of insect-food, or its equivalent in flesh, to keep them from starving to death. This species is not strictly migratory, but sometimes winters, in considerable numbers, as far north as the White Mountains in New Hampshire. I have not heard of its occurrence in winter in Central or Northern Illinois, as there is at that season no sufficient food to tempt it to brave our prairie winds. On the other hand, it is comparatively rare in Southern Illinois in summer, but abundant there in autumn and winter, so that as far as this State is concerned it is practically a migrant within our limits. In the latitude of Bloomington its advent depends on the forwardness of the season, but it usually appears not far from the first of March, and the last of the species are gone by October 15th or Novem- ber ist. During the month of March the food of the two specimens I exam- ined consisted almost wholly of grasshoppers and some diptera larvae, pronounced by Prof. C. V. Riley to be those of a long-legged fly, Bibis albipennis (Say.), which feeds upon decaying vegetation. Sixty-seven per cent, of the food consisted of these larvae, and twenty-four per cent, of the grasshoppers. This same larva was found by Prof. Jenks, now of Brown University, to constitute about nine-tenths of the food of the robins examined by him in Massachusetts in February and March, 1858, a fact which indicates a remarkable fixity of food-habits unchanged by * The parents of the young mocking birds mentioned in the foot-note to p. 121, being allowed to feed their young for a time after the transfer of the nest to a cage, were observed to bring them at first grasshoppers and caterpillars, and a little later pieces of ripe tomato also. The pulp of water-melons, exposed as an experiment, they look with avidity and fed it to the young. It is possible that the amount of " soft food" fed to the young has been exaggerated. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 129 twenty years of time and twelve hundred miles of territory. The grass- hoppers were all of the genus Tettigielia, abundant in early spring, when other grasshoppers are rare. While a few grasshoppers more or less may seem a matter of little moment, we should figure to ourselves the results sure to follow if birds were not to keep them down. Many of the services done us by birds are of this unobtrusive kind. They protect us so completely that we are not even aware of the threatened injury, and thus give them no credit for their aid. The only harm done by these birds in this month was the destruction of a few predaceous beetles and soldier-bugs, aggregating about two per cent, of their food. In April eleven specimens were taken. The food in this month was much more varied, but consisted almost wholly of insects. The most important items were caterpillars, thirty-two per cent.; predaceous ground- beetles, twenty-three per cent.; and scavenger-beetles, twelve-and-one-half per cent. — these three elements thus constituting nearly seventy per cent, of the food. Minor items are, larvae of Bibio albipennis, five per cent.; leaf- chafers, seven per cent.; curculios, three per cent.; cethoptera, six per cent. An unexpected fact appears here, viz.: that these birds have appar- ently done very much more harm than good during this month, eating predaceous beetles which would probably have destroyed many more noxious insects than were found in their own stomachs. These beetles were of the genera Amara, Geopinis, Agonoderus, Anisodactylus and Har- palus, none suspected of doing any serious injury, although Amara is said to feed sometimes on vegetable substances. The importance of the cater- pillar element should be noted, nearly one-third of the food being made up of it. A number of cut-worms and measuring-worms were recognized, and a few that were apparently Arctians. Both these and the predaceous beetles were eaten quite generally by the birds — the former by ten out of the eleven, the latter by eight, so that the large percentages were not due to the fact that one or two birds had accidentally stuffed themselves with these insects. But four birds shot in May were examined, and these indicated one important change in the food, the diminution of the number of preda- ceous beetles and the apparent substitution therefor of adult crane-flies {Tipulidce), which in this month are abundant in their winged form. Caterpillars were eaten in about the same numbers as before (thirty-three per cent.), but the Carabidas are reduced to four per cent., while the crane-flies furnished twenty-four per cent, of the food. One bird had eaten a number of wire-worms and one had eaten one potato-beetle. We will not throw up our hats for the robin on this account, for if it takes forty-one robins to catch one potato-beetle, it would probably take the whole species to raise an acre of potatoes. Seven per cent, of the food of these birds consisted of herbivorous thousand-legs {Dipiopoda). Only the above-mentioned four per cent, of the food indicated any injury done. The falling off in the number of scavenger-beetles is also noticeable, these constituting, this month, only one per cent, of the food. 10 13° TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS In June five specimens were taken. While we find the ratio of cater- pillars about the same (twenty-nine per cent.), the eye runs wonderingly down the June column of the table, past the crane-flies and the preda- ceous beetles and the dung-beetles and the wire-worms and the curculios and the grasshoppers and the bugs and the spiders and the myriapods, encountering only empty spaces or the most insignificant figures, until one begins to think the birds must have lived on air or the beautiful June weather, reaching finally the very bottom of the list, when the sinister heading " fruits " is found, and opposite this are fifty-five of the missing units. Seventeen per cent, of the food was raspberries and thirty-eight per cent, cherries. Besides the above twenty-nine per cent, of cater- pillars, these birds had eaten six per cent, of other injurious insects, making a total of thirty-five per cent, to their credit, against fifty-five per cent, of stolen fruit. And here we come to the most difficult feature of this whole research. How shall we balance the different elements of food against each other ? Shall we simply measure bulk against bulk, subtracting the thirty-five per cent, of caterpillars, etc., from the fifty-five per cent, of raspberries and cherries, and say that these birds are to be charged with a balance of evil amounting to twenty per cent, of their food? That is to say, is a quart of caterpillars only the fair equivalent of a quart of cherries? Or, to put a more evident case as an example, suppose that the injury done had been the destruction of ichneumon parasites, should we use these percentages without modification, and balance a quart of ichneumons against a quart of caterpillars? The absurdity of this is evident. A quart of ichneumons would destroy bushels of caterpillars. Similarly, if not equally absurd, would be the conclusion that our bird is injurious because it has eaten more fruit than insects. A quart of cherries is not worth more than ten cents on the tree. Does any one suppose that a quart of average caterpillars would do no more than a dime's worth of damage in a summer season ? Scatter a pint of canker- worms over an apple-tree, of leaf-rollers in a strawberry field, of green caterpillars on a maple, of army-worms in a meadow, and let them work until they *' spin up," and see if a dime will mend the damages? And then we must remember this most important fact, in this connection : that when a bird eats fruit the injury done stops right there, there are no accumulating consequences ; but when it destroys a noxious insect, it checks the increase of the species, it destroys not only the one actual insect, but an indefinitely numerous host of potential ones. The benefit done is so much capital invested at an enormous rate of compound interest. I believe that this one consideration will prove sufficient to settle the question with respect to many insectivorous birds ; and it certainly indi- cates to my mind that, notwithstanding the apparent balance against them, our robins were very largely beneficial in June. This is especially evident when we recall the fact that in this month the robins chiefly raise their families, so that we have left out of account the vast amount of insect-food fed to their young. Indeed, the search for soft food which STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 131 the care of their fledglings is said to require may account for the small number of adult insects now destroyed. The old birds have, perhaps, simply swallowed, once in a while, a mouthful of the food they were gathering for their little ones. This is the point, however, at which there is introduced into this calculation the element of uncertainty attaching to individual judgment and opinion. Up to this point results should be almost absolutely accurate and certain. Concerning the kinds of food in birds* stomachs and the relative amounts of each kind there is but little chance for error if the investigator is competent and careful. When we come to consider the relative values of different groups of insects, however, or of insects of various sorts on the one hand and certain fruits on the other, we have before us a problem not to be accurately determined in the present state of entomological science, and in fact not accurately determinable, no matter how full our knowledge of insect habits may become. While the fruits have a market price, insects are a class of property which has never been put upon the market, and whose nominal value, positive or negative, depends on the individual knowledge, judgment, opinion, prejudice or notion of the holder. In fact, scarcely a single species is so fully known, with regard to its habits, its distribution, its history, its numbers, its rate of increase, its natural enemies and the whole complex net-work of its relations, that even the most intelligent entomologist can more than guess as shrewdly as possible at its economical value stated in standard currency. The means I have taken to insure as nearly correct an idea of this difficult matter as I could have already been described to you ; but the practical conclusion is that no bird should be condemned to death because of a slight percentage against him. A very decided preponder- ance, one way or the other, alone can justify a positive conclusion respecting the real value of a species. Taking up the July record, we find the scale trembling in the balance. The caterpillars eaten by the fourteen birds studied in this month have fallen to three-and-one-half per cent, of their food, the injurious beetles to two per cent., the cethoptera to four-and-one-half per cent., while six-and-one-half per cent, was predaceous beetles, and one per cent, spiders — seven-and-one-half per cent, of beneficial insects against ten per cent, of injurious ones — taking the insect-food alone. But a beneficial insect is far more beneficial than an injurious one is injurious, because each perdaceous insect destroys, as a rule, a number of herbivo- rous ones, so that these fourteen robins undoubtedly did much more harm in destroying their seven-and-a-half per cent, of carnivorous beetles than they did good in eating their ten per cent, of plant-eaters ; and when we reach the bottom of the table and find the paper black with the fruit percentages — raspberries, blackberries and currants running up a total of seventy-seven per cent, of the food — even the most devoted friend of the robin must admit that, if these foorteen were fair examples, the robin is a nuisance in July. If his insects were all injurious we could easily condone his offenses in the fruit-field, but his taste for Carabidse condemns him. 132 TUANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS It should be noted that eight of these birds were shot in and around gardens ; but I do not think this an unfair ratio, as probably more than half the species are gathered in such situations at this time. In August his case is somewhat more hopeful. Judging from the five specimens obtained in this month, he returns to his caterpillars (but also remembers his carabidse), begins his autumn work on grasshoppers, and eats a diminished amount of fruit. Curculios and wire-worms were also eaten to some extent, but not enough to incline the balance very decidedly in favor of the birds. A small margin of profit may, perhaps, be ascribed to his operations in this month. I found, on collecting the stomachs of these birds, that for one reason and another we had none taken in September and October, and conse- quently I can only surmise that during these months their habits gradually improve with the disappearance of the cherries, the picking of the grapes and the multiplication of the grasshoppers. Other observers report this to be the case, and my own notes make it seem likely. Taking, now, the whole record for the six months from April to August inclusive, I find that seventy-eight per cent, of the food was insects and twenty-eight per cent, fruit, spiders and myriapods making the other two per cent. Twelve per cent, were caterpillars and seven per cent. Harpalincz. I may overestimate the value of these predaceous beetles, but to my judgment these seven per cent, would have saved much more than the twelve per cent, of caterpillars would have destroyed.* Then we have six-and-one-half per cent, of injurious beetles (including two-and-one-half per cent, of curculios), eight per cent, of oethoptera and one-and-one-half per cent, of injurious myriapods — sixteen per cent, in all — to offset twenty-eight per cent, of fruit, the other elements about balancing each other. I there- fore conclude that these forty-one robins taken together had certainly done, just previous to the time of their demise, fully as much harm as good, as far as we can judge from the contents of their stomachs. Farther than this I do not intend to go at present, except to recall the mitigating considerations that I have already mentioned. Luckily I am not required to render positive judgment until I am satisfied with the evidence. In fact, the case is a much more difficult one than I supposed when I collected this material, as there has been no suspicion hitherto that the robin ate any unusual number of Harpalince, previous investigations of this subject not having been definite and detailed enough to detect this fact. It is his apparent preference for these predaceous beetles which threatens to turn the scale against him, and so far complicates the question that no positive conclusion can be reached this season. Temporarily we *Although most of these caterpillars were indeterminable, by far the larger part of them were feeding on endogenous foliage — presumably grass — a fact easily demon- strated by the presence, in the bird's stomach, of the peculiar similar fragments of leaves escaped from the intestines of the half-digested caterpillars. The appearance of these fragments is very characteristic, and is alone enough to indicate the presence of cater- pillars in the food. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY ^33 • may place the robin in the list of moderately useful birds, using every opportunity to increase our knowledge, and for the time being leaving him practically to himself. I propose to examine next season at least a hundred stomachs of the species, to make all the field observations possible, and to learn what I can of the food of the young. II. The Cat-bird (Mi'mus carolinensis, L.) This bird, scarcely less abundant than the robin, arrives a little later and makes a rather shorter stay, disappearing from this latitude usually in September. It also occupies a larger territory in the State in mid- summer than the robin, being not at all uncommon in extreme Southern Illinois in July and August. I do not know that it ever winters north- ward. Its habits and habitat are so like those of the robin that one might reasonably anticipate that, respecting their food, both could be treated as one species \ but we shall see proof that there are specific food-charac- teristics to separate them. How indefinite and uncertain is our knowledge of the food of this especially notorious species (and a portion of birds in general) may be seen by comparing my notes with the statement mad^in the recent and elaborate work of Baird, Brewer and Ridgway : "The food of the cat-bird is almost exclusively the larvx of the larger insects. For these it searches both among the bushes and the fallen leaves, as well as the furrows of newly-plowed fields and cultivated gardens. The benefit it thus confers upon the farmer and upon the horticulturist is very great, and can hardly be overestimated." My observations of this bird cover the three months of May, June and July, eighteen stomachs having been examined during the first month (one taken April 30th being included in these), nine in the second and ten in the third. In the stomachs taken in May I found nothing but insects, myria- pods and spiders. The principal elements at this time were ants, nine- teen per cent. ; caterpillars, sixteen per cent. ; adult crane-flies, twenty- three per cent., and beetles, nineteen per cent., including seven per cent, of carabidcB and six per cent, of curculionidae. The latter were chiefly of the two species Ithycerus noveboracensis and Epiccerus vadosus, injuring fruit-trees by eating the young leaves and gnawing the twigs, but not attacking the fruit. Five per cent, of the food was oethoptera, including one white cricket (Orcanthus), four per cent, spiders, and nine per cent, vegetarian thousand-legs {Diplopoda). A large number of the eggs of crane-flies (kindly determined for me by Prof. C. V. Riley) were found in the stomachs of these birds. As they were always found associated with fragments of the adult insects, there is no proof that the cat-bird takes these eggs separately. During this month, notwithstanding the number of carabidai taken, there remains apparently a considerable margin of benefit in favor of the birds. In June the insect average falls to sixty-four per cent, as against eighty-seven per cent, of the previous month. This loss is, unfortunately, 134 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS most evident in the neutral or injurious elements, and amounts to little • or nothing in the beneficial — ants being now but ten per cent, of the food, caterpillars eleven per cent, and crane-flies thirteen per cent. ; while the carabidje keep up to six per cent., curculios are reduced to two per cent., spiders and myriapods to one and four per cent. These deficiencies are, of course, made up by the appearance of small-fruits in the diet, averag- ing twenty per cent, of currants and raspberries. These figures, strictly construed, would indicate a balance against the bird ; and, taken by . themselves, I don't see how they can even be forced into support of the theory that the cat-bird is any peculiar blessing to the fruit-grower at this time. In July the bird seems to become thoroughly demoralized. It makes the heart of a friend sick within him to scan the columns of averages. The ants drop to two per cent, of the food, the caterpillars to three per cent., the carabidae rise to ten per cent., injurious beetles are only one per cent., oethoptera but one per cent., spiders and thousand- legs stand each at four per cent., and small-fruits climb to sixty-three per cent. If all cat-birds ate like this at all seasons of the year we should certainly class them with curculios and potato-beetles, as most grievous pests. As far as these ten birds indicate anything, they seem to me to indicate that the cat-bird in July is, to say the best of him, a blessing pretty thoroughly disguised. Taking the whole three months together, adjusting and comparing the values of his ten per cent, of ants, ten per cent, of caterpillars, twelve per cent, of crane-flies, eight per cent, of carabidse, four per cent, of leaf- chafers, three per cent, of curculios, two per cent, of oethoptera, three per cent, of spiders and six per cent, of myriapods, I would estimate that he has, at most, an unexpended balance of about seven per cent, of in- jurious insects with which to pay for twenty-seven per cent, of fruit. THE BROWN THRUSH {Harporhyticus rufus, Cab.) The brown thrush is another bird too common to require descrip- tion. Although it is reported by Baird, Brewer and Ridgway to reside and breed all over the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, it is in this State, like the robin and cat-bird, practically a strict migrant. Mr. Nelson reports its occasional occurrence in Southern Illinois in mid- summer. It reaches Bloomington about as early as the cat-bird, and departs, I think, a little earlier. It is a shyer bird than either of the preceding, andordinarily frequents the garden less. In the fruit season, however, it partially masters its bashfulness, but even then it is more difficult to detect in the act of thievery than the cat-bird or the robin. The latter has no more conscience than a baby, and will slip a blackberry down his throat, under your very eye, with a touching air of simple innocence; but the brown thrush is sly enough — so sly that I have not found any fruit-grower who could positively assert his guilt. I have had no trouble in establishing his habits, however, and find him no more honest than his fellows. (If I were reading this paper to birds I would STATE HOBTICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 1 35 not use these words "thievery" and " guilt j" but I am talking, to-night, the language of horticulture). My observations on this species reveal one novel and unexpected fact regarding its food. While watching its operations in the blackberry field I was struck by the shiftless and dispirited air of the bird, so different from what its inspiring song would lead one to expect, and I thought, "There is a bird which has something to be ashamed of." That it ate blackberries was no sin, according to the code of the thrushes, and when I found large amounts of corn in its stomach, this, although a surprising thing for a thrush, did not strike me as especially significant until I noticed that, the grains were always in quite small fragments, and almost always associated with various species of scavenger-beetles. Then I saw, what the appearance and odor of the contents of the stomach often con- firmed, that this bird, like the flicker among woodpeckers, was by some means being crowded away from the legitimate life of its family and had fallen so low as to content itself with morsels picked from the excrements of other animals. Even carrion-beetles were not too strong for its palate; and in April these with their larvae formed eight per cent, of its food, while the dung-beetles made four per cent., and fragments of grain (chiefly corn; twenty-four percent. Thirty-six per cent, of its food was therefore obtained from these disgusting sources; and yet how silver-clear, how bugle-like in its varied and enlivening cadence is the morning song it pipes from the tallest tree-top by the road side ! Perhaps we should respect the philosophy of the bird which enables it to carry so light a heart and cherish so successfully its gift of song in the midst of a life loaded with the most sordid care; or admire the subtle alchemy of an organism which can transmute these base materials into the pure gold of delightful music. Twenty-eight specimens of this species were examined — eight in April, four in May, nine in June and seven in July. In April, besides the elements mentioned, there appeared six per cent, of ants, only four per cent, of caterpillars, four per cent, of carabidae, five per cent, of curculios, eight per cent, of thousand-legs and fifteen per cent, of Euryomia inda (a fruit-eating cetonian beetle, which comes out again in the fall). Of hemiptera and oethoptera there were but trifling traces, and none whatever of the crane-flies or the larvae of Bibio, which formed so large a part of the early food of the robin and cat-bird. In May the food was of about the same character, the scavenger- beetles rising, however, to fifteen per cent, of the whole and the carabidae to nine per cent. In June a large part of the food, seventeen per cent., consisted of ants. This large percentage is, perhaps, misleading, as it is chiefly due to the fact that two of the birds taken had eaten an inordinate number of them (sixty and seventy-five per cent), while the others had eaten but very few. Nine per cent, of the food had been grasshoppers, and one per cent. Buprestidae (boring-beetles), the only case in which I have encountered this family of coleoptera in a thrush's stomach. Caterpillars formed only one per cent, of the food in this month, but 136 TEANS ACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS scales of adult lepidoptera appeared in the stomachs of two of the nine birds. The dung-beetles and grain constituted twenty-two per cent, of all these birds had eaten, and strawberries and raspberries eighteen per cent. In July the average of ants fell again, this time to one per cent,, while caterpillars rise to thirteen per cent., one bird having filled itself with them. Carabidse remain at five per cent., three per cent, of spring- beetles occur, and five per cent, of soldier-bugs. The scavenger insects and fragments of corn disappear, to be replaced by sixty-two per cent, of raspberries and blackberries. Minor details of the food can be learned by reference to the tables. Turning now to the economical value of this bird, so far as it can be supposed to be indicated by the stomachs of these twenty-eight individuals, I conclude that in April it gains a credit of about twenty-two per cent.; that in May, chiefly through the excess of predaceous beetles, this drops to about six per cent. ; that in June it falls away to zero, and in July to minus thirty per cent., thus just about wiping out the credits of the previous months. It is scarcely likely that the brown thrush so far reforms its habits in the grape and apple months as to favorably affect its record for the year. Subject, therefore, to the many reservations I have made respecting the previous species, I should say that the ordinary services of this bird do not entitle it to especial protection. What its extraordinary services may be is an untouched question which can only be solved by studying its food under extraordinary circumstances. That we should be content with a songster of such charming qualities and one so generous with his melody, as long as he barely pays his way, is a sug- gestion which will immediately occur to many, but one which I have no present business with in this research. THE WOOD THRUSH {Turdus fnusielinus, Gm.) But eleven individuals of this species were examined: two taken in April, four in May, one in June, three in July and one in September — so few that I will make no attempt to follow the food through the season month by month, but will give only the general results. These indicate that the food-habits of this bird have iew marked peculiarities, but chiefly share the features of those of several of the other species. Eating nearly as many ants as the cat-bird, as many caterpillars as the robin and hermit thrush, it falls below all the other species in the ratio of predaceous beetles, runs above them all in wire-worms and thousand-legs (approached, however, in the latter particular, by the hermit thrush), but eats scarcely any scavenger-beetles. Only nineteen per cent, of its food was fruit, and all but seven per cent, was wild. Although the specimens were too few positively to settle anything, the bird certainly promises well, and I will take pains to learn more about it another year. If its habits should not change with increasing numbers, it would apparently well repay generous encouragement. At present, counting all the wild fruits as tame, I should say that this bird exhibits a balance of about twenty-five per cent, on the right side of its account. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 1 37 THE HERMIT THRUSH {Turdus pa/hist. Cab.) The hermit thrush is strictly a migrant, reported by Mr. Ridgway as a rare winter resident in Southern Illinois, but otherwise appearing in the State only during its passage to and fro. Considering the fact, however, that all these birds pass slowly the whole length of the State, merely keeping pace with the advancing and retreating seasons, and also that the species is a very abundant one in the migrating season, it will be seen that it has great economical significance. There is reason to suppose that these migrants, in traveling north and south, follow, year after year, about the same route — do not vary, that is, far to the east or west ; consequently, although we can do nothing to encourage their breeding (since they nest beyond our limits), yet, occupying as we do a State that lies in five-and-one-half degrees of latitude, we can do much to protect the species in its wanderings, or could almost entirely exterminate that part of it passing over our territory. Of this species we took eighteen specimens, sixteen in April and two in May. I have not thought it worth while to separate these, and consequently give them together. Eighty-seven per cent, of the food was insects proper, four per cent, arachnida, and nine per cent, herbivo- rous myriapods. More in detail, thirteen per cent, was ants, eighteen per cent, lepidoptera, twelve per cent, carabid^e (including Dischirius globulosus , Plaiynus, Evarthrus, Pterostichus, Amara, Anisodactylus, Bradycellus dSidiStenolophus), five per cent, dung-beetles, two per cent, curculios, two per cent, plant-beetles, nine per cent, (including three per cent. Reduviidae), eight per cent, grasshoppers and a single lace-wing. A few of the caterpillars were measuring-worms. The number of carabidae (twelve per cent, of the food and eaten by two-thirds of the birds) is a very unfortunate feature, as this, with his other depredations, compels us to reckon the account, temporarily at least, so largely to the discredit of this bird as to count him a public enemy. I find that all but four of these birds were shot in extreme Northern Illinois, at Waukegan, Evanston and Blue Island, and that, for some reason or another, probably accidental, the carabidae were nearly all eaten by these northern specimens. THE ALICE THRUSH {^Turdus alicice, Bd.) The Alice thrueh is a bird of frequent occurrence during the migra- tions. I have eight specimens shot in May, but none from the fall migration. The prominent food characters, as indicated by these speci- mens, are the presence of seven per cent, of moUusks (small snails and periwinkles), an excessive number of ants (forty-two per cent, represented in the food of every bird), respectable numbers of caterpillars and crane- flies (thirteen and eight per cent, respectively), and the small ratio of predaceous beetles, only two per cent. One individual had filled itself with scavenger-beetles. All had eaten small curculios, but in trifling numbers, the whole amounting to two per cent, of the food. 138 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Consequently little can be alleged to the discredit of this bird, while the figures given speak strongly in its praise. It apparently well deserves what little protection and encouragement we can give it during its brief stay. It breeds far to the north (rare summer stragglers occur- ring in Northern Illinois, according to Mr. E. W. Wilson), and probably winters wholly beyond our limits. By Dr. Cones this is regarded merely as a variety of Swainson's thrush. swainson's thrush {Turdus Swainsoni, Cab.) Swainson's thrush is another migrant, of which I have too few speci- mens for generalization. I have carefully studied six specimens, one taken in April and five in May. These indicate a general resemblance to the food of its near ally (the Alice thrush, just mentioned), but present differences which I give for what they are worth. There were no mollusks in these stomachs, but many crane-flies (twenty-two per cent.), very many ants (twenty-eight per cent.), too many Harpalidse (five per cent.), several curculios, and in one stomach a mass of short-horned borers, Scolytus muticus, Say. A glance at a single stomach shot in Kentucky, in August, showed that this bird, probably like all the other migrants of this family, takes wild grapes at least on its return trip from the north. General Discussion and Summary. — We now come to the last and most interesting step of this investigation in its present form, to a com- parison of the different species with each other, and a summary of results for the family as a whole. To this end, I have prepared two tables — one elaborate, giving for each species the totals of the food in all its details, and another brief and compact, presenting the totals only of the most important elements, in which the species have been found to vary most. The full discussion of the former table would inordinately lengthen this paper, and would have little value at present, and I will confine myself to the latter. We note at once the fact that there are few differences in the kinds of food taken by the different species of this family, the occurrence of fragments of grain in the stomachs of the brown thrushes being almost the only notable exception in this respect. When we examine the per- centages, however, we find peculiarities so numerous and definite that we are able easily to construct a series of specific descriptions of the food almost as well marked as the descriptions of the species themselves. I have also prepared, more as a curiosity than anything else, an analytical table of the species, based upon the food characters, from which I find, on trial, that I can determine the species of any group of half-a-dozen bottles now in our collection. Some of these differences will, probably, disappear (many of them, perhaps) when more specimens are studied (a kind of experience not unknown even to those who describe species); but these tables serve to exhibit, at a glance, the present state of the research. Running down the column given to the robin, we find but a trace of mollusks, few ants, many caterpillars, crane-flies and predaceous beetles. STATE HORTICULTUKAL SOCIETY. 139 few scavenger-beetles, not many hemiptera, many oethoptera, few thou- sand-legs, much fruit and no grain. We see that the cat-bird substantially agrees with the robin with respect to mollusks, crane-flies, predaceous beetles, scavenger-beetles, hemiptera, oethoptera, fruits and grain, but differs by eating many ants, fewer caterpillars and many thousand -legs. The brown thrush and robin agree respecting mollusks, j^redaceous beetles, hemiptera, oethoptera, thousand-legs and fruit, but differ notably in the ratios of ants, caterpillars, crane-flies, scavenger-beetles and grain. The brown thrush and the cat-bird, again, vie with each other in their pursuit of ants, predaceous beetles and cethoptera, and in their love of fruit, and seem to visit mollusks and hemiptera with an equal neglect, but diverge sensibly in their views regarding crane-flies, scavenger-beetles and grain. The wood thrush is distinguished from the first two chiefly by the much larger number of crane-flies and thousand-legs ; and from the brown thrush by the lack of scavenger-beetles and grain. Its apparent choice of mollusks is also remarkable. The records of the migrants can fairly be compared with those of the residents only during the months when the migrants are here. The hermit thrush is especially notable as compared with the robin in May (the month when our hermit thrushes were shot) for the large number of ants (thirteen to one), the smaller number of caterpillars (seventeen to thirty-two), the total absence of crane-flies (the robin eating twenty-four per cent, of these in May), the immense number of carabidae (twelve to four), the predominance of scavenger-beetles (five to one), of hemiptera (nine to nothing), and of oethoptera (ten to nothing). The ratios of crane-flies, carabidse and hemiptera are its principal points of distinction from the cat-bird, the latter eating of these in May twenty- three per cent., seven per cent, and none, respectively. With the brown thrush, in this month, it contrasts at every point, these two species apparently complementing each other as nicely as Jack Spratt and his wife. From the small number of the other migrants examined it is hardly worth while to carry the comparison farther. Enough has been done, in my opinion, to establish a strong probability that allied species differ materially in their food under similar or identical conditions; that, with many tastes in common, each has its peculiarities. All traveling in the same direction, each tends towards a separate point. The relation of these food differences to specific and other distinctions is a tempting and intensely interesting subject, but one which we are not by any means ready to enter upon. Considering the family as a unit, I have worked out a few general averages showing the main outlines of the effect produced by all the thrushes taken together, supposing that the numbers of the different species taken by us represent approximately the comparative abundance of those species. As no special pains was taken to get one species more than another, and as more of them are specially sought by taxidermists, this is probably a fair presumption. I40 TRAJSrSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS No thorough discussion of this sort can be attempted, since I have studied no other family with equal care, and can consequently make scarcely any comparisons. I will, therefore, content myself with a few general statements. From the large number of individuals here taken into account, the conclusions given are much less likely to be disturbed hereafter than those relating to species. The food of the family, taken as a whole, I find to consist of insects, seventy-three per cent.; myriapods, five per cent.; and fruits, twenty per cent.; the remaining two per cent, consisting of moUusks, spiders, etc. The most important insect elements are ants, nine per cent.; caterpillars, fourteen per cent.; carabidee, seven per cent.; curculios, two-and-one- fourth per cent.; other injurious beetles, six per cent.; and oethoptera, five per cent. One crude comparison of these birds with the others studied is worth making, as an additional evidence that the thrushes are inordinately destructive to carabidae. Of the one hundred and forty- nine thrushes examined, seventy-one had eaten carabidse (nearly forty- eight per cent.), while of one hundred and ninety-four other insect-eating birds studied only nine had eaten these predaceous beetles — less than five per cent. I confess to you, gentlemen, that, taking these figures as our guide, I am unable, with my present knowledge of economical entomology, to attach any great economical value to the Thrush Family. Please notice, however, that I give you this opinion merely as the point towards which my studies are now tending, and not as by any means a final conclusion. It will take a good deal more of tedious and difficult labor on this subject to give any one the right to use a positive "yes" or "no." Most of all we must learn what these birds do in great emergencies, when the insect hosts arise against us in immense rebellion, and threaten the whole wealth and business of the State. We know that this standing army of birds costs us something in time of peace. We have just learned that it is given to lawless and murderous forays across the border, plun- dering our own allies mercilessly and weakening them for our defense; but we must not, therefore, commit the folly of condemning our soldiery until we know how they behave in time of war. Doubtless we could well afford them better rations from our fruit-fields if we could repress their foraging on our friends; and, possibly, we may be able finally to enlist a better disciplined army in our service. We may find it worth while to colonize some of the birds of Europe as we do its fishes. But it is not impossible that we may, at some future time, find these thrushes banded together in an invulnerable phalanx for the protection of our farms and gardens against an otherwise overwhelming horde of insects. I would, in short, treat this question with careful conservatism, remembering that he who disturbs the delicate balance of Nature's adjustments is certain to produce many and far-reaching effects which he cannot possibly foresee; and that we should, therefore, venture to assume her prerogative only when the evident good in prospect is sufficient certainly to compensate for the possible evil. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 14I APPENDIX. Details of the Food. — In presenting the data upon which the foregoing conclusions are based, two methods were available — either to expand and write out the memoranda for each specimen, printing the whole mass, and leaving each to gather such general ideas as he could by reading ; or else to throw all the facts into tabular form, showing all the details for each species, together with averages, totals and summaries of all degrees of comprehensiveness, so arranged as to enable the reader to bring every state- ment made into ready comparison with the facts upon which it rests. The latter method was adopted, and the following tables are the result. It will be seen that a separate table has been given for each species, and that all the totals for the family are collected in two additional tables — one comparing the records of the species for the whole season, and the other comparing the records of the whole family in different months. Although these tables are unnecessarily elaborate for the matter here presented, it was thought best to adopt, in the beginning, a form which could be used throughout the investigation, however far it may be carried. Explanation of the Tables. — At the left of each table for a species is a list of all the elements of the food determined, arranged in the form of a synopsis of their scientific classification. Against each of these names appear, in the columns to the right, under the headings for each month, two numbers, the lower of which indicates the number of birds in which the given food-element was found ; and the upper the ratio of the amount of this element to the whole amount of food taken by all the birds of the species exam- ined for that month. For example, in the exhibit of the food of the robin, we find in the column for April, against the name I/arpalintT, the two numbers 8 and .23. The lower of these indicates that of the eleven robins examined for this month (see head of column) eight had eaten Harpalina. The upper figures (.23) express the ratio of the mass of ihiSQ.Uarpalin^E to the whole mass of the food of the eleven robins; i. e., counting the latter one hundred per cent., the former will be twenty-three per cent. These ratios were obtained in the following manner: After a minute examination of the contents of each stomach, a careful estimate was made of the percentage of each element to the whole of the food in the stomach, the material being usually reviewed for the purpose. In summing up for the month the percentages of each element found in all the stomachs were added, and then divided by the whole number of birds taken in that month. The averages for the seasons were found by adding these monthly ratios and dividing by the whole number of months represented by specimens. A more obvious method of computing the season averages would have been to add the individual ratios for all the birds, and divide by the total number of the latter; and, if the same number of birds had been examined for each month, the result would have been the same as now; but, as many more birds were examined in some months than in others, the effect would have been to give undue weight to the food-record of these months. The column of totals and the column of ratios at the extreme right of the tables relate, of course, to the season as a whole. The proximate accuracy of these estimates was frequently verified by repeating them, the variations being too slight appreciably to affect conclusions. Although the birds studied were shot during several years, no account was taken of this fact in discussing results. The number of specimens was too small and their seasonal distribution too irregular to permit any comparison between the records of suc- cessive years. For similar reasons, no attempt has been made to compare the food of the same species in different localities. The figures given are consequently to be taken as the average results for several years and for the northern half of the State in general. All reasonable care has been taken to exclude from these tables everything but positive identifications, and a much larger number of probable determinations might have been added. Many specimens, not identifiable at sight, in their mutilated condition, have been laid aside for want of time. The great mass of the matter is certainly not posi- tively recognizable as to species, by any one. A long list of specific names would be, in my opinion, sufficient ground for distrust of the honesty or competence of the inves- tigator. Many additional names will undoubtedly eventually be added, especially among the ants, caterpillars and curculios, few of which I have had time to attempt. 142 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS TURDUS MIGRATORIUS, L. {Robin.) o 'C 0. < 11 4 V c 3 »-> 5 >> 3 14 3 5 Total. ement to >od. Number of Specimens Examined. 2 41 •g'S KINDS OF FOOD. n Number mens " — — **^_S and Ratios of Speci- o S n which each Element " of Food was found. I. MOLLUSCA I OX li ! I Univalve oi I I. Insecta. LarvEe Pupae Raptatorial 1. Hymenoptera Undetermined a. Apidae b. Formicidas , c. IchneumonidcC.. 2. Lepidoptera (LarvK) .OI I .06, 2 I, .01 I I I I I .... .04. I t .01 .03 .01 .01 .01 2 2 3 I 3 2 12 I .32! -32 •03 3 .01 3 I .29 .04 .01 2 .12 12 I 8 ! 3 3 a. Bombycidse 03J. 3 • Arctiinse 03 . b. Noctuidae.. Agrotis .. c. Phalaenidfe. 3. Diptera t: Undetermined j .03 P 2 07 I .67 .05 .19 I .19 I •31 3 .09 I .09 I .or I .01 3 2 19 3 3 2 2 I 12 5 ,,« Undeterminc'i ! .06 .01 .01 04 03 21 I I 1 7 Images .♦. .01 .01 .01 .01 .22 10 4 I 4 3 2 18 Undetermined '.22.13.20.04.12! .12 .01 .18 .01 STATE HORTICULTUKAL SOCIETY. M3 TURDUS MIGRATORIUS — continued. KINDS OF FOOD. H < <* — . — » t« H u> 3 O s < H 2: .04 1 1 Larvae ' •••- -05 .07 01 .02 I I I 3 (7. Tipulida: 24 2 ^. Bibionidae 67 2 2 Bibio albipennis, Say. (Larvas) 67 \ | | | | ||.ii 2 2 ' 4. Coleoptera .19 2 II 3 4 6 4 28 Undetermined 05 .01 11 I 1 2 3 Larvje ' 01 .... I I 2 <7. CarabidcX 06 .23 .04 06 .06 .07 I 8 2 3 3 17 Undetermined , I I Larvae || 1 1 .02J | ' ' ' I ' I Harpalinae 06 .23 .02 06 .06 .06 ]l I 8 I 2 3 15 Undetermined I' 12 .01 02 .06 .04 I 5 I I I 2 211 Larvae 01 .01 .01 I 2 2 5 Evarthrus 02 I I Pterostichus | j | ' I I Amara .01 I I Geopinus incrassatus, Dej 05 .01 i * 1 1 1 ! I Agonoderus pallipes, Fab 1 ' ' I I 2 Anisodactylus, sp. ? 01 I I Anisodactylus baltimorensis, Say 02! 2 1 1 2 Harpalus 03 .oil | j 01 • , 3 t.oii 2 I ' 3 Undetermined 01 1 1 I i i I I » I 2 II Dendrophilus ' ' ' ' ' I 1 r. Copridse (Onthophagus) 01 01 I . I 2 .03 .oil 2 I b. Histeridse .01 144 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS TURDUS MIGRATORIUS — continued. KINDS OF FOOD. ■g % 1 1 < ^ S V c .02 I .01 I 5, (A 3 Ml 3 < H 0 0 « I fi AnhodiidsB .12 8 .OI 2 .02 4 .09 2 .07 I .07 I .02 9 Undetermined 1 1 2 Anhodiiis inauinatus. Hbst 1 4 Aohodius fimetarius. Linn •03 I .01 I .02 3 / MelolonthidcC .02 PhvlloTiliafTa I 3 .01 I I 7 p*. Klateridse .14 I .01 I •13 I .02 2 .01 2 .02 I •03 Undetermined I I 2 5 Larvse .01 I .01 I I .01 I .02 I •03 Melanotus 1 I 2 Monocrenidius -.. 1 I •03 4 .02 4 .01 I I II 11" k Curculionidse •03 2 •03 2 .01 I .01 I .01 I .01 .06 3 .06 3 •03 .02 Undetermined 1 Knicserus vadosus. Sav 1 1 ! I 1 i. ChrvsomelidcC •03 I .01 2 .01 I .01 3 Undetermined I Gastrophysa polygoni, I^inn I I Chrvsomela lo-lineata. Sav .02 I I c fTenii'htpra. THeterontera^ .OI I .02 4 .04 Undetermined I 2 2 10 2 2 I 2 Nepa .19 I .01 I •03 a. Reduviidcg I .OI I I .01 2 I 2 (■ CTvdnidnp I 4 Undetermined STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 145 TURDUS MIGRATORIUS — continued. KINDS OP FOOD. V23 2 < .01 I .04 4 .01 I c 3 •— > • 3 1— > 4J 1 1 Hymenarcys nervosa, Say I 6. Orthoptera .02 I .04 2 .16 2 II .08 I Ftras ^toS^ I •03 I .01 2 .01 2 I rirvlliis alihreviatus Serv ■ •••• I Acri(iid?e •23 •03 3 .02 I .16 2 ,10 .16 .07 •03 Tlnrletermined •23 2 I Tettigidea, sp? .02 I .04 I .02 I .01 2 ■03 2 .02 I .01 I 3 Teltifidea lateralis. Sav I .01 4 ::.:-s- .07 3 III. Myriapoda r'Viilonnrla ^rreonhilus^ .02 1 1 1' 01 Chilotrnalha •• .07 3 •03 I •05 2 _ 4 I .01 I .01 I 01 3 ' ■••■• I lulus ••• .05 2 .01 2 •ss 5 •79 20 .56 12 •OS I •17 6 IV Fruit •31 3 28 12 ,?,8 Blackberries 09 1? acnHprrif*^ .* •17 2 ■38 3 1 .04 1 Cherries .26..-:.. 2 5 ;!.!.V6' •05 I I .If ,01 .01 .01 I I .02 I V. Vegetation (Undetermined) 11 I 146 TEANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS MIMUS CAROLINENSIS, Linn. {Cat-Bird.) >. n s June. July. Total. ;ment to od. Number of Specimens Examined. 18 9 10 37 1 u-r KINDS OF FOOD. Ratios and Number of Sp in which each Element was found. ecimens of Food Ratio of whc I Toad .01 I j 1 TT Tnsfpta .87 1 .64 18 Q .18 10 •56 37 Undeteimined 1 I I Pupse 1 I .22 I -T? .04 7 ■13 16 6 Undetermined I I I 3 Fossorial .01 I I n Crabronidse .01 I .10 5 .01 I I .19 16 •03 2 I .02 4 .02 I 3 h Kormicidse 10 25 r Tenthredinidse 02 Euura 4 I .16 10 .16 ID .24 7 I .11 5 .11 5 .14 A •03 I •03 I .10 16 .10 16 ■13 II /7 Tinulidse .IT, 1 .11 . 12 6 .01 3 3 .01 I 9 T^.crcrs ■ 01 ^gS^ 4 I I r IVrn^^Hdae .01 I .19 13 .01 I 30 .26 1 13 9 8 ■19 Undetermined 2 I I 3 I I ,,,, ■ n CinrindelidflB i I I STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCLETY. i ^j MiMUS CAROLINENSIS — continued. KINDS OF FOOD. c — > >> < e2 Of •^ I .10 6 • b, Carabidae .07 6 .01 2 .06 3 .01 I 08 15 Undetermined 01 3 I •05 3 I I .01 I ■1 1 .02 4 1 .\J^ I I .02 2 .01 I .01 Say 2 Pterostichus sayi, Brulle I I Agonoderus 04 1 .01 Anisodactylus baltimorensis, .01 I •05 2 I 3 Harpalus .01 I .02 /•. Dvtiscidse 2 2 Larvse 1 I Colymbetes bigutlulus, Lee I •03 2 •03 I I d Hvdroohilidse 01 2 Larvse 01 • Hydrobius I I e. Staphylinidse I I f. Histeridoe I I g. Phalacridre (Olibrii) I 1 //. Nitidulidse I I 2 Omosita colon, Linn I I Pityophagus 4-guttatus, Fab... I I /. Heteroceridae (Heterocerus) I I I /. Geotrupidee .04 I .01 148 TRANSACTIONS 'OF THE ILLINOIS MIMUS CAROLINENSIS — continued. KINDS OF FOOD. «) C Geotrupes splendidus, Fab 04 I y&. Copridae (Onthophagus) 01 /. Aphodiid^ (Aphodius) * 01 I m. Melolonthidse .11 4 Undetermined 10 Phyllophaga 01 n. Lampyridre Undetermined Telephorus bilineatus, Say Telephorus carolinus, Fab Tetramera (Undetermined) o. Curculionidae Undetermined Ithycerus noveboracensis, Forst. Epicaerus vadosus, Say .01 .01 .01 I .01 I .06 .01 .01 .02 I .02 I 04 I /. Chrysomelidfe 02 Gastrophysa polygoni , Linn .02 I 5. Hetniptera I .01 Eggs. a. Cydnidte b. Thripidoe (Thripsj c. Mallophaga 6 Orthoptera Diapheromera femoratum, Say (yg.). a. Gryllidse CEcanlhus .01 H O H I I I 4 3 I 3 I I I 5 2 I I I I 5 I 2 I I I .05 6 .01 I 1 7 I 1 I li .02 I .02 I .01 I 2 II I en .01 .04 03 .01 .01 .01 .01 .01 .01 .02 .01 .OI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 149 MIMUS CAROLINENSIS — continued. KINDS OF POOD. Gryllus abbreviatu=^, Serv. b. Acrididee Undetermined TettiginiB Undetermined Tettix III. Arachnida... a. Araneidse b. Phalangidae. V. Fruit Currants. Blackberries. n .01 ■03 4 .01 2 .02 2 .01 I .01 I I 4 2 2 I .04 .01 6 2 .04 .01 6 2 .04 10 9 .04 IV, Myriapgda a. Lithobiidae (Lithobius) b. Polydesmidfc Polydesmus Polydesmus serratus, Say Polydesmus canadensis, Newp c. lulidje Undetermined lulus .09 .04 .04 II I .07 •05 .01 .01 .02 .01 ■3 .01 .04 .04 .04 .02 .02 4 2 I I 9 7 2 .30 • 71 Raspberries 11 4 10 .09 .03 I I .0; •55 8 4 8 Undetermined (wild) 10 08 I 4 .01 .01 •03 .02 .01 .06 .02 .02 ■03 .02 .01 •34 14 .04 2 •05 .18 .06' 15° TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS HARPORHYNCHUS RUFUS, L. {Brcnvn Thrush.) Number of Specimens Examined. KINDS OF FOOD. I. Insects Undetermined Larvae Eggs April. May. June. July Total. each Element to jle of Food. 8 ' 4 \ 9 1 7 28 Ratios and Number of Specimens in which each Element of Food was found. Ratio of wh( .66 •79 \ •19 ■54 •37 .i8 4 I I. Hymenoptrea I .06 ii 5 Undelermined , \ I Formicida;. •03 3 •17 .01 4 28 I 5 I 20 .06 •03 •17 .01 2. Lepidoptera 04 I .09 .03 2 2 I 3 Larvae 04 .09 .01 2 21 Images .02 2 3. Diptera .02 3 3 "18' •13 3 10 .13 Undetermined Larvae 4. Coleoptera Undetermined a. Carabidae Undetermined Scarites Harpalinas Undetermined Larvae Evarthrus colossus, Lee. •36 .04 .01 •43 .02 .21 .09 ■03 .02 .09 2 .08 •05 4 .01 I .05 4 .02 3 •15 7 27 .01 I I •OS , 4 •05 4 .02 2 .01 I .01 I 15 I I 14 ""% I I •59 •05 .04 .07 .07 .07 .07 .29 .06 .06 •03 ■if STATE HOBTICOLTTJRAL SOCIETY. 151 HARPORHYNCHUS RUFUS — continued. KINDS OP FOOD, April. June. July. J ! I Ratios. I I ArrnnnHprii^ nnllinps F'nl) 01 I I I Anisodactylus .01 1 I Harpalus .01 2 .08 2 .01 I .01 I .06 I .01 2 .01 .01 2 6 I b Silohidae .02 I Silpha americana, Linn .....!..i I Silpha lapponica, Hhst .01 .01 I I 02 I // NitiduliflfP I . I PitvoT^liJicrii'^ 02 I I 7 e, Copridae .02 2 .02 I •03 4. .02 .02 I I Onthophagus, sp.? .01 I .01 I .02 2 .02 .01 •2 4 Onthophagus latebrosus, Fab .02 I •13 2 01 01 I 3 f AnhnHiidiP .. . ... .04 4 AnViofliii*; fimf-tariii^ T, .01 I Anhodius oranarius L I 1 I Aphodius inquinalus, Hb .02 2 1 I .12 I 3 AnVindiiis; fprnnraH^ ^av *.... •03 I g. Cetoniidae 2 2 •15 I .04 2 Eryomia inda, Linn .04 2 h. MplnlontHidnp .07 .05 2 3 Undetermined .07 .02 •"/ 2 ! 2 Phyllophaga •15 I .04 I i TJiinrestidflf* 1 .01 1 i I 1 1 I 152 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS HARPORHYNCHUS RUFUS — continued. KINDS OF FOOD. April. ^ S 4) B 3 >-> July. Total. pi; /. Elateridse : .• •03 3 .01 I .02 2 .01 2 5 Undetermined .01 I 2 Melanotus 2 ! Monocreoidius auritus Hbsi I I k» Anthicidse I I Tomoderus. sn. ^ I .OI I I / Tenebrionidflp /^Ivarvap^ I ' tn. Brenthidae .01 I .01 I .02 4 I 1 KuDsalis minuta. Drurv I n. Curculionidae 3 •05 3 •03 3 •03 3 .02 3 .01 3 .01 I .01 I •03 13 Undetermined .02 2 .02 2 II Knicafirus vadosus Sav .01 3 0. Chrvsomelidae I 2 Heterasni^; ■nuHescens IVTels I I I I Chrvsomela suturalis. Fab I .02 4 I C fTeniiMerd .01 I .01 I •OS 5 .02 II TTndpfermined I I I I TTpt^roTitera .. I I h T^pdiiviidfp . .. ........>.......... I .02 3 I c. Cydnidae // lVTf*TTiV>rfiPidj¥* .01 I .01 I .04 4 .02 9 • ••••••••■ 3 •03 2 3 fi OYthnfitpvn >■ .01 I .01 I .04 I .09 4 .04 ■ 8 1 ^ TTnf1ff<='T*mi'nf*d I STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 153 HARPORHYNCHUS RUFUS — continued. KINDS OF FOOD. April. May. u c 3 >> 3 1—1 ■J 0 C-, (A 0 n Grvllidjp .02 I I .04 I .09 . 4 .01 I •05 I .0^ 5 Undetermined .01 I 2 Tomonotus sulphureus, Fab .01 I 'rf»tticrinj¥» sn ^ .04 I .01 I Tettix .01 . I .02 I I T'pft'i oriHpa I TT Araphnida .02 I .02 I .02 I .02 I ,, .01 I j 3 3 ' 3 Araneidae .01 I III. Myriapoda .08 4 .08 4 .04 3 .04 3 .04 4 .04 4 •23 8 •05 3 .06 I .12 3 .04 II II .04 ■63 7 .01 I TV Frtitts .22 15 .01 4 I .01 Raspberries .22 2 .40 4 .08 5 4 .10 V. Grain (from excrement) Buckwheat Oats Corn Wheat .24 5 .01 I .22 4 .14 .19 2 5 .14 •17 .02 .01 12 I 10 2 I ■14 • 14 VI. Seeds of Weeds. 154 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS TURDUS MUSTELINUS, Gm. {Wood Thrush.') April. May. June S-, ■3 •—1 0 H ement to ood. Number of Specimens Examined. \ 2 4 I 3 I II . 1 eachE! ole of F KINDS OF POOD. Number of Specimens in which each Element of Food was found. |1 15 I. MOLLUSCA 1 .02 1 1 2 Univalve I I 1 2 Helix labyrinthica, Say... I • •■•••• I PuDilla fallax. Sav \ I I I II. Insecta •65 II Undetermined .01 I • •• I Larvge •03 I I I. Hymenoptera (Formicidse) i .08 2 3 I 2 8 2. Lepidoptera (Larva;) 1...' •17 2 2 4 3. Diptera .19 6 Undetermined 1 I a. Tipulidae •13 I 1 i 5 Eggs i •03 2 2 Imagos . 10 3 ! I 4 b. Bibionidte .06 I I Bibio albipennis, Say(Lan») ■ .06 I I 4. Coleoptera .12 10 1 Undetermined .01 1 I I a. Carabidte (Harpalinse) 1 1 1 . .04 \ 5 Undetermined \ •03 I 1 2 T 4 Pterostichus I I Evarthrus ! .01 I I Anisodactylus I I STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. TURDUS MUSTELINUS — continued. 155 KINDS OF FOOD. ^< 3 —1 _>. Sept. < (A o "a Harpalus I I Bradycellus I I b. HisteridiT? .OI 2 X 3 c. Melolonthida; .OX I I d. Elateridae (Larvae) .04 I I 2 e. Curculionidse .01 I I 2 5 Hemiptera ( Heteroptera ) 2 Undetermined I I Cydnidfe I I /i, Orlhoptern^^^g^,,, , ,. 05 ^ 3 Undetermined 02 I I Acrididae .02 I I Tettix 01 I I III. Arachnida .01 5 Araneid ae .01 2 I I I 5 IV Myriapoda .11 6 Chilopoda ••••••■•a I I Chilognatha . 1 1 Polydesmus, sp.? .05 I 3 4 Polydesmus serratus, Say. .01 I ' lulidae .05 I I I 3 V. Fruits .20 4 Cherries •OS I I Blackberries .02 I I Grapes (wild) .09 I I Undetermined .04 I I 2 1 156 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS TURDUS PALLASI, Cab. {Hermit Thrush.) Number of Specimens Examined. April. May. Total. each Element to le of Food. i6 2 i8 1 V- " KINDS OF FOOD. I. Insecta, Eg Number of Specimens in which each Element of Food was found. i6 -ggs- i8 .87 .OI Larvae 2 2 I. Hymenoptera i .i6 '13 ! 2 ! 15 ■! Undetermined " ' ' " .01 ' 4 ,y 4 '; a. Apidae Agapestemon.. , b. Crabronid^ c. Formicidae 2. Lepidopiera Undetermined Larvae Undetermined. Phalaenidae Ellopia? 3. Diptera Undetermined Larvae 4. Coleoptera Undetermined Larvae a. Carabidae I I 1 i. 12 2 . 12 II i 2 I I i. ! "2 T I . I 15 2 II 2 2 I I I 14 14 2 14 13 2 I 3 I 2 16 3 I 12 .02 •13 .is' 1 .02 .07 •IS .02 .01 .O! •32 •03 .12 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. TURDUS PALI-ASI — continued. 157 KINDS OF FOOD. April. May. Total. 1 Dyschirius globulosus, Say I I Harnalinte ; 12 I I I 12 Undetermined I I 9 I 10 Platynus I I Evarthrus .01 I i I Pterostichus "! ' I Amara 2 2 Anisodactylus discoideus? Dej I I 1 Bradycellus 2 2 Stenolophus 2 2 b. Hydrophilidie (Hydrophilus) .04 I I c. Staphylinidje 1 I I d. Phalacridoe (Olibrus) 1 I I ... e. Nitidulidaj I I f. Parnidae I I g. Aphodiidae .05 5 5 Aphodius, sp. ? • 1 2 2 ' Aphodius fimetarius, L OX 2 2 •'-'J Aphodius inquinatus, Hb 01 3 3 h. Melolonthidae 01 2 2 i. Elateridae .01 2 I 3 Undetermined I I 2 1' .....■•• . Larvse 1 I I I I Melanotus communis, Gyll .01 /'. Anthicidie I I I 158 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS * TURDUS PALLASI — continued. KINDS OF FOOD. < "s s Notoxus monodon, Fab k. Tenebrionidfe (Larvae) Meracantha contracta, Beau I I /. Curculionidse 02 I I I I 8 8 4 \ , 4 Undetermined Lixus concavus, Say I I Listronotus insequalipennis, Boh 01 Centrini. 2 2 m. Chrysomelid£e 02 2 2 Chrysomela suturalis, Fab I I Gastrophysa dissimilis, Say 01 I I Plagiodera viridis, Mels I 1 5. Hemiptera (Heteroptera) 09 Undetermined. Corixa 12 ; 2 14 5 5 I I Ruduviidfe ' .03 5 5 Corisidae (Undetermined) 01 2 2 Cydnidae oj 4 I 5 Undetermined 4 4 Podisus spinosus, Dai .01 I I Thyreocoris? j 1 I 6. Orihoptera (Acrididffi) • .08 9 I 10 Undetermined 2 1 2 Tettix, sp. ? 02 2 2 Tettix ornata, Say 01 I I STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. TURDUS PALLASI — continued. 159 KINDS OF POOD. Tettigidea, sp.? 03 4 4 Tettigidea lateralis, Say 01 I I 7. NeuropUra. Chrysopa. [I. Arachniua 04 6 I 7 a. Araneida? 04 5,1 6 b. Phalangidte I III. Myriapoda 09 10 I II Chilognatha 09 10 I II Polydesmus 06 7 7 Undetermined 3 3 Polydesmus canadensi.^, Newp 1 ... I Polydesmus serratus, Say 01 2 2 Polydesmus granulatus, Say 02 3 3 lulidte 03 7 7 I I IV. Vegetation. Undetermined 7 7 lulus 01 i6o TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS TURDUS ALICIA, Baird. {Alice Thrush.) Number of Specimens Examined. KINDS OF FOOD. I. MOLLUSCA Helix labyrinthica, Say. Succinea II. Insecta 1. Hynienoptera Apidse Andrena? Pompilides FormicidaB 2. Lepidoptera (Larvae). Undetermined Clisiocampa? 3. Diptera Larvae Nemocera Tipulidae Adults Eggs Mycetophilidse 4. Coleoptera Carabidae Ratios, and Num- ber of Specimens in which each Ele- ment of Food was found. .07 4 .01 2 .06 2 .90 •47 .02 I ■03 I .42 8 •13 7 .11 6 .02 I .10 6 .01 I I .08 4 .04 2 .04 o .01 I •17 8 .02 5 4 2 2 7 I 6 I I 4 2 3 I "s" 5 CtS .07 .01 .06 .90 •47 .02 ■03 .42 ■13 .11 .02 .10 .01 oS .04 .04 .oi •17 .02 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. i6i TURDUS ALICIA — continued. KINDS OF FOOD. Carabina; Harpalina> Histeridae Geotrupidae Aphodiidje Aphodius, sp.? Aphodius inquinatus, Hb Tetramera ( Undetermined) Curculionidoe Un determined Conotrachelus anagpjypticus, Say. Chrysomelidaj , Chrysomela suturalis, Fab Chrysomela similis, Rog 5. Orihoptera (Acridida;) Undetermined '. Tettix I .01 I .10 2 .10 .02 .02 .01 ■J < H O H .02 .01 .10 .10 .02 .02 .01 I I I I •03 2 2 .01 I I 02 •03 .01 .02 III. Arachnida. Araneidae IV. Mykiapoda Polydesmus serratus, Say lulides 12 .01 .01 2 .02 -> .01 I .01 2 .01 .01 .02 3 .01 1 I .01 2 l62 TRAJSrSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS TURDUS SWAINSONI, Cab. {Swamson's Thrush.) a. < h1 < O H Number of Specimens Examined. KINDS OF FOOD. Number of Specimens in which each Element of Food was found. I. Insecta Laivie 1 . Hymenoptera Undetermined Formicidse 2. Lepidoptera (Larvse) 3. Diptera (Tipulidie) 4. Coleoptera a. Harpalinse Undetermined Anisodactylus b. Aphodiidae (Aphodius) c. Melolonthidse (Phyllophaga). d. Elateridse (Larvae) e. Cleridse Thanasimus nigripes, Say.. f. Curculionidae g. Scolytidae Scolytus muticus, Say 5. Hemiptera (Heteroptera) Undetermined Phytocoris lineolaris, Beauv 6 I 4 I 4 3 2 5 2 2 :i. o ox o ^ .98 .06 •31 OJ "."28" 22 .07 •05 .04 .01 .06 ■15 • 15 .02 .02 .01 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 163 TURDUS SWAINSONI — continued. TURDIDrE. {Thrush Family) KINDS OP FOOD. April. May. Total. Ratios. Reduviidse 1 I I II. Arachnida 01 I Araneidie 01 I I III. Myri vpoda .. . 01 r I Number of Speetinens Examined. KINDS OF FOOD. Robin. Cat-Bird. Brown Thrush. | Wood ~ Thrush. Hermit Thrush. Alice ^ Thrush. Swainson's Thrush. ' Total. 4x 37 28 II 1 1 i 1 iS " 6 149 Ratios, an each i number of Specimens in which Element of Food was found. " 1 I. Toad. I. .01 I 07 4 II. MOLLUSCA 03 .... I I 2 .... Univalve (Undelermine ) , , 02 .... I I I 1 2 Helix labyrinthica, Say 01 I 2 06 Succinea Pupilla faliax, Say. Ill Insecta 70 39 Undetermi ned 03 7 I .arvaa 01 2 •56 37 8 4 .01 .04 .01 10 .06 I 1 1 .01 •59 -65; 87 90 .98 74 28 II ! 18 8,6 147 164 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS TURDID.t — continued. KINDS OF FOOD. 1^ U (/J 3 §2 •M ■•1 s Ratios. Pupee .01 3 I 4 Epcs I I 2 Raptatoiial I ' .01 12 I ■96' 12 I. UvfllEltOtlteTd •13 29 .07 20 .08 8 .16 .01 4 •47 8 .02 I .02 I •31 4 •03 I Undetermined a AoidiE I 3 3 I I 3 Andrena ? I Agapestemon I I Fossorial (Undeiei mined) 01 I I b. Crabronidae .02 I i 3 4 c. Pompilidfe •03 I .42 8 "'.28 4 I //. Formicidae .01 12 .10 25 .07 18 .08 8 •13 14 .09 e. IchneumonidjE I I f. Tenthredinidoe .02 4 .02 4 4 Undetermined 4 Euura .18 22 I .10 16 I ■■76" 2 . Lei)idottera .07 10 •17 4 .18 14 .02 2 •17 14 •15 13 •13 7 .22 3 Undetermined 2 .07 8 .07 8 17 4 •17 4 4 74 "64' LarvEe .18 22 .18 22 .10 16 .10 16 •13 7 .11 6 .22 3 .22 3 .14 Undetermined a. Bombycidae 3 3 Arctiinae 1 3 3 Clisiocampa ? 02 I 1 b. Noctuidae i .05 2 •05 2 2 Agrotis 1 2 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 165 TURDID.E — continued. KINDS OF FOOD. n 0 (A EH V 3 hi < Swainson's Thrush. < i /* "Phalnf*niHap ....... .01 I .02 2 3 ElloDia' I .01 3 I 1 Dititej-a .18 12 .01 5 .02 3 13 I 1 2 .19 6 .10 6 .07 2 TTnf1**tf*rminf*fl .... 42 I I I 8 .01 2 .01 I Nptnoppra ''ITndeterrnined^ 2 8 I .08 4 .04 2 .04 -1 0 .07 2 .07 2 I 24 10 a, Tipulidic .04 2 .04 2 .12 9 •13 5 .10 4 •03 2 Tmncrn*; T^fTOS .01 4 ^&s^ 9 .11 2 I 1 Bibio albipennis, Say (Larvse)... .06 I 3 .01 I .19 28 .01 3 I •19 30 I 124 A. CollO'tt£TCl .29 27 .12 10 .01 I •32 16 •03 3 .17 .?o .22 8 5 3 I II LarvsB 2 I I 4 I I .07 17 I .08 15 .01 3 . •■ I 71 b. Carabidas .06 15 .04 5 . 12 12 .02 5 .05 2 .07 T JnHf*tf*rminpfl I I 5 Larv86 . . 1 I Carabince I I I 3 Sraritf»s I I 1 .06 1 15 I .02 4 .05 2 I Marnalinflfi .02 nfi .04 5 .12 12 4 ' 14 56 i66 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS T U R D I DM — continued. KINDS OF FOOD. c o u 'en 3 0 X Alice Thrush. Swainson's Thrush. Total. i Undetermined Larvae .04 II ■03 8 ■03 4 .11 10 .04 2 35 5 I 6 Platynus I I .01 2 I .01 I 2 Evarthrus, sp. ? .01 I • ■• . • 5 Evarthrus colossus, Lee I I Pterostichus, sp.? I I I 3 Pterostichus sayi, Brulle I I Amara I 2 -J Brachylobus lithophilus, Say. J 2 .01 I 1 >.■•■• ,,,,,, ■••l.».««« 2 Geopinus incrassatus, Dej.... 1 I Agonoderus, sp.^ .01 I I 2 Agonoderus, Fab I I 2 4 Anisodactylus, sp. '. .01 I I I I Anisodaetylus baltiuiorensis, Say 2 I 3 Anisodactylus discoideus, Dej. I I Brady eel 1 us I 2 3 Harpalus .01 3 .02 3 .01 6 - I 13 Stenolophus 2 2 c. Dy tiscidae 2 2.... Larvae 1 I I Colymbetes higutlulus, Germ... I .01 I .01 I ji' d. Hydrophilidse .04 I 2 !!!!! Larvae I HydrophiUi .04 I I Hydrobius I i\ STATE HOBTICTJIiTUKAL SOCIETY. 167 TURDIDjIi — continued. KINDS OF FOOD. e IS 0 ■0 m Brown Thrush. Wood Thrush. Hermit Thrush. Alice Thrush. Swainson's Thrush. Total. Ratios. e. Silphidae .02 I I Larvae I I fiiloha americana. L I .01 I I Silpha lapponica, Hb I f. Staphylinidse 1 I I I f. Histeridi'e .01 3 Undetermined 3 I I I 9 I I Dendrophilus I I h PhalacridsB ^Olibrus^ I I 2 »■ Nitidulidae 2 I I 4 Undetermined I I PitvoDhapus d.-puttatus. Fab I I 2 j. Parnidse I I k. Heteroceridae 1 ... I 1 ' I Heterocerus I I .01 I I /. Geotrupidae .01 I 3 Undetermined Geotrapes splendidus, Fab .01 I I Bolboceras I 2 I m. Copridae I .02 7 .•••>■ 10 Phanaeus carnifex, L I .01 4 .01 3 .04 4 I Onthophagus, sp.? Onthophagus latebrosus, Fab... 2 I 7 3 21 n. Aphodiidse Aphodius, sp.? J .02 8 I •05 s .10 2 I 2 I 1 2 I 6 1 68 TKANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS TURDID/E — continued. KINDS OF FOOD. ] 1 i c la o •2 n '•J pq Ml 3 or-i 0 Hermit Thrush. Alice Thrush. Swainson's Thrush. 1 .i Aphodius fimetarius, L .02 3 •03 2 1 5 Aphodius granarius, L I I Aphodius inquinatus, Hb | .01 3 .10 I ADhodius femoralis. Sav 4 3 •03 I •OS 3 .02 2 .04 4 .04 2 .04 2 .01 I .01 5 .01 2 II I 0. Melolonthidse .02 2 .04 4 •03 3 I I .01 2 .01 2 nfi Undetermined ! I ^3 \ j ] .01 I 7 7 Phvllonhapa .06 I i) Cetoniid £e 1 2 Eurvomia inda. L 1 1 2 (7 T^uDrestidse ; I r. Elateridse •03 7 .04 2 .01 3 Undetermined I 18 2 •03 5 2 6 Larvse I I 7 Melanotus. std.? 2 2 4 Melanotus communis. Gvll .01 I I IVrnnnrrf^nidius I 1 I Monocreoidius auritus. Hbst.... I I s. LamDvridse 1 .01 3 1 3 I Indetermined 1 I I Tplenliorim hilineatiis Sav I I Telenhorus carolinus. Fab I I t. Cleridse I I Thanasimus niprioes. Sav I I u Tf^npbrionidflft . I 2 3 ■*■"■ I I • ■ • > > • STATE HORTICULTUKAI. .SOCIETY. turdida; — continued. 169 x j: X X t/l V) •a =33 3 o KINDS OF FOOD. ^ ■- c j; x = J: ? £f ^ J3 J. S' S~ '-^ uH « H o Meracantha contracta, Beaiiv... Anthicidte 1 I T Tomoderus, sp. ? I 2 Notoxus monodon, Fab . CurculionidsE I 1 .02 8 I 't> •03 II .02 II •03 6 .01 2 03 >3 2 .02 .02 8 02 7 •03 I .... 0 * Undetermined Ithycerus noveboracensis, Forst. Epicaerus vadosus, Say Conotrachelus, sp. ? 49 II 4 35 I 1 I .01 I 1 .01 T. 5 Conotrachelus anaglypticus, Say Lixus concavus, Say 1 Listronotus inaequalipennis, Bob. Cciitrini I .01 I Brenthidae Eupsalis minuta, Drury Scoly tidse 2 2 r 01 I 01 I ;'• •'5 I •15 I Scolytus muticus, Say C hrysomelid ae Undetermined ?.. .01 3 .01 I .02 2 .01 I 2 9 Heteraspis pubescens, Mels I Colaspis brunnea Fab I Chrysomela suturaiis, Fab Chrysomela similis, Rog 1 I I 1 3 Chrysomela lo-Iineata, Say Gastrophysa polygoni , L ' .01 I I .01 I 2 170 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS TURDIDj?j — continued. X. -=' j= j: ."ji ty. ■o 3 3 o -^ KINDS OF FOOD. 13 c H CJ If .J < .2 c 03 ^ a: < C/2 0 H Gastrophysa dissimilis, Say. I oi ' I Plagiodera viridis, Mels I 5. He7?nptera .04 .01 .02 .01 .09 10 sill 2 14 .02 I ?gs Homoptera... Aphidae. Ileteroptera .04 10 Undetermined 2 Nepa .03 1 Corixa 01 09 2 14 I I I 02 I 28 I Reduviidffi 03 2 I 5 Corisiae .01 2 "2 Undetermined 10 I I 9 4 I 5 Cydnidge 02 5 2 9 Undetermined 1 4 4 Podisus spinosus, Dal 01 I Hymenarcys nervosa, Say — I I j I j Thyreocoris? ' 1 I Thrips I ... Mallophaga ij b. Orthoptera 08 .02 .04 .05 .08 .03 10 7 8 3 10 2 40 Undetermined 02 I I I 3 a. Gryllidse 01 I I 2 Phytocoris lineolaris, Beauv.. 01 I I Membracidse 3 22 .01 •05 .STATE HOKTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 171 TURDID^E — continued. KINDS OF FOOD Rohin. Cat-Bird. Brown Thrush. Wood Thrush. Hermit Thrush. Alice Thrush. Swainson's Thrush. Total. Ratios. r»rvllnQ '^ViVirpviafn^ ^prv . . 01 I I 2 01 I I .07 01 .0^ 02 .08 .01 Undetermined Ro-nrc 3 4 5 .0^ I 10 2 .01 25 .> 5 2 2 2 12 ^ss^ I I Tomonotus sulphureus, Fab 01 I I .05 .01 .02 3 2 3 01 I I 01 .06 I 10 .02 Undetermined I 20 2 Tpttiv sn ' .01 .01 .02 Tettix omata, Say I I I 2 01 I I 6 1 Tettigidea, sp.? •04 3 > I 03 4 01 I 8 Tettigidea lateralis, Say 2 *7 \'^nT(i'hlPvn I Chrvsona ' I I IV. Ar \chnida Q-l 01 01 .04 Of .01 a. Araneidae , 6 10 3 02 .01 693 01 4 7 .01 .04 4 6 2 I .01 .01 2 I 11 31 I I 2 V. Myriapoda .02 .06 .04 6 II II .11 .09 6 II .02 .01 3 • .OS Chi opoda 49 I I J 3 Undetermined I I Lithobius 1 I Geonhilus I I ( ' h i lognatha Polvdesmus. sd.? .01 .05 .04 6 10 II 02 .11 .09 6 II oc .02 3 47 2 4 3 9 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS TURDID.^ — continued. KINDS OF FOOD, Robin Cat-Bird. P3 X. ■si 0 ■|l ji 3 < Swainson's Thrush. Total. OS Polydesmus canadensis, Newp.. I I I .01 I .01 2 .02 3 .04 8 ...„. .01 X 2 Polydesmus serratus, Say Polydesmus granulatus, Say .01 I .01 I 6 3 lulides •03 9 .02 7 .01 2 .04 II ■05 3 •05 3 .OX 2 Undetermined lulus I .OX 2 34 "li' 5 VI. Fruits .28 22 .04 3 .10 12 .11 1 i 5 •03 6 .01 I •34 14 •05 4 .18 8 .04 2 .22 15 .08 5 .10 4 .20 4 .20 Raspberries 55 .02 •05 I ...•,. 12 Blackberries Cherries 25 ...„. Curi"ants Grapes .01 I 2 Strawberries .01 I .01 4 I Undetermined (^wild^ . .06 5 .04 2 I X2 VII. Grain .14 12 12 Buckwheat I .14 ID I Corn 10 Oats 2 2 Wheat I I VIII. Vegetation ("miscellaneous^ \ I I I - • 3 • STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. I 73 THE VALUE OF BIRDS.* A PAPER READ BEFORE THE HINGHAM (MASS. I AGRIC. ANU HORTIC. SOCIETY, JCLY I9, 1869, BY THOMAS M. BREWER, M. D. Having accepted, with many misgivings as to my ability to prepare anything worthy of your consideration, an invitation to read a brief paper before the members of our Society, I propose to occupy but a small portion of your time with a subject of vital interest to every tiller of the soil, whether he call himself horticulturist, fruit- culturist, or farmer: the value of birds. I do not propose to treat this subject here to-night from any sentimental point of view. Much as I may be moved in n\y own feelings by the beauties of song, of plumage, or of character of my friends of the feathered tribes, all these partialities — weaknesses, if you will — I shall endeavor to leave severely on one side, and to consider only the question of their practical economic value to the husbandman. Not that I shall be able to say of any one of the eight hundred different kinds of birds, which inhabit different parts of the United States, this bird does just this specified proportion of good, or just this certain amount of harm. The man does not live who can approximate, wiih certainty, such a conclusion, or give you any reliable data for such pretended certainties. No one but a charlatan and pretender, in the present state of our science, will profess to give, by tables of units, the merits or the demerits of even a single species. It is simply impossible. In Europe the case is somewhat different. There, for many years, at a large outlay of money and of time, with the support and encouragement of government, the most thorough investigations and careful aggregation of facts bearing upon the value of birds have been made, with results so complete in many instances as to amount almost to a thorough demonstration. But in this country it is not so. We cannot give you facts, except in broken series. The facts we can supply are valuable, instructive, suggestive. They point strongly to certain conclusions, but they are isolated, incomplete and are not exhaustive. They may warrant us to form opinions, and those opinions may be well or ill formed, according to our more or less favorable opportunities for forming them ; but for the present they must be only opinions, and not positive knowledge. I frankly state to you, thus in advance, the unsatisfactory nature of the ground I am to occupy, and the difficulties of the road I propose with you to travel. I shall there- fore not attempt, except in a verj' general way, and only on general principles, to defend ihe character of our American birds, singly or collectively. Nor do I propose to con- sider, except in the way of example, or as an illustration, any particular species. We are all interested, whether we feel any interest or not — that is, all of us who have any interest in the successful tilling of the soil — in the investigations now being made in Europe, in reference to the ravages of insects, the means of averting them and the value of birds as one of the instruments for checking the frightful destruction of property occasioned by these pests. As the precursor, and necessary preface to the views I pro- pose to submit, let me briefly narrate some of the experiences of the agriculturists on the other side of the water. They are important and suggestive. During the last quarter of a century, for some cause or causes, in France, Germany, and in many portions of Central Europe, there has been a constant, .steady and alarming increase of insects. The ravages of the canker-worm in the orchards of New England, of the cotton-worm and the army-worm at the South, and of the grasshoppers at the West, are but slight and unimportant evils in comparison with the wide-spread havoc made in Central Europe by the cockchafer, the night-butterfly and other kinds of insects. It would be well for us of America to study both the phenomena of these insect plagues and the expedients resorted to to abate or prevent them. The laws of Prussia, which hold every man guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to heavy fines if he permit the caterpillar to remain unexterminated in his garden, might to advantage be repeated here. Such a law applied ♦The above important and interesting paper, by the eminent Boston ornithologist, although first published ten years ago, has lost none of its value, and is reproduced here with the author's consent. 174 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS in Massachusetts, to the canker-worm, and rigidly enforced, would not be long in divesting this scourge of nearly all its terrors, and very possibly would remove it altogether in time. The causes which have led to the extraordinary increase of insects in Europe are principally twofold ; one of these, the great increase of land under tillage with improved instruments of husbandry, has undoubtedly had something to do with the increase of certain kinds. A man who has only a small patch under cultivation finds it hard enough to keep the destructive subterranean caterpillars from his vegetables. How impossible for him who has hundreds or thousands ? Then deep plowing turns under and out of the reach of their natural enemies some of the most destructive kinds of larva. No one thing has contributed more than this deep plowing to favor the growth and increase of the terrible cockchafer. The other cause, and a very prominent one, is the decrease of birds. In some cases this decrease of birds and this increase of insects has been cause and effect. The great Frederick of Prussia once nearly exterminated the sparrows in his kingdom, in a fit of royal wrath, because they took agrarian liberties with his fruit; and what was the conse- quence? The caterpillars, which the sparrows had kept in check, having no one now to prevent their increase, multiplied at such a fearful rate that they swept before them the foliage, and with the foliage all the fruit also. It is said that for two years not a cherry, apple, peach, plum, currant or any kind of fruit could be raised in any portion of the kingdom. Sensible at last of his mistake, this great king, conquered for the first time, in a field where his impotence was but too apparent, yielded to the necessity, and expended more money in re-introducing the sparrow than he had wasted in destroying them, but only after the loss to his subjects of millions of dollars. Shall such a fact as this be dumb to us ? Are we, of this country, only to learn the value of birds after we have destroyed our benefactors? But I will not anticipate. From whatever causes it may be, this fearful increase of destructive insects and the terrible devastations it has caused, destroying alike the vineyards of the wine-grower, the orchards of the cultivator of fruit, the gardens of the horticulturist, and the farms and crops of the agriculturist, has naturally caused the deepest alarm and sense of danger to whole communities. The Governments of France, Switzerland, Prussia, Bavaria and other German States, have sought by various expedients to arrest, if possible, this fearful evil. But thus far all their efforts have been almost as unavailing as would be the attempt to bale out the sea. Let me give you one striking instance, all the facts of which are well authenticated, and which will serve to teach us several very important lessons as well as afford a remarkable illustration of the enormous amount of destruction that follows the unchecked development of certain kinds of insects. I have spoken of the night-butterfly of Europe, called also the nonne, or nun. The miller, as its name implies, is a nocturnal insect, and is, therefore, one not easy to capture. It is immensely productive, and its larvae feed upon the foliage of forest trees, where, unchecked, they increase very rapidly, completely strip these trees of their foliage, prevent their growth, and in a second season entirely destroy the trees thus twice denuded. Forests thus destroyed are comparatively valueless, and the losses occasioned are at times immense. In the year 1852, the larvae of this night-butterfly appeared in countless swarms in all the forests of Lithuania, East Prussia, Nassau and Poland, as also in the Swalger districts of the Rothebude forests. Early in the month of July the moths made their first appearance in masses that re- sembled white clouds. The forests looked as if they were covered with snow. They were comparatively new to these regions, and came to them from the south, where " the forests had been burned." Here and there attempts were made to meet the impending calamity, the terrible meaning of which the proprietors but too well understood. In the single forest of Rothebude, between the 8th of August and the following May, there were collected and destroyed, by computation, one hundred and fifty millions of the eggs of this insect, and fifteen hundred millions of the female moths. At an enormous expenditure, the trunjcs of the trees were scraped for the eggs, and liberal rewards were paid for both eggs and moths by the proprietors, but all in vain. They were not able to collect much more than half the eggs, and before the I2th of July five hundred acres of pines had been eaten bare and the trees died. In spite of almost superhuman STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. I 75 efforts to arrest them, the butterflies of the next generation were more numerous than before, and their eggs covered entire trunks of the forest trees. Before the end of July all but about three thousand acres in the entire district had been eaten bare and killed, and by the end of June, 1855, over seven thousand acres of pine land had been com- pletely killed, and three thousand more rendered worthless, except for fire-wood. Four- and-a-half millions of cords of wood were cut from these forests ; the loss caused by the depreciation of their value was not less than a hundred millions of thalers, or about eighty millions of dollars in gold. Now, what is the lesson this fearful calamity should teach us, as well as those impoverished proprietors ? They have, in Europe, birds which, if they had fostered, encouraged and protected, instead of persecuting and destroying them, would have successfully encountered these hosts of insects and destroyed them. Of these, the European jay is the most important. In size, habits and general character it greatly resembles our own blue-jay; in fact, except in their places of abode, and in some slight differences of plumage, the two birds are almost exactly the same in all respects. Both frequent and prefer the forests, both render invaluable services by feeding upon the eggs of caterpillars in the winter, for they are resident and not migra- tory birds, and by feeding their young with the caterpillars. It has been ascertained that one pair of jays will feed its young with half a million of caterpillars in a season, and that each bird will destroy, during the winter, eggs that in the following spring would have hatched into at least a million or more of the larvje. Our blue-jays would do the same if we would let them and not persecute them. Their favorite food is the egg of our apple-tree or tent-caterpillar, and for their young the lars'ae of this same insect is also their choice. A pair of blue-jays in an orchard would clear it so effectually of every caterpillar in a single season that not one single insect could be found. This is not mere theory, but absolute I'act, demonstrated by the careful investigation of the venerable Dr. Kirtland, of Cleveland. So completely did his care- fully protected jay extirpate these pests from the lake shore of that part of Ohio, that absolutely not a single individual specimen could be found for miles around Cleveland. And yet our wiseacres in the State Legislature of Massachusetts, in this very last session, in a law designed to protect our birds, among its other absurdities and inconsistencies, especially dooms the jay, probably the best and most valuable bird we have among us, to destruction, and makes it an outlaw, whose life any vagabond may take with impunity. There are other features in this law which, in view of the ignorance they betray, and its signal shortcoming, are simply disgraceful to its authors, but which I will not now take your time by considering. My chief point is this, that the presence, in their native forests, of only a hundred pairs of European jays would have arrested this great loss, would have effectually aided in the destruction of these insects in a single season, and would have been worth to the proprietors of these forests about a hundred millions of dollars. I have mentioned the cockchafer as one of the most fearful of the insect pests of Europe. It is the counterpart of our May-beetle, and the grub veiy closely resembles ours. The European form is, however, worse than that of this country, inasmuch as the beetles are quite as destructive as the larvae. The destructiveness of the worms are about on a par, only in Europe the large extent of deep culture has tended to their more rapid increase. Yet, we have not much to comfort ourselves with in this respect. In our vicinity, these insects are evidently, for some cause, on the increase. The sum- mer of 1868 witnessed a larger flight than was probably ever seen before of the parent beetle. Our grounds are unusually full of the year-old larvae, and it will be fortunate for us if the summer of 1871, when they will have reached their full growth, does not develop even a greater amount of injury to grass-lands and crops than was noticed in 1867. In Europe, as I have said, the destruction caused by these insects is something almost fearful to contemplate. One of these insects, in the larva form, it has been ascertained, eats no less than two pounds of vegetable root matter during the three years in which it is passing from the egg to the chrysalis. A single statement will give you some idea of the enormous quantities in which they are found, ajul their capacities for mischief. The single canton of Berne, in Switzerland, in area not half the size of Connecticut, in the years 1S64 and 1865, paid out 259,000 francs, in bounties for the destruction of these insects. There were collected and destroyed 83,729 viertels of the 176 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS beetles and 67,917 of the worms. A viertel contains about 75,000 beetles and about 200,000 of the worms. The number of insects thus destroyed in this little district was nearly twenty-two hundred millions, enough with only their natural increase to have destroyed the entire cro;j of that canton. The loss actually occasioned in four small districts, among the Hariz mountains, by these insects, in 1866, is shown by official returns to have been more than a million and a half of thalers — the entire crop of that region. I have sought to give you some idea of the enormous losses occasioned by these insect pests. I wish now to call your attention to some very interesting investigations as to the value of birds as one of the surest means of remedying, and indeed the only effectual means of meeting some of its various forms. The French Government has been especially active, and the investigations that have been carefully and persistently made under its patronage have been of the highest value. M. Florent Prevost has been at the head of the investigations, and has so devoted himself to them as to make them the great mission of his life. I have studied his reports, and give full faith to the general laws and principles which he has educed from his long-continued investigations, that cover a space of a third of a century. They may all be summed up in this com- prehensive and sententious dogma: " No agriculturist can take the life of any bird without doing that which can result only in loss to himself." I believe that in this he is entirely right. Every bird has its mission of good, though we may not now see it. I do not ask or expect you to go so far as this in the present state of our knowledge. It may yet be a long while before we shall be educated to a full knowledge of the value of this standing army, this feathered host of Nature's constabulary, who stand as her great counterpoise between the insect powers of destruction and the fruits of the earth. M. Prevost has demonstrated beyond all dispute that all birds are more or less insect- ivorous— that those we generally regard as insect-eating birds especially do not, as a general thing, destroy those insects that do us the most harm, and that, for the most part, the birds which render the most effectual services in destroying the most noxious insects are birds against which popular prejudices are the strongest. The sparrows, the starlings and crows are the great destroyers of the cockchafers, as our crows and blackbirds are of the May-beetles, and we are but just finding out that many birds we have deemed to be our enemies are really our best friends. Another most important law of nature revealed by M. Prevost's investigation is of especial interest. This is, that nearly all birds, during the period of reproduction, whatever may be their natural food at other times, are almost entirely insect-eaters, and that they feed their young almost exclusively with insect food. Then the amount of insect food a young bird will consume in a given time is enormous. Dr. Wyman took from the crop of a young pigeon a mass of canker-worms that was more than twice the weight of the bird itself; and it is shown by Prof. Treadwell, that a young robin will eat, and require too, for his well-being, at least his own weight in insect food. On less than this he cannot live twenty-four hours. Let us admire the wisdom and goodness of Providence so clearly shown in this universal law of nature, that, in the season when insects most abound and increase, the whole feathered tribe, without any known exceptions of those who inhabit the land, become insect-eaters by preference. And those insects which are most abundant, and which do our crops the most harm, and which man is so powerless to check when they have once got the upper hand, all have their enemies among the resident birds who would be able to keep them in complete subjection if man did not interfere. No insect has so many enemies as our worst pest, the canker-worm. But none of these are per- mitted by man to have any chance. The purple grakle eats our corn and we have nearly extirpated them. The cherry-bird is an outlaw, and hunted without mercy. Our wild pigeons are too tempting to the epicure to be spared, and our tame doves, who might be made a better substitute, are not sufficiently abundant. Prowling cats destroy a very large proportion of the chipping-sparrows and vireos, and so on, until the canker-worm, between our destruction of its natural enemies and our half-attempts to keep it down, riots in unchecked and ever-increasing destructiveness. It has been fully demonstrated in Europe that even the most destructive of all their terrible pests, the cockchafer, can be very nearly or quite exterminated by taking pains STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 177 to encourage and favor the increase of the starling, a bird about the size, and in char- acter allied with our meadow lark. A well-known Hamburg horticulturist, John Boot, tried the experiment of cultivating the starling, and with complete success. I give his statement in nearly his own words : ten years since the canker-worm (one of the Euro- pean names of this insect), visited his grounds, destroyed whole inclosures of rhodo- dendrons and coniferjE. His own field suffered also. All artificial means to destroy them failed. He bethought him of the starlings, caused a hundred nest-boxes to be constructed, all of which were occupied by these birds, and in the course of one season the nuisance was abated. Their modus operandi is to search for these vermin just as they near the surface of the earth to emerge as beetles. The starling summarily hauls him out, and that is his last of earth. Mr. Boot encouraged the starling to increase, until he had two hundred pairs on his place, and it is now very rarely that he finds one of the worms in his grounds. His observations of ten years and his very careful generalization of these repeated notes lead to these results : The starling is on the wing sixteen of the twenty-four hours, and feed their young twenty times in the day, visiting their nest to carry food six hundred times in all. As the starlings have three broods in the season and rear about twenty young, he estimates that his two hundred pairs of these birds, with their young, would be able to destroy, if there were so many, fifty-seven millions of these worms in a single season. I have nearly exhausted the limits, but before leaving the subject I will give you a very brief account of the interesting movements and discussions on the subject of bird protection now agitating the cantons of Switzerland. In March, 1869, the Confederative Council of Switzerland had under discussion the question of special legislation for the protection of birds. The movement was initiated by the Grand Council of the canton of Tessin, praying for a general enactment through- out Switzerland and also an international uniformity of law for the protection of useful birds, their own agriculture being in a suffering condition, owing to the unrestricted slaughter of birds. Before adopting any such international union, the Confederative Council addressed inquiries to the several local governments of each canton with the view to ascertain what local laws were now in force and how far a general uniformity of law was desired. These answers have been carefully preserved and made public. Some points they disclose are not without interest to us who are yet novices in the matter of bird-legislation. All of the great cantons but one, and all but three in all, have their own cantonal laws, but all of these vary in many important respects. In one, Zurich, all usefnl\AxA% are protected, and the magistrates having decided that all birds are useful, the whole feathered tribe are under the protection of the law. In different cantons different birds are outlawed or protected. Ravens, crows, magpies, even star- lings, sparrows, linnets, ring-ouzels, and other birds of admitted value, are under the ban in here or there a single canton, and protected in all the others. In some, birds are protected all the year; in others, only during a certain portion. In some a landed pro- prietor may shoot the birds on his own grounds, and in another he may not. Generally the fine is fifty francs for every offense, but in some it is as low as five francs. A few punish with imprisonment aggravated violation of law. Some punish the parents for the offenses of their children. In several cantons, the value of birds and the sin of destroying them is made by law a required study in their public-school instruction. The Bund, an agricultural journal published in Berne, concludes an able article on the subject of the importance of birds, the enormous losses occasioned by insects, and the incompleteness of Swiss legislation, in the following forcible manner: " These enormous losses occasioned by insects and the cost of the ineffectual attempts to collect and destroy these vermin can all be obviated, if man will only not destroy the equipoise of, nature, and not from wantonness, fastidiousness, prejudice or superstition, or other equally worthless grounds, persecute and exterminate the natural destroyers of insects, mice, etc., but, on the contrary, give them the greatest possible protection, and tender to them nourishment and care during the inclement season. We rejoice that our own cantonal laws for the protection of birds are so generally observed, but it is to be regretted that the spirit of these excellent laws has not been more gener- ally made the subject of instruction in our public schools. We yet more regret that in many respects our legislation is still so incomplete. For instance, when we see that so 13 lyS TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS valuable a bird as the sparrow, just acclimated at so much expense in America, the crow, the raven, and many other birds of acknowledged utility, still outlawed in individual cantons, when we see that the destruction of all birds is still permitted at certain seasons in some, and that in others only the smaller and least essential singing-birds are pro- tected, while the most useful of all are excluded from the protection of law, we are forced to express an earnest desire that in the cantons where this half legislation still exists a change may soon be made more in conformity to the present stand-point of science." The prayer this writer utters in regard to the half legislation of Switzerland, I would fain repeat in regard to the half legislation which now does discredit to Massa- chusetts. But my time is exhausted and I will trespass upon your patience no longer. I will only add, in conclusion, that the two points I most desire to impress upon you, drawn from the experience of Europe, are, the dangers to us of America arising from the unchecked development of destructive insects on the one hand and the unchecked diminution of their natural preventives, the birds, on the other. The subject in these twofold relations is, I am convinced, well worthy of your gravest consideration. Mill- ions upon millions of dollars may be saved or lost as we of this country are or are not wise in time. We already see in the ever-increasing ravages of the canker-worms, curculios, army-worms, locusts and potato-bugs wide-spread seeds of future, not distant calamities, just as the spray that wets the seaman's cheek warns him of the wave that is gathering its might to overwhelm him. Jonathan Periam, of Chicago, President of the Horticultural Society of Northern Illinois, invited the members present to attend the annual meeting of that Society, to be held in Elgin, January 27th, 28th and 29th, 1880. The President then declared the meeting adjourned till to-morrow morning at half-past eight, at the usual place. THIRD DAY— MORNING. At the appointed hour on Thursday morning the President called the meeting to order, requesting Rev. G. W. MiNiERto open the meeting with prayer, which he did. The President. — The first business in order this morning is the election of officers and fixing the place of the annual meeting of 1880. LOCATION OF MEETING. Mr. MiNiER read the following preamble and resolutions : Whereas : The Horticultural Society of Illinois has had an existence for many years, and much material good has been accomplished, as well as intellectual advance- ment made ; still, we wish for greater good and greater advancements. To attain these ends we offer the following resolutions : 1st Resolved, That this Society shall hereafter hold its sessions in the rooms of the State Board of Agriculture, in the city of Springfield, during the biennial sessions of the Legislature and in the first week of the sessions of the Board of Agriculture. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 179 2d Resolved, That the other annual sessions of this Society shall he holden alternately at the State Normal University at Normal and the State Industrial University at Champaign. (Signed) A. R. WHITNEY. ROBERT DOUGLAS. Dr. Humphrey moved the adoption of the first resolution, and fixing the time of the meetings in Springfield to correspond with the meetings of the General Assembly. The President. — The Legislature meets the Tuesday after the first Monday in January. We would have to change the time of alternate meetings, so that if the others were not changed we would have two meetings in one year. Messrs. Robison, Earle, Dennis and others opposed the resolution on the ground that our attention would be distracted from our work at such a time and place ; that the greater expenses in Springfield at such times would deter members from attending; and the meeting of last winter, "the smallest meeting we have ever had," was cited as illustrating this latter point. Messrs. Wier and J. S. Johnson said that at first thought they were in favor of this resolution ; but upon more deliberate reflection they thought otherwise, and would vote against it. Dr. Humphrey urged the advantage which the Society would gain in coming in contact with members of the General Assembly, m showing them what we are doing, and thus creating an interest in our work. To this it was objected that if, as our experience of last winter seemed to indicate, the attendance at our meetings in Springfield should be meager, general interest in our work would be diminished rather than increased by going there. The motion to adopt the resolution was put and declared Tosf. The Secretary then read the second resolution, which met with much favor. It was urged in favor of alternating our meetings between Normal and Champaign that the meetings heretofore held at both these places had been well attended and entirely satisfactory; that both these places of meeting were State institutions of learning, where, in a certain sense, we, as a State Society, are entitled to consideration, and where we may create an interest in horticultural science and art in the minds of the students which would be a lasting benefit to the State. On the other hand it was maintained that the work of our Society is partially a missionary work; that as we meet in different parts of the State from year to year, awakening a deeper interest in horticulture at each place, our influence is thus more diffused and wider in its scope. l8o TKANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS A motion to so amend the resolution as to provide for all the annual meetings of the Society to be held alternately at Normal and Champaign was made, which, after quite a lengthy discussion, was, by motion, laid upon the table. The original resolution was also, by vote, laid upon the table. RESOLUTION ON LIFE MEMBERSHIP. D. B. WiER, of Lacon, presented the following resolution, which was read by the Secretary: Resolved, That persons who have been members of this Society for ten years, and have paid their membership dues regularly, shall be life members without payment of farther dues. After brief discussion the resolution was put to vote and defeated. DISCUSSION ON LOCATION RESUMED. A somewhat rambling discussion was indulged in, during which the advantages of different places for holding the next annual meeting were presented. Mr. JR.OBISON suggested that the discussion was out of order, and made the following motion : Mr. Robison. — Mr. President, I move that we now receive invita- tions for Qur next meeting, and then proceed to locate it by ballot. The motion prevailed unanimously. Mr. MiNiER invited the Society to Bloomington, which invitation was supported by remarks from Hon. J. W. Fell, Dr. Schroeder and others. Mr. Dennis invited the Society to Warsaw. This invitation was supported by Messrs, Earle, Hammond, Spalding, J. T. Johnson, Mink- ler and A. H. Gaston. President Burrill extended an invitation to meet at Champaign, which was favored by remarks from Dr. Humphrey. A vote by ballot was then taken, which resulted in twenty-seven (27) votes for Warsaw, nineteen (19) votes for Bloomington and one vote for Alton. On motion, the vote for Warsaw was declared unanimous. ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 1880. The President. — You will now proceed to the Election of Officers. Parker Earle, of Cobden, Union county; C. N. Dennis, of Hamilton, Hancock county, and G. W. Minier, of Minier, Tazewell county, were severally nominated for the office of President. STATE HOKTICULTURAL SOCIKTV. iSl Messrs. Dennis and Minier thanked the gentlemen who placed them in nomination and declined in favor of Mr. Earle, whereupon the Secre- tary was directed by unanimous vote to cast the vote of the Society for Parker Earle for President. The same unanimity prevailed in the election of the other officers, Mr. Robison casting the vote of the Society for Secretary. The following officers were then declared unanimously elected : President — Parker Earle, of Cobden. Vice-President — James T. Johnson, of Warsaw. Secretary — O. B. Galusha, of Morris. Treasurer — S. G. Minkler, of Oswego. REPORT UPON ORNITHOLOGY. G. W. Minier, of Minier, Tazewell county, from the Committee on Ornithology, reported as follows : Mr. President, Ladies atid Gentlemen : With the return of our annual conventions we are always glad to greet the laborers in this useful, civilizing and ornamenting art. It is one of the fine arts, and ought to be so considered. Horticulture is not merely ornamental and civilizing; it is over and above these grand ideas, it is as well among the most useful employments of man. It is not merely agriculture refined; it is the religion of agriculture. The Illinois Society has taken hold of it in its most extended sense; not content with the cultivation of groves, lawns and gardens, you have extended your labors to schools ; the common schools of your State are indebted to you for the introduction of the material sciences; or, to quote your own words, "those sciences which underlie the arts of agri- culture and horticulture." Of this consummation, so long labored for by Professor Turner, Mr. Pennell and others, and so devoutly wished for by many of us, you may well be proud. But, my friends, our labors are by no means ended ; there are many rough places to be made smooth, many farms to be beautified, and I trust many firesides to be made happy, through your efforts. Nor is it inanimate nature alone which pleads. The insect, the quadruped and the bird need your care, and your fostering and discrim- inating labors, to bring them to the aid of man, and add utility and beauty to our earthly heritage. You have seen fit to appoint myself and two others to report, that is to write something on Birds, which it is to be hoped may call out a dis- cussion which will be useful to this Society. My associates will doubtless present something worthy of themselves and of the fairy-like creatures, which seem almost possessed of the power to scorn the force of gravity itself, and to lift themselves on joyous wings above us, poor things, which are bound to earth. I 82 TKANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS But, sir, I wish, in my prosy way, to ask your attention, not so much to the peerless beauty of these inhabitants of the upper deep, as to their usefulness to us, to man, who puts forth the modest (?) claim of being the lord of this lower creation. Perhaps it will not add to our self-con- ceit to be told that investigation has about demonstrated that, although birds can exist without man, yet man cannot live without birds. The insect world would conquer us ; our fields, orchards and forests would be speedily devastated, were it not for our feathered friends. Birds in their multiform varieties are the only creatures which can wage a successful warfare with the world of insects. Nature has imposed upon them a most ravenous appetite, and directed, bent — may I %2.y sent? — that appetite towards those innumerable swarms of delving, creeping and flying ene- mies, which, but for birds, would inevitably bring desolation, famine and death to the family of man. I am conscious, Mr. President, that these little friends of ours are not all equally desirable, or equally useful, and that some discrimination should be used. If the sentence of death has to be pronounced upon any of them, I plead like Brutus, " Let us carve them like a dish fit for the gods, not hack them like carcasses to be thrown to the hounds." Even the crows, the Corvus family, are not, to use a vile theological phrase, " totally depraved." We must admit they are saucy, and that the blue-jay is the very personification of impudence. We have only a few representatives of this order ; the carrion-crow, raven, magpie and jay are about all; and of them I say as Cowper did of England, "With all your faults I love you still." But I am not going to discriminate. The highest Authority that ever graced our earth has assured us that not a sparrow falls to the ground without the notice of the Power which created him. My opinion has been asked concerning the English sparrows: Wisely or unwisely they are here, and we. must make the best of them; for they have come to stay. They seem to have some portion of that vile ingre- dient of Saxon blood which makes us all aggressive ; they trouble our small native birds much in the same way and degree that our ancestors from that seagirt isle, and we, their children, also, have done and are still doing, to the aborigines of this country, which we proudly call our own. I have found these sparrows in several of our cities ; two of them one day paid a visit to my farm. They may, for aught I know, have been on a bridal tour; at any rate they did not tarry; but, like too many men, returned to the city, forsaking those sylvan haunts "where dwells plain innocence unsullied beauty, patient of labor with a little pleased calm contemplation and poetic ease." Alas! that birds should be no wiser than men. But I must bring this rambling essay to an end. Meaning no offense to you, gentlemen, permit me to say that I will trust to the judgment of a woman in some things where I fear to trust a man. I asked a lady in the city of Philadelphia what she thought of the English sparrov/, flocks of which were in the street before us. "Why, sir," she replied, " two years ago we could not walk these streets here in sunny days without umbrellas to protect us, not from the STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. I S3 rays of the sun, but from insects and worms, which hung by threads or webs and in festoons from these maple trees. We got the English sparrow, and now we have no insect enemies, but all other birds are fled." That's a woman's judgment of these birds. Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen^ if my poor opinion will add anything to this honest, wise and just decision, I say let us still have^he best specimens of men, women, children and birds from this grand old isle of the ocean. Mr. Minier. — Mr. Fresidefit, I hold a little bit of paper which I picked up somewhere ; it looks as though it had been in possession of a member of the Legislature, and had fallen from his pocket. May I read it? The President. — Read. Permission being given, he read as follows: Mr. President and Members of the lilinois State Horticultural Society, in convention assembled : I present the following Bill, which I hope will pass this assembly, and be re-enacted by the State Legislature: Section i. Be it enacted, etc.. That from and after the passage of this act it shall be unlawful for any tramp, loafer, idler or other gunner to shoot, kill or disturb any bird, snake, toad or other reptile on any lands not belonging to himself in fee simple, without the express permission of the rightful owner or owners of said lands. Sec. 2. AnJ be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful, and it is hereby made the duty of each and every owner of real estate in the State of Illinois, whose premises shall have been trespassed upon by such tramp, loafer, idler or other gunner, to deprive him or them of his or their fire-arms, and club, stone, kick or otherwise expel him or them from his lands or tenements. Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That unlike all other laws and enactments, said to be for the protection of birds and insect-destroying reptiles, but which are really for the protection of the aforesaid tramps, loafers, idlers and hunters, this act shall apply to every day in the year — Sundays especially. Sec. 4. This act shall be deemed an emergency, and shall be in force from and after its passage. (Laughter and applause.) Mr. Dennis (to Mr. Minier). — Please look at the bottom of the paper and see if Mr. Minier's signature is not there. (Laughter.) Mr. Minier. — Mr. President, the paper has no signature. Mr. Wier. — I hope this report will bring out discussion upon birds as related to insects. I made some radical statements in my paper ; but I know the English sparrow did not eat the worms, as mentioned by the lady in Mr. Minier's paper. Prof. Thomas. — Yet the worms disappeared. 184 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS As the Society did not seem desirous to discuss a subject which had been shown by Professor Forbes to be so intricate, the President called for the REPORT ON GENERAL HORTICULTURE— FOURTH DISTRICT. Henry M. Dunlap, of Champaign, Committee on General Horti- culture for the Fourth District, having returned home, had handed his report to the Secretary, who read as follows : Our experiences as horticulturists in this the Fourth District have been varied, and while I shall attempt to speak generally of the district as a whole, it will be impossible to harmonize our experiences in the different counties on all subjects. The past year has been one of extremes of weather — a severe cold winter followed by a drouth during the summer and fall, and these extremes have affected the fruit crop somewhat; the cold of the winter killed the peach-buds and many of the trees ; the cherry crop was also materially injured by the frosts; the strawberry beds that were uncovered earliest were in some instances entirely barren. The drouth of the summer shortened the crop of small-fruits, especially strawberries and blackberries. Apples were a large crop, with a larger proportion than usual of winter fruit; the warm weather of October ripened up and rotted at least one-half the crop after it was gathered, and in some cases where not properly cared for the entire crop was lost. Ben Bavis, Willow, Rawles' Janet, Jonathan and Winesap are the most popular varieties in the order named. I have been told that in some sections large crops of Bellflower apples are produced by girdling the trees below the main branches; this is done in the spring by taking out a strip of bark about one-fourth of an inch wide entirely around the tree. Mr. Capps, in his report of Logan county, says that he visited an orchard in which a portion of the trees were girdled and the rest were not; those that were produced a large crop of excellent fruit, while those that were not fruited a small crop of inferior fruit. In my neighborhood a man tried the experiment with a similar result. If there is a way to make our shy bearers, such as Bell- flower, Northern Spy, etc., produce good crops we should know it, and if any present have had experience with this treatment of trees I hope they will give us their views on the subject. Blackberries, with the exception of the Snyder, were killed to the ground; this variety, although setting a full crop of fruit, as a result of the dry weather the berries were small, and in many instances they dried on the canes. In cases where the ground was well mulched the fruit was said to be very fine. Many still cling to the Lawton and Kittatinny as being superior fruit, but they are not hardy and cannot be relied on for annual crops. What we want is a sure bearer; and the Snyder, if well mulched to keep the ground from baking, and the canes cut back severely to keep them from over-production, will give us a crop of excellent fruit every season without fail. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. * 1 85 Raspberries were a fair crop, the Turner taking the lead as a red raspberry, and the Gregg looming up as a rival of the Mammoth Cluster, which it closely resembles. The Strawberry crop was cut short by the drouth, and where the vines were uncovered too early were badly injured by the frost. Like all other small-fruits, such as raspberries, blackberries, currants, etc., straw- berries should be sufficiently well mulched to keep the ground from becoming hardened by the summer's sun and to keep the weeds down. I have found it to be a great saving of time during the busy season of summer to put about a foot of straw among my currants, gooseberries and raspberries during the winter or early spring; it keeps the weeds down, serves as a mulch and makes it very nice for gathering the fruit. Peaches vftXQ a total failure, and many of the older trees winter-killed. I had one tree standing close to the south side of the house that bore about fifty peaches; I know of one other tree similarly situated that also bore a fair crop of fruit. Of Fears I can say but little. It does not pay to plant them for profit; Flemish Beauty, Beurre d'Anjou, Madeline, Bartlett, Duchess and Sheldon all bore a fair crop in our vicinity. Out of many varieties those I have mentioned have been most free from blight and have borne the best crops. The Early Richmond Cherry produced only a moderate crop, and is the only variety that will pay with us; and they must be grafted on Morello stocks. Most of us had rather cut the sprouts down every season with a brush scythe than have no fruit. Mazzard stocks are worthless, while those on the Mahaleb produce a light crop compared to those on the Morello. Grapes were the most bountiful crop of all, and the vineyards laden with their beautiful clusters of grapes were a feast for the eye. I use the stake system for training, and consider it the least troublesome and most profitable method when properly followed. Ives and Concord pay the best with us; the former is not a very good table grape, but is productive, and ripens a week earlier than the Concord and brings as much in the market as the latter, which reaches the market a week later. L. R. Bancroft, of Livingston county, reports no general damage to fruit-trees and shrubs by the severity of the winter of 1878-79, except to blackberry canes — the Kittatinny being killed to the ground, and Snyder injured on low ground. A drouth in the early part of the season rendered the Snyders on high ground small and a poor crop. He still relies on the Kittatinny as the best for that county, notwithstanding it occasionally fails, as the fruit is large and sells well. The drouth of May and June nearly ruined the strawberry crop, though Green Prolific, Downers, and in some locations Wilsons, produced fairly, but the berries were inferior. Mr. Bancroft places Green Prolific at the head of the list on account of its thick, heavy foliage, which pro- tects the fruit, its uniform productiveness and the good, even size of the fruit. He places Seneca at the head in the list of black-cap raspberries, 1 86 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS as it is hardier than Doolittle and Mammoth Cluster, a strong grower and always productive, and the fruit of the very best quality. Turner is the only red raspberry grown there and is highly prized. Concord is the leading grape, though Martha is good and sells well, but the vine is not as productive as Concord. Elvira proves hardy, having stood tied to stakes last winter uninjured. Apples, though abundant, rotted badly, as everywhere in Central and Northern Illinois, in some instances nearly the whole crop of winter apples had rotted at the date of writing, December ist. H. W. Davis, of Decatur, in reporting for Macon county gives the same general effect of cold and drouth, and the rotting of apples by the extreme heat of the last of September and first of October. The so-called Iron-clad apple-trees which bloomed early failed to fruit, the blossoms being destroyed by frost; even the Transcendent crab shared this fate and no fruit Avas produced. He thinks that we should learn from such experience to take time of blooming into the account in selecting varieties as well as hardiness of tree. He claims to have discovered the cause of the spur-blight in apple- trees to be the larvae of an insect which lays its egg in the terminal bud in autumn, as he has discovered the worm at work there early in the season. In confirmation of the theory he says that last December there was an extraordinary sleet which coated the twigs and spurs of trees, lasting for several weeks ; and, since there was no spur-blight the past season, he concludes the eggs were destroyed by the sleet. He cautions orchardists against severe pruning ; and trusts that farmers will hereafter look around them and see what varieties of fruit succeed best and plant such freely. J. B. Reeve reports from Shelbyville, Shelby county, almost identi- cally the same as does Mr. Bancroft in regard to the weather and drouth, the crops of small-fruits and apples. Grapes mildewed considerably, but were a fair crop — the first in four years — the vines having "mildewed " the three previous years, except on river bluffs. Codling-moth was much more abundant than usual. A friend of his in the city makes the growing of Quinces a specialty. They are planted on a lot upon which a blacksmith shop stood for twenty years ; the bushes grow well and bear well, and the fruit is of the best quality — taking first premiums at the Illinois State fair and the St. Louis fair. The bushes near or on the site of the shop grow best and bear the most and best fruit. He naturally attributes this success to the mixture of iron cinders, coal dust, etc., in the soil. Other bushes grown from cuttings taken from these and planted elsewhere are not productive. He reports that the European cabbage-worm destroyed nearly all the cabbages in the county; one gardener, however, raised a large crop of fine, large cabbages by the free use of blood guano mixed with plaster sown broadcast occasionally over the patch. It appears to destroy the worms and causes the plants to grow rapidly. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 187 J. G. Thompson, of Urbana, writes that the season has been on the whole unfavorable. But few varieties of apple-trees produced good crops ; the Red Astrachan and other sorts which ripened early, being less affected by the drouth, were of good quality, but three-fourths of autumn and winter apples rotted. He says that people have planted in too great pro- portion autumn varieties. Two years ago he planted an orchard of one hundred and ten trees, consisting of ninety Ben Davis and twenty Wine- sap. He thinks there is more money in Ben Davis than any other sort. Flemish Beauty is considered the most profitable variety of pear, as the tree is hardy and productive and more free from blight than any other ; Howell, also, he says does well when the fruit-buds do not swell in autumn so as to expose them to winter-killing. He considers the Early May (Richmond) cherry the only variety worth planting; this bore a fair crop last season. Another called Late May bore well, but the fruit was very wormy. He reports strawberries badly damaged, and some plantations entirely destroyed by late frosts. Raspberries suffered from the extreme cold ; and the tips of the canes of black-caps died early in autumn, preventing them from taking root, and asks for the cause.* The raspberry crop was damaged considerably by the drouth, which was quite severe just before and during the time of ripening. Blackberries, "except the iron-clad Snyder," were killed to the ground, and even that was somewhat damaged by the severe winter of 1878-79. The Snyder has the fault of overbearing and the canes and laterals should be cut back severely in the spring — thus reducing the number and increasing the size of the berries. He reports the prospect good for fruit crops in 1880. The following reports cover considerable ground and are given entire. REPORT OF LOGAN COUNTY— By C. S. Capps, Mt. Pulaski. Mr. Henry M. Dunlap, Champaign, IW.—Beai- Sir,— By card received from Secretary O. B. Galusha I am informed that I am appointed correspondent of the Illinois State Horticultural Society for Logan county for 1879, and am requested to report to you on such matters of interest relating to Horticulture as come under my notice. For this year I have to report a very unsatisfactory fruit crop in this county. We have had no peaches; the peach-trees were mostly killed by the cold of last winter; a few of the younger trees escaped but did not bear any fruit. Our Alexander early trees bloomed even after the trees were dead, proving, I think, that the blossom-buds were more hardy than the trees. The apple crop was very light and winter apples are rotting badly; Rawles' Janet has, I think, proved the most satisfactory variety. Willow Twig, White Winter Pear- main, Northern Spy and Domine have also produced pretty well in some orchards. Our favorite varieties are as follows: For Sttmmer — Early Harvest, Pomme Royal, Sops of Wine, Red June, Chenango Strawberry, Late Strawberry. For Tv?//— Maiden's Blush, *This dying of the tips of black-cap canes was quite common in the West and is attributed to the long-continued and intense heat in connection with drouth. — Editor. l88 TRA^'SACTIO^•S of the ILLINOIS Porter, Rambo, Fameuse, Fall Pippin, Mother. For Whi/er — Rawles' Janet, Ben Davis, Willow Twig, Newtown Pippin, Milam, Rome Beauty, Grimes' Golden, Ladies' Svvtet, Carthouse, White Winter Pearmain and Domine. Crabs — Transcendent and llyslup. We have lost nearly all our pear-trees by blight; the Seckel has been abtut the most satisfactory next to the Hosenshenk, which we find most exempt from blight and very productive ; it is a very good early sort, of good size. The Duchesse d'Angou- leme has done about the best of any as a dwarf; Buerre d'Anjou, Bartlett and Flemish Beauty have yielded good crops some seasons, but this year all have been nearly a total failure. The curculio has settled the Plum question ; there is no use in planting the European varieties of plum here, unless some systematic plan is adopted to "head off the bugs." The Wild Goose, of which we have several trees, did not furnish us a single perfect specimen this year ; last year we had a few that were passable, but on the whc le I have no very exalted opinion of native varieties of plums. About the only Cherries we had were the common Morello. The English Morello, which is about twice the size of the common, is, I think, worthy of more attention than it receives. I consider the Mahaleb the best stock for the cherry. I would not accept a cherry- tree worked on the Mazzard or Morello stock as a present — they are too troublesome in the way of sprouts. I would prefer plums worked on peach for the same reason. We have fruited the Lieb cherry and think well of it; we would also recommend the Early Richmond, and for some localities the May Duke ; the heart or sweet cherries rarely succeed here, but there are a few large old trees in our place which are in good condition and bear good crops. Quinces and Apricots are very uncertain. We occasionally have good crops, but the trees are short-lived. Of Grapes the Concord has as usual produced the heaviest crops. Grapes were abundant this year, and were retailing in our markets at two cents per pound. We are pleased with the Ives and Martha, and think that they will become favorite sorts. The Hartford, Perkins and Telegraph have also done very well with us; some of Rogers* Hybrid, if slightly protected in winter, will yield good crops of most excellent fruit. Of these we would recommend Nos. i, 3, 4, 15 and 41. The Clinton, for cooking, for jelly or for wine, is excellent ; and, by the way, I know of nothing which is so good for jelly as grapes. I consider them far superior for this purpose to currants. The Raspberry crop was very good, especially the Turners ; these, planted about four-and-ahalf or five feet apart and plowed each way, will prove a most remunerative investment ; they are strong growers, requiring no stakes. But four or five canes should be left to each plant, and they might be tied together at the top with a bit of twine or willow and the ends clipped off, which would put them in good shape for cultivating and picking ; all sprouts should be treated as weeds. We find the improved black- cap raspberries very profitable to grow for market. Blackberries were killed to the gound the past winter, consequently we have no crop. Of Strawberries the crop was light; some very fine specimens of the Monarch of the West were produced in our village, and we think highly of this variety. Of Potatoes the crop was very light and the tubers very small, owing to the bugs and the dry weather. The Cabbage crop was ruined by the cabbage-worm. If a reward was offered for the capture of the butterfly which causes the cabbage-worm, children might be induced to catch them in nets made of mosquito-bar attached to sticks, or such nets as naturalists use to catch specimens. A concerted effort all over the country might do much to lessen the evil, and unless something is done to save the cabbages I fear we will have to give up sauerkraut or import it from Germany. A gentleman who has an orchard with a northern exposure, and timber on the west and north, says he never fails to get good crops of apples. A single row of Norway spruce planted about ten feet apart and a good distance (say twenty feet) from the orchard trees would, I think, be the best shelter that could possibly be planted for an orchard ; they would in a few years make a living wall of perpetual green, which would mitigate very materially the force of the wind, which STATE HORTICULTU^IAL SOCIETY. 1 89 often does serious injury in blowing off fruit, and perhaps also in rendering ineffective the pollen of the bloom of trees. These evergreen-belts would also be very ornamental and possibly useful some day for the wood ihey would afford. Evergreens can be bought very cheaply now at our nurseries, so the expense of such a hedge would not be very great. The writer here gives a lengthy description of Mr. Spalding's experiments in girdling trees to induce fruitfulness, which is omitted, since all the facts given have already been given by Mr. Spalding. He was very favorably impressed as to the utility of thus treating tardy-bearing trees. He then proceeds: From my own experience and observation I am convinced that much injury is done to orchards by cutting out large branches; a branch over one incli thick should never be removed, except for the most urgent reasons; for I believe the removal of large branches causes the early decay of most of the orchards in the country. The trees should be trimmed in proper shape while they are young, and forever afterward " severely let alone." Water-sprouts are one result of injudicious pruning — decayed and sickly trees are its legitimate results. I wish to speak a good word for about the only one of the newer evergreens that succeeds with us; that is the Japan Cypress {Ketinospora aurea plumosa). It is indeed a little beauty, and seems to stand our winters perfectly. I also saw at Mr. Spalding's an orchard of chestnut-trees quite full of nuts. Chestnut-trees standing singly are apt to produce burrs without nuts, which I think is on account of imperfect fertilization of the bloom, and think there will be no difficulty in growing chestnuts here if several trees are planted in close proximity. REPORT OF DOUGLAS COUNTY— By W. W. Jones. Peaches were in full bloom April 27th, but, as the trees were badly injured by severe cold the previous winter, very few ripened, and they were badly stung by the curculio ; the young trees recovered, however, and made a good growth the past summer. To head the list for this county, I would place a seedling, raised by myself, which ripens from the loth to the 15th of August; the fruit is of good size, with a bright-red cheek, flesh white and of very good quality ; tree quite hardy. 1 would then place, in their order of merit. Large Early York, Heath Cling, Old Mixon free, Smock. Pears were in full bloom April 29th, and where there were trees of F. Beauty, Clapp's Favorite, Duchess, White Doyenne and Seckel they were loaded heavily with fine fruit in their season. No blight of any consequence occurred during the season. To the before-mentioned list of pears I would add Louise Bonne de Jersey, which does well generally. May 4th apples were in full bloom, with the exception, of Janet, which is eight or ten days later in blooming. The Early Harvest and Red Astrachan were much sweeter the past season than usual; this is true also of nearly all our fruits, and we attribute it to the regularity of the temperature and the rains of the past .summer. The apple crop was the largest in yield and finest in quality ever raised in this county. For this locality I would suggest the following list for planters : Red June, E. Harvest, Red Astrachan, E. Pennock, M. Blush, Snow, Rambo, 190 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Bailey Sweet, Ben Davis, Rome Beauty, Jonathan, Smith's Cider, Wagoner, Winesap and Willow Twig ; and on sandy-clay soil, Yellow Bellflower and Hubbardston Nonsuch. April 3d, at six o'clock A. M., the thermometer indicated 20° above zero; cherry-buds were swollen almost into bloom, and, being in this tender condition, of course were injured; and although they ^//^ bloom, yet the crop was almost a failure. We have but one variety that is worth planting here, and that is the Early Richmond. On May ist, Strawberries commenced to bloom, and on the 7th were in full bloom ; the first ripe ones were picked for market on the 26th, just twenty-six days from the time of blooming. We never before had so good and full setting of this fruit as we had last spring, but the drouth of the last of May and the first of June cut the crop short one- half; but, as the weather was so fine, the fruit could be put into the market in such fine condition that it brought as good prices as when much larger. All things considered, Wilson is the berry for this part of the State. In addition to Wilson, I would plant Sharpless, Crescent Seed- ling and Jucunda. The strawberry requires a soil rich enough to grow a good crop of corn or potatoes ; it should be plowed in the spring as early as the ground will work well, then harrowed until perfectly level and free from clods. Plants should be set the last of April or the first of May, in rows three- and-a-third feet apart and three feet apart in the rows, laying the runners, as they grow, along the rows, so they may take root. Cultivating may be done with a walking cultivator, setting the shovels so they will leave the ground as level as possible, and. using the hoe directly around the plants; continue this cultivation throughout the season. In the fall, as soon as the ground is frozen hard enough to bear a team, the plants should be covered with straw, being careful not to cover so deep as to smother the plants. As soon as the frost is out of the ground in spring, remove the mulch from the plants, letting it lay between the rows, to keep down weeds and also to keep the berries clean. When the crop is gathered, then turn everything under with a good plow ; this destroys insects that are injurious to the strawberry and cuts off the means of their increase, and, besides all this, adds fertility to the soil. I have cultivated strawberries, for profit, for over fifteen years, and my experience has taught me that it is cheaper to set out a new patch every spring than to cultivate the old ones, as the fruit will be of better quality and larger size, consequently will command a better price in the market. Raspberries were a good crop. Mammoth Cluster and Doolittle bearing heavily. The first black-caps bloomed May 23d, and we com- menced picking for market in just one month afterward. This crop realized an average of twelve-and-a-half cents per quart. Turner and Brandywine are our best reds, with M. Cluster, Doolittle and Gregg for black-caps. Lawton Blackberries killed to the ground and Kittatinny fruit-buds were destroyed by the cold of last winter, while Snyder went through unscathed. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. I9I The Snyder will not pay when we have a full crop of Kittatinny, as it is too small and not as good in quality. There was a little nist, on both blackberry and raspberry bushes, the past season, but we pulled up and burned the canes affected as soon as it was discovered. The Red Dutch and Cherry Currants do well here ; so also does the Houghton Gooseberry. Grapes were the finest, in yield and quality, that we ever raised in this county; Concord, Clinton and others were in full bloom June 2d ; the Willis,* a new seedling of my originating, blooming June loth; Concord was fully ripe September 15th, although some were gathered September ist, and put in market. The Willis was fit for table use August 1 2th. For this part of the State I would plant Concord, Hartford, Ives and Willis, and also the Lady. The rot attacked the grapes when about one-third grown, but in a few days after it rained, when the rot ceased ; after twelve days the rot began again, and two days afterward it again rained and again the rot ceased, and thus it continued for four times during the season. In 1878 the rot destroyed our whole crop here, but in the northeast part of the county, where the rains were regular, the crop was good. Insects, during the past year, have been fewer than I have ever known, with the exception of codling-moths, which were as numerous as ever, but the apple crop was so large that their work was not apparent. Apples are not keeping well, as they ripened up prematurely in conse- quence of the excessive hot weather in the fall. For Sweet-potato cultureasandy-claysoil is preferable, but in very many places on the prairies of Central Illinois this cannot be had, therefore we select the driest ground, which, if not already rich, should be made so by applying stable manure during the latter part of winter; this should be spread evenly over the surface and as soon as the ground can be worked in spring it should be plowed as shallow as possible with a breaking plow; let the ground lay until the proper time for setting the plants, which in latitude 40° varies from May 5th to 15th, then harrow until the surface is thoroughly pulverized, after which cast two furrows together, running the plow four or five inches deep and leaving the rows three-and-a-half feet from center to center. The plants should be set fifteen inches apart along the row. When the earth composing the ridge settles it is only five or six inches to the hard ground beneath, which is unplowed, and which the potatoes in growing will not penetrate, therefore we get short, thick, fine-grained tubers of best quality and but {^'■n small ones. DISCUSSION UPON THE REPORT. Mr. MiNiER. — I have tried taking the bark from trees in June to make them bear, but the hogs rubbed against them and they (the trees) died. * For history of this grape see page 72, vol. 12, Trans. 111. State Hort. Society. — Editor. 192 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS To make the Chickasaw plum-trees bear I have taken a switch to them when in full bloom and destroyed a large part of the blossoms and thus made them do their duty and bear. A Voice. — Did you ever treat the Miner plum-tree in this way? Mr. Minier. — No, it comes so near bearing my name that I have not taken a switch to it. (Laughter.) Mr. Wier. — I have planted seeds of peaches and they produced trees which withstood the cold and bore fruit. I think, by closely observing and selecting very carefully we may obtain one or more peaches which will be hardy in this latitude. The Committee on Marketing and Utilizing Fruits were to have reported at this hour, but no reports were ready. REPORT FROM AUDITING COMMITTEE. A. C. Hammond then presented the following report.: Your Auditing Committee respectfully report that we have exam- ined the accounts and the vouchers of the Secretary and find the same correct; and that there is now due him, on all accounts, the sum of seventy-one dollars and seventy cents, for which sum we recommend that a warrant be drawn on the Treasurer. We further report that we have examined the statement of sums paid out by the Treasurer and the vouchers therefor, and find them correct; but we find a discrepancy between the amount in the treasury and his statement of receipts — he having more than he has charged to himself, and ask that he have the privilege of correcting this mistake.* We also find that there is due the Treasurer — two per cent, commis- sion on amounts paid out — the sum of twenty-five dollars and eight cents. (Signed) A. C. HAMMOND, ") W. H. MANN, \ Committee. H. C. GRAVES, 3 On motion of Mr. Dennis the report was received and the com- mittee requested to correct the error before the Treasurer's report is published. Also on motion warrants were ordered in favor of the Secretary and Treasurer, as per the recommendations of the committee. * This one error was at once detected and corrected, which correction has been approved by the committee. See the Treasurer's corrected report on page 6. — Sec- retary. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES OF FRUITS. 193 Mr. Dennis. — Mr. President, I think you are chairman of a com- mittee chosen at our last annual meeting to report at this meeting upon the weights of fruits. The President. — Nothing definite has been accomplished in this matter. So long as we sell apples by the bushel we should have a general standard weight for a bushel, or a standard for each of the leading varieties. Several members spoke of the necessity of a scale of weights, but only Mr. Hammond seemed to have made careful tests. Mr. Hammond said : I have made many tests this fall, and find by weighing that they run about as follows: Large Ben Davis, 44 lbs., and from that up to 51 lbs. for smaller ones; Winesap and Janet, 50 lbs.; Fulton and Little Romanite, 51 lbs.; Bellflower the same as Ben Davis, and Rambo, 48 to 49 lbs.; but nearly every variety has a different weight from others. A Voice. — What did you measure in? Mr. Hammond. — In a sealed half-bushel, rounded up as long as the apples would lay on without careful placing. Mr. Minier. — The time is coming when we shall get rid of the old- fashioned method of measuring; it is so unfair as to appear nonsensical. Let us as a society use all our efforts to establish a sensible system of weights, like the cental system in France, and let us as a society, too, start the ball in motion by selling our products by the pound or hundred pounds. RE-APPOINTMENT OF CO.MMITTEE ON WEIGHTS OF FRUITS. Mr. Dennis offered the following resolution, which was adopted: Resolved, That T. J. Burrill be made chairman of Committee on Weights of Fruits, and that he appoint a committee of one from each county to report to said chairman (Burrill), and that he compile the results of their investigations and report them to the next meeting of this Society. Mr. Robison. — I found my apples to weigh more than Mr. Ham- mond's, and also found the smaller and poorer ones to weigh more than good ones; and there is where the difficulty is going to lie; as this is just the opposite to what we find in grain, where the larger and better the kernel the more it weighs. I have fixed the average weight of a bushel of sound apples at 50 lbs. A Voice (to Mr. Hammond). — How much does a barrel hold ? Mr. Hammond. — Two-and-five-eighths bushels. 14 194 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Mr. MiNiER. — I am in hopes that the cental system will come into use, and wish that this Society would recommend it. The Secretary. — This Society has recommended it, and also that all horticultural products be sold by weight. The President stated that it was time to hear the reports of Com- mittee on New Fruits. Mr. Spalding, a member of the committee, said he had prepared no report. Mr. Galusha, another member of that committee, being called on, read the following : REPORT UPON NEW FRUITS.— By O. B. Galusha, Morris. Mr. President, — The increasing interest in the introduction and cultivation of new varieties of different species of fruits which shall be better adapted to withstand the rigors of our winters and scorching heats and drouths of our summers, has induced the Executive Board of this Society to create a committee whose special duty it shall be to look up these new fruits which have been introduced into the State, and ascertain and report upon their characteristics. Your committee realize that this is an important duty, yet one of the most difficult of satisfactory accomplishment ; for the name of the new candidates for favor is "legion." Nevertheless, we enter upon the task hopefully, trusting that the creation of this committee will open a new era in fruit-culture in Illinois ; that the v/ork thus begun will be persevered in by this Society until fresh and wholesome fruits, the product of our own Prairie State, will be found in our markets and upon the tables of rich and poor alike throughout the entire year. This end, Mr. President, we believe to be attainable, and for it let us labor. Apples. — The great desideratum in fruit-culture — the one which entirely overshadows all others, with us, is the discovery of a variety of apple which shall combine the hardiness and productiveness of the Ben Davis tree with fruit which shall keep fresh until the ripening of the strawberry, and whose flesh and juices shall rival those of the Newtown Pippin. At the same time there is great room for improvement, both in tree and fruit, of varieties ripening from harvest-time till March. We are happy to be able to report that much progress has already been made — several varieties having been introduced and locally tested which promise well for the future of apple-growing. Wythe. — "The Wythe is undoubtedly a seedling from Rawles' Janet, as the tree resembles the Janet tree in appearance — bark, leaf and growth;" it has also the characteristics of that tree in putting out both leaves and blossoms later than other sorts. The fruit is much larger and better in quality than its supposed parent and keeps equally long, i. e., till April STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 195 or May. It is more juicy and has a thinner skin than the Janet, and hence greater care is necessary in assorting, as a rotting apple is more likely to affect those in contact with it than is the case with thick-skinned fruit. This fruit has been placed upon the tables of this Society and com- mended by our committees on fruits for several successive winters, and is now here in competition for the best variety not in general cultivation. Should it succeed as well upon the prairies as at home upon the Loess and timber lands of Hancock county it will be an advance in the right direction. Triumph. — Samples of this fruit have also been upon our tables and been favorably noticed by the Society. The tree is a seedling grown from seed by J. W. Ridings, of Grundy county. It has thus far proved quite hardy and productive, having not failed of producing a fair crop since its first fruiting — some eight years since. The fruit is uniformly above medium size, regular, smooth, pale yellow, mostly covered with a rather dull red ; flesh rich sub-acid ; a good dessert and baking apple, but not sufficiently acid to rank as first-class for cooking. It keeps well into spring and has been kept in fair condition till July. A peculiarity of this seedling tree is that however heavy its crop may be all the fruit is of good size — no small ones can be found. Salome. — The history of this most excellent new variety was pub- lished in vol. 12, page 133, of the reports of this Society, and need not be given here. The original tree stands upon the grounds of Mr. E. C. Hatheway, of LaSalle county; it is entirely hardy, bears large crops of fruit, which is all large and fair, and of excellent quality, having a pecu- liar, and to nearly all tastes agreeable, slightly spicy flavor ; color, yellow, nearly overspread with red. It keeps as long as it is desirable to keep any apples, having been kept in a tight barrel entirely sound for a whole year. A most valuable characteristic of this fruit 'is that it ripens into fine condition in winter and remains fresh, plump and juicy until summer, retaining its flavor till its final consumption. Is not this "the coming apple" for the prairies of Illinois? A few more years will determine. In the mean time we consider it the duty of Mr. Hatheway to rob the tree of nearly all its blossom buds or young fruit in spring, so as to induce a growth of shoots for grafting; as we understand that it bears so heavily as to produce no wood of sufficient size for cions. Siberian Apples. — Quite a number of seedling Siberian apples have appeared within a few years, for which the originators claim superior merits. Among these, perhaps the most prominent Illinois seedling is Whitney's No. 20, raised and disseminated by A. R. Whitney, of Frank- lin Grove. The tree is symmetrical in growth, and the fruit fully up to the Transcendent in size. By some it is preferred to this standard variety. A new seedling, not yet disseminated, stands in the yard of Mr. Jameson, of this, McLean county, the fruit of which is large, yellow and of a rich flavor. From the single specimen tasted, I judge it to be superior in flavor to Transcendent. The originator says of it, "The average size is one-and-a-half long by one-and-a-quarter inches in diameter, lg6 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS and \\\e yellowest apple I ever saw, with waxen appearance; is more juicy than its parent Siberian; a fine dessert fruit when fully ripe. When cooked, as we serve them — by coring only — the skin is so thin that it dissolves with the fruit; is sweet enough when stewed to need but little sugar; for jelly and apple-butter it is the finest fruit that I ever knew." It ripens middle of August. Mrs. Jameson, who gave me, the last Sep- tember, the only remaining specimen of the fruit, said she was familiar with Transcendent and Hyslop, and regarded the yellow seedling as decidedly superior to either. Several seedlings originating with Dr. Andrews, of McHenry county, were brought to notice a few years since, of which one called Chicago and another called Marengo, a winter crab-apple, were highly extolled; but as the entire stock was sold to an Eastern nurseryman we have seen nothing since concerning them, except in the said nurseryman's catalogue. Plums. — There seems to be little, if any, progress making in varieties of plums ; the Miner and Wild Goose, of recent introduction, prove so fickle and variable as to disappoint and disgust nearly all who have attempted to obtain fruit from them. Cherries. — Nothing new in the varieties of cherries had appeared in many years worthy of note until Mr. Wier, of Marshall county, through extensive experiments with seedlings of the Early May cherry, produced a few excellent varieties. One of these, which he has named " Northwest," seems, thus far, to combine more excellent qualities than its parent. The tree is very hardy, more symmetrical in growth than Early May, is a regular and abundant bearer of fruit of about the size of the parent, though in shape resembling May Duke, is firmer and richer than E. May. Peaches and Pears. — I am not aware that there have been any decidedly superior varieties of either peaches or pears lately introduced, except those which h^ve already been discussed, and their merits put upon record by this Society. The Amsden, Alexander, Beatrice, Early Louise and Early Rivers peaches have all been commended by some. The Alexander and Amsden have become, I think, quite popular as early market sorts. The Birkitt and Wilkinson's winter pears are commended by those who are familiar with the habits of the trees as hardier or less liable to blight than any of the older sorts; though the quality of the Birkitt fruit is inferior to the average of cultivated varieties. Grapes. — Champion, Brighton and Perkins seem to be the most desirable varieties among grapes of recent introduction, being hardy and prolific in vine, and the fruit of good quality. The fruit of the Perkins, however, becomes quite foxy if allowed to become overripe. Martha proves a valuable white grape for the northern portion of the State, though its foxiness is objectionable. Lady has been found too slow and feeble in growth for profitable cultivation ; though there are some excep- tions to this. Quite a number of Rogers' Hybrids fully sustain the claims made for them several years since: notably the Goethe (No. i), Wilder (No. 4), STATE HORTICULTUKAL SOCIETY. I97 Merrimac (No. 19), and Agawam (No. 15); all of which sorts are of robust growth, nearly hardy, productive, and the fruit large and of quality from good to very good. Blackberries. — The Snyder hsLS been sufficiently tested in the north half of the State to enable me to report positively of its superiority to all other varieties in cultivation in this latitude. It has not been known to be seriously damaged by the severe winters until the last winter, when, perhaps, an average of one-third the canes were badly damaged, reducing the crop correspondingly. The fruit, when ripe, is fully up to Kittatinny or Lawton in flavor, and of good, though not large size. It produces as heavy crops as can be desired ; in fact, its tendency to overbear is its worst fault. The Ancient Britain is highly commended, by L. K. Scofield and others who have grown it, for the extreme northern portion of the State. The fruit is said to be very sweet, though only medium in size, and the canes entirely hardy. The Barnard is also commended for Northern Illinois and Iowa, where it has been fruited, as it withstands the rigors of the coldest winters. I have it on trial, planted last spring, though I have not fruited it as yet. Taylor is also on trial — canes commended as hardy, and fruit as large and delicious. With me it was damaged more than Snyder last winter, though not entirely killed, as were Lawton, Wilson's Early and Kittatinny. Raspberries. — Many new varieties of red and black Raspberries, and a few of hybrids, have been introduced into the State within a few years. I have tested nearly all these varieties, but have learned but little of their success or failure in other portions of the State, and will, therefore, speak only of my own experience, and will name sorts in each class in the order of their merit on my own grounds. Cuthbert {or Queen of the Market) — for these two are so nearly alike, if not identical, that they have been considered as one where grown side by side — is a new red variety, canes hardy and immensely productive ; fruit large, of good quality, bright color and the firmest red sort which I have yet fruited. This is at present the most valuable market sort among the red raspberries. Reliance is also hardy, and bears as heavily as can be desired ; the fruit is a little larger than Turner, of good quality and of medium firm- ness for a red berry. Winant is almost if not quite equal to Reliance, and may, after further experience, be placed before it on the list, as with me it is a little firmer than that variety. Thwack, which originated in Missouri and was introduced into this State three years since, is growing in favor. The canes are the hardiest on my grounds — not a terminal bud having been killed during last wintei*, which was as severe a test of hardiness as I ever knew. They are quite productive, fruit of good size and quality, and almost as firm as that of Cuthbert. The canes are short, not exceeding four feet, and require no If) 8 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS pruning, though it is said to produce larger, better fruit by shortening in the growing canes. Like most of the red sorts, this "suckers" profusely, and must be confined to narrow rows and receive rich and good cultiva- tion to develop its excellencies. I look for an increasing popularity for this variety. Brandywine, though the most abundant of any variety in the markets of the East, has not been generally grown in the West. The canes are hardy, very prolific; fruit good, medium size, fair quality and sufficiently firm for market purposes. Pride-of -the- Hudson should be left on the Hudson or elsewhere at the East, as the canes cannot endure our extremes of temperature — an utter failure here. Highland Hardy has not proved as hardy as the varieties commended above, and I shall discontinue its cultivation. Black Raspberries. — The Gregg is a rampant grower, is as hardy as any I have grown and bears large crops. The fruit is a clear black, very large, pulpy, and of a rich, sub-acid flavor. This is unquestionably the largest and best variety of black-cap grown in the State, as its firmness, added to other excellent qualities of cane and fruit, renders it valuable to raise for market purposes. Miller's Daily grows as strongly as Gregg, and I think the canes are nearly or quite as hardy; they bear good crops of large berries, which are juicy and of excellent flavor. It is said to produce a few berries for several months after the fruiting season ; but having fruited it but one season I cannot testify upon this point, except that it did not so fruit with me. It may do so when stools are older. It seems to be a decided improvement upon Doolittle, both in size and quality. Hybrid Raspberries. — None of the hybrids which have fruited on my place are fitted to become popular market fruits, though the New Rochelle, which fruited abundantly the past season, was the best of all for cooking. The canes are of moderate growth, the fall tips being quite weak as compared with Miller and Gregg, but the productiveness of the variety is unsurpassed by any black-cap. The fruit is large to very large, very juicy, with a sub-acid flavor exceeding any other fruit of its class. The color is blackish, with a clay-colored bloom. It is the best berry for cooking of any on my grounds. The canes, though damaged by the excessive cold of last winter, were less so than those of Philadelphia, Doolittle or McCormick (Mammoth Cluster). The Ganargua, another hybrid which has been highly commended, is immensely productive; fruit of medium size and not equal to New Rochelle in flavor. It must be of better quality on some grounds than on mine, else it could not have been commended by as good authority as it has. But I see no reason for wanting more than one sort of this class, as their color prevents their sale in market. Strawberries. — To give a list of all the new varieties which have been tested here, with the characteristics of each, would alone be too much matter for a single report. I will, therefore, endeavor to speak specially of those only which have been found worthy of general attention. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 199 Crescent, sent into the State three years since by H. H. Smith, of Connecticut, has proved the most productive of any variety, and, when confined to narrow rows, fertilized by planting a more strongly staminate sort, like Wilson, Charles Downing or Capt. Jack, near it, and receiving even moderately good cultivation, has given the highest satisfaction, but where neglected and left to mat the surface and where not properly fertilized it has disappointed the hopes of the planter in size and firm- ness of the fruit, and induced a few to cry "humbug." Grown as it should be, and as it is easy to do, it will produce uniformly immense crops on all sorts of soil on which any varieties can grow, and of fruit of large size, good flavor, glossy and attractive in appearance, and sufficiently firm to carry well sixty miles to market. The blossoms are not generally furnished with sufficient pollen to fertilize the ovaries, and hence it is important to plant strongly staminate sorts in [)roximity — say one row of others to three of Crescent. Sharpless is a robust plant, has perfect blossoms, produces good crops of very large showy fruit of fair flavor (sub-acid) and sufficiently firm for shipping 100 to 200 miles. J//«