^^rwss^ — ■ I V I ■ vis,' ■ m I ■ ■ W V I 7 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY FOB 1868. BEING THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE THIRTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING AT BUNKER HILL, DECEMBER 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th. WITH PROCEEDINGS OF LOCAL SOCIETIES, CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. New Series — Vclume II.^<^F NEW r BOT CHICAGO PRAIRIE FARMER COMPANY STEAM PRINT. 1869. 95 n. 2. |86S (. — You see — we marry A gentler scion to the wildest stock, And make conceive a bark of baser kind By bud of nobler birth : This is an art Which does mend nature — change it rather, but The art itself is nature." Winters Tale, Act IV. True Bramin, in the morning meadows wet, Expound the Vedas of the violet, Or, hid in vines, peeping through many a loop, See the plum redden, and the beurre stoop. Emerson — The Gardener. CONTENTS I. Constitution and By-Laws iv II . Laws affecting Horticulture V III . Pomological Rules viii IV. Officers and Committees for I860 ix V. Members (or 1809 xii VI. Proceedings of the Executive Committee xiv VII. Proceedings of the Annual Meeting 1 VIII. Reports of Committees, etc «. 190 IX. Local Horticultural Societies 203 X. Horticultural History and Correspondence 297 XI. Criticisms of Fruit and other Lists 324 Appendix :— XII. Fruit and other Lists 1—21 XIII. fade* 32-26 IV TRANSACTIONS <>F THE ILLINOIS CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS. AS AMENDED 1867. CONSTITUTION. I. This Association shall be known as the Illinois State Horticultural Society. II. Its object shall be the advancement of the science of Pomology and of the art of Horticulture. III. Its members shall consist of Annual members, paying an annual fee of two dollars ; of Life members, paying a fee of twenty dollars at one time ; and of Honorary members, who shall only be persons of distinguished merit in Horticulture or kindred sciences, who may, by vote, be invited to participate in the privileges of the Society. The wives of members shall be members without fee. IV. Its officers shall consist of a President, one Vice-President from each Con- gressional District in the State, a Corresponding Secretary, two Recording Secretaries, a Treasurer and an Executive Board, which shall consist of the Pre.-idcnt, the last three Ex-Presidents and the Secretary ; all of whom shall be elected at the annual meeting, and serve from the first of January until the thirty-first of December, or until their successors are elected. V. It shall hold an annual meeting, and other meetings, and annual fair, as the Society or the Executive Board may direct. VI. This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members present. BY-LAWS. I. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Society ; call meetings. of the Executive Board, and under its direction have a general superintendence of the affairs of the Society, and direction of the expenditures of money ; he shall deliver an annual address upon some subject connected with Horticulture, and shall appoint all commit- tees, unless otherwise ordered. II. The Vice-Presidents, in the order of their districts, shall act in case of the absence or disability of the President ; and shall, by correspondence and personal inter- course with the Horticulturists of the various counties of their respective districts, endeavor to organize local societies, obtain accurate information of the condition and progress of Horticulture therein ; and report annually, in writing, to the Soeiet.v III. The Corresponding Secretary shall attend to all the correspondence of tin' ♦ Society. IV. The Recording Secretary shall record the proceedings of the Society, tile and preserve all papers belonging to it, and prepare its reports for publication. V. The Treasurer shall reeeive and keep an accurate account of all moneys belong- ing to the Society, and disburse the same upon the written orders of the President, which he shall retain and file as vouchers ; he shall make an onnual report to the Society of the receipts and disbursements, which, with the vouchers, shall lie referred to a special auditing committee, appointed at the annual meeting. Before entering upon STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. V his duties, be shall give bond to the Society in the mm of five thousand dollars, for the faithful performance of bid duties ; Bucb bond to be approved by the Executive Board. VI. The Executive Board shall, subject to the direction of the Society, mannage all it- affairs. VII. There shall be chosen annually by the Executive Board, a Standing Committee to consist of one or more members from each fruit district of the State, on the following subjects : 1. Meteorologogy in its relation to Horticulture. •J. Botany ami vegetable Physiology. 3. Entomology. 4. Ornithology. :.. Ornamental and Useful Trees. 6. Ad Interim. 7. Packing and Shipping Fruits. VIII. These by-laws may be altered at any meeting by a majority vote. LAWS AFFECTING HORTICULTURE. An Act to Incorporate the Illinois State Horticultural Society. Si:. tioS" 1. Be it < nactt . This act to be in force from and after its passage. APPBOVED i-'EiiKiAKY 11, 1S57. An Act to Incorporate the Illinois State Horticultural Society. Section 1. Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, represented in the General nblu. That Smiley Bhepherd, 0. B. Galusha, 8. Q. Minkler, \V. c. Flagg, J. T. Little, W. II. Van Epps, Lewis Ellsworth, Jason C. Ayres, W. A. Pennell, J. Vv*. Fell, W. Durley, Samuel Edwards, their associates and successors, members of the Illinois te Horticultural Society, be and are hereby declared to be a body politic and cor- porate, known by the Dame and style ol " The Illinois State Horticultural Society." '' The objeel of the Society being to promote the science of Pomology and tin.' art of Horticulture, they shall be allow ed lor those purposes only, to take and hold real and personal estate to the amount of fifty thousand dollars. Sec. 8. This Society shall have the right to contract and be contracted with, to sue and be sued, to plead and be Impleaded, to answer and be answered unto, in all the courts of law and equity of this Slate, and shall further enjoy all the privileges incident to incorporations of .-aid character, and not inconsistent with the laws of this State. SEC. 4. It shall and maybe lawful for said corporation to have and use a Common seal, and the same at their pleasure to change, alter and make anew, and in general have and exercise all such rights, privileges and immunities as by law are incident to or necessary to the society herein constituted. VI TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Sec. 5. The Society Bhall have power to alter or amend their present constitution, to make, alter or repeal such by-laws as may be deemed necessary for carrying out the objects oi the Society. Sec. 6. This act shall be in force from and after its passage. Approved February 10, 1S65. An Act to Punish Fruit Thieves. Be it (haded by the people of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, Tlint it any person or persons shall hereafter enter the enclosure of any person, without the leave or license of such owner, and pick, destroy, or carry away the fruit of any apple, plum, peach, pear or other fruit tree or bush, such person or persons shall lie guilty ol a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, maybe fined any sum not less than ten dollars, nor more than fifty dollars, and may be imprisoned in the county jail for any period not exceeding twenty days. The penalties incurred by a violation of this act may be enforced by indictment in any court having jurisdiction of misdemeanors in the county where the offense is committed, or the tine may* be recovered in an action for debt before any justice of the peace of such county. Approved February 20, 1861. An Act for the Protection of Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Shrub- bery and Vegetable Products. Section 1. Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That if any person or persons, in this State, shall willfully, maliciously and without lawful authority, cut down, root up, sever, injure, peel or destroy any fruit or ornamental tree, cultivated root or plant, fruit or other vegetable production, grape, strawberry or cranberry vines, currant, gooseberry, raspberry, or cultivated blackberry bushes, standing or growing on or being attached to the land of another, or shall, will- fully and without lawful authority, cut down, root up, destroy or injure any fruit or ornamental tree or shrubbery, planted or growing on any street, lane or alley, or public grounds, in any city, borough or incorporated town in said State, every such person so offending, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction thereof, shall be punished by a line of not more than five hundred dollars, or by imprisonment in the jail of the county not exceeding three months, or both, at the discretion of the court, and shall, moreover, be liable in double the amount of damages to the party injuied. This law to take eflect from and after its passage. Appkoved Febkuaky 15, 1805. An Act for the Protection of Growing Fruit. Section 1. Be it enacted by the people of the Staie of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That if any person or persons shall, hereafter, enter the enclosure of any per- son, witiiout leave or license of such owner, and, destroy, or carry away any part or portion of tire fruit of any apple, pear, peach, plum, or other fruit tree or bush, such person or persons shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction 1 hereof, may be fined in any sum not less than ten nor more than fifty dollars, and may be imprisoned in the county jail for any period of time not exceeding twenty days. The penalties incurred by a violation of this act may be enforced by indictment in any court having juri diction of misdemeanors in the county where the offense is committed, or the fine may be recovered in an action of debt before any justice of the peace of such county. Appkoved February 10, 1865. An Act for the Protection of Orchards, and to prevent the destruction of Small Birds. Section 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assimbly, That it shall not be lawful, in this State, for any person to shoot, or in any other manner to kill or destroy, or to entrap, ensnare or otherwise capture any of the following description of birds* to wit.: The blue bird, swallow, martin, musquito hawk, whip-poor-will, cuckoo, woodpecker, cat bird, brown thrasher, red bird, hanging biid, rice bird, sparrow, wren, humming bird, dove, goldfinch and mocking bird. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. V I 1 Sec. 2. Every person who willfully violates the provisions of the preceding section, or who shall willfully destroy the nest or eggs of any of the birds herein before desig- nated, shall l>c punished by a line of not more than live dollars for each offense. Tlii- Act in take effect and be in force from and after its passage. Approved February, 34, 1859. An Act making an appropriation in aid of the State Horticultural Society of Illinois. Section* 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Plinote, represented in the Gi iu mUy, Th.it there be appropriated for the use of the State Horticultural Society, to be expended in the payment of premiums, in publishing the Transactions of said society, procuring scientific investigations relating to Horticulture, and paying expens of Ad Interim Committees, the sum of two thousand dollars per annum. 8» . 8. The said sum of two thousand dollars shall be paid to the Treasurer of said State Horticultural Society, on the order of the President and Secretary of the same. Approved February 28, 1SG7. An Act for the Protection of Consignors of Fruit, Grain, Flour Etc., to be sold on Commission. SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois represented in the General .7, That if any warehouseman, storage, forwarding or commission merchant, or his or their agents, clerks or employees shall convert to their own Use the proceeds or profits arising from the sale of any fruits, grain, flour, beef, pork, or any other good-, wares or merchandise, otherwise than as instructed by the consignors of said goods, and shall on the demand of the consignors fail to deliver over the proceeds or profits of said tjood-, after deducting the usual per cent, on the sales as commission, shall be found guilty of a misdemeanor. And any person or persons who shall be found guilty of retaining or embezzling any money prohibited in this section, not exceeding one hundred dollars, shall be punished by a tine of not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned In the jail of the county, not exceeding three months, or both at the discre- tion of the court, and shall moreover, be liable in double the amount of damages to the party injured ; and any person or persons vi ho shall be found sun'1"* of retaining or em- bezzling a greater sum than one hundred dollars shall lie punished by fine, not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisonment in the jail of the county not exceeding one year, or both at the discretion of the court ; and shall moreover, be liable iu double the amount ■ >! damages to the party injured. Sec. 2. This act to take effect from and after its passage. Approved March 4, 1809. An Act to permit the planting of Shade and Ornamental trees along the Public Roads. Section* 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois reprrsentcd in the General Assembly, That it shall be lawful for owners or occupants of lands, bordering upon any public road in this State, to plant shade and ornamental trees along and in such road, at a distance not exceeding one-tenth of the legal width of the road from its margin. Sec. 2. This act shall be deemed a public act and be in force from and after its ige. ATI-roved March 25, 1869. V 1 1 1 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS POMOLOGICAL RULES. As adopted, with additions from American Pomological Society. 1. No new seedling fruit shall be entitled to the recommendation of this Society until its qualities shall be ascertained by at least five years' experience in more than one locality, and which is not at least equal to any similar variety of the first rank already known ; or which if only of second rate flavor, is superior in vigor, hardiness, productiveness, or other important quality or characteristics. 2. No new fruit shall be considered, as named, until it has been accurately described by some person or committee, known to be conversant with existing varieties ; and such description shall have been published in at least one horticultural or agricultural journal, or some pomological work of acknowledged standard character. 3. The originator or lie who first makes known a new variety, shall be entitled to name it, and such name if suitable, shall be adopted by the writer describing the fruit for the first time. But if the name proposed is inappropriate, or does' not come within the rules of nomenclature. The describer shall be at liberty to give a name. When two persons have named or described a fruit, the name aud description first published, if according to the rules, shall have the priroity. 4. In giving names to new varieties, all harsh, vulgar, or inelegant names, such as "Sheepsnose," "Hogpen," etc., should be avoided, and no name should consist of more than two words, excepting only when the originator's name is added. _ Character- istic names or those in some way descriptive of the qualities, origin or habit of fruit or tree shall be preferred. They may cither be of intrinsic properties, as Golden Sweeting, Downer's Late, etc.; or of local origin as Newtown Pippin, Hudson Gage ; or the sea- sou of ripening, as Early Scarlet, First Gage : of the form and color, as Golden Drop, Blue Pearmain ; or which commemorates a particular place or person, as Tippeconoe, La Grange, Baldwin, or any other titles which may be significantly applied. 5. The description of new varieties of fruits shall embrace the following particulars : First. An account of their origin. Second. The fruit — its size, form aud exterior color, texture and color of the flesh, flavor, and time of ripening, with the addition on stone fruits of the size of the stone, adherence or non-adherence of the flesh, form of the suture, and the hollow at the stem, and in kernel fruits, of the size of the core and seeds, the length, position and in- sertion of the stalk, and form of the eye. Third. The tree — its marked characters of growth, young and bearing wood, foliage and blossoms. In peaches, the form of leaf, glands and size'of blossoms. In strawber- ries, the character of the blossoms, whether staminate or pistillate. In grapes, the form of bunch or berry. 6. No variety of fruit, vegetable, tree, flower or other horticultural product, shall be placed upon, or taken from the lists of the society, unless it receive a majority of six votes, of persons residing in the district for which it is recommended ; and it i-< recom- mended that no person vote upon the question unless he have personal experience or observation of the qualities of the variety in question. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. IX OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES FOR I860. PRESIDENT: TYLER McWHORTER, Millershurg, Mercer County. VICE-PRESIDENT AT LARGE : JONATHAN PERIAM, Chatsworth, Livingston County. VICE-PRESIDENTS : 1st District — J. W. COCHRAN Blue Island, Cook County. 3d " JAMES CROW Crystal Lake, McHenry County. 3d " W. 11. IIAUSEN Franklin Grove, Lee County. 4th " B. D. WALSH Rock Island.Rock Island County. 5th " I. W. STEWART Florid, Putnam County. 6th " O. B. GALUSHA Morris, Grnndy County. 7th " W. P. PIERSON Onarga, Iroquois County. 8th " L. C. FRANCIS Springfield, Sangamon County. 9th " N. OVERMAN Canton, Fulton County. inth " A. A. MILLIARD Brighton, Macoupin County. l!th " J. WARREN FLETCHER Centralia, Marion County. 12th " GEORGE WTLGUS Richview, Washington County. 18th " T. A. E. HOLCOMB South Pass, Union County. CORRESPONDING AND RECORDING SECRETARY : WILLARD C. FLAGG, Alton and Moro, Madison County ASSISTANT RECORDING SECRETARY : J< UIN M. PEARSON, Godfrey, Madison County. TREASURER : J( )NATHAN HUGGINS, Wood burn, Macoupin County. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: TYLER McWHORTER, A. M. BROWN, ELMER BALDWIN; PARKER EARLE and W. C. FLAGG. TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS STANDING COMMITTEES, 1869. Gentlemen on these Committees are expected to act independently, and each requested to report upon his topic with reference to his particular district — Northern, Southern, or Central, as The case may he. It is believed that important facts and principles may be discovered, relating to the conditions to which fruit culture in lllh ois must conform, by a careful study of atmospheric pliei omena, our soils, insects and b rds, in connection with vegetable physiology and the hjgiene of plants. NORTHERN. James W. Tollman, Winnebago. METEOROLOGY. CENTRAL. Wm. M. Baker, Champaign. SOUTHERN. John H. Tice, St. Louis, Mo, J. Shaw, Mt. Carroll. GEOLOGY AND SOILS. W. F. Bliss, Champaign. H. C. Freeman, South Pass. BOTANY AND YEGETAELE PHYSIOLOGY. T. J. Burrill, Champaign. L. D. Morse, St. Louis, Mo. George Vasey, Richview. B. D. Walsh, Bock Island. ENTOMOLOGY. C. V. Riley, St. Louis, Mo. T. A. E. Holcomb, South Pass. Jona. Periam, (Jhatsworth. ORNITHOLOGY. G. W. Minier, s Minier. E. S. Hull. Alton. Samuel Edwards. La Aloille, ORNAMENTAL AND TIMBER TREES. J. W. Fell, Normal. A. M. Brown. Villa Ridge. H. D. Emery, Chicago. •I. W. Cochran, Blue Island. Elmer Baldwin, Farm Ridge. FRUIT PACKAGES. E. A. Riehl, Alton. AD INTERIM. Samuel Edwards, La Moille, W. C. Flagg, Alton. Parker Earle, South Pass. B. Pullen, Central ia. H. C. Freeman, South Pass. SPECIAL COMMITTEES, 1869. ON SELECTING NEW VARIETIES. Northern District. — J. W. Cochran, Samuel Edwards and T). B. Wier. Ckntral District. -»M. L. Dunlap, L. C. Francis and J. A. Pettingill. Soi i iikun District. — H. J. Hydo. B. Pullen and P. R. Wright. On Canning Kstabli.sumi-.nts. — N. J. Colman, Parker Earle and J. M. Pearson. STATE HORTICULTURIST, 1869. Dr. E. S. Hull, Alton, Madibon County. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. X 1 COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE. The following persons are respectfully requested to co-operate in furnishing infor- mation t<> the Secretary, Vice-President and Standing Committees, on all points bearing on the theory and practice of Horticulture in their respective counties : v F/a 1'. 0. Adthri u and County. ]). C. Benton Quincy, Adams. E.J. Ayres Cairo, Alexander. .1. (i. Sprasrue Greenville, Bond. (. ■ ■_•<■ Chaffee. . .Belvidere, Boone. A. McPhail Mt. Bterling, Brown. iiH-1 Edwards. Lamoille, Bureau. B. F. Childs Hardin, Calhoun. lia-Lrr-ttTrtUiy Mt. Carroll, Carroll. •I . Q. Met iam Beardstown, ( 'ass. M. L. Dunlap Champaign, Champaign. W. A i base Rosamond, Christian. Benjamin Sweet. .Melrose, Clark. ■h Myers Flora Clay. 0. B. Nichols Carlyle, Clinton. M. C. Me Lain Charleston, Coles. J. \\ .Cochran Blue Island, Cook. S. A. Moore Leroy, Crawford. E. Jennings Neoga, Cumberland. A. Adam* Sandwich, DeKalb. ( 1. M^oir Clinton, DeWitt. E. Dai.rgy Tuscola, Dongas. Lewis] 1 *worth. .Naperville, DuPage. .Paris. Edgar. .Albion, Edwards. . Mason, Effingham. . Vandalia, Fayette. .Paxton, Ford. .Ewing, Franklin. B. <». Curtis J. B. Orange.... Win. Matthews.. H. F. Jerrold.... R. 11. Murdoek... Qoofw Hamilton. I). V. K in-rv ('anion, Fulton. B. (i. B. A. t Shawneetown, Gallatin. 8 i liver Whitehall, « Ireene. 1'.. < lalusha Morris, Grundy. Vice M<- Lane- 1 ion >, Hamilton. ('. Hammond. .Warsaw, Hancock. JamesM. Warren. Elizabeth, Hardin. W. L. Stocktou . .Oqunwka, Henderson. John Boans Geneseo, Henry. Win. P. Pierson...Onarga, Iroquois. J. S. 1 lari man. ... Makanda, Jackson. F. L. Jones Newton, Jasper. J. s. Galbraitb Mt. Vernon, Jefferson. I. Snedecker Ferseyville, Jersey. D. Wilmot Scott.. Galena, Jo Davie ( ledar Bluff, Johnson. Elgin, Kane. Milo 1'iainard Manteno, Kankakee. s. G. Minkler Oswego, Kendall. B. 11. Whiting GaleAourg, Knox. It. Douglas Waukegan, Lake. E. Baldwin Farm Ridge, LaSalle. \. Shaw Lawrenc'vLle, Lawrence. W. E. Scarsdale.. \\ . (,. Hubbard.. Names. A. R. Whitney L. Bancroft Charles S. Capps.. George Wood Jonat'n Huggins. . Win. E. Smith J.Warren Fletcher D. B.Wier J. Cochrane George Brown. G. \V . Closson. . . . James Crow F. K. Phcenix. .. . John Hill Tyler Me. Whorter. ( 'iiaiies Ilenekler. W. S. Palmer..... J. B. Turner W. A. Ballard D. B. Stiles B. L. T.Bouiiand. W. T. Winters.... James C. Johnson. E. V. Rice Louis L. Koch A. M. Brown . . . . Smiley Shepherd. Wm. M. Jeffrey.. George Mason I) i . Kinney. Charles Burnett... L. C. Fr iiieis. . . . I). C. Johnson . . . John R. Woods.. J. B. Reeve Wm. H. Butler.. 1 l'v Ensrelmann. . I .11 Rosenstiel upin. David R. Mills Magnolia, Putnam. E. S. Milton Bunker Hill, Macoupin. G. W. Minier Minier, Tazewell. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. xm S ana, J. W. F let cher. Suel Foster L. C. Francis. .. H. C. Freeman. O. B. Galusha.. Alex. II. Gaston.. J. C. Gill Win. (Jill T. II. Glenn Alonzo (.lure Wm. M. Goodwin David Gore Graves, Belover, i Willard & Co... f J. B. Phinney W. P. Pierson B. Pullen A. s. i; idfleld D. O. Reeder Jas. B. Reeve G. M. Rice E. A. Kiehl C. V. RiUy John M. Robinson, .la-. W. Robinson. Carew Sanders Edgar Sanders. . . . D. C. Seofteld M. \V. Senium Th(i>. Sinnock Smiley Shepherd. Wm. E, Smith.... Isaac Snedecker.. C. W. BpaldiDg.., Phill M. Springer.. P. 0. Address a n< I County. Centralia, Marion. Muscatine, Iowa. Bpringfleld, Sangamon. South Pass, Union. Morris, Grundy. Henry, Marshall. Dorchester. Maconpin. Chicago, Cook. Carbondale, .Jackson. •Urbana, Champaign. Carlinvule, .Macoupin. Geneva, N. Y. Champaign, Champaign. Onarga. Iroquois. Centralia, Marion. Jerseyville, Jersey. Centralia, Marion. Monlton, Shelby. Champaign, Champaign. Alton, Madison. St. Louis, Mo. .Litchfield, Montgomery. Tremont, Taewell. St. Louis, Mo. Chicago, Cook. Elgin, Kane. Shipman, Macoupin. Quincy, Adams. Hennepin, Putnam. Alton, Madison. .Jerseyville, Jersey. St. Louis, Mo. Springfield, Sangamon. Noma, r. 0. Address and Count;/, S. G. Minklcr Oswego, Kendall. C. H. Moore Clinton, DeWitt. M. L. Morehouse. Hillsboro, Montgomery. II. T. Mudd.. St. Louis. Mo. W. T. Nelson Wilmington, Will. F. Waterman Hillsboro, Montgomery. W. S. Palmer Litchfield. John R. Parks Tolono, Champaign. L. 8. Pennington. Sterling, Whiteside-:. Jonathan IV riam. Chats worth, Livingston. G. II. Pcrrine Centralia, Marion. John A. Pcttingill. Bunker Hill, Macoupin. F. K. Pho-nix Bloomington, McLean. Geo. B. Phinney. . Champaign, Champaign A. Starr Alton, Madison. J. W. Stewart Florid, Putnam. Wm. Stewart Quincy, Adams. J. J. Strong Mton, Madison. W. A. Tandley ...Flora, Clay. J. II. Tice St. Louis, Mo. M. Topping Makanda, Jackson. J. B. Turner Jacksonville, Morgan. A. B. VandewaterPana, Christian. Geo. Vasey Richvfcw, Washington. B. I). Walsh Rock Island, Rock Isl'd. J. A. Warder Cincinnati, 0. Honorary. Mrs. S. B. Weld.. Centralia, Marion, .South Windsor, Conn. .Franklin Grove, Lee. B. Wier...r Lacon, Marshall. Wilgus Richview, Washington. c. Windsor.... Springfield, Sangamon. S. Wooley Pana, Christian. P. Worden Springfield, Sangamon. K. Wright South Pass, L'nion. Wm. II. White. A. R. Whitney . D. " G. H. J. J. P. Total 101, 145 of whom are from Illinois, 11 from Missouri, and 1 each from Arkansas Connecticut, Iowa, New York and Ohio. The 145 Illinois members represent 43 counties; Macoupin furnishes 25 members, Mad- ison 23, Marion 10, Champaign 8, Union 7, Cook and Montgomery each 6, Christian and Sangamon each 4, Jackson, Lee, Putnam, Randolph and St. Clair 3 each, DeWitt, Iro- quois, Jersey, Marshall, Pulaski, Washington and Will :l each; and Bureau, Cass, Clay, Ci.h-, Douglas, Grundy, Hancock, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle, Livingston, Mc- llenry, McLean, Mercer, Morgan, Rock Island, Shelby, Tazewell and Whiteside- each 1. X 1 V TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE OCMMITTEE. Centralia, May 28, 18GS. At a called meeting of the Executive Committee, held this day at Centralia, there were present: A. M. Brown, president; Elmer Baldwin and Parker Earle, ex-presidents, and VV. C. Flagg, Secre- tary; absent J. P. Reynolds. Dr. E. S. Hull, M. L. Dunlap, V. K. Deyo, and H. D. Emery, of the Ad-Interim Committee, being present were invited to participate in the discussions of the Committee. The subject of holding a Fair the present year was first discussed and after due consideration was passed over with only the following action : Resolved, That the president be authorized to reeeive propositions from local societies to hold the annual fair, and to report the same to the Board for its action. The matter of legislation for the benefit of horticultural interests was next taken up, and a committee consisting of A. M. Brown, E. S. Hull, and Elmer Baldwin, appointed to take into consideration the following subjects , and to draft bills, and report them to the Society, at its annual meeting, for its approval and recommendation to the legislature for its action. 1. An Act to Encourage the Planting of Timber Trees. 2. An Act to Fix the Lc^al Weight of a Bushel of the Various Kinds of Fruits. 3. An Act to Prevent the Improper Handling of Packages of Fruits. 4. An Act to Regulate Freights and Express Charges. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. XV The subject of the encouragement by statute of the planting of Osai ncoi n ral loon rv. will be I: ttall in BUNKER HILL, on 'J ne-day, Thursday ind er 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th, 1868, commencing at 9 V.. ■!. ly. cordially invited from "'I. i rticultura I Organizations, and a full attendance of the Fai I • - t Illinois is earnestly solicited. Contributions of Fruits Flowers, Vegetables, Scions eo 8, Wii », Ciders, &c., are request* 1. It i* expected thai the Terre Haute, Alton & St. Louis Central Railways will return members free, or at n es. The - Hill will n 1 their hospitalities to the members of the S ' iltl f I lliirtii-ultura! S>€iety will attend at Lee's iH angers on theii arrival. Persons {unable to attend cau bei le membei e rep for 1868, i>y remitting two dollars to the Treasurer A. M. BE W. C. FLAGG, Secretary. FIRST DAY — MORNING SESSION. In accordance with the above circular the Society an I at Lee's Hall, Bunker Hill, in the county of Macoupin, at 10 •> \. M., December 15th, 1868. The meeting was opened rayer by the Rev. Mr. Stone. John A. Pettingill, President of the Bunker Bill :ulti il Society, then delivered the following address of • Mr. President. Ornth-mrn <>f tin Illinois : — It i- with pleasure that I n i yo . to welc »m •■ the Bunker Hill i I <>r I ion it urn 1 Society, and of the citizens of our to We feel honored In having the and objects are so high and ennob the advam " varied branches. And, as we look back upon ; every human being is an intej ir of £ TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS immortal existence, and, indeed, with a mysterious inner life. This inner life is never satisfied — is forever impelling us to action. It rests not in its primal condition, but by thorough education becomes expanded, elevated and beautiful. Man finds himself placed in a world where everything may be made subservient to some high and noble purpose, and he who best understands the capacities and necessities of his inner life, joyfully enters the field, joyfully treads the intricate path. Guided by a love of the true, guided by the light of a God given reason, he boldly grasps half-acknowledged truth, and firmly establishes speculations which have but timely escaped the lips of the discoverer, and thus he lays the fouudation stones of practical truth. But this is toil — but in this toil he finds the highest earthly pleasure — it may be in one department of practical life, it may be in another. God has wisely made the demands and capacities of this inner life of mankind different. With some, it is Art ; with others, Science ; with others, Literature ; with others, Imagination. The world is various. Its flowers, its fruits, its grain, its minerals, its oceans, its lakes, its rivers, its waterfalls, its soils, its mountains, its valleys, its rocks, its trees, its shrubs, are all before us ; and what is more, a vast and varied humanity, adapted to every animate and inanimate department of the great organism. One of these departments of life has called us together ; and every one of us can bear testimony, three times each day, to its practical value, while it extends back to the earliest and simplest organizations of humanity. Moreover, we look with interest on the power which the Horticultural department is now exerting, and the position among the departments of life, in its conveniences, beauty, usefulness and wealth, which it has assumed. The day is past when the Farmer and Gardener are looked down upon as among the lower grade of society I I know there is still a class, (a small class, however,) in this age, whose qualifications for usefulness and happiness, are eating, and drinking, and dressing — a class to whom pastures, and copses, and gardens, and harvesting, and fall feed, are Gothic words. These same, however, pretending to know the world, prick up their ears when you talk about " scales," and " cost prices," and " the credit system," and "merchants' exchange;" but affect to be ignorant of Nature, her beginnings, and gifts, and bounties. This ignorance is frequently voluntary, and founded on the conceit they have for their own callings and professions ; and if they hear you talk of the first men, of the Patriarchs, or of their truth, their love, their faith, their order, they wonder how Jacob and Esau got on in life together without an attorney! How Job could have argued his cause without legal counsel ; whether Solomon entertained the " Queen of Sheba" with balls and operas; and how Adam could have got along without a private " secretary or a barber." This class among us is small, and growing beautifully less. The Horticulturist and Agriculturist of our day are not the children of Issacher, whose coat-of-arms was an ass crouching between too heavy burdens ; neither is it the escutcheon of Judah — a young Lion from whom the scepter shall not depart — but it is indeed a scepter hung with Apricots, and Strawberries, and Grapes, wreathed with Dahlias and Roses — a scepter which has descended from the primal cultivators of Eden, down through all succeeding ages, until the Prairies of the Great West are studded all over with its beauty, and excellence, and wealth, which a true knowledge of these sciences ever brings. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 6 The great object of this gathering is to advance this Science, and I most heartily welcome you to the task, trusting that advancement will be made in selecting and recommending such fruits and flowers, as shall make glad the heart, fill the purse, and forward the aims of this Association. I hid you welcome, in view of the healthful influence which I trust will be exerted on the Bunker Hill Horticultural Society, of which I have the honor of being the pre- siding ollieer, to incite us to greater exertions in the more thorough cultivation and man- agement of Fruits and Flowers, and to battle more successfully against the great horde of insect enemies which have almost obtained the mastery. I again welcome you to the hospitalities of the citizens of Bunker Hill, hoping that kind feelings of friendship may be engendered which shall not wane till it shall be our good fortune to welcome you in another session of this Society. Judge A. M. Brown, President of the Society, then delivered his annual address: Fellow Members of the Illinois State Horticultural Society : La pies and Gentlemen,— Our last annual meeting was held in the mellow month of September beside tables laden with the choicest products of the orchard and garden. Nature had smiled upon our labors, and given to us a generous harvest of almost all the fruits suited to our soil and climate. The present year has been un- propitious, and, throughout our whole State, total or partial failure of all the leading fruits has been suffered ; untimely frost in the South, and cold winds in the North, together with the unfailing insect tribe, mildew and rot, left little to gladden the heart or till the pocket of the orchardist. These vicissitudes of the seasons are to be looked for, and, indeed, have their advan- tages. They are among those " uses of adversity," which, rightly improved, may lit us for more successful struggles with the future. Failures, no less than successes, teach lessons of wisdom that will be of the highest service to us if we but have the skill to learn, and the courage to apply them. The primary thought in the minds of those enterprising and public spirited men who laid the foundations of this Association, seems to have been to encourage the planting of useful and ornamental trees and shrubs throughout the State. Looking around them, they saw vast plains dotted with farm houses, standing cheerless and treeless on the bleak plain, inhabited by a people whose highest ambition seemed to be to grow corn, and -wine, and cattle enough to furnish themselves and their families a liveli- hood, and add other acres to their rude homesteads. They determined to create in the people a taste for something higher and better— to teach them that even a northern prairie would grow the hardier fruits, and that trees and lowering plants around their houses would double, and more than double, the comforts and cash value of their houses. In this endeavor, this Society has been reasonably Buccesi ful. Through its in- fluence, combined with other causes, examples of successful tree-planting may be found in almost every neighborhood, while in many parts of the £ . large commer- cial orchards and extensive groves and belts of forest trees, crown hill and prairie with their verdure. It may be safely calculated thai these examples will, In good time complete what has been so well begun, and that in all the borders of our glorious 1 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Commonwealth, houses embowered in trees and climbing vines and flowering shrnbs, shall be the rule and not the exception — greeting the traveler every where with visions of sylvan beauty, truth and refinement. Another leading object of the Association was to teach the people what to plant; for it was understood, at the very beginning of our Society, though perhaps not so distinctly recognized then as now, that one of the most essential elements of success in tree-planting, is the proper choice of varieties suited to the localities in which they are to grow. On this subject, it may be said that we have arrived at a reasona- ble approximation to correct knowledge, though it must be admitted that very much is yet to be learned ; for when we speak of any particular fruit, as adapted to any particular locality, we very often mean by "locality," as Mr. Bateman has expressed it, not a district or a county, or even a township, but a spot of ground. We have made such progress, however, that no sensible man will make the mistake of selecting for an orchard, in one part of our State, varieties indiscriminately that have succeeded in other portions, or in other States. To learn this much has cost thousands of dollars in money, and a vast amount of disappointments. We may congratulate ourselves, that hereafter, mistakes in this direction need be much less frequent, and greatly less costly. But it must be apparent to all who have given attention to the discussions in Horti- cultural Societies, for the past four years, or who have become otherwise familiar with the thoughts of the growers of fruit generally, that the subjects I have been no- ticing, are not the matters that most concern them now. The great questions that press for solution, are not whether to plant, or what to plant, but how to protect what has been already, or may be hereafter planted from the ravages of the countless hosts of insect enemies, and the troops of insidious diseases that assail us on every hand, and which seem to grow upon us as our orchards multiply. The tree-planter of ten years ago, when he set a tree in his grounds, counted with hopeful enthusiasm, the bushels of blushing fruit it would yield him in a given number of years ; now, his enthusiasm moderated by experience, other elements enter into his calculation ot future profits. If the tree he plants be an apple, he considers the chances of its per- ishing by the rot of its roots, or yielding to the severities of the climate ; and, escaping these, what proportion of its fruit, in each year of its productive life, may be spoiled by the Codling Worm, or seamed and blotched and disfigured by the industrious family of Snout Beetles. If he plants pears, he thinks of that terrible scourge, the Blight. If he sets out a vineyard, his vision of grapes, " purple and gushing," is marred by an- ticipations of mildew and rot. If the luscious peach be his favorite, his imagination is burdened with winter freezes, spring frosts, and countless broods of Curculio. Ex- perience has taught him that something more than enthusiasm is necessary to success in fruit culture, and that at the best, and with unceasing labor, absolute success is impossible. I make these remarks with no desire or purpose to discourage the planting of or- chards. On the contrary, I would h^ive every owner of a rod of vacant ground de- vote some portion of it to fruit-bearing trees and vines. But it cannot be denied that many men, some of them with very little aptitude for the business, have been in- duced to insist largely in the plantation of orchards by rose-colored representations, of the certain and enormous profits to be derived from the planting of trees, and merely allowing them to grow a certain number of years. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 0 It is to these matters that this Society should give its constant and careful attention. Having infused into the people a desire to plaut, and taught them in a certain degree what to plant, it is a plain duty to warn them of the difficulties they must encounter, and inspire in them the courage to meet and overcome them. We must, by our united efforts in bringing together and collecting facts, ascertain for ourselves, and teach to others, the character and habits of the various useful and Injurious insects, and the means of protecting the one, and destroying the other. We must And out, If we can, the nature of those fatal diseases that assail our trees and their fruits, and the means of prevention or cure. The Society has not been derelict in its duty in this behalf. Through its exertions, a competent Entomologist has been appointed, under authority of the State ; and, rim; the past year, he has been In the field, actively employed in the important inves- tigations committed to his charge, while all over the country, hundreds of unprofessional but entrusted observers, have been sending to him, as to a common centre, the facts that have come under their notice. In this way, it is fair to presume that we shall be able to learn all that can be learned of the habits and modes of life of the more im- portant classes of insects ; and that the surest and easiest means of counteracting them will then be indicated. When this is all done, there will still remain what we shall probably find to be the most difficult part of our undertaking ; that is, to induce growers of fruit to exercise the care, and perform the labor, necessary to favorable results. The diseases to which our orchards are subject, independent of insect depredations, present a wide, and very difficult field for inquiry and investigation. Their causes, and the course of their development, are so obscure as to almost defy detection. The attention of this Society has been given to this subject with some earnestness, but, thus far, with comparatively meager results. We have, at most, arrived at an opinion that the greater part, if not all of these diseases, are caused by parasitic fungi. But, supposing this opinion to be true, how little do we know of the character of these low forms of vegetable growth, and the manner in which they fasten themselves upon and destroy the healthy structure of our trees and fruits! And how much less we know of the means by which they may be destroyed or prevented. For instance, we have reason to believe that what is called " rotten root " — a disease that has been quite fatal to the apple tree in the southern part of the State, and which also sometimes attacks the pear and the cherry — is caused by a fungus whose normal place of growth is upon dead wood under ground, but which has the power of spreading from this to living roots, producing death as it advances, but doing its work beneath the surface, and progressing slowly and insidiously. Who will tell us how to detect its presence before it is too late, or how to master it when detected ? Or who will point out to us a sure means of preventing its attack ? When shall we know, with reasonable certainty, the nature, and understand the cure, of that terrible malady, the Pear Blight f Or who will explain to us the mysterious operations of nature's laws, which cause the peach to rot just as it begins to mellow Into ripeness, or the grape to perish suddenly while in all the vigor of apparently healthy growth '! These ques- tions, the perfect solution of which, would be a proud triumph to practical science, are of the utmost Importance to every cultivator of fruit. That they are. unsolved— that we stand helpless In their presence, compelled to witness the results of their terrible power, in the decay of our orchards, and the wasting of our fruits admonish us that, D TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS ■whatever we may have learned of our beautiful art, we have scarcely reached the threshold of the temple that eushrines her mysteries. Another question suggested by the destructive frost of last spring maybe worthy of a notice here, and that is, whether anything can be done, and if so, what, to protect our fruits against these sudden and untimely changes of temperature. Years ago, Mr. Lawrence Young, a very intelligent horticulturist, of Jefferson county, Kentucky, pub- lished an account of some experiments made by him for the protection of big fruit from late frosts, by circles of fire around his orchard. The results were satisfac- tory, and the experiment not very costly. Perhaps it would not be practicable to counteract the effect of winter freezes; but my belief is that, in the great majority of instances of spring frost, the loss of the crop might be prevented by artificial heat. Generally the mischief is done in a single night, and very often, as was the case last spring, the degree of cold is barely sufficient to destroy the quarter part of the germs. The fact that so many of them, especially of the hardier varieties, escaped injury, proves that a very slight elevation of the temperature would have given a full crop of all the leading fruits. That this could have been secured by fires judiciously placed in the orchards, can scarcely be doubted, and at an expense very trifling in comparison with the value of the fruit saved. It is a matter of congratulation that the Industrial University, in the origination and organization of which this Society has taken so deep an interest, is now fairly started upon its career of usefulness. We have reason to hope that it may do much for Hor- ticultural Science, and we have a right to claim that it shall devote a reasonable share of its means to this department. It has already determined upon a liberal plan of fruit, forest and ornamental tree-planting, embracing the most comprehensive range of varieties possible in the climate in which the University is situated. It needs and I be- lieve deserves the hearty support and encouragement of every lover of practical science. We may also congratulate ourselves that our State Legislature, at its last session, recognized the importance of our Society, and the value of its labor, in the appropria- tion of $2,000 per annum for the past and the present year. This appropriation has greatly added to our means of usefulness, by enabling us to publish fuller reports of our proceedings, and to give them a much wider circulation. It has also enabled us to give great efficiency to our Committee, ad interim, from whose intelligent observations and investigations we may expect the most important results. Gentlemen, we require all the aids to a more perfect knowledge of the various inter- esting: and important subjects connected with the pursuit in which we are engaged, of which it is possible to avail ourselves. For though gardening was the very earliest of all human occupations, and has engaged, through all the history of our race, a large share of attention, it must be admitted that we know but little of the mysterious processes of vegetable growth and decay. It is a hopeful indication, however, that so many acute and intelligent minds are earnestly striving to penetrate these mysteries. It shows us that the spirit of inquiry, so characteristic of our time, is not satisfied with the imper- fect light we already have, and is not content to acknowledge itself unequal to the task of advancing to a higher plane of scientific attainment. And a loftier dignity is added to our profession, in the fact that its successful practice involves, not mere manual operations alone, but the exercise of the very highest power of observation and thought STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. / On motion of M. L. Dunlap, the annual fee for membership was made $1 per annum. Jonathan Huggins, Treasurer, submitted the following report of receipts and disbursements : — STATEMENT OF TREASURER OF THE ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. RECEIPTS. Balance in hand per statement of account, Sept. 3, 1867 §1,707.40 Membership, tecs tor terms 1867-1.S68, LT.2.00 Donations from the State for 1808, 2,000.00 Whole total $3,959.40 EXPENDITURES. Cash paid as follows : ith. 1867 — W. C. Flapcg, on order of the President, 42.56 Sept. ''Hi. 1S67 — M. I.. I mnlap, bv order of the President, 30.25 Nov. 2d, 1867— H. D. Emery, on order oi the President, 11.00 • •• •• — O. B. Gal usha, by order ol the President, 46.37 u ii ii _ p;lrK-er Earle, on order to the President 21.30 " 9th " — W. C. Flajjji. bv order of the President 627.70 " 16th, 1867— E. S. Buff, by order of the President 86.50 •■ 19th, 1867 —CD. Bragdon, by order .of the President, 40.00 Jane 12 b. 1868— A. \i. Brown, by order of the President, 12.40 May i.-t. 1868— "Prairie Farmer Co.." by order of the President 1,542.00 Sept. 7th, 1868 — M. L. Dunlap on Duplicate order by the President, 86.80 Whole Amount Paid, $2,446.88 — $2,446.88 Leaving in the Treasury the sum of, $1,512.52 JONA. HUGGINS, Treasurer. Bunker Hill, December 15, 1868. W. C. Flagg, Secretary, read the following report : A. M. Brows, President of the Illinois State Horticultural Society: I submit herewith a statement of my doings and expenses, as Secretary, for the year 18G8. 'I'll'1 first work of the year was the printing of our report for 1807. Being more than double the size of any report before issued, (289 pages,) it was not ready until the end of March, and cost for 1000 copies, (750 in paper and 250 bound in muslin,) $1134.57. The Society also assumed the expense of printing the first annual report, of the State Entomologist, which waa done at a cost of $407.44 additional. This latter sum should be repaid us by the State. The reports as soon as ready, were sent by express, partially prepaid to members, and r cover copies mailed to newspapers and correspondents. The surplus copies have been mostly sent to persons residing in the State, who sent money to prepay postage. This action I considered justified by the fact that we were aided by the State, and ought to Bome extent do a missionary work among those who would hear as. I hadlOOcopiiv- of the tables of fruits, &c, printed separately, and distributed them and a circular, asking for the correction and revision of the lists, for insertion in our re- port forls>N. On the 4th of September, I received 200 copies of the Illinois State Agricultural Society Trans., Vol. VI. I sent to each member by express a copy of Vols. IV and VI., 8 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS in order to give immediate circulation to the new volume, and get rid of the old one, which was quite an elephant in the Secretary's oflice. I had printed 1000 circulars for the annual meeting, 300 posters, and 300 certificates of membership. I have solicited, from about 50 counties, sketches of their Horticultural history, early orchards, nurseries, &c., and have promise of replies from several. I have devoted the £500 voted me by the Society last year, to experimental orchard purposes, and now have planted, or on hand ready for planting on my farm, about 1400 varieties of Apples ; 90 varieties of Pears ; 175 varieties of Peaches; Go varieties of Cher- ries; 15 varieties of Apricots; 15 varieties of Nectarines, «&c; and hope at some future day, to report some experience of value. I append a classified statement of expenses for which I ask that an order be drawn on the Treasurer, Very Respectfully, W. C. FLAGG. POSTAGE STAMPS. Dec. 13, 1867, $3.00 Fell. 14, 186S, 3.00 Mch.30, " 2.00 Ap'l 10, " Postage on Reports, : 2.50 •■ 17. " " " •' 8.00 " 22, " " " " 2.50 • 28, -' " " " 5.5) May G, " 2.00 Aug. 14, " 3.00 Oct. 2, " Postage on Fruit Lists, 2.00 Nov. 16, " Postage on Circulars, 13.00 " 20, " " " " 4.00 Dec. 5, li Postage on Posters, etc., 4.00 $54.50 printer's bill. Mcli. 31,1868, 500 Labels for Reports $2.75 April 2, " 2,000 Envelopes printed 4.50 June 25, " 50 Slips for Ad int. Com 1.75 Sept. 17, " 500 Circulars for Lists, 3.25 Nov. 14, " 1.000 Circulars Annual Meeting 13.25 Dec. 3, " 300 Posters 4.00 <• 3, " 300 R. R. Certificates, 2.75 $32.25 SUNDRIES. Feb. 12, 186S, Express on Copy, $ 35 " 10, 1868, " " '■ 35 Men. li), " " " Reports, 70 April 6, il Freight on Reports, 1.7* •• 8, " " " " and Drav 2.70 " 6, " Express 7 " 28, " Freight and Dray, Reports 6.15 May " Express on Reports sent out, 7.25 " 27, 75 Sept. 4, " Express on As. Soc. Trans 14.30 14, '• Express, 50 Oct. " 50 Nov. Express 1.40 Wrapping Paper and Twine 2.00 1000 White Envelopes 4.50 1000 Manilla Envelopes, 2.50 $46.40 RECAPITULATION. Postage $5150 Printing 32.25 Sundries, 46.40 $133.15 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 9 REPORT FROM FIRST DISTRICT. M v record of the past season shows a greater degree of heat, thin that of any of the preced- ing 25 years— 107° having been reached during duly, in the shade, and for 20 successive days from 98 to 107° was indicated. The air was dry; most all the time there was a gentle breeze, except perhaps, daring the middle of the night, when for three or four evenings the mercury stood at 'js-; without a breath ol wind, and on four successive mornings this continued till the dew point was reached, just before the break of day. During this hot period, we continued our out door v, irk without inconvenience. Its effect on the growth of most crops, was strikingly apparent. The blades of Indian corn presented a darker green than I ever before observed; it ripened ear- lier than usual, and was the largest crop we ever harvested. Our lima beans were a fortnight in advance of the previous years, so that by the 18th of Sept. well nigh all our crop had been gath- ered. With us it is not oftener than two years in three, that this fine vegetable comes to maturity. Okra, melons, cucumbers, and squashes, were all ripe before the frosts of September. It pre- maturely ripened tomatoes, while the growth of late potatoes seemed retarded. The market gar- deners of my neighborhood, made uo complaint of the hot weather, but invariably told me their crops were doing unusually well, with the single exception of potatoes, and this not the effect ot hc.it, but injuries received from the Colorado, and Cantharides groups of beetles. Nothing seemed to sutler for want of moisture, for though but little rain foil, and the dews were not copious, yet the few showers during the night were most opportune, and the hungry earth scarcely permitted a drop to pass away by evaporation. The apple, peach, pear and cherry have made a much greater growth by extension than thai of any former year. This new wood at this writing is thoroughly ripened. It is the opinion of many that this year's fine growth of tree, anl the generally successful condition of our crops, was largely influenced by the severe drought of 1867, continued through the growing season of 1S68. leaving the soil in a proximate condition to that of an artificially underdrained one. With this view 1 concur somewhat; but mainly attribute our abundant harvests to the tine appropriate ither of May, and the ensuing summer mouths. No new varieties of small fruits have fallen under my observation this summer. Several apples of much promise are being introduced into our Northern Nurseries. It is worthy of note that these new candidates for our favor, are mostly Mings from the Southern States. The claims of the "Stark." are mainly founded on its long keeping qualities. The Baccalinua may fill the place occupied by the " Little Bed Bomanite," if it proves to be as hardy a tree ; its rigor and productiveness are marked qualities in our Southern countries. The " Shockly" and " Bentley's Sweet," are both late keeping Spring apples, and on this accounl desirable. The long time required to ascertain the hardiness of these trees in our Climate, should make us chary ot recommending them, to the exclusion of our well known sorts. The excellent list of our State Society as yearly amend <1 by Its members, is safer as a guide for the Inexperienced, than our speculations of new varieties. The testing of these, more properly app i tains to the Nurseryman, and to the Amateur who is willing to do a little labor, an.l much waiting, for the g 1 of his kind. Then eral seedlings of the Wild Plum which have a i! popularity; they are hardy, an 1 productive, their disseminators claiming tor them a skin of such close texture as defies the etfort of the curcnlio to perpetuate his kind, should this prove to bo so, for culinary uses at least, they may prove valuable. The " Miner" and the "Wild Goose" are the most prominent. Some Siberian crab apple seedlings, with Brail of excellent quality and appearance, have been exhibited this year. To what extent, it' at all, they are superior to the line lull sorts we now have on our lists, time musl tell. There is a winter variety grown in Mc- 1 W-nry county, of much merit, and which for certain purposes, may prove valuable. This I tasted 10 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS at Freeport last February, and found its flavor more agreeable than that of some indifferent ap- ples. Their color was inimitable ; and I do not doubt they Would make a fine fresh sauce late in the winter. Many young orchards of apples were this year set out in our county. Pears and cherries have also been extensively pi nted, the former by the Amateur for home use, the latter mainly for market, and mostly the early Richmond on Morello stocks. This cherry was abundant •with us this year from our own neighborhood, and the Chicago market took all at remunerative prices. Gooseberries were plenty, and commanded fair returns. The " Houghton " and " Amer- ican Seedling," are the only kinds raised to any extent in this county. I am sorry to add that the cultivation of the currant is still much neglected with our people. There were but few to be seen in their season, and few homes are adequately supplied from their own raising. In summer months there is no fruit more healthy, and refreshing than this. Raspberries of the improved varieties of the common Black Cap, and our Purple Cane, have done well, as they most always do, but when ours were ripe there was an over supply in market, and prices ruled low. The same is true of the strawberry, but little over 8 cents per quart could be obtained in Chicago when mine were ripe. This is frequently the case with us : we are wrongly located to profitably raise these two fruits. Just between the fire of early receipts from the South, and of those later from Michigan, we must abandon in our county their cultivation for market; but they taste just as good to us at home as ever, and only for family use will we hereafter raise them. Grapes were abundant this year; all the vineyards of this county doing well. Nearly all grown here are of the Concord variety, a kind which has thus far given great satisfaction; free from rot, free from, mildew, and more exempt than any other kind from the attacks of insects, it is the most profita- ble grape for this climate. I am trying "Ives Seedling," and think well of it. It has not yet fruited on my grounds, but its leaf is hardy, and as capable of resisting the thrip, and hopper as the former named. Notwithstanding the hot summer, our grapes did not this year ripen as early as last, and some of them were much stung by the curculio. We had one day of that condition of weather just as the Delaware was coloring, which induces mildew of the leaf, and which is so fatal to those grapes, the leaves of which are of that peculiar texture which invites this disease, like those of the Diana, Delaware, Catawba, etc. It rained hard, with a chilly atmosphere, from 10 A. M. till noon; the sun then came out very hot; at 12>£ my thermometer marked 98° in the shade. The leaves of the above named grapes, were on the ensuing day, found to be badly mil- dewed, and nearly all of them failed to ripen their fruit. I have seen no mildew on the leaves of the Clinton, Hartford, or Ives in the northern part of our State. The different varieties of the Pine, the foreign and native Larch, the soft and hard Maples, the Silver-leafed Poplar, and many other deciduous trees, have been largely planted around the homes, and upon the farms of our citizens this year. A landscape gardener of our county, much engaged in tiie planting, estimates that no less than 400,000 trees for ornamental purposes, have been set out in Cook county during the last two years. An enterprising firm successfully transplants them of 6 to 12 inches in diam- eter during the dead of winter, for which as high as $50 to $200 is received from those who are in haste for shade. Twenty-five years ago I now remember to have seen but a dozen or so of evergreen trees'in the the limits of Chicago : those were in the grounds of Mrs. John H. Kinzie. The ensuing year, Doctor Win. Eagan introduced Pines and Firs from the Calumet, largely into his ground of the West Division, and into the gardens of many of his neighbors. The fine native poplars, and elms, which now line Wabash, and some of the other avenues, were planted two or three years before this. In the early summer of 1847, the late Dr John A. Kennicott, Win. B. Eagan and the writer, chartered a small propeller, sent her to Eagle Harbor, and brought back an entire load of evergreens. Two-thirds of this cargo, the shares of Eagan and myself, remain in the city limits, and well nigh all the fine large evergreens now in the West Division are of this importation. Dr. Kennicott chose his share from the smaller trees. They throve well with him, and are to be found here and there over the northern part of our State, of Iowa, and Wisconsin ; beautiful monuments of the skillful hand that shaped and disseminated them. The year preced- ing this, David Lee imported 10,000 young Hickories and Chestnuts from Long Island ; these were STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 11 divided between Eagan, Lee and myself ; neither of us had success in raising the Chestnuts, and but few of the Hickory trees are now alivo. Nearly all our deciduous trees were then obtained from the surrounding woods, brought in on wagons and peddled about the streets. Many of (hem grew well and aro now beautiful shade trees; but at least two-thirds were planted in that portion of the city which the wants of trade has appropriated, to the destruction of the trees. For the last ten years the shade and ornamental trees of Chicago, and its Bnrroundtngs, have been drawn from every quarter. The Atlantic coast, Europe and Great Britain have all contributed their sickly stock ; but now, supplies are mostly obtained from our Northwestern nurseries, and wo may hereafter look for a record of healthy growth. The tfrst planting of apple trees in Cook county which could be dignified with the name of orchard, was made in the spring of 1838, by Ben- jamin Tibbets on his farm, which is now the site of the beautiful suburb of Hyde Park; they wet e procured from the East ; nor was there among the twenty-three or four kinds which composed the eleven hundred trees set, more than a single variety which we would consider appropriate to our climate. The exception is a vigorous, hardy tree, bearing large crops of a small, oblate, bright red apple, of a sprightly acid flavor, and keeping well into June; it. strongly resembles the Bac- calinus. Its location is on a naturally underdrained, sandy ridge. I have often passed by it during the past twenty-five years, and always found it a sadly taken-caro-of orchard, which grow and bore to a limited extent, despite neglect. Three-fourths of the trees are still standing, but in a year or two more, they will all have given way to the town improvements, so rapidly expending in this quarter. The first planting of apple trees, other than named varieties, in the northern and centra! portions of our county, are probably those of Joseph Viol, on Section 18, Town 38, Range 12, ami Samuel Eiston on the north branch of the Chicago river, within the present limits of the city. These two orchards were planted in 1833-1. The first of these is being supplanted with better varieties. The site of the last is now occupied with factories, and dwelling houses. Well nig'i contemporary with the above, DeWitt Lane planted 3 or 400 apple and peach trees near Blue Island, which were in 1836 removed to Lane's Island, 17 miles south of Chicago; this orchard still exists; few trees of the apple having died, and many, being in subsequent years top-grafted, still bear well. The peaches bore tor several years, say seven good crops, and then gradually died out. The peaches were all raised from the pits set out by Mr. Lane, and many of them chanced to be of fair size and flavor. In the Southern part of the county, at Batchellor's Grovo, during the spring of 1833, Thomas McClintock, AlvaCrandal, Samuel Everdon, and Stephen Rexford, planted orchards of peach and apple trees. The apple trees were from the nursery of McClintock, who had tlio previous year* sowed one-half bushel of seeds which he brought from Westfleld, in Chautauqua county, N.Y., on his emigration to this State in 1831-2. The native fruit of these orchards supplied the neighbor- ing Ounilies tor many years, with apples of a fair quality. These orchard sites were better than thosH of any of the plantings yet named. In a grove, well protected, and on ground cleared of native forest trees; they still remain tolerably fair orchards, promising to live for many years. That of Stephen Kexford received more attention than was usually given to the early efforts of the settlers in this line. It has been all grafted with better varieties, as from time to time oppor- tunity gave him the cions. It is now mainly made up of the " Snow," Winesap, Jersey Black, and Bellfiower, the last bearing well, ami valued by Mr. Kexford as one of his most profitable apples. The peach trees planted a< this time by some tenor twelve families of this early settle- ment, were from the same source — Met 'lint nek's —and it is worthy of note, that when they wero of a b.aring age, they yearly gave full yields up to the summer of 181 1, after which they bore a few crops until the winter of I860 killed to the ground these and all other peach trees in this county. No attempt at a commercial orchard of Improved varieties, adapted to our soil and cli- mate appears to have been made previous to 1846, B hen Hon. M. L. Dunlap planted fifteen acres on Section 18, Town ot Leyden, distant from the couri house in Chicago, 16 miles. About 160 kinds were set out, many of which wore Synonyms. Nearly three fourths of the orchard had been re- planted up to 1856. The varieties that now remain alivo and satisfactory, are Kawles Janet, 12 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 20-Ounce. Golden Reinette, Keswick Codlin, Snow, Alexander, Sops of Wine, Stannard, Wine Sap, i iper, Benoni, Porter, Early Pennock, Irish Poach, Belmont, Perry Russctt, BamsdeH'a Sweet, Holland Pippin, Summer Queen, Rambo, Autumn Swaar and Golden Sweet — 22 sorts. In 1S50 he enlarged his orchard to 20 acres. This is without doubt the best paying orchard in our county at this date. In 185!), Mr. Dunlap removed to Champaign County, where he has a nursery with 100 acres in orchard and small fruits. Out of the above varieties, he now cultivates Rawles Janet, 20 Ounce, Keswick Codlin, Sops of Wine, Stannard, Porter, Wine Sap, Cooper, Early Pennock, Irish Peach, Swaar, Ramsdell's Sweet, Summer Queen, Rambo, Autumn Swaar, and Golden Sweet, — 16 varieties. At Leyden the most profitable variety was Keswick Codlin. B. B. Drake and Ransom Clough, of " Elk Grove," planted orchards for market at about the same time, but met with poor success. George Knowles had a small orchard at same point, that bore well, grafted mainly to varieties from Jersey county. My fruit trees, isolated from neighboring orchards have heretofore been free from the attacks of some insects, which this summer have visited them in great numbers. Of the thin, smooth skinned apples, like the Dyer Ortly, and Early Harvest, scarce a specimen could be found that was not marked by the Curculio. The few choice peaches maturing this year were all stung. Plums till now unmolested, were this summer badly punctured. The nearest old orchard, containing these trees, to mine in a direct line, is six miles ; these have n >t borne perfect fruit for years, the owner not regarding them of sufficient value to take care of. Had this summer been one of an ordinary temperature, in all probability my fruit would have perfected ; but during the days and nights of such excessive heat as is herein noted, this little gentleman of the Crescent, takes wing, becomes a roving vagabond, and not a plum or a peach in the neighborhood that he will not find; once in an orchard, it is no boy's play to get him out. This is the first time they were ever known to deposit their eggs in apples, or even in peaches, so far north ; but this year the mischief is gen- eral in our orchards. The apple tree bark louse has ceased to exist with us; there are a few old oyster-shell shaped wrappers on the growth of this year for an inch or two up its extension from last year's, but this like those on the old wood, rubs off, like scurf when you roughly pass your gloved hand over it. In my district there were few apples raised this year, and these much injured by the Codling moth. The pernicious practice of placing heaps of manure close up to, and around the trunks of newly planted apple trees, is often attended with fatal results; this is done with the view of pro- tecting the crewn and roots from the changes and severities of the seasons, and adding vigor to the growth of the trees; it undoubtedly to some extent, and under some circumstances, accom- plishes these objects, but oftener injures, and sometimes kills the tree outright. It is far better to mound with earth, and mulch the roots with old hay, straw, or some loose, decaying vegetable sub.-tance. This summer I saw an orchard of 500 trees flagging badly, almost ceasing to grow. On digging away the earth and putting my hand under the crown, I brought out four or five white grubs, the larvaj of the May beetle, that was burrowing in, and eating the live wood here at this vital part of the tree. Every tree was now thoroughly examined, and well nigh all found, at the crown and in the base of the large roots, to be infected with this worm. So much was one tree injured, that the top broke off in the owner's hand while his assistant was digging beneath it. These trees had been manured as previously mentioned. The manure was now scraped away from the trunk and spread around the outer circle of the limbs, fresh earth was put under the tree, and in a few •weeks from that time, you could scarcely have told they were the same trees, so well had they done. In light soils, the injury to fruit trees of all kinds from the common cut-worm eating the bud. is si) great, that it exceeds that from a 1 other sources combined. Millions of dollars worth of trees have been lost from this insect without a suspicion being entertained of the cause. It is often equally destructive to Oaks and Hickories. In a single night when the leaf of the former is in a velvety condition, 1 have known a tree ten feet high completely stripped. It is seldom they continue feeding upon a tree after il is fully leaved out. They commence work sometimes as STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 13 early as tho middle of March, continuing up to the first of June, though thoir depredations aro chiefly committed during the months of April and May, or till every bud has been destroyed. They are easily kept tfwayfrom the tn.-o by spreading clay about it, or by putting a tin band of three or four inches in width, around the trunk. Respectfully Your Fellow Member, J. W. COCHRANE. REPORT FROM SIXTH DISTRICT. In making my report for the Sixth District I thought it not necessary to go into a minute de- tail, as the Ad Interim Committee have been ovor the whole ground and will give all the informa- tion required. Therefore I shall be brief: The Apple — that fruit so highly prized by us all — has been almost a total failure. We proba- bly all have our views on the subject; I attribute the cause to the extreme dry summer of '67, being so dry that the buds did Tint fully ripen or mature for fruit. However, I may be in error in the matter. I knew in one instance where a few trees that were heavily mulched, bore a good crop; my neighbor had a good crop on a small orchard that was not mulched, but after the trees had come Into bearing, the ground was plowed deep towards the tree, on account of its being rathor wet for an orchard; in that case I consider it the same as mulching in a dry season. But I must say, that it came the nearest to an entire failure that it has tor :)."> years of my residence in Illinois or since trees have been large enough to bear. But we do not feel discouraged; the trees are set splendidly with fruit-buds for the coming year. Neither have the people become disheart- ened ; they are planting all they can yet ; the supply is not equal to the demand. Pears also a fail- ure. Peachos are not reliable here and not much cultivated, but those that had trees had some peaches; and I have no doubt that the trees would have borne heavily had it not been for the drouth the previous year, which goes to show that the peach bud will stand a low temperature ami not be killed, on the 12th of February last the Thermometer standing from 22 to :tu° below zero. Plums are not much cultivated on account of the Curculio. The Cherry, a fair crop, though not heavy. Currant, good; the worm troublesome in some localities. The Grape has done linely, and I fear the people in this District are getting the grape on the brain. Potatoes. If I may mention that esculent root under the head of Horticulture, I do it to bring to notice the Colorado bug. This bug attacked tin potatoes in the early part of the season ; people gathered them off ami destroyed them; however, they had deposited their eggs on the under side of the leaf. The Lady bug was seen to be numerous and in the act of taking the eggs, which reduced the second generation comparatively. S. Q. MINKLER. REPORT FROM SEVENTH DISTRICT. Hi order to obtain facts to report to this meeting from the Seventh District, I addressed letters of enquiry to some one in each county, requesting such Information as could bo obtained of the "■condition and progress of Horticulture." From six. of the eleven counties in the District, I have received answors as followo: Geo. M. Wood, of Decatur, in his r«;;> >rf from Macon OOUnl " I have not the data at hand to make a report in detail, though our community is taking considerable interest in fruit growing in its various branches, and our farmers are enlarging their orchards and planting i ones, and branching out in the culture of Raspberries, Strawberries, and other small fruits, both 14 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS for home and market use; yet it seums our couuty is just now making a speciality of the grape, which lias, so far, proven a success here." From Stillman Barber, of Millmine, Piatt county, I learn that " there is no one in the county that makes fruit growing a business, although the interest is increasing," and names the " Early Harvest, Sweet June, Red June, Ranbo, Ant, Strawberry, Tallman Sweet, Wine Sap, Raule's Janet and Milam, as the best sorts of Apples. Also that Strawberries Currants, Raspberries, and Grapes do well," but names none as of special merit. J. B. Titus, of Sullivan, Moultrie county, informs me that " there are twelve market orchards covering about 250 acres in the county, and there is considerable interest in tree-planting and fruit-growing, but small fruits are so scarce that no estimate can be made as to the most prof- itable sorts." M. C. McLain of Charleston, Coles county, says: "The apple crop might justly be termed a failure, caused, as I think, in a large degree by excessive rains in bloom time, thereby preventing fructification from taking place. The Small Romanite is the only variety giving anything like a full crop. Raule's Janet and Yellow Bellflower, a few specimens, all more or less injured by the Codling moth. The peach crop a fair average crop for a bearing season ; quality only lair, consider- able rot with the early varieties. Gooseberries, Raspberries, Blackberries and Strawberries, better than an average with me, both in quantity and quality, but not general throughout the county. Pear trees are mostly young; the older trees give an average crop. Grapes never did better, espe- cially the Concord, Hartford, Delaware and Iona; all free from mildew or rot, and yielding most magnificent fruit. The Currant, about half a crop of ordinary fruit. No Early May or May Duke Cherries ; Morello, about half a crop of small fruit. Insect crop quite large, with a glorious pros- pect ahead for a full crop next season. The spirit of tree-planting rather on the increase, with a demand for a better class of trees." Tyra Montgomery, of Mattoon, located in the western portion of Coles county, also says : — "Apples failed; peaches good; trees healthy, and produced good crops — a remarkable fact to have a good peach crop when apples failed. Pears, trees young but some bore fair crops ; Flemish Beauty, best ; Duchess, next. Small fruits were also short in quantity and poor in quality, owing, I think, to the cold weather in blooming time, with driving rains and hail ; many failed to perfect their bloom ; especially is this true of strawberries. The dry weather cut short the Raspberry and Blackberry crops. The Purple Cane and Philadelphia, stood the drouth and fruited best. Grape crop fair ; Concord best of all. Vegetables and Flowers, generally, did rather poorly, on account of wet and cold in spring, followed by drouth in summer. B. O. Curtis, of Paris, Edgar county, says: — "I thought I would write out the condition of Horticulture in this vicinity, but as the time approaches, I find that I have really not the time to do our Horticulture justice." So it appears that Horticulture has a "condition," in Edgar, but I cannot decide what it is, without further intelligence. Dr. Lyman Pike, of Onarga, Iroquois county, reports at some length, from which I copy extracts that exhibit interest and progress. He says: — "Fifteen years ago the western portion of the county was wild prairie, the abode of the deer and the rattlesnake; now the county con- tains probably 50,000 grape vines, with other fruits in proportion, and a constantly increasing inter- est in Horticulture. The apple crop was very poor this year, and we can say very little posi- tively in relation to apples, as very few trees have been long in bearing ; so far, the Wine Sap has proven most profitable, and the Milam next; but we are testing many others, and hope to report at some future day. Cherries have done well, the Early Richmond standing the head of the list for profit. The Lawton Blackberry continues to give satisfaction. The Red and White Dutch Currants are best for profit. Of grapes, Rogers No. 3, does well here, and I think our very best grape. We have but little to say in regard to Fruit Lists different from last year's report. We have learned however, to eat our fruits ripe, and thus better appreciate their good qualities. We have about forty acres of strawberries in this township, but the interest in this fruit is declining while it is increasing rapidly in others. The tendency is to less pruning and more mulching. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 15 Last year I was troubled with the currant worm, but they are now nearly extinct — the result of dose pruning anil coal ashes. Our Horticulturists are mostly poor men — amateurs in the work; and as pioneers lure, we have much more to learn than to impart to others. On the Whole, our fruit crop this year has been poor, but we are not discouraged, and shall go on heedless of the cry, 'you'll run fruit into the ground.' We hope to lessen the amount of drugs, hogs and Dr.'s bills, and do Dot expect to be frightened about having too much fruit, until somebody gets enough. The masses of people do not yet appreciate the importance of timber belts and screens, either in a sanitary or pecuniary point of view. The past season has also demonstrated the Importance of shading the bark and roots of trees and vines, as well as that of deep culture in preparing for fruits." From Douglas county, I can report but little progress, yet there is an increasing interest in tree-planting, and fruit-growing in general. Many of our farmers are now planting with the design of supplying others with the products of their orchards, and some of our people are turn- ing their attention to fruit-growing as a business for profit. Ther; are a tew market orchards planted, a few small vineyards, and some twelve acres of strawberries, six of which were fruited the past season. On the whole, our fruit crop, may be set down as a failure ; while we had a little of all, none yielded much over a half crop, and many fruits failed almost entirely. Of insects we had enough to supply the State, and among the most destructive I would call attention to the borer that infests the Silver Maple. If they continue to multiply as rapidly a few years longer, we fear the Silver Maple which has so long stood at the head of the list, will have to be numbered with the black locust. From Cumberland, Ford, Vermillion and Champaign counties, I have nothing to report, except that I have some knowledge of a fine fruit farm in Champaign county, owned by my friend M. L. I ronlap, otherwise known as '"Rural," to whom I applied for progress and facts for this report. But like his district report for last year, and the fruit crop for this, it failed to come forth I have been careful, in this report to mention all who have contributed to it, as I think every one who takes sufficient interest to report the "condition and progress of Horticulture " in hia own county, should be known to this society. Respectfully, E. DAGGY. Mr. Galusha, from the Committee Ad Interim, submitted the fol- lowing : As one of tho members of your " Ad Interim Committee," charged with the duty of visiting different portions of the State to note and report upon matters of interest and information in Horticulture: I beg leave to report that I have partially performed the work laid out for me, and have taken notes of observations made, and of information gained by cultivators in many localities In our own State, and In St. Joseph and Benton Harbor, Michigan. But as your Secretary has accompanied the Committee in most of its travels, and has doubtless taken notes embodying such Statistical and local information as will be of value to you, and which he will probably rci>ort in detail, I shall confine myself at present, to such observations and opinions of my own as I think may not be contained in the general report. The last winter set in early, freezing up the soil, while it, and especially tho subsoil generally throughout the Northern portion of tho State, was quite dry; and tho continuance of cold weather with. ut the usual " January thaw," proved damaging to newly planted trees, and especially to grape vines. Those vines which were planted the previous spring, even when buried with earth at the approach of winter, in the usual manner, were nearly all seriously injured — many being killed outright, while those which survived, and especially such as had not made a good growth were so nearly starved by drouth and cold that they have made but a feeble growth. This effect was not conlined to any particular kind of soil, but was observed on the clay bluffs at Rock Island 16 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS the Loess deposits of Lacon, and the more sandy soils along the rivers. At Moline, in the vine- yard (if Win. A . Nourse, the vines upon the hillside suffered more than those upon the level sum- mit, owing, doubtless, to the greater dryness of the soil when the winter set in. Young apple and other trees (of one season's growth), were similarly affected in several nur- series ami upon different kinds of soil. This experience added to that of 55 and 56, proves that more depends upon the condition of the plants, and the state of the soil as to moisture at the time the ground is closed by frost, than upon the degree of cold during the winter. The greatest losses of trees and plants by winter-killing that have come to my knowledge, have occurred when they entered the winter in a dry soil, and when the ground has remained frozen for a long time so that they had no means of absorbing sap to replenish their exhausted cells. The wood of those plants which survive these injuries, remains more or less discolored, and many are black at the heart. The same appearance may be observed in apple and other seedlings, when taken up in the autumn before the foliage is killed by the frost, and left for a short time with the leaves on. The foliage exhausting the sap, renders the wood dry, when discoloration and decay immediately commences. These disasters to grape vines, etc., when threatened, may doubtless be prevented by saturat- ing the soil about the roots with water at the approach of winter, and mulching to prevent e <*apor- ation. The failure of many species of fruit trees, shrubs and vines, to bear a full crop the past season, is perhaps attributable to the same cause. It was noticeable that those strawberry vines only bore a full crop, which were thoroughly mulched; as on the grounds of Mr. Sims of Aurora, and elsewhere. This prevented the early and severe freezing of the ground, and allowed the early winter rains to penetrate to the roots of the plants* The blight has been more generally prevalent in apple orchards throughout the State this year than I have ever before seen it; yet in its mild type, the disease affecting only the shoots of the current year's growth. I do not know that any variety was entirely exempt from it. The Golden Russet (" English ") was perhaps the most affected; and yet this variety was more uni- formly productive of fruit this year than any other which came within my observation. In some varieties, (of which the Holland Pippin was most affected), the blight was confined to the spurs, destroying both foliage and wood, giving the tree an unsightly appearance. This form of blight is common with this variety, but is not a very serious evil, as it does not seem to impair the vigor of the trees. As there has been much discussion during the past few years, in regard to the most valuable stock for the cherry, I have made the modes of growing cherries with their success or failure an especial object of observation, and, as a result, find that the early Richmond trees, worked upon the Mahaleb stock, and over four years in orchard, were bearing as large crops as trees can uniformly sustain and maintain continual vigor. The almost universal law of the growth and bearing of fruit trees, viz., that the more rapid the growth of young trees, the less fruit they will bear is true in the growth and product of these cherries. The Mahaleb stock produces a fine growth of wood in the variety that is worked upon it, dur- ing the first four or five years, and consequently these trees do not produce much fruit during this time. The claim to advantages of grafting the cherry upon the Morello stock, ( Morello stocks are meant when these stocks are spoken of ) seems to be based upon the fact that when so worked, the trees are stunted (checked) in growth, and consequently commence bearing at once, produc- ing perhaps a few cherries the second year after planting, a few more the next, etc., until by the fourth or fifth year, they will perhaps bear with good cultivation four quarts each. By this time these trees will have covered almost the entire orchard with a rank growth of suckers, unless they * Since this was written I have been informed of our Apple orchard in Kendall county, which was mulched during the autumn of 18(S7, by covering the entire surface with a good coating of straw, and which bore a full crop of apples this year, while all other orchards in the vicinity were nearly barren of fruit. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 17 have been kept in check by frequent movings or digging, and this trouble has by this time, only just begun ; for the longer the trees stand, the in ire labor will be required to keep down these never-to-be-eradicated enemies. Whereas the trees on Mahaleb stocks wilt at the end ■ if the fifth year have attained a size about twice that of those on Morello, when they commenced and continue to bear full crops of fruit, repaying the planter from thirty to an hundred fold, for his expenditure of capital and labor, and without the serious effect of " eternal vigilance " in grab- bing out suckers, (as the Mahaleb does not throw off suckers). I will venture the assertion that if the planter of an orchard on Morello stocks were to keep an accurate account of the time spent during the first live or six years in keeping the suckers in check — this would at ordinary wages equal in amount, the market value of all the fruit winch the trees will have borne up to that time. If this is true, even if the trouble were to cease at that period, the advantagei would be largely in favor of the Mahaleb stock. I dwell upon this matter more at length than its com- parative importance seems to demand, because I fear that very many of our farmers ami others, are misled by the accounts of the "productiveness of the Early Richmond cherry on Mart llo Sto l-x," and in their eagerness to procure an early supply of the valuable fruit, are induced to plant freely . of these trees, losing sight of their bad habits, (if indeed the seller informs them), which when they d velop themselves will tend to discourage the planters and lead them to regret their choice. If there are serious and valid objections to the .Mahaleb stock, 1 have not yet heard them; and having known them for seventeen years, and especially after the close observations made of them during the last tew years, In all kinds of soil — in Northern Illinois — in which any fruit trees succeed, I am satistie 1 that their longevity is as great, if not greater than the Bforellos and that, on th' whole, they are decidedly preferable, to them as a stock upon which to work that class of cher- ri s of which the Early May is the type. The Poir litii/ht seems to have been unusually prevalent during the past season in nearly all the localities visited, and I failed to discover that any locality, kind of soil or exposure, or that trees under any kind of cultivation or neglect were entirely exempt from it; yet there seemed to be less In orchards under good cultivation in soils of moderate fertility which were naturally under- drained, than in those either stimulated with manure or those which were neglected. I did not examine trees this year, which had been properly root pruned upon Dr. Hud's plan. He can doubtless tell you whether such escaped. If so, the fact is a strong argument in favor of his sy6t' The Root Blight, as I have observed it in the apple orchards of Union county, threatens to be a seiious evil. I spent an entire day last year In examining trees afTected, or dead with this dis- ease, and found that the roots of diseased trees were encased in a white fungus of firm texture which seems to commence at some distance from the tree and gradually spread and thicken to- wards the trunk, destroying the vitality of the roots which it enclosed. It is po8tibU that the fungus growth was the result rather than the cause of the disease, but the mode of the progress of the disease, and the appearance of the roots, seemed to oppose this theory. Several trees, in the orchard of P. R. Wright, of South Pass, which had been in orchard four years were still In full leaf an 1 apparent vigor after the disease had destroyed all the small roots and approached very near to the collar. These trees had thrown out numerous fibrous roots, around the collar, which afforded temporary nourishment, and the only food furnished from the soil during the last stages of disease. The theory that this form of "root rot," as it is called, is caused by the apple root louse or woolly aphis, appears tome to bean erroneous one from the facts above stated, and from the fact that in some trees examined which were affected as above described no aphides could be found, or any excrescences upon the roots which are said to always result Irotn their depredations. It is tru.-. however, that there is a woolly root louse at work in the same region, doing a vast amount of mischief; yet, as before Intimated his depredations arc readily distinguished from the "root rot"; for wherever this insect was found — and I found thousands of them upon a few trees — the roots were kuarledor knotty, and of course dying; the small roots resembling more 3 18 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS nearly strings of ill-shaped tubers than the roots of apple trees, in decided contrast with the smooth fungus encased roots of the other trees described. Dr. Hull informs me that he took a bit of this fungus home with him and inserted a small portion dried and powdered, beneath the bark of a tree in his orchard, which produced a blight in the limbs thus innoculated. A suitable microscope has been much wanted to enable your committee to make minute exam- inations of this and very many other diseases and insects that prey upon tree and plants. Now that such an instrument is available, it is hoped that much more may be learned during the next year in these matters than has been during the past. Tht Cultivation of the Vine, both for the production of table fruit and for wine, is receiving in- CEeased attention from year to year throughout the state. The Concord is the only vine which has thus far succeeded in all parts of the State — though the Hartford Proline is a general favorite, as an early grape. The Clinton is generally productive, and the Ives Seedling succeeds wherever I have seen it tried. Several of Rogers' Hybrids also seem to, be well calculated to resist disease, and produce good crops. There are portions of the State where grape growing may be made especially profitable, and such locations, will undoubtedly, in a few years be largely devoted to vineyard cul- ture. The favorite homes of the vine are found on the slopes along our rivers wherever the Loess- deposit abounds. These tracts embrace many thousand acres in all and seem to be well distributed. The vineyards at Quincy were exceedingly productive this year and the vines generally healthy. At Home near Peoria, where the Loess partakes more of a sandy nature, the crop in tho vineyard ot Mr. Adams was enormous; nearly every variety tried hy him succeeds well. Such soils are pecu- liarly adapted to the growth of the Blackberries and Raspberries. I have never seen a better crop of the latter than upon Mr. Adams' sandy soil, or of the former than on a similar soil on the grounds of Mr. Winchester, of St. Joseph, Mich. Mr. W.'s success with the Lawton Blackberry is doubt- less somewhat attributable to his mode of pruning, which I will give : He allows but three or four canes to grow in a hill, cutting these back early in July to about three feet from the ground. The canes soon after throw out side branches which in turn are clipped back to eight or ten inches from the cane. This last clipping is done about the last of August. The pruning is rapidly done, by giving light blows with a common carving, or a butcher's knife. The plants thus grown are very stout and are well ripened before winter. This crop this year was about forty-five bushels, from three-fourths of an acre. It is probable that the Kittatiuny blackberry thus grown will succeed in nearly all parts of our State, as it has thus far proved more liardy than the Lawton and Wilson's Early. The observations of the committee during the past season, have, I think, established the fact that clean culture for all the varieties of fruit trees, shrubs and vines — except perhaps in old apple orchards — is a profitable investment. The advantages of clean culture, and frequent stir- ring ot the soil among growing crops, are appreciated by but a small proportion of cultivators. One example in each neighborhood would suffice to convince all seekers after light in this direc - tion, that finally pulverizing and stirring the soil as often as once in each week — when not too wet — frem the first of May till the middle of July, is as good as a coat ot manure in its stimulating effects: besides such culture, if general, would render the atmosphere more pure and healthtul by abstracting therefrom a large portion of its nitrogen, and other poisonous gases and vapors, which would be absorbed by the soil, and enter into the composition of the growing trees and plants, thus converting poison into health-producing food. I have never witnessed such uniform clean culture, as your committee found in the Peach orchards and small fruit plantations of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor, Michigan ; and the profits of such culture, as shown in the statistical reports, which will be found in the general report of your Committee — should teach the cultiva- tors in our own State, a lesson to our advantage. There has been but little, it anything to learn this year, relative to varieties of Apples and Pears, owing to the very general failure of the crops. Those members of the Committee residing in the Peach-growing districts are better prepared than I to report information relating to the culture ot this fruit. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 19 It la gratifying to know that increasing attention is being given to tree planting generally, in the prairie portions of the State, not only for truit but for shelter belts, and in some instances for timber for mechanical purposes. There is also, as I believe, an increased appreciation of fruit as a cun, in. in and ncccessary article of diet. The meetings held by the "Ad Interim Committee," in ditlerent neighborhoods visited, to- gether with the newspaper reports ot its discussions, and examinations, tend to keep these and kindred subjects before the minds ot the people, and will thus, we trust, tend to stimulate and extend all branches of horticultural labor. Th.' publishers of the leading newspapers have encouraged and assisted your Committee in Its work by sending intelligent reporters to accompany us upon several ot our excursions, giving extended ami Impartial notices thereof, so much so in feet, as to leave but little for us to report upon. This I regard as one of the most promising indications of success to our enterprise. The establishment of a practical horticultural department in our State Industrial University, will doubtless prove an eflieient aid to our Society, in illustrating the various modes of culture, and i" testing the value of varieties of truit, of trees, and plants. Your Committee visited this Institution, and looked over the experimental farm connected with it. Three of our mem- bers being members ot its Board of Trustees, took occasion to consult with other members ot' the Board relative to plans for best promoting the objects for which this department was organized* We are gratified In being able to report to you, that at a late meeting of that Board, apian ■was matured and adopted for carrying out an extended system of experiments for te ting the value of a great variety of fruits, also for illustrating the profits of cultivating timber tor use in tin Sfechanic arts. In short, to show the comparative, as well as the real value of all desirable varieties of trees, shrubs and viues, which can be successfully grown, in the State. It is hoped bat the General Assembly of our State will appreciate the great importance of this enterprise, and will promptly appropriate funds to enable the Trustees to prosecute it to advantage. The unprecedented heat of the summer — together with the fact thai my colleague in the Northern District, Mr. II. D. Emery, was called from home to investigate the cattle plague — pre- vented us from visiting several places where we had planned to go. I have thus presented some general observations and thoughts, without drawing much upon my more definite notes of items. Such of these as your secretary may deem ol value — and are not contained in the report* of other members of your committee — will be furnished him for publication in the next volume of your transactions. All of which is respectfully submitted, O. B. GAL US HA. FIRST DAY — AFTERNOON SESSION. The following Essay in the absence of Dr. Crain was presented by President Brown : THE APPLE, BY JAS. H. CHAIN, OF MOUND CITY, PULASKI CO. The extraordinary i/npetus given to human thought by the freedom and tolerance attained on this continent, bids fair to demonstate that the culture of the apple, which has always kepi pace with civilization, in temperate latitudes, is not necessarily limited by degrees of latitudes or by geological features, but may become almost co-equal, and co-extensive with true civilization. That there are more and less favorable soils and subsoils, Is quite true ; but the power of adap- tation in different varieties, under different modes ol working, togel her v. ith the helps of science to supply deficiencies in soil, is rapidly removing this obstacle; while Che Introduction of local seedlings and new stocks is as rapidly mastering the climatic problem, so that ere long this beauti- ful gilt ol a beneficient Croator may be enjoyed everywhere by cultivated people. Though the 20 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS range of latitude within the United States is not very extreme, the history of the apple within our own country < ill make more apparent our meaning, and the ground tor this hopefulness for the future. It is known to the horticultural public that in the extreme northern States and Territories the apple tree, (in its varieties best known in this country) does not withstand the rigors of winter, and that far south (except in very elevated districts), the fruit falls bufore the end of summer, and con-equently, the extreme North is wholly, and the South partially, depend- ent on the middle districts ot the States tor this admirable fruit. How far the idea oi Introduc- ing the Siberian and other northern species as a basis of propagation for the extreme north will succeed, cannot yet be determined, but it seems to be justified by the fact, that those sj»ecies have exhibited the tendency to improvability, and that it is in accordance with a very important princi- ple enumerated by Mr. Flagg, in an article for the Missouri State Horticultural Society, (see re- port for the year '66, page 704), namely: " that a given amount of heat is required to mature a given variety." If on the other hand we examine the history of the past efforts to grow winter varieties in the south, we shall find that regard has not been paid to this principle, but on the contrary, it has been wholly disregarded. Thus England, in giving us the first impulse towards settlement, gave us also our first stock of seeds and trees — the major part of which were introduced by the Ply- mouth colony, and consequently, but slightly varied, thermally from their origin in the old world. Those seeds and trees formed then an admirable basis from which to disseminate the apple west- ward on a similar isotherm of summer heat. iJut it so happened (from causes which we need not name), that those who secured this old English stock became the most active disseminators of the apple on this continent: and being quite unacquainted with climatic laws — limiting varieties to certain isothermal lines — sought in the spirit of " true propagators" to extend as widely as pos- sible the range of varieties, which with them were faultless. So zealous and active were the Ply- mouth colony and their decendants in the work, that French and Spanish apples — which later obtained some foothold in the country — and which from their origin, would have proven more at home in the south, were in many instances displaced to make room for Pearmains, Greenings and Kussetts, which on trial, ripened and decayed in mid summer, thus tending to create the belief that all apples would mature befbre cool weather in the South. The lower Ohio and Mississippi, which originally received a large snare ot the French and Spanish importations, and which from geological and climatic conditions, would have profited specially by their retention, became so accessible to northern nurserymen — that millions of their trees early found places on the banks of these streams and lower tributaries, only to magnify into immense proportions the distrust to all varieties for winter use. But in this case, as in many others, failure only stimulated to re- newed efforts, leading cultivators to the propagation of local seedlings — mainly from the old French and Spanish roots — which resulted in triumph sufficient to date therefrom an epoch in apple culture on this continent, and to give to almost the entire South an assurance of success with this most useful of all fruits. In districts where varieties cannot be obtained that will hang on the tree till cool weather (under ordinary treatment) something may be done by choosi.ig the most northern exposures with lightest colored and least sandy clays accessible ; by deeply breaking the subsoil ; by remov- ing the trees to the orchard site at an early age, by preserving and facilitating in every possible way the downward tendency of the tap root; by encouraging the upward tendency of a leader or upright stem — having side branohes sufficiently low and numerous to shade well the trunk and surface roots of the tree when it arrives at a bearing ages, by keeping the surface soil well and fre- quently pulverized during the hot months, or otherwise well covered with a mulch of leaves, straw or compost. The majority of these conditions are so essential to the highest degree of usefulness and great- est longevity of the apple tree, that we need only reverse the requirement in point of soil to one of darker color and more sandy, and they are equally applicable to Northern latitudes. Indeed, it is fair to attribute many of the failures with the apple to inattention to or wide departure from STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 21 these rules. The idea of allowing grass to grow in orchards cannot in the nature ef the case take the place of iliis pulverization of the surface or mulch, and is only to be thought of on rery sandy soils, when mulch is inaccessible; an I the inventor of a machine tor deeply breaking the earth where trees are to be grown, will become a benefactor. It i> in our p iwer to send but few apples of tested varieties valued at the South — three of them Sparks, Terrall and Baccolinus, being in bad condition from bruises, and remaining long in a warm room. Nickajack and Burner Green, though not of usual size, are in perfect condition. Davage is a Pulaski County seedling, which, from its proving a beeper in the latitude of Cairo, and hav- ing all the other requirements of a good apple, in an eminent degree, may be regarded as our best. Cralna'a Spicy Winter is also a Pulaski County seedling, of great value for keeping into late spring, its only drawback being want of size. Large Striped Pearmain can hardly be excelled for mid-winter, and our list of good apples is already extended enough to furnish variety to the most epicurian taste. Dr. B. F. Long, of Alton, presented the following paper on BARREN APPLE TREES. Many complaints are heard and enquiries made concerning fruitless apple trees, and what shall be done to cause them to bear fruit My object in this brief paper is, to turn the attention of fruit growers to the probable cause, in most cases, and suggest remedies for the relief of those who have been disappointed in their o Sorts to raise this, the most desirable of fruits. The complaint is often heard, in language something like the following, " My trees are very healthy and grow rapidly, standing on good rich soil, have been well cultivated and manured, and no pains spared to bring them forward as fast as possible, but they do not bear." Now this kin J of cultivation is a good deal like the affactionate mother's effort to make a lady of her daughter by dressing her in splendid silks, when as yet she has not learned to read or write. Barren apple trees are made so, in most cases, by the too rapid ami extensive growth of the trees; the soil is of such a nature as to stimulate the growth of wood, which is not favorable to the setting of fruit. I could cite many instances of trees becoming fruitless alter several years of abundant bearing. I will give but one as a sample of the many. A tree standing in an orchard, with the same culture of the balance of the orchard, on moderately rich soil, bore well for eight 6r ten years. A cooper's shop was built and occupied along side of the tree under consideration. The shavings from the shop were partially thrown under the tree, and for a few years served admirably as mulching ; but as the shavings decayed, the tree took on a more rapid growth, and in a short time became almost fruitless, and so continued for several years. The fruit having been very fine, the owner was advised to, and did take from two of the most thrifty limbs a ring of bark of about two inches in length. These limbs bore well for two years, and then died, the space never having healed over. At length, the cause of the growth having been removed, and the decaying vegetable matter being, in a great degree exhausted, the tree became productive and a constant bearer as before. This fact indicates the practice anu error that many people com- mit, insetting their trees on too fertile land, or giving them too much vegetable food. To remedy the evil, the tree must be checked in its growth, in such a way as not to affect its health. This may be partially obtained in the first seasou of trial by root pruning in early spring. Complete success must not be expected the first year, because we have to depend on blossom buds already formed, most of which have no germ of the apple, but are barren. Boring the tree produces similar effects and results. Deep plowing has been my method of root pruning, but barrenness might not have resulted, as my land is rather of Inferior quality ; sufficiently rich, however, to afford a rich reward for all of my labor. It has been suggested by some, that a coulter should be fixed to a beam, and with sufficient team cut the earth twelve to twenty inches deep, four to six feet from the tree on all sides ; this would doubtless do very well, facilitating and making easy the task of root pruning. By the boring method, a tree ten to twelve iuches in diameter may have an bach and a Quarter augur hole through it. a foot from the ground, and another afoot above this, ami at right angles with it; these holes should be plugged at each end with soft wood plugs, or cork driven in so that the outer end will bo 22 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS flush with the inner bark. The wound will be nearly healed over tho first season, and not damage the tree. The most sure method, but from which we shall not be benefited by the returnoffru.it the firs* season, is to trim the trees in the season of the year when this operation will produce its greatest effect for dwarfing, and this is found to be from the 10th of July to the 10th or 15th of August. The first pruning must be quite heavy, then afterwards, every year or alternate years, as the case requires. In all of these operations the tree is checked in its growth of wood, and is forced to form fruit buds and bear fruit. There are some varieties of fruit trees that seem not to be affected by an overfeeding with inor- ganic vegetable matter, but bear well on such land. The Gilpin, Rambo, Pennsylvania Red Streak, Red Asrraehan, Lady Apple, and Jonathan are some of them. BEN J. F. LONG. Galusha, of Morris — This is an important topic, and should he discussed. The practical question for us as orchadists, is whether it is better to have a strong, or a moderately early growth. I am more and more convinced that checking the growth of young trees is a disadvantage in the long run. Trees should first acquire a good degree of constitutional vigor. Early bearers do not have this as compared with late bearers. A beginner of course wants a few trees to bear early ; but this is not so of large market orchards. Trees of different varieties vary much in the time of coming into bearing. The Northern Spy and Yellow Belleflower are late bearers. The Belleflower may not bear until 18 years planted, but it will be very long lived. A. H. Gaston, of Henry — I noticed a case in a neighbor's or- chard, where the application of lime last year seemed to produce fruitfulness this. Checking growth, produces bearing, but it crip- ples the tree and makes it short-lived, which is an objection. Baldwin, of La Salle Co. — I agree in the main with the Es- say. In the north part of the State, however, trees grow too slow- ly, if anything, and we have to keep them up to the maximum of vigor to have them bear and free from bark lice. A weak tree is affected by lice. Snedecker, of Jerseyville — If an orchard is too vigorous, seed it down to grass. I have tried and seen it tried a great many times, and think it the best way to check growth. Redfield, of Jersey Co. — Land can't be too rich after an or- chard gets its growth. Galusha — Early bearing varieties need the most stimulating. STA1E HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 23 Long — Lime is a good thing in an orchard. I put it on six acres in large quantities. But it makes the clover grow better than the trees. I tried barnyard manure on another part of the orchard, and found it good for the Gilpin and Newtown Pippin. In another place I put wood ashes; and there, latterly, the fruit is the best. The Fallowater, Rhode Island Greening and Northern Spy should be planted I find in rich soils. Ililliard, of Brighton — Twenty-eight years ago I planted an orchard, and cultivated it thoroughly. Many of the trees at 12 years of age, though large and thrifty, did not bear. I took a hatchet, and striking one blow in a place, cut round the trunk into the sap wood. The wounds grew up the same year, and the trees have borne heavily ever since. This is a cheap way effecting productiveness. Edwards, of La Moille — The most productive old orchard we have in our region is manured every three years. It is 30 years planted, seeded to timothy and clover, and pastured. REVISION OF TIIE APPLE LIST. Flagg — I move that a majority of six be required to make any change in the Society's lists. Carried. Minkler, of Oswego — I move that Dr. Warder's book be our standard of terminology. Carried. The Secretary then read the list. The following remarks and motions were made on some of the varieties: Belleflower, Yellow — It was moved to strike this off the list for market and family use, in the south part of the State. Freeman, of South Pass — Our experience is not long enough, according to Mr. Galusha. I have seen trees 20 years old at Cin- cinnati that were bearing well. Redfield — I know plenty 20 to 25 years old that are worthless. Long — I planted trees in 1833 that have never paid for the ground they stand on. Higgins, (of Woodburn) — I am grafting mine over. Hull, of Alton — It is entirely worthless with me — trees 23 years old. 24 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Snedecker — I have them in different soils. On black soil 25 years planted they have done nothing. On a high clay knoll they have borne well, and are now rather decaying. In another orchard still older I find they have not done much. Earle, of South Pass — I think it is a question of soil. I have seen profitable crops on trees six or seven years old growing on clay ridges. Warder, of Cincinnatti — I have seen trees that bore at four years. McLain, of Charleston — In our county, on high, dry soil, where clay predominates, it bears well. I can call to mind orchards 20 to 30 years of age that have generally borne well after 10 years. Trees planted in 1825 bore a good half crop this year on a hill, whilst those at the foot of the hill did nothing. Flagg — It bears reasonably well with me. Pullen, of Centralia — It has done very well about Centralia. My trees, 10 years old, have borne 3 or 4 light crops. Essex — of Rock Island — Trees 30 miles this side of Cairo, 6 in- ches in diameter, are all leaving. Trees that were set out switches in 1863 bore in 1866. The motion to strike out was withdrawn. Wier, of Lacon — I move to strike it from the list for Northern Illinois. Galusha — It has been established for years in Northern Illinois that this variety will do well in timber lands and hazel barrens. I think our prairie trees will begin to bear soon. Wier, — This society has stultified itself several times about this apple. Once we recommended to plant it on sandy ground, at another time on clay. I have it on all varieties of soil and find it exhausts itself by profuse blooming. The apples drop off when small. I only know two places in Marshall County where it bears well, and they are entirely different. Minkler — We shall plant it in our region. It bears well — 10 or 15 bushels to the tree. Motion lost. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 25 Broadwell. — Warder — An exquisitely fine winter sweet apple. Dominie. — Long — It bears well alternate years and some every year ; and sells well. Redfield — It don't stick to the tree; is worthless. Warder — We have to pull hard to get it with us. Flagg — Drops with me from young trees. Duchess of Oldenburg. — Shepherd, of Hennepin — It is a fail- ure in my neighborhood. Dyer. — Edwards, — I move to add it for family use at the North. It is a good hardy tree, and bears well. Carried. Fall Wine. — Daggy, of Tuscola, — I move to add it for family use in the Centre. Carried. Gilpin. — Dr. Hull — I move to strike it from the list for South- ern Illinois. Lost. Lowell. — Edwards — I move to add it for market and family use at the North. Galusha — Has it not a reputation for blighting ? Edwards, — I have it all right, 15 years planted. Carried. Limber Twig. — Dr. Long — I move to strike it from the list for the South. It won't sell well and is not as good as the Willow Twig. Lost. Edwards — I move to add it to the list for Northern Illinois. I sent it to Le Suer, Minnesota, and it proved to be the most hardy apple sent. It is of poor quality but better than the Soulard, &c. Mother. — Edwards — I move to add it for family use North. Carried. Newtown Pippin. — Hull — I move that the recommendation for the South be qualified by inserting " for special localities." Car- ried. Northern Spy. — Dr. Hull — I move it be recommended for market and family use in southern district. In certain localities it is an early and profuse bearer. Lost. Hull — I move it be recommended " for special localities'' south. Long — I purchased an orchard with a number of trees in it. The fruit is very fine but it drops badly. 26 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Huggina — It has borne with me but once in 16 years. Lost. Edwards — I move to recommend it "for special localities in the North." It bears fine crops about Waukegan. Gralusha — With me it began to bear 14 years from planting. Fine specimens. Essex — In Rock Island county it begins to bear at 5 years; and keeps till Spring. Wier — We have it 20 years planted. Bore at 8 years. It has never paid in productiveness and is a fall apple with us. Edwards — Top-grafted it came into bearing with me at 10 years. It rots on tree. Carried. Nickajack. — Hull — I move to strike it out. Warder — One of the best growers, bears well, cooks well and sells well. President — The best and most profitable apple we have. Motion withdrawn. Earle — I move to recommend it for its good cooking, bearing and long keeping qualities. Carried. Porter. — Galusha — I move to strike it out for market purposes North. I know of no fault ; but it is not tested. Dunlap — It is one of the finest I had in my orchard at Leyden. Edwards — I have but a single tree but it is very fine with me. Mr. Bliss, of Buda, thinks highly of it. Motion withdrawn. Rawles Janet. — Hull — I move to strike it out for the South. Dr. Long — It was the best, though poor, of anything I have this year. Lost. Rambo. — Nelson, of Wilmington — I move to strike it out for market North. It is too tender. Lost. Huggins — I move to strike it out for market in Centre. I have had a good deal of experience with it ; and it don't pay. Snedecker — I think it profitable. Daggy — It is profitable in our county. Snedecker — Lowe, of Calhoun County, told me it was the most profitable that he shipped to St. Louis this year. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 27 Me Lain — It brings the highest market price in- our county. I kept it until May last year. The trees are apt to bark-burst, and at 2 and three years old. Dunlap — No fall apple is so popular and profitable in our sec- tion. Lost. Spitzenberg, ESOPUS. — Long — I move to strike it out for mar- ket and family use South. Lost. White Winter Peabmain. — Earle — I move to strike it out for market and family use South. It becomes knotty and scabby after the first year or two of bearing. Freeman — Better cure it. Long — Very fair and good with me. Lost. Willow Twig. — Daggy — I move to strikeout the word twig, to conform to Dr. Warder's American Pomology. Carried. Additions to the list now being in order, the following were proposed : Bexoni. — Flagg — I move to add Bcnoni for Family use South. Carried. White Pippin. — Pullen — I move to add for market and family use South. Lost. Buckingham. — Earle — I move to add for market and family use South. Carried. Bailey's Sweet. — Pierson, of Onarga — I move to add for family use in the Centre. Lost. NELSON. — I move to recommend it for market and family use in the North. Carried. King of Tompkins County. — Wier — I move it be recommend- ed " for trial " in the North. It is tardy in bearing, but fine. SHEPHERD. — We have had it bearing 3 years in our neighborhood. It is one of the best ; large, fair and hangs well. Carried. Transcendant Crab. — Galusha — I move to add it for market and family use North. Carried. Stark. — Wier — I move it be recommended " for trial." Colman — I have seen specimens from Illinois, large but not pre- possessing. Carried. 28 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Michael Henry Pippin. — Daggy — I move to strike out the recommendation for market in Central Illinois, and to insert " top grafted." Dunlap — It bears well with me root-grafted. Lost. Roman Stem. — Wier — I move to recommend it for market North. Galusha — It is a great bearer, very hardy and needs to be more known. It was the only one giving a good crop of fruit this season. Nelson — It is one of the best trees with us. Bears well. Car- ried. Mann, (of Normal) — I move it be added in Centre, for all pur- poses. Huggins — It is of no profit, hard, good but small. McLain — It is not showy, very prolific, good keeper and popular. Lost. Grimes' Golden. — Cochran — (of Chicago) — I move to add for trial in the North. Galusha — I had it given me by a gentleman from Lee County, Iowa. Minkler — I am opposed to recommending an apple not yet tried in the State. Carried. Red Winter Pearmain. — Pearson, (of Alton) — I move to add for family use South. Long — It is not profitable. It is a dry apple and tree blights. Flagg — I think Dr. Hull's apple is Hoop's. Pearson — Messrs. Lyon & Randolph have the apple I mean. It is also called Lady Finger. Hilliard — There are a great many apples but I would like to prune the list down to 10 or 15 kinds. Redfield — It is a very valuable family apple. Lost. Large Striped Pearmain. — Colman, (of St. Louis) — It is grown very largely in the western part of Missouri. Francis, (of Springfield) — The Striped Pearmain of Kentucky succeeds well but drops early with us. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 2") Me Lain — I move it be added for market and family use in the Centre. In old orchards in one county it has been successful from the start. Carried. Dr. Spalding, (of St. Louis) — I move that Dr. Hull's report ad interim be made the special order for this evening. Carried. REPORT FROM EIGHTH DISTRICT. The report of the Vice-President of the 8th District will have to be like the fruit crop, very ehort. Either from following the old adage, " if you cannot pay anything good, say nothing," or want of time, but one person, ( Hon. (i. W. Minier) has replied to the number of letters sent out calling for Information upon horticultural matters. He writes: " The fruit crop in our county is not half as much as usual. For some reason, the (lowers of the fruit trees tailed in some essential prop- erty. I venture the opinion that it was in the pistillae quality of blossoms. Connected with this intimately, as I think, is the fact that the honey bees made little or no honey from the llowers. These insects play an important part in the fructification of rlowers, but whether from want of pollen, or the lack of nectar in the cup of the corolla to entice the bees, I know not. Certain it is, that the ni'-u vigorous and well cared tor trees produced the best crop of fruit, and among apples the Wii esap deserves particular praise. Our entomologist has given us abundant information about the insects; their names, habits and propagation, but lor_ some reason the little rascals to- tally disregard his learned dissertations, and feed as voraciously as ever on the products of our or- chards, gardens and vineyards. The planting of fruit trees was not as extensive h^t spring as usual, but the planting < f ornamental trees and shrubbery was more extensive. Blight, as usual, is plaj tng pranks with our pear trees. In Sangamon County there was not a quarter of a crop of the apple; with the exception of the Winesap and Jennetting. which (the former in particular) bore fair crops. There was a moderate crop of the peach, while of the smaller fruits there was perhaps half a crop. All of which is respectfully submitted. L. C FRANCIS. PICKING AND KEEPING WINTER APPLES. Galusha — One of my neighbors, last April, gave me very fine Snow apples, also, the Jonathan in May and June, and the Rawle's Janet in July. He picks his fruit very carefully, without rubbing the bloom off, if posssiblc, puts the fruit into a dry cellar, on rails, in layers of three or four deep, and dashes on water several times ; after they are dried off he puts them on the shelves. Spalding — I think the cold cellar was the secret of the success, ' presupposing good condition. Long — Keep the temperature at 35° and you can keep the apples any time. Fermentation commences about 4o°. I keep my apples in berths of different depths, according to the variety of the apple. 30 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Francis — I prefer 2° or 3° below freezing for keeping. Hilliard — The main thing is soundness; keep cool; but every- thing is bad this year. Earle — Buckingham has been kept from August to May, in cool dry cellar, on shelves, singly. Wier — Putting up in barrels makes too large a bulk, and they heat. Adjourned to 7 o'clock P. M. FIRST DAY — EVENING SESSION. Dr. E. S. Hull, of Alton, made the following report from the com- mittee, ad interim : Mb. President — It would be very agreeable to belong to a committee, were it the duty of some other member rather than one's self, to record the joint observations; but to be obliged to state one's impressions of the various modes of cultivation, pruning, training, and of diseases and the depred itions of insects, etc., etc., is altogether a different tbing, and bad it been my good for- tune to have been present at our last annual meeting, the making of this report would have de- volved on some one better qualified tban myself. In the early part of last summer, in connection with the Ad interim Committee, we made an examination of the Centralia orchards, and were greatly puzzled to account for the want of health in many of the trees. Subsequent examinations of similar trees found elsewhere led us to con- clude that the sickly appearance of some trees, both at Centralia and Du Quoin, was due to the retentive nature of the sub-soil. During my last visit to Centralia, which was in October last, we stated to the horticulturists of that city, that if an examination of the roots of their trees was made, those roots that penetrated deep into the sub soil would be found to be diseased and in a state of decay. Mr. B. Pullen, a leading horticulturist of Centralia, kindly proffered his services, and has informed us by letter of the result of his investigation. We extract the following: "After a careful examination of the Pear roots, I could discover nothing the matter with them whatever, but not so with the Peach roots. I commenced to take up a peach tree, but had not gone far until I found plenty of deud roots, mostly small roots of half an inch in diameter and less. The main roots did not seem to be affected, and yet the dead roots seemed to strike out from the main or tap root. I left this tr:e and went to another tree, and found the same condition of things. These were so located * * * that the wator did not get off readily, notwithstanding it is on my highest ground. * * * I then examined two other trees differently located and in a healthy condition apparently, but still showing much of the little dead wood that you observed while here. The water here could escape readily. I could find no dead roots; all seemed to be perfectly healthy. We by no means assert that the loss of the small interior branches indicates an excess of moisture in the sub-soil. These dead twigs in the interior of the trees are always to be found in the heads of trees where crowding of the small limbs or twigs is allowed. On the other hand, we do consider that trees on which terminal branches are found to be dead or dying, point to a diseased condition of the roots. In the Centralia district these diseased tops are frequently met with, and, to our mind, result from excess of moisture in the sub-soil. At Princeton, Jack- sonville, Champaign, and at other points, the excess of moisture in the sub-soil was known, and cultivators provide partial drainage by ridging up to their trees. STATE HORTICULTUBAL SOCIETY. 31 That some provision should be made whereby the excess of moisture may be freely carried away from sub-soils that are boo wet, Beemi apparent ; and when orchards arc planted on wet land*, thorough onderdraining, or ridging ui> must be resorted to In order to secure the health of the trees. The annual reproduction of small roots which are saturated In water until they are killed soon tells on the trees In a marked degree. Especially will this apply to the Peach. After the trees are once heavily cropped, nothing can be more ivincingon this point than to compare the rigor and productiveness of old trees on well drained soil with others in the same field, stand- ing on flat and retentive ground. In the former localities it is not une million to sec i he trees annually bearing a fair orop of fruit; and at the same time retain their health and vigor, while those trees on fttt land are filled with disease 1 1. ranches. Even the leading and terminal shoots which in healthy trees should longest resifll decay, tare but little better than the interior branches. For a number of years we have bad several peach and plum trees standing near a pond. These trees grew well at first, but after their roots had penetrated deep in the soil, thej became unproductive, and on digging them up, as was done this last Bummer and fall, their roots were f.uud to be In the condition explained in Mr, Pullen's letter. We think when the peach is sub- jected to the conditions named thai they are then most susceptible to the yellows. These re- marks art; not designed to apply exclusively to the localities mentioned. During the past summer we have visited many places to which they would apply equally as well, and have seen but few i planted to orchards that would not be benefited by a system of thorough under-drainh While on the subject of roots there is one other point mentioned on a former occasion, to which we would again refer. Roots of trees are divided into two natural divisions. 1st. The kted or fibrous rooted; and, 2nd, Those with long tap roots, denominated the tap rooted or deep feed- ers. It is to this last class that the peach belongs. These tap roots are well adapted to derive a large share of nourishment from a depth so low as not to be subject to the influence of the sudden changes that so often occur in our climate. To change a tap rooted tree to a surface feeder is to re- turn to the English practice, which in the management of our trees we seem bo closely to imi- tate. In England the temperature of the air greatly exceeds that of the earth, hence it is that find them reducing the roots of all their trees to the forciculated or surface feeders, that they may not penetrate to any great depth below the surface. In England if the peach wore allowed the freedom of the soil, the short season of lie"Rr at mid- summer would cause the tree to root so deeply as to be below the Influence of the sun's rays, when, owing to the coldness of the soil in their climate, the deep roots could not aid the growth of the tree in the early part of the summer, nor receive nourishment during the latter part of the in. Therefore, t lie deep roots in their cold soil would fare much the same as they would in our climate when standing in retentive ground. Thanks to our moie genial climate, the neoes- sity of changing the roots of our trees to surface feeders is not incumbent on us. On the con- trary, were we railed upon to iiistanet; a single condition of success to which we would attach the most importance in the treatment of the Peach, we should say do all in your power to encour- theirdeep rooting. So much Importance indeed do we attach to this point, thai w* would t he English practice, it it was possible, and would induce the fibrous roots to become deep feed- THE YELLOWS. Robust and vigorous growing trees are generally the last to be attacked by the yellows, but when thej once become affected thej are soonest Killed. The ends of the branches cease to grow, the leaves become of a yellowish hue and drop off, when numerous small branches like tOOM from which they sprang, are also in like maimer checked In their growth, and in turn produce from the axil Of their leaves other and much smaller branches, Until some of the maSSM or clusters of branches so produced become so Bplndllngand compact aa to resemble some oi the larger m more than branches Of the peaoh. In this manner the trees at midsummer or later become leaf- lets and die. while the roots, to all appearance, are In a state of comparative health. Trees at- 32 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS tacked late in the season in which the leaves have performed their natural office, show the dis- ease only in the veined and yellowish appearance of the leaves. The roots ot these trees in the following spring look much as that part of healthy roots would do which had been bared to the light and air, being in color between that of roots and branches, but in this respect resembling most the latter. Even the smallest roots present more or less this appearance; and in the early season are destitute of those small warty excrescences from which new rootlets and spongioles are formed. Hence it seems impossible that the roots should aid the growth of the tree, except by absorption of moisture, as when the trees are in a state of rest. The yellows appear to be carried by bees from infected to healthy trees, while the trees are in bloom. In the orchard of the Winters Bros., at Du Quoin, we found several peaches, one side of which was, to all appearance, in a healthy condition, while the affected half ripened several days earlier than the healthy side, the early ripened half also had those peculiar yellowish dots on the surface a:id the reddish stain of flesh that always so conspicuously marks the fruit of diseased trees. The Winters Bros., after many years experience with the yellows, inform us that they are of the opinion that it is highly contagious, the disease being conveyed by pruning trees in health with tools that have been used on infected trees, also, by the plough. To settle this point, I se- lected a vigorous peach tree in my own orchard, of the Oldmlxon variety, and macerated in water some of the specimens taken from one of the De Soto orchards of Missouri. We placed this sub- stance in contact with the alburnum. In about two weeks the leaves nearest the main branches began to show the yellowish veining of the leaves, and a few days later the young and partly grown leaves near the end of the branches also assumed the peculiar yellowish tints characteristic of the disease, the growth of all the branches was arrested; from the base of the leaves on a few of the most succulent shoots a tew new shoots put forth, the leaves of which were soon checked as before described. Were we to leave this tree to grow another year the skin of the fruit would be dotted over with yellowish dots, and the flesh streaked and colored with the peculiar pale logwood red — a characteristic mark of the yellows, and ripen two, three, or even tour weeks earlier than on healthy trees, and by the first of August the tree would be leafless without the power of per- fecting a single healthy leaf. In this condition the tree being destitute of new roots and spongi- oles, is starved for the want of food. In view of the facts of which mention has been made, nurserymen should be vigilant, and not select t!:eir seeds from unhealthy trees, nor from districts even where this disease is known to exist. The practice now so common of purchasing seeds of the canning establishments also should be abandoned, and districts known to be healthy sought from which to obtain a supply. Had we not already given so much space to the peach, we should like to detail in full our im- pressions on visiting orchards trained to low heads. Ours was perhaps the first orchard in the West so trained. We therefore consider that the statements we make on this point are due at our hands. Our early success with low headed trees led several writers to consider the style of the trees as being of much importance, but they forgot to return to the subject when we detailed our reasons for changing the form of our trees. It has also been difficult to impress those about to start orchards that they had any more to do than to plant and reap. And then how easy and nice it would be to gather the crop on one's knees; we so operated for two years, when our devotional feelings left us. Indeed, of all the mischievous recommendations wherewith to cheat the horti- culturist all sink to nothingness when compared with the advice to grow orchards with heads branching from the ground. When we consider the difficulties that attend the culture ot fruit, we doubt if the practice of growing trees with low heads can be successfully defended from any point of view. The labor of catching insects, if not rendered impracticable is increased ten fold. The trees are deprived of the under, circulation of air which is so essential to their health in the season of growth. If the ground is to bo thoroughly cultivated the low heads increase the labor many fold. If clean cultivation is neglected, then the weeds quickly grow up in competition STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 33 with the branches and defoliate them to a considerable height. In this way trees that at first were without trunks arc now without Bmali branches; they have Instead several tall naked stems ; these after bearing one or two crops of fruit spread out horizontally, further increasing the labor of approaching the trees. These are only a few of many ob- Jections. We leave this nut with the practical advocates of low heads, to crack. We would be allowed one other suggestion before leaving the peach. In several or- chards we observed thai the trees wen- subjected to what is called shortening in pruning. No style of pruning can possibly work so much harm as this. At the Bast, from actual experience, we found it to operate precisely as desired. There the whole tendency of the peacb Is to produce leaves and twigs at the extremities of the limbs only. Under such conditions cutting back, as described by Downing, keeps the base of the limbs and the interior of the head supplied with foliage. Here, on the contrary, our trees without artificial aid, are BO densely clothed with a vigorous growth as to produce mutual starva- tion, and from this cause only, become too open and naked at the base of the limbs. It, therefore, beqpmes apparent, that cutting back the young shoots would so increase over production, as to produce the evil it was intended to avoid. So we found it to do, and observed that such was the tendency in the orchards where it is practiced. Instead of shortening in, determine as well as you can which of the interior branches it will be pos- to fully expose to the sun and air. Cut all others away. If the limbs are too loug, select some small healthy branch from such limbs and cut away all beyond. THE CHERRY. At Princeton we found the May Cherry on both Mahaleb and Morello stocks. The trees on both stocks were loaded with fruit. Here, as elsewhere, the testimony was the same: that the trees worked on Mahaleb were two years later in coming into bearing than those worked on the Morello ; but owing to the iucreased size, and after fruitful- ness of the trees on Mahaleb, it was apparent that they would quickly repay for the loss of time in coming into bearing. We also found trees of the Duke varieties standing side by side with the May cherries, and planted at the same time, that were bearing fall crops of fruit, quite as much as the May. Indeed we do not recollect to have witnessed more sati-factory results at Alton, where the Dukes are supposed to do well. The only drawbacks apparent were the depredations of insects and birde, neither of which appeared to be one-eighth as destructive as they arc, further South. The partial exemption from curculios was due, as we suppose, from the general lack of those fruits in which these insects breed. From what we saw of the Heart or sweet cherries, we should expect perfect success with these also, provided they were worked on the Mahaleb stock, and annually root-pruned to a moderate extent. In compliance with our suggestion, several parties promised to root-prune their Heart cherries, and from time to time report the result to the Society. It certainly would be desirable to secure a supply of so delicious a fruit as the Sweet cherry for the family ; and after- wards, if the experiment should promise to be remunerative, then it could be grown for market. The health of the Heart and Bigarreau cherries is maintained with much difficulty at Alton and further South. Their growth is frequently matured so early as to cause them to cast their foliage in August or September, and they are afterwards excited to a second growth by the combined action of the warm weather and autumnal rains. This effort on the part of the tree to produce two sets of leaves iu one season is 3 34 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS brought to a premature close by the succeeding cold of winter. The crude sap with which all the vessels are gorged is greatly expanded by the severe frosts of winter, and this causes large portions of the bark to separate from the trees. In this con- dition the tree externally appears to be in health, but the following summer, the expansion of the trunks by growth, ruptures the loosened portions of the bark, thus early exposing to the eye the injury done the preceding year. It sometimes occurs that the bark is separated or lifted from the trunk in numerous places within a small com- pass. In some instances these small lifted patches alternate with the healthy or adhe- sive bark, so as to extend quite around the tree. When in this condition the trunk presents the anomalous appearance of being too large for the bark. This is sometimes called bark-bound, and can only be relieved, so far as we know, by cutting away all the diseased bark, and also shaving the healthy parts nearly, or quite down to the alburnum. This cutting or shaving away should be done at the time the woody matter is being most rapidly formed. The gum which has accumulated in the diseased parts, should be removed by washing or otherwise. When the wounded parts are not too large it will be covered with new bark. There are other difficulties to be overcome in growing the Sweet cherry, some of which must not be omitted. 1st. The fruit eating birds. These all regale themselves on this class of fruit, and if allowed to have their own way, leave nothing for the sentimental culti- vator whose tender regard for the feathered tribe will not allow them to be killed, and while he is protecting the rascally flocks of Cherry birds, Cat birds, Orioles and Jays, his children must either do without cherries, or rob the trees of his neighbor of less tender feelings. 2d. The Curculio is usually the first to appreciate our efforts in the production of this fruit. As soon as the young cherries are as large as a pea, the Turk is on hand, and deposits an egg in each ; this egg is soon hatched by the warmth of the atmosphere, when the small white grub quickly makes its way to the interior of the fruit and soon renders it unfit to eat ; and, 3d, we think these wounded fruits also afford those conditions inducing rot, which has proved of late so destructive to this class of fruits. For example, until within a few years cherry orchards in the vicinity of Cleveland, Ohio produced fruit annually to the value of more than one thousand dollars per acre. During our visit to the Cleveland district, this past fall, we made repeated inquiries in respect to the present condition of the cherry crop, and we were assured that of late, that no cherries, or next to none, were produced. So general was the failure, that owners of cherry orchards, desparing of further success, were grubbing up their trees. The rot made its appearance in the vicinity of Cleveland, a few years ago, since which time it has wholly destroyed the cherry just at the time it was beginning to color. The experience of persons at this point, as elicited by us, and our own observations of their apples, on each of which many cuts of the true plum curculio were found, clearly demonstrated, that the curculio had become quite as numerous there, as in the most infested points in our own state. Hence the inference, that the same causes, affecting the health of this fruit, are operating alike in widely different parts of the country. These observations to our mind, clearly point to the truth of a statement made by us on a former occasion, that, just in proportion as we supply the food and suitable condi- tions, just in that proportion do we increase both insects and vegetable diseases. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 35 CRYPTOGAMOUS DISEASES. There are several kinds of blight, common to the pear, three of which we propose to describe. 1st. Blight of leaves. This form is caused by a broad or ttat-headed fungus ; it spreads rapidly, attaching itself to the leaves which are soon killed. This fungi is so large that It may be seen by the naked eye. Seedling pear trees are most injured by it. The leaves of the budded pear tree suffer most when standing near seedlings. We know of no remedy for this form of blight. 2nd. Pear tree blight, or fire-blight, so-called. This blight is induced by an extremely minute fungus, seen only by the aid of a power- ful microscope. The spores enter the pores of the bark, and when the conditions are favorable they quickly vegetate. This fungi may be collected with a damp camels hair brush, and when macerated in water and placed in contact with the alburnum as in budding, especially when the circulation is most active, readily mixes with the sap, altering the form of the particles much the same as poison from the bite of insects or reptiles, is known to act on the blood of animals. The infusion of the seculent portions of fundus into the sap of the pear produces a change in the form of the particles of the sap ; and by reason of this altered form it is no longer normal sap, and can in no way aid in the formation of, or give the true form of granulated or woody matter ; it has, therefore, become a foreign substance, and can not contribute to the growth of the plant. In this condition both the sap and the granulated matter produced is so different in form from trees in health that the circulation is measurably arrested, and fermentation in the affected part takes place. In some instances, as when plants are in most active growth, it dams up the downward circulation ; this in connection with fermentation takes place to such an extent as to cause ruptures in the bark, when in some instances the diseased sap will run down many feet on the outside of the branch or trunk of the tree. Trees attacked by this pear fungi late in the season, also trees that early mature their growth, escape with the loss of the outer portions of the bark ; in these cases the fermented sap dries up, producing those dead patches of bark so commonly seen ; but when the disease appears early in the season on all trees of late growth, it generally penetrates through the bark to the alburnum, where it is quickly disseminated to other parts of the tree. Gray, in his Elements of Botany, says vegetable cells of our trees are so minute that from 27 to 125 millions may be contained in the compass of a cubic inch. Taking the smallest of these and knowing the measurement of certain cryptogamic vegetation as given by Prof. Barnard, we find the asstonishing number of (8,000) eight thousand of these vegetable forms may be contained in a cell. Now, if we are at all pushed to know why these cryptogamous diseases of plants spread so rapidly, it is only necessary to consider the facility with which this infusoria is sub-divided. Prof. Shrenberg, "from his observations upon the multiplication by sub-division of a few individuals of a single species of Paramecium computed that in a month 108,000,- 000 might proceed from a single one." What is true of animals, is true of vegetable life. Hear what Prof. Barnard says : " But another discovery has been brought to light by the microscope among those humble forms of life. The unicellular are generally at least at one period of their existence free and not like the larger vegetables anchored by stems for life to some particular spot, and with their freedom they possess a power of locomotion which likens them more fully to the animals they so much resemble. * * 36 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS * * * But further discovery is due also to the microscope, that the property of loco- motion belongs universally to the germ spores and antheridia of all cryptogamic plants. Gray also remarks, not only moulds and blights, live in this predacious way, but many flowering herbs and shrubs." And as seeing is believing, two years ago, while examin- ing with the microscope, a fungus, which had attacked our Norway firs, and which grew out of the pores of the leaves, we distinctly saw one of the blossom-like plants open and send out a minute powder. This was doubtless the spores which only needed proper resting places to fix themselves and reproduce. The disease certainly did spread with great rapidity. Now we know the air is continually full of vegetable life, only waiting those conditions adapted to their peculiar wants, to increase almost beyond our comprehension. In view of the facts of which mention has just been made, it seems impossible to conceive of a substance from which the seeds of such minute forms of vegetable organisms may be excluded. Our fruits are stung, then comes moisture and heat, and then also comes the blight in our trees and rot in our fruit. The remedy we offer for the pear tree blight, although original with us is by no means a new one. We first practised it some eighteen years ago, and from that time to the present, it has in no instance failed to produce the results claimed for it. It does not ward off the attacks of eryptogomus i>lants as an examination of our root-pruned trees will show, for they are all more or less injured between the outer and inner bark. All that we claim is, that when a pear tree is so root-pruned as to force it to form the ani- mal buds by the time the blight first makes its appearance, the tree can then sustain no other injury from its presence than the loss of the infected portions of bark, and for the reason that time enough will not have elapsed from the time the fungus becomes active in the spring to the time the circulation in the trees is so arrested as to afford no means for its dissemination. We have already shown as we suppose, that pear-blight is due to a chemical change of the sap induced by the union of the sap or watery por- tions of fungus becoming mixed with that of the pear, whereby the whole becomes so changed as to destroy the alburnum whersver this substance is brought with it, but when it is confined to the live portions of bark and the growth of the tree is checked in time, it dries out, without penetratiug to the new woody matter in process of growth, thus producing those dead patches of bark sometimes found on trees of slow growth. On the other hand were the circulation very active the poison would not be arrested in the bark, but would soon pass through it to other parts of the tree. At each of the points visited by us this season, we secured the promise of parties to root-prune their pear trees infected with fire blight, so called, strictly in accordance with our written instruct ions, the trenches made in pruning, to be left open until they were inspected by a committee appointed by the local horticultural society, or where no local society exists, the examination to be made by one or more horticulturists, who with the owner of the trees shall make report as to the manner in which the work was done and its effects on the trees. ROOT-PRUNING THE PEAR A PREVENTIVE OF BLIGHT. Root-pruning may be performed from November to April. The latter part of winter or spring is best, as the sub-soil is then easily penetrated by a spade. For trees the circumference of which is twelve (12) inches at one foot above the ground, mark a STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 37 circle around the tree, the semi-diameter of which shall not exceed eighteen (18) inches from the trunk. For trees larger than twelve (13) inches, for each additional three (3) inches of girth, enlarge the diameter of the' circle three (3) inches. Next, with a sharp spade open a trench outside of the circle to the depth of not less than three (3) feet, cutting all lateral roots to that depth. For a tree measuring t welvc (12) inches, this will leave a round ball of earth of the diameter of forty (40) inches to contain the lateral roots left alter pinning. After having the work inspected, fill the trench with top soil and give thorough cultivation until August at the north part of the State, and until October In the Southern part. Once in two years repeat the operation enlarging the diameter of the circle three (8) inches with each additional operation. The effect of this pruning is to force the trees to form their terminal buds on the leading shoots by the time the blight first appears, which in the latitude of Alton occurs about May 25th to the first of June. ROOT ROT. We now had to consider a third kind of blight, believed to have been first observed by us on the pear, during our visit with the Committee Ad-Interim to Cobden, in July, and again while on a similar visit to Missouri in August last, with a committee of Illinois and Missouri horticulturists, we found the same disease affecting both Pear and Cherry at l)e Soto in the Iron Mountain district. To us, this kind of blight appears by far the most formidable disease with which our trees have to contend. The ordinary observer while looking over trees in which the incipient stages of this disease arc active- ly at work, sees no cause for alarm ; to his eye all is in the most perfect state of health ; the trunk, the limbs and fruit are all in so nice a condition as to delight the eye; in short the whole appearance is one full of promise of future health and friiitfulness. It is now about the first of August, let us look more carefully on some of the trees; the shoots are not quite so long as they are on some others, but they make up in size what they luck in length, and a more pleasing feature perhaps is found in the large number of well developed fruit buds ; the leaves appear to be in perfect health and are of the largest size. Root-pruned trees could produce no better ones, only on one or two 6inall shoots emanating from the trunk : on these they are a little yellower than on the other branches. If we observe again and compare this tree with those in which the conditions arc different, we shall find that the tree completed its growth earlier in the season, and on that account, is not near as tall as the later growing specimens. If we carry our investigations to the routs of one of these tree*, we shall find some of them killed and completely wrapt in a fungus growth of the thickness of cloth, which may be removed m an entire mass; on other roots small patches of fungus will be found to have made its way through the bark to the sap wood. In others, as it first appears, it resembles most, a single thread of a spider's web ; from this, other parallel threads quickly appear until, the whole root is enveloped as before described. To ascertain if this species of fungi be the cause or consequence of death in trees, we selected two pear, also two apple trees, all in health; we next ground in water a portion of the fungus we had brought from Cobden, and placed it between the bark and sap wood ; alter the lapse of a lew days the innoculatcd trees were affected much as are trees with fire blight. On one only of the innoculatcd trees, and that one a seedling apple innoculatcd near the ground, was there any appearance of the thread-like fungi before described, 38 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS and this had 60 far disappeared after the first hard frost, as no longer to he perceptible to the naked eye. In October last, in company with a party of horticulturists from Michigan, Missouri, and Illinois, we again visited the (Jobden region where this root disease was first found, and made a more careful search than we had done in August. This time our observations were confined to trees of no particular age. A6 in our July and August observations so in this there was nothing in the external appearance of the trees to mark that they were diseased below ground, except the early maturity of the branches and an excess of fruit buds, etc., before described. Unearthing the roots, however, disclosed the fact that they were either dead, or more or less covered with fungi. Although the fungi was present, it was more than possible that at this late period it was in a state of rest. At what particular period of the year it is most active, is a point yet to be determined, but that it is highly contagious and destructive to the roots of trees seems beyond a doubt ; that it eifects the roots below ground much the same as blight does the tops above, seems quite probable. In October last we requested the Hon. A. M. Brown, of Villa Ridge, to make a thorough examination of his trees with the view to ascertaining, if possible whether the rot on the roots of his apples was the result of attacks of insects as had been stated, or of fungi ; also, if fungi could be found on the roots of his pear trees. To which he replied by letter : With this letter was also received several branches, leaves and roots. These were subjected to a careful microscopic examination, stnd were found to be suffering from the effects of the same Bpecies of fungi observed at Cobden and De Soto. We give his remarks below : " I was once entirely satisfied of the correctness of Dr. Walsh's opinion, that the root rot with which our apple trees are affected is caused by the aphis. Recent obser- vations have convinced me that he is mistaken ; and that the cause of the trouble is a white papery fungus which envelopes the roots, spreading gradually but quite rapidly from one to another. The aphis produces knotty excrescences upon the roots ; but these not only do not kill the tree but seem not even to affect the vigor of its growth . I have seen a great many instances of this. On the contrary, I have never found knots or aphis on trees dead, or dying with the root rot. " On digging some young nursery pear trees, I found one upon a side root of which the fungus had fastened. This root was dead and rotting, wholly enveloped in a white substance like paper, while the filaments of the fungus could be distinctly seen spread- ing rapidly upon the main root which was still green. Another tree was similarly affected, only the disease had gone farther and the root was dead almost to the collar of the tree. Upon neither of them was there the least sign of an insect, or of that peculiar bluish mould which always indicates the presence of the aphis. * * * "In the bottle I send is a piece of an apple tree branch, the buds upon the spurs of which were all dead. * * * * A large proportion of the buds on the fruit spurs, and in some instances several inches of young growth on my Winesap apple trees, died during summer ; some of them looking as if a flame had flashed up through the top of the trees. It is confined almost entirely to the Winesap and affects trees widely separated." The apple twigs referred to above, were packed with the specimens effected with fungus, and were completely enveloped with it. Also some aphis packed in the same bottle were dead and so covered as to appear like small balls of cotton. We know of no remedy lor this rotten root, but will state that pear trees may be treated to salt so liberally that it would kill most other trees and plants, In view of STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 39 this fact, may it not be worth while to try its effects by strewing it thickly on the ground under trees which are known to be Buffering from attacks of parasitic plants, many kinds of which we know are killed by the smallest application of saline matter. VISIT TO OHIO AND PENNSYLVANIA. In company with Dr. C. W. Spalding, President of the Mississippi Valley Vine Growers' Association, and B. L. Kingsbury, Secretary of the Alton Horticultural Society, we ar- rived in Cincinnati at the time the Wine Growers' Association and the Cincinnati Horti- cultural Society were holding a joint exhibition. Among the many objects on exhibition most worthy of notice were lyes' Seedling and Martha Grapes. To the former we will again refer. Martha Grape, — Of the so-called white grapes, this will perhaps be found the most valuable sort yet before the public. It ripens six to ten days in advance of the Concord ; in vigor of vine and foliage it seems identical with its parent the Concord, except that its leaves are hardly so thick, and are of a lighter green color. By reason of its thinner leaves it appears to be slightly more injured by vine leaf hoppers than the Concord. Bunches shouldered, above medium size, berries round, medium to large, color yellow- ish white, with bloom, pulp soft, juicy, sweet, of excellent flavor. ■ Mr. Campbell, of Delaware, O., was on hand with a fine display of his hybrid seedlings ; one of which we thought nearly equal to Delaware. As yet these grapes are under numbers. Perhaps we ought not to omit mention of Dr. Grant's new grape, the Eumelan, where- with the American public are next to be astonished. The Eumelan is a small black grape not prepossessing in appearance. Bunch very small, loose, berries small, quite free from pulp. Its quality could not be determined as it had become musty. Smock Peaches were on the tables by several parties. The contributors all claimed them to be seedlings of the Smock- From which it is inferred that this variety repro- duces itself from seed. By invitation of the proprietor, Capt. Anderson, we visited the Long worth 'Wine House. Among other items of interest we were furnished with the following : Alcoholic Strength ojc Various Wines Distilled at the " Longworth Wine House," Dec. 15, 1867. Catawba, 1887 13 per cent Concord, 1867 (musl 80 degrees) 114-10 " " [ves1 Seedling, isi;; nniist SO degrees) II1.; " " Virginia Seedling, 1867 16 " " Taylor's Bullet , 1667 \1% " " Delaware (Jackson's), I860 > 16 " " " Sparkling, 1865 VM{ " " For a more detailed report of our visit see Mr. B. L. Kingsbury's report to the Alton Horticultural Society. Owing to the heavy rains prevailing at the time of our visit, we devoted the part of one day only to the vineyards and orchards. Our party consisted of (.'apt. Anderson, President of the Cincinnati Horticultural Society ; Mr. Graham and Dr. Warder, of Ohio ; Mr. Oliphant, of Pennsylvania ; Dr. Spalding, of Missouri; Mr. Kingsbury and myself of this State. Capt. Anderson, under whose lead we had placed ourselves, first drove to his own place where our investigations commenced, Hortlculturally, the most no- 40 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS ticeablc feature here was his plantation of strawberries, embracing the old as well as all the newer sorts of note ; we have nowhere else seen the strawberry in such fine condition. The ground was prepared by spading it three feet deep. After the plants had become established, the ground was mulched, with refuse or spent hops, to the depth of five inches; this mulch is occasionally raked aside, and the 'surface of the ground loosened when the mulch is replaced. Under this thorough management Capt. A. finds Napoleon 3d to be much the best variety, either for family or market. From this place we were shown to the vineyard of Mr. Myers. At this late date (October), we found his Ives' Seedling vines carrying an immense crop of fruit. We did not discover any rotten or defective berries. The foliage is somewhat smaller than that of the Concord, but makes up in thickness what it lacks in size ; the under side of its leaves are so coarse as to nearly resist the attacks of the leaf hopper. From Cincinnati we went to Pittsburgh. During part of a day spent hi the city we ob- served that the Silver Poplar and Balm of Gilead trees were in excellent health, the dense smoke cannot materially hurt them ; they may therefore be profitably employed in our Western cities as street trees. Having completed our observation in the city, we next visited the fruit farm of Mr. Knox. Mr. Knox's show of grapes was excellent, especially those on trellises. His success with the grape is due to the liberal use of manure, to good cultivation during the spring and summer months, but more especially to the careful training of the vines in a way to expose the leaves on the fruit canes to the influence of the sun and air without being shaded or much impinged on by the current year's canes. Nearly, if not all the Rogers grapes yet sent out, were here fruiting. All of these that were really good had one marked defect, this was the thinness of their leaves, ex- posing them to the depredations of the leaf hoppers. The much lauded Salem was here fruiting, but was nearly leafless from the mischief done by the same insect. The quality of the Salem as found at this point is not better than the Rogers' No. 4, and is not nearly so productive. Iona, this variety like the preceding is defective in its leaves ; notwith- standing its leafless condition the vines were loaded with fruit. We also met with this variety in the vineyards about Cleveland, where the same conditions were operating against it. It will be a marvel if any variety should long continue in health that is to be annually defoliated in time of fruit. Mr. Knox's strawberry plantation is quite extensive, and receives fair cultivation. The plants are in rows, three feet apart, and distant eighteen inches iu the rows. Much care is taken to pull all the runners off the plants as soon as they appear. The success at- tending Mr. K's. culture of th3 Jucunda strawberry has excited much comment. It has not been our fortune to see his grounds at the season of fruiting the strawberry, nor do we deem that the best time to ascertain the cause of success or failure. The treatment that strawberry plantations receive from June to October so fully insures success or fail- ure to the coming year that any careful observer may in the autumn determine the pre- cise number of fruit trusses that any particular plant will develope the ensuing spring, and in this way make an average estimate of the yield for the following year. By Mr. K's permission we dug up a stool of Jucunda which had been planted 13 months and kept free of runners, and carefully dissected this plant, and found it to contain seven em- bryo trusses of fruit ; we then selected two other plants of the same variety which had STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. made runners during the season. In one of these there ^ as D I fruit jjerm and the other contained one truss. To determine the relative productiveness of Jucunda we examined a stool of Wilson's Albany, apparently of the Bame Btrength of Jucunda, ami found it to contain IS germ trusses. Two plants of Wilson's Albany that had made runners through the summer, in one of these there wen- ii and in the other 4 trusses. NY\t we selected three similar plants of Longworth Prolific. The stool that had been kept free from runners had made 9, and the other two that had made runners, one contained one and the other two germ trm These observations go to show that Jucunda like all other varieties that throw out runners, to the end of the season, becomes bo exhausted as to produce but few or no fruit hints. While those which are kept freed from runners, enlarge into stools, and store up in leaf and fruit buds the nourishment which under neglect, the plant would waste in the multiplication of its numerous runners. In view of this,, facts do we ask why it is that Jucunda is a success in the hands only of a few ? We answer, the majority subject every sort to the same treatment that they bestow on their Wilson's Albany, without a knowledge of the fact thai the Wilson's Albany does for itself naturally what Mr. K. does for his Jucunda. In other words, the Wilson's Albany after a certain period ceases to produce runners but does not at the same time cease to ii-row. This growth remains with the plant and greatly increases its size by the addition of a large number of both leaf and fruit buds. And In this way it becomes the lazy man's variety. Subject the Jucunda to the sane- treatment that we do our Wilson's, and we hear the oft repeated exclamation. Humbug sort ! worthless! unproductive ! and the like. We do not asseri that Mr. Cor the few successful cultivators of Jucunda all under- stand the true tl ry of their success ; they have observed the fact, that plants subject- ed to certain modes of treatment produce certain results, and shape their culture accord- ingly. With all the care bestowed on Jucunda and the high rate- obtained from the fruit, is it not probable for fruit alone that its value at Pittsburgh is not equal to that of Wilson ? If so, why divide the ground equally between the two varieties? Hardiness of Street Trees in Pittsburgh, as observed 18<>S, in order of hardiness : 1. Balm of Gilead, Ailanthus. 2. Silver Maple, Silver Poplar. 3. Linden. Prof. J. B. Turner, of Jacksonville, then read the following paper on the ROTTING OF GRAPES AND BLIGHT OF PEAR TREES. My attention was called to the distinctive forms of Grape Hot and Pear Tree BUi/ht, known in the West as early as the year 1848 ; at which time I wrote a series' of papers for the Horticulturist, at the request of the editor, the Incomparable Downing, some- what minutely describing and defining some of the several forms of those diseases as they had then appeared in the West. Previous to the writing of those articles, I am not aware that any effort had been made to distinguish between the multiform kinds of Pear tree blight that attack our trees, and the two leading, and entirely distinct forma of rot that affect our Grapes, characterized and described in those papers, published 42 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS from 1848 to 1852, as the Black Rot and the Brown Rot. I have seen no reason to change the terms of those descriptions since, though many slighter forms of pear-tree blight caused by various insects might be added to the general list. What is called the Grape rot in Europe, seems to be merely one form of our common mildew, and is entirely distinct from both of our fatal forms of Western grape-rot above named. The little pale watery spot on the grape being the first symptom of the Brown grape- rot, and a dry bla-ck spot, of the Black rot. The fatal pear tree blight generally begins with a dead blotch on the outer bark of the trunk or lower limbs, months before it appears on the dead leaves and shoots above ; and if this dead patch of bark is seasonably removed with a sharp knife, and the parts washed with spirits of Turpentine and Lamp black early in the Spring, before it communicates the poison (or whatever it is) to the sap, the blight in the top will not usually ensue, and the tree will be saved. These dead spots on the bark usually appear in an oblong shape from one- half inch to several inches in diameter. Those generally near to the forks of the tree, or at some point where the young tree is chang- ing from a smooth to a rough bark tree, thus intimating that the compressure by stricture of parts, of the downward flow of the sap, is one item in the cause of the malady ; and high feeding in spring with animal manures, combined with plenti- ful rains to increase the volume of the return sap through those strictured passes, un- doubtedly increases the danger. With us, pear trees are seldom affected with this blight till near the age of bearing, or after some part of the trunk begins to change from smooth to rough bark. Nor does the grape-rot usually affect quite young vines, in either of the above specified forms ; which forms seem after all to be sometimes interchangeable and probably of the same general origin. In these earlier papers, I was inclined to enquire at first for an insect origin of one or both of these forms of blight, as will be seen from their perusal ; but before I closed my investigations at that time, I became as I then intimated, inclined to the opinion that these diseases were the result of fungi, though beyond all question, there are various microscopic and other forms of insects that cause the tips and leaves of pear trees to blight, and the grapes to rot on the vines ; yet these results are totally distinct from that deadly " Upas " of the pear tree known, " par excellence " as the Pear Tree Blight, and that terrible and sudden destruction of the whole crop known as the Grape rot in the West ; and so far as I can as yet learn, totally unknown in Europe. A year or two after this time, about 1851, under the lens of a powerful solar micro- scope, at the Farmer's College near Cincinnati, Ohio, I examined grapes in various stages of blighting, which fully convinced me that in the case of the grapes, the dis- ease was wholly of fungoid, or cryptogamous origin. The filaments or threads or roots of these fungoid growths could be plainly seen interlacing the little cells of the fruit, and apparently progressing in their growth from the stem of the berry of the grape toward the blighted spot on the surface ; thus at that time suggesting the idea to me that the spores or little seeds that started the plant or fungi, came into the berry through the stem with the sap, and not by falling or lighting on the skin or outer sur- face of the berry. Several years after that time in 1863, Dr. Salisbury published his mon- ogram with' drawings of various fungi, affecting the Pear, Quince, Apple and Peach trees and their fruit, in the Ohio State Agr'l Transactions, which appears almost identically the same with those I saw in the Grape in the same state of Ohio, some ten years before. These and other similar facts have greatly confirmed my original suspicions, and set me to looking for the probable winter quarters, or nidus of the spores of these fungi, dur- STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 43 lug winter, and their incipient spring vegetation. In what natural hot-beds are they started and what are the conditions of their growth P That they must have seasons of favoring rains, heats and colds, like all other plants, or they cannot grow, every one of course knows ; for that is a universal law of all vegetable life, and especially of plants so excessively minute and frail as all the semi-croscopic fungi are known to be ; and some of the conditions of weather are becoming quite well known, in which they are most likely to flourish or destroy. Nobody expects these blights In winter, nor in very dry and equable summers, no more than they do a good crop of corn in similar seasons ; alternations of frequent showers with excessive heat, seem most favorable to their destructive production ; but like other plants they cannot jjrow without seeds, and a proper nidus for those seeds to start in, at least not to any alarming extent ; and this brings back again the vital question. Where does their seed come from — or their sporules — after perhaps years of apparent absence ? and how is it kept over and how and where does it first start to grow ? and how can wc arrest its vegetation or destroy or avoid the nidus, in which it first starts into life ? Answer these questions, and you have answered all that need practically to be asked. I shall not pretend to answer these questions, but only to frankly surest my own present impressions, for the future corroboration or rejection of the members of this society. My own impression then is, in a single word, that rotten or decaying wood or sap is the nidus from which many if not all these fungi first start into being; I do not mean dead, dry limbs or sticks in tree tops or vine branches, but dead anil still moist patches and filaments, or fibres qf wood in the bark, trunk, or limbs, and especially in the root of the tree or vine itself; caused perhaps, years before, by the descent of poisonous sap from frosted limbs or branches. My Impression is that these dead but still perpetually moist filaments or particles of wood are the hot-bed, or nidus, in which these sporules are perpetually germinated from year to year; and that they can assume their destructive power to invade the living tis- sues of the tree or fruit, only when it becomes surcharged with a plethora of sap, pro- ducing at the point attacked a stagnation of sap, or in other words dead sap, which these watchful scavengers of vegetable life at once seize hold of, and multiply them- selve- as the yeast plant does in the moistened dough, with incredible rapidity and pow- er sufflcienl to involve and kill by decrees all the soft, living tissue around ; provided the weather continues favorable to their immense propagation and growth, If not they dry out and Blink harmlessly back again to their old nidus, and their old home in the rotten wood and filaments of the vine or trunk or roots, propagating only these from year to year, till called into their destructive increase and action again in some future year, by recurrent favorable conditions. To give all my reasons for this, (I confess somewhat singular opinion) would require a volume rather than an essay. I will only hint at a few of the farts which have led me to this conclusion. I. Qrapee like the Clinton, never killed by frost in winter, seldom rot in summer. Why not '■ Because there are DO filaments or fibres of dead wood in their roots caused by the frosted sap of the dead or frost-bitten tops, to furnish B nidus for these sporules to germ- inate in, ready for use from year to year. II. Qrapes recently layered, or so young as never to have been frost-killed in winter, even of the tender varieties, seldom if ever rot ; because their roots and stems are all sound and good, unless decay has been produced by some other cause. Old vines that have once been killed down or bitten by the frost, and whose roots are of course more or 44 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS less filled with fibres of dead wood, will rot terribly year after year, whenever seasons fa- vorable to rot occur, standing side by side with the young and sound vines which escape, and why ? Because the one has the nidus of these sporules within itself while the other has not. There are, as I have intimated, various forms of grape rot or blight so called, but did any one ever know or read or hear of our destructive American Grape rot, in climates like Italy or California, where there is no frost to produce dead or rotten filaments of wood in roots or branches? True, in isolated cases, these rotten fibres in the roots may be produced by other causes, such as foolish summer pruning, wounds or insects, or ex- tremely wet and uncongenial soil ; but the great cause here is unquestionably cold weath- er, and with my present view I would not give half price for a Catawba vineyard that had ever in one single instance been left uncovered and exposed to killing winter frosts. I should feel quite sure that when a season favorable to blight came, even if it was not for ten years after such an exposure, those grapes would rot. True, unsoundness from any other causes which may have produced it, would operate just as badly. In investi- gating this subject some ten years ago, I carefully took up some Catawba and Isabella vines, the oldest 1 then had (and some ten or fifteen years old at least) which were much addicted to rotting, and which I knew had been several times frozen down. I found all their main roots filled with filaments of rotten wood ; notatruly sound root amongthem. I cut two or three of the worst ones to pieces to examine them ; for the rest I made an artificial soil, composed of the very best materials I could command for the Grape, and set them out a^ain. They grew finely, but they have never got over their fatal habit of rotting, whenever a rotting season comes round, even though my younger and sounder vines of the same sort escape. The old nidus of Cryptogams or fungi is there still, all ready to swarm, and flare up, and destroy, whenever an inviting season occurs. III. All must have noticed also, that in years of blight the highest sboots, or those farthest removed from the nidus, are affected least of all. Indeed, on these old vines above mentioned, some of the extreme branches often wholly escape and produce their fruit, showing that the disease progresses from the root toward the top, and is generally most efficient nearest to the nidus or primal cause, and that the fruit is most safe on the more remote and soundest branches, wholly of recent growth and of course of greatest vig- or. I will not here dilate on the importance of covering every vine not known to be per- fectly hardy, every year, without one single failure, which spoils the whole thing of course, for when you once get a nidus of rotten fibres in your grape roots they can never be got rid of. In the case of the pear tree blight, the nidus is evidently the patch of rotten or dead bark on the trunk of the tree, or it may first be in the wood or the roots, or in all these. But the only place where you can get at it, is the spots on the bark and limbs of the tree ; and probably removing that, will do no good, if not clone before the sap begins to flow in the spring ; for after that the sporules would be diffused over every rotten or de- fective atom of wood or bark in the whole top ; ready to attack the tender living tis- sues the first moment the season favored their growth and power. On this theory Dr. Schroeder's layering of vines and Dr. Hull's root pruning come fully into play ; the one keeps the grape roots at all times new and sound, the other checks the annual growth of the pear tree, and prevents that immaturity, plethora and engorgement of sap about the forks and trunk of the tree, which seems to be one of the conditions which furnish the sporules on the pear-tree the means of getting hold of its living tissues. But under STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 45 our preeenl mode of making pear-trees, and in our variable climate, probably few pear trees can be found a dozen years old, that, in aU thek fibres, are perfectly sound from stem to Stern. Hence the nidus for these .-porulcs in the case of pear trees is almost always present, and in some seasons it is only with the greatest care and watchfulness that they can be kept from flaring abroad up Into the tops of the tree, which in nine cases out of ten, it Is sure to kill down to the place of the original surface nidus on the bark or the roots below; if nut arrested before the sap flows, with the knife, or the spirits of turpentine and lamp black, or something else that will kill out the Bporules. Dr. Salisbury, in the paper above referred to, recommends sulphur and the sulphites and sulphates and common gas-lime, either mixed with the soil or applied to the tree, for the same purpose. I have li>r several years myself taken one or two pailfulls \urn\ fungi, to designate the particular order of cryptogamous plants I am speaking of. In what, then, does a fungus differ from from all other plants ? It differs essentially in the function it performs in the vegetable kingdom. Pluenogamous plants as growers, are deoxygenators, that is, they decompose both water and carbonic acid, liberating the oxygen and building up or composing vegetable tissue and other organic products out of the obtained hydrogen and carbon. On the contrary, fungi as growers, are oxygena- tors, that is, they decompose all organic substances and reduce them Jto inorganic mat- ter. Phcenogams and all plants that feed on inorganic matter, therefore stand between STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 51 the animal and the inorganic world. They are the preparers of food for the r, dom which could not exist without them. Animals are also oxygenators, they also dc- compose organic matter by oxyg mating it. Fungi stand in a similar relation to the veg- etable kingdom generally, as do animals, with tiii— difference, that they reduce both vege- table and animal substances to inorganic matter, preparing them to serve again as food to the vegetable kingdom. Whenever vegetable or animal cella are cast otr, they are dead matter, and therefore useless. But nature in her wonderful economy has provided that it should not remain useless, and the bumble toadstool becomes a mighty agent in reju- venating the universe. It Is true, as Prof. Turner told us last night, " they act as the rangers of nature." But let us not despise them, for they are also ministering angels sent abroad over the whole earth, and upon the performance of their mission depends the life of the vegetable and animal kingdom. Essential, vast and powerful as is their agency, mankind has paid no attention to fungi, not even to arrange and classify them into genera and species, until to their agency was traced some of the diseases that affect both animals aud vegetables. Then it was that men set themselves about observing their operations. In the diseased tissue they found a fungus. This was named and described, and published to the world not only as a new discovery, but a new thing. The same fungus under different conditions, showed a different development. Therefore a new generic and a specific name for it was invented, and so on, until we have volumes tilled with these isolated observations. This is all wrong. Disease in animals or plants is an abnormal condi- tion. If fungi are present, in this abnormal condition, what authority have we for .say- ing that they are the cause of it, much less that we can learn their true and distinc- tive character there? Now whenever there is anything fermenting or rotting, there is a fungus present. We ought first to ascertain the phenomena of normal rot, and the fnngus that is present, before we undertake to determine those of the abnormal. Yet this is precisely what has been done. Isolated observation on diseased tissue has been made, and the result pu.blii.hed as a new discovery, without trying to trace its relation to any thing previously known, much less to identify it as one of the meta- morphoses in the cycle of changes t hat these fungi undergo before they return to their original form. Hence the unfortunate and mortifying announcement in Germany a few years ago, of the discovery of the cholera fungus, which has since been identified and proved to be nothing more er less than the Oidium lacti-s, that sours milk, the most common of all ferments and the universal rot of all animal substances. From the volumes written on fungi, we would infer that there were almost innumera- ble kinds of them ; but the truth is, the genera are but very few In number. I will name the most familiar : First in the list is the one souring milk, hence called Oidium lactis. It is not only violent in action, but rapid in progress, and is dangerous when developed within the stomach or intestines, occasioning violent colic pains and inflam- mation. It rots rapidly most vegetable- consumed by man, such as cabbage, tomatoes, and potatoes, and hence is the cause of cholera morbus. It is aiso the rot of swamps, gutters, -ewer», cess pools, carrion, in short the mephitic rot of all vegetable and ani- mal substances. It differs from all other fungi in this, that it will pass through the florescent state and produce its sporangia under water as well as in air, while all the others do so only In the atmosphere. This fungus ferments cheese, and hence, cheese while undergoing fermentation is very unhealthy. It is strange that this violent fungus is overcome and destroyed by the feeblest of all ferments, that of wine. When the 52 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS wine fungus shows its green mould (which is very healthy) on cheese, we know that the oidium lactis is dead, and the cheese ripe and healthy. The second fungus is the Wine fungus which not only transforms the grape must into wine, but is the same that ferments dough. The green mould on stale bread is the florescent state of this fungus. The third and last is the Vinegar fungus, which converts sugar in alcohol, this latter into acetic acid (vinegar) and then consumes the vinegar. If it accidentally gets into wine or dough, it rapidly sours it. Under the microscope the initial development of all these fungi appears a concatena- tion of cells, sometimes a continuous chain, and at other times diverging in various directions. The cells differ however in size, and somewhat in shape. In the after stages of development they more or less put out roots, called micella, and send up a thallus or stem. These stems in the last stage bear a round puff-ball head called a Mucre, which soon bursts and sheds forth millions of sporangia. You have all observed the slimy substance that coats the surface of the earth where temporary pools made by abundant summer rains, have fermented ; or the slime on the sides and bottom of wine and vinegar casks. This slimy substance is known under the scientific name of phyko-mater. In the pools it is the macerated product of inosculated alga? and the residium of the oidium lactis ; in wine and vinegar it is the macerated scum (fungi) that had arisen on the surface during fermentation as well as the general residium of the fungoid cells. The phyko-mater of vinegar is familiarly known as the mother of vinegar. One peculiarity however marks them all ; when desiccated they can be kept indefinitely, and under proper conditions will each reproduce its generic fungus. The phyko-mater in dried up pools, produces immense numbers of mosses. It also forms in and exudes from the pots of hot houses when kept too moist ; and since it completely precludes the air from penetrating the earth, the plants in the pots rapidly sicken and die. The green moss on flowering pots is an indication of its presence. The rot that is so destructive to amygdalaceous fruits, as cherries, peaches and plums, in its first form, springs from a budding cell, sending its thallus upwards, and the micelia over and through the fruit. Under a microscope magnifying 400 or 500 diame- ters, the cells forming the thallus appear lemon-shaped. The thallus rises to the apparent height of an inch, when the terminal cell sends out a side bud which develops itself into a branch, dividing and sub-dividing until there is a miniature tree — yes, a miniature forest, for scores of similar stems occupy the whole field of the microscope. These stems however, produce -no sporangia tor they soon inosculate, forming appar- ently a pulpy mass, out of which may spring the original form, and like it melting dough again to a mass. After a while a remarkable form appears. An extremely at- tenuated fibrous stem (often times several) comes up on the summit of which four elongated cells apparently one-third of an inch long, appear, giving it a daisy like appearance. These cells are transversely divided. The last form observed is an excres- cence resembling a puff ball which, when nature opens and emits millions of sporangia. Where these go, and in what form they hibernate, is unknown. But I cannot pursue this matter further. The question has been asked, how do those sporangia maintain themselves during winter. Prof. Turner in his essay, thinks that they somehow enter the roots, or become lodged in decayed parts of the tree. I have serious doubts whether this is so. This and other fungi detrimental to our fruits, have made their appearance for the first time, as diseases, within the memory of the living STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 53 generation. There are no trees that ever existed, not even those in Paradise, that were entirely free from rot. For whenever worn out tissue, whether root, limb, or bark was thrown off, there was dead matter, and consequently the normal condition of dead matter, rot. Yet, notwithstanding this, trees have been healthy, and have borne healthy fruit. I rather think culture may have wrought constitutional enfeeblement, similar to that we know has been wrought in animals and even in man, that they cannot withstand the vicissitudes of climate as in their wild state. They moreover are exotics, and their transfer from one extreme to another of such climatic and meteorological conditions, may be more than their constitutions may have been able to bear. It may have produced enfeeblement, and the condition of enfeeblement is liability to disease. It has already been stated that fungi will seize and destroy dead matter, whether it be the detergement of trees or the exuviae of animals. But it is likewise true that some fungi will seize upou and not destroy living tissue, in which by some means, vitality has been enfeebled. It is now admitted that intermittent and inflammatory fevers are accompanied, and some suppose, caused by fungoid development. If a per- son has had the ague once, a walk in the dew before breakfast, on a chilly morning, will bring on a return of the paroxysm ; why, because the vital action is lowered by the 6uddcn chill brought on by the dew. Now, how is it with the rot in grapes?, My observations are, that the grape rot, especially in the Catawba, invariably follow cold, chilly weather in early summer. It is therefore evident that whatever impairing or lowering even temporarily, vitality in plants or animals, induces to disease, or favors fungoid development on living tissue. There are probably fungi that will attack plants which have unimpaired vitality, as the small-pox fungus will man, or perhaps the Texas cattle disease. The pear blight we know can be communicated by inoculation ; and Dr. Hull told us last night that he had done so with the yellows in peaches. These facts show that there is an analogy between the diseases of plants and those of mankind. May not the diseases of both be analogous throughout? And may not viti- ated air play an important part in plant disease ? There has been much speculation on the subject of miasmatic atmosphere, by scientific men. Speculation without facts is merely guessing, and guessing can never establish anything upon the immovable basis of truth. It may project a hypothesis, but cannot advance even to a theory, much less to a scientific demonstration of a physical law. Investigation and experiment may elicit facts, which may give rise to an hypothesis, and a series of facts may advance the hypo- thesis to a theory, but it takes a whole cycle of facts all pointing to a common centre, to advance a theory to a scientific truth. That all endemic and many epidemic diseases originate in some atmospheric derangement is an unquestionable fact; but chemical science has been baffled in all its attempts to determine the difference between a mias- matic and a pure atmosphere. Since chemistry failed to answer the question, what is a vitiated atmosphere, men have sought the answer in another direction ; and so have pro- jected the hypothesis, that since chemistry cannot And any admixture of deleterious gas in the atmosphere, therefore, ti rst , there is none ; and secondly, the Contamination must consist of an almost infinite number of invisibly small Bporangta of fungi that grow in, and about marshes, stagnant pools, or wherever vegetable or animal matter is decaying. The now admitted (act, that many diseases, especially inflammatory fevers, are accom- panied by fungi in the system of the patient, seemed to them to prove this hypothesis. 54 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Hence they have projected the theory that fungi are the cause of these diseases, without ever inquiring: whether they may not be the effect of them. I have already stated that the seeds (sporangia) of fungi are everywhere present, to seize upon dead matter, when- ever and wherever it is cast off. It is therefore not necessary that they must be produced in swamps and marshes, and issue from them armed with disease and death. Is it not more probable that disease has been induced, the general health impaired, and the vital, action enfeebled by the exhalations of fermenting, rotting vegetable and animal matter ? And to induce disease, may not dead or effete matter have accumulated in the system ? If so, then we can account for the presence of fungi in the system without a resort to the hypothesis that they proceeded from these swamps and produced the disease. If the fact that the chemist's alembic did not detect a deleterious gas in the atmosphere, is to be taken as conclusive that there is none, shall we not also take the decision of the mi- croscope which declares that at the appearance of disease the fungi have not matured any spores, being yet in incipient immature stages ? But, then, what produces disease in these localities? I think the old theory of atmos- pheric vitiation the most plausible. I have said fungoid growth is effected by oxygen- ation. Now these fungi that ferment in stagnant, putrid waters, live by consuming the oxygen. If it is vegetable tissue, or any other organic compound they are decomposing? they also decompose the water to obtain the oxygen, and of course the hydrogen and the carbon escape as gas, or as it is called, carbureted hydrogen, which we know is dele- terious to health. There may be other combinations, such as sulphureted hydrogen, etc., which are all inimical to man. If the fungus is decomposing matter in the atmosphere, carbonic acid and other eqmally obnoxious gases are evolved. But the question is, are plants injuriously affected by these exhalations ? We cannot say that they are, but we know that in vitiated air, as in close rooms or in dense shades, a fungus soon develops on the foliage. Analogy then leads us to study not only the physiology of plants, but their pathology also. However, at present, this would lead us too far from our purpose. I will therefore close by giving you a theory of my own respecting the origin of many of the diseases that afflict our plants. Starch, and albuminous compounds of metamorphosed starch is the principal element of seeds. Wood producing or plants with perennial woody stems generally grow longi- tudinally the first year only until the stores of starch in the cotyledon are exhausted ; that is they grow until they are organized with stem and leaves, and then grow laterally (thicken) by layers of woody fiber.* But this is not all, in the fall and winter this woody fiber is well stored with starch. At the end of the season of longitudinal growth analysis of the wood shows that the starch is exhausted. The starch has been consumed in pushing forward skeleton stems and making the parenchyma of the leaves. In other words it has been consumed in organizing the plant to enable it to perform its annual work. We Avill now suppose that the pruning knife, disease, or accident when so organ- ized deprive it of so much foliage that it cannot work up the nutriment thrown into the leaves by the roots. Its store of last year's material is exhausted, it therefore makes a draft upon the stores preparing for the next. But the new material is in an immature condition. The plant, however, is in a desperate strait and must have it. It therefore makes use of it, such as it is. The second growth of all plants and trees is made in this *The peach is almost the only exception to this statement. It, howoever, also comes to a halt when the seed leaves of the cotyledon are exhausted, bid soon starts again, and continues grow- ing, both longitudinally and latteraly until the close ot the season. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 55 way and is never healthy. Part of it is killed by the winter frosts, and what is not, sur- vives in sneb an unhealthy condition as to affect the constitutional vigor of the plant the succeeding year. In the grape and pear it Is either rot on the fruit, and blight on the leaves, or both. In the apple and cherries it brings forward blooms in fall as it did in 1867, and followed by blighi of the Bpring bloom without any assignable cause, as in the spring of the pres- ent year, 1868. Late summer rains after a protracted drought are the exciting cause to this Becond growth, but it is also brought about by high cultivation and manuring. In 1856, I planted 40 pear trees, and lost only one to this date by blight, and that was the pre- ut year. Accidcntly, my gardener, misunderstanding the directions, spaded around it before I was aware what he was doing. I told him he bad killed it, and in three month- it had completely died. All my trees stand in a gooseberry patch, and I give them no cultivation whatever. The gooseberry bushes keep the ground clean, and also gather for a mulch the leaves drifted about by the autumn winds. Dr. Hull cultivates his, but counteracts the stimulating effect of cultivation by root pruning. The philosophy of his method is two fold. First, the tree, instead of spend- ing its vigor above ground by extending both wood and foliage, is busied underground in repairing damageB. Secondly, the roots being cut, cannot engorge the leaves with a surplus of water, bo as to force a second extension of foliage to work it up. The remedy for pear blight, then, is anything that prevents a second growth. I prevent it by not cultivating and keeping the ground cool and shaded by gooseberry bushes. A neighbor prevents 11 by having a heavy sward of bluegrass ; and Dr. Hull by root pruning. All these concur in one point, they prevent gross feeding and over-stimulation. The disease in the grape is more formidable, but is governed by the same principle. By midsummer the foliage is eaten up by fungi, and the brown withered leaves drop, the sickly foliage that follows can indeed prolong life till the next season, but not give vigor enough to bear the exhausting process of fruit bearing. In their feeble condition they ought to be protected from the winter frosts, for this will aggravate the disease. But to discover a remedy inu-t be the work of future observation and experiment. I thank you most heartily for your kind attention to these rambling remarks, and would say more if I thought it would edify you, which I think it will not. Hull — I am confident that fungi attack healthy vegetable tissues, because I innoculated healthy trees with the fungi, sent me by Judge Brown, and communicated the disease Long — Here are some fungoid growths on the wild plum, (show- ing the black knot.) I think fungi never attack healthy wood. My currant bushes are sometimes attacked by a fungoid growth. Tice — Dr. Hull's specimens may prove to be more than one fun- gus. Fungus must be kept isolated when observed, by sealing them up between plates of glass or mica. Turner — (in explanation of his use of the word eryptogamous, which had been criticised by Mr. Tice). I use the word eryptoga- mous in its popular sense. I doubt the distinction between phceno- 56 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS gamous and cryptogamous classes of plants. There are no vacuums or lines in nature. I don't know whether fungi attack living or dead matter. It can't be held until we are able to examine the ultimate particles of matter. Dr. Hull says the innoculation of healthy trees produces disease ; but the use of the knife in the very act of innoculation produced abundance of diseased matter. I think dilute carbolic acid would be a good thing for killing fungi, and meant to have suggested it in my paper. Tice — I have used carbolic acid on grapes with good success, put- ting in 1 pint to 80 or 100 of water. Warder — I have been exceedingly interested in the two papers of Dr. Hull and Prof. Turner. They are the result of great study on their part, and will in turn cause us who hear them to study. I am opposed, however, to one or two of the positions. Pear blight is a fungoid growth first appearing on the outer bark. Fungi increase in two ways, by spores and by the mycelium. By spores is the more common way, though the other is to be considered. The mycelium propagates itself by extension in contiguous tissue. Blight, com- mencing in the bark, is sometimes simply strangulation, and is not necessary poisonous. It gradually girdles the tree and chokes it to death. The tree seems healthy up to the very moment of strangu- lation. Prof. Turner speaks of the patches of bark where blight begins being oval in shape. They are rather oblong and irregular. Shepherd — It is a healthy conclusion that we are all coming to that we know nothing about this. I have observed blight very long and failed as well. In my section we have several varieties of Oak, Linden, Wild Cherry, Ash, Sugar Maple, Aspen and Poplar, all af- fected with what appears to be blight. I would like to distinguish between all these deaths that we call blights. There is a greater fatality in our forests than in our orchards, although I have taken out 100 pear trees in a season. The first symptoms of the breaking out of blight, is a scent of decomposing vegetable matter. I have seen trees blight in sections, a part of the trunk being dead, with live wood above and below it. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 57 I have seen buds of apple trees blight as well as apples three quart- ers grown. I tried turpentine as a remedy and succeeded in one case and fail- ed in several others. I have found blight under the bark ; and seen it dry up and again rot down with the whole tree. Grape-rot I have never seen in my vine-yard but once, in a very wet season, so wet that vines threw out rootlets where they were tied to the stakes. But I have had a blight that shrunk every Catawba on the place, occurring in the latter part of May or the first of June. It looked as if a caustic solution had been sprinkled upon the leaves and burned right through them, making brown spots. It made hardened spots on the grape. Only the Catawba was affected, and I have only known of it at another place in Bureau County. Warder — Carbolic acid must be carefully used; water is not its solvent, and a separation occurs when the mixture strikes the plant. It is soluble in alkaline solutions. Get the crude materials rather than the soap. They are much cheaper. Turner, (in reply to Mr. Shepherd) — There is a great differ- ence between the different sorts of what is called blights. Ninety- nine out of a hundred of the apple and oak blights are caused by insects. I except from this statement the blight in the sugar maple, which seems analogous to that of the pear. Column — I hope the bitter rot in apples will be examined. It is very bad in Southern Missouri and elsewhere. It attacks orchards after they have been a few years in bearing, and is worst on the oldest trees. Hull — I move that the Society recommend that members root- prune their pear trees by the method and at the times recommended in my report, and report from time to time to the Society. Carried. Pullen — Does the move mean that we shall root-prune trees at- tacked with blight ? Hull — I only recommend root-pruning where there is danger of blight. Paul R. Wright, of South Pass, read the following : 5S TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS ESSAY ON PEACH-GROWING. Having been requested by the Secretary of this Society to furnish an essay to be read at this meeting, on some subject connected with the Peach, I consented to do so, not re- alizing then as fully as now, my unfitness for the task, but chiefly desirous of showing a disposition at least, to do my part as a member of this society. It is not my purpose in this paper, to furnish an exhaustive essay (which I could not do if I would), but shall confine myself to a few general thoughts and practical sugges- tions on the subject of peach-growing. It is perhaps proper to say that my experience and observation on this subject have been limited to the last half dozen years, and prin- cipally confined to the neighborhood and vicinity of South Pass, HI. With this under- standing, the importance of any thought I may express will not be overestimated. The Peach seems to be the favorite fruit of the millions — universally regarded as among the most delicious of all fruits. Although it can be grown over a very wide ex- tent of latitude in the United States, nevertheless the largest part of the population re- side in localities where it is not grown successfully, and must therefore depend, for their supply of this delicious fruit upon those more favored regions naturally adapted to its production. Peach-growing has become one of the most important branches of Horti- culture in this country. Millions of dollars are invested in the business, and millions are paid anually by the people for the limited supply so far furnished. So large a portion of our own State is adapted to the growing of this fruit, that it seems to me appropriate that the subject in all its branches should receive its due share of consideration by this society. There may be other fruits of more universal interest, as the Apple for instance, which may be grown to some extent in every part of our State, but the subject of the Peach should not be entirely pushed aside in our discussions on account of the more gen- eral interest attached to some other fruits, and esspecially not for that irrepressible sub- ject of the grape, the growing of which for the purpose of making wine, is, " not to put too fine a point upon it," of such doubtful utility to the world. All the knowledge requisite to the highest success in peach-growing, has not been ob- tained. My own observation convinces me that more knowledge and more skill, as well as more labor, will be required for success in the future than in the past. It has been quite common to suppose that peaches could be raised in peach regions, with as little care and attention as hickory nuts in the forest — that after planting the trees, there was little to be done, until the fruit was ready to be gathered, when a few weeks of extra la- bor would suffice to send it to market and to return to the producer almost fabulous profits. Some happy experiences in some newly-found peach localities years ago, seemed to favor this impression, but that time has passed and not likely to return. This very erroneous supposition has caused many to rush into those localities which had be- come noted as fruit regions, with the expectation of becoming quickly rich, and to plant large orchards, far beyond the ability of the proprietors to have properly cared for even if they had the requisite knowledge and skill. The result has been not only an in- crease of the amount of fruit, very much of which is inferior, but an increase beyond the power of computation of the number of noxious insects which threaten to destroy the larger part of future crops, and to wipe out all the profits of peach-growing in such local- ities. The final result will be failure unless the mistakes of the past can be corrected in the future. I do not wish to discourage any one who is disposed to enter upon the business of STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 59 pcacli growing, notwithstanding the difficulties suggested, and many more which will be met with in practice, because I have an abiding faith that all these obstacles may be overcome, and that success will attend a sufficient amount of labor rightly directed. But I would if I could. Impress upon all, that 8UCC6S8 is not as easy and certain as has been supposed, and that it requires thought, study, labor and more knowledge than many of us now po.-scss, to make it sure and permanent. PROCURING TREES. Among the first and most important considerations, after having selected a suitable location for a peach orchard, is the procuring of suitable trees to plant. Trees are usually procured from the nurseries, as most people are unwilling to wait long enough to take the trouble of raising them themselves. This is sometimes the first cause of fail- ure. Without intending to intimate the least want of integrity among nurserymen, a very useful as well as respectable class of citizens, my experience, as well as information from others, has satisfied me that very few, if any, of the large nurseries can be relied upon to furnish precisely the kind and varieties of trees ordered. Yet it is essential to the success of every orchard that only the best varieties be planted, and In proper pro- portion to each other with regard to the time of ripening. The difficulty in obtaining the varieties desired is not always the fault of the nurserymen. It is partly owing to the confusion of names of varieties in the books and among fruit growers. Whether any thing can lie done to remedy this evil by adopting some more definite and reliable sys- tem of nomenclature, I am not prepared to say, but it is quite certain that beyond a very few well known varieties like the Crawford, one is as likely to obtain from the nur- sery a different variety as the one ordered, or supposed to be ordered. For example : " Trot b's Early " is regarded in my neighborhood as among the most valuable sorts, but at least two distinct varieties are grown there, in some cases, in the same orchard, both obtained from the nurseries under the name of " Troth's Early." The peaches are some- what similar, but there is about two weeks difference in the time of ripening, and the last In ripening appears more subject to rot than the other. In many cases, varieties entirely worthless are sent out from the most respectable nur- series, in place of those they are represented to be. Of course this is done by mistake and not by design. The result to tho purchaser, however, is the same in either case, and I have never heard of the nurseryman who was willing to make adequate reparation for the injury to the orchanlist. In large nurseries, where the principal part of the labor must be performed by employees, some mistakes are perhaps unavoidable. Buds have been taken from my own orchard for nurseries, before the trees had ever borne fruit' when the only Information I could give as to die varieties, was derived from the labels attached in the nursery, which labels in several instances were found to be incorrect when the trees came into bearing. Of course, trees propagated in this careless manner are unreliable. Probably there Is a -mall class of nurserymen who do not care what kind of trees they furnish, provided they get paid lor them, for we are compelled to believe that there are some dishonest men in every kind of business, unless fruit growers are an exception. If, however, tin- trees must be bought, we must apply to the most reliable nursery we can find, and take the risk. But a more excellent way and a much safer method of procur- ing trees, is to raise them from the seed, bud them from bearing trees, the fruit of which we have seen and tested, and thus avoid all mistakes in varieties, arising either from the TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS confusion of names, or the errors, or carelessness of nurserymen, and avoid also the dan- ger of importing diseased trees. Another advantage of this method is, that it enables us to secure some valuable varieties of peaches, found in the orchards of the neighborhood, peculiarly adapted to the soil and climate, the names of which are not known with cer- tainty, and which therefore cannot be ordered from the nurseries. VARIETIES. For obvious reasons the orchard should be so graded as to secure a constant succes- sion of peaches from the earliest to the latest in ripening. The best varieties for plant- ing will depend very much upon the locality where the orchard is to be planted, and the best rule to be given would seem to be, to ascertain what varieties have succeeded best in that locality, and to select accordingly. I will only name such as I can recom- mend from my own experience and observation in my neighborhood : Hale's Early, Troth's Early, Large Early York, Crawford's Early, Honest John (Yellow), Old Mixon Free, Stump the World, Ward's Late Free, Smack Free. Of them I would plant most largely of Troth's Early, and most sparimgly of Crawford's Early. PLANTING, ETC. It does not 6eem necessary in my locality to incur any extra expense in the prepara- tion of the ground, by way of trenching, subsoiling or manuring. The ground should be well plowed, and the trees set no deeper than they stood in the nursery. Perhaps very deep plowing or subsoiling would do no injury, but I have seen no necessity for it. All that seems necessary to secure as large and healthy a growth as is desirable, is thorough cultivation, or constant stirring of the surface of the ground, during the period of growth. Even old and apparently worn out soil will give a rapid and healthy growth of peach trees without manure, if the surface is kept thoroughly stirred. I prefer to plant Peach trees in the Spring as early as possible after the ground is in suitable condition ; I have seen the best results from spring planting. I would recom- mend planting at least twenty feet apart. The surface roots will in a few years occupy all the ground in that space, and it gives nome too much room for convenience in culti- vating and gathering the fruit. CULTIVATION. If there is one thing more essential than any other to secure good trees as well as good fruit, it is thorough cultivation of the ground. Whatever may be said about the propriety of keeping Apple or Pear orchards in grass, it is certain that the Peach tree requires the thorough stirring of the soil during the early part of the season in every year. It will not bear neglect in this particular and remain healthy a long time ; though it may do so in some good soil for one or two years,' and unless the tree is kept in a healthy vigorous condition it cannot produce its best fruit. I have seen crops of peaches upon the same trees in different seasons, that seemed to bear no resemblance to each other in quality, and if I had not known the trees to be the same it would have been difficult to convince me that they belonged to the same variety. The difference I could assign to no other cause that the difference in the condition of the trees. Doubt- less judicious pruning will help to keep peach trees vigorous, but thorough cultivation of the soil is essential. This cultivation should be early and not continued late in the STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 61 season, probably not after the first or middle of July, as a late fall growth i6 not desir- able. A6 far as my observation has extended, the best cultivated orchards have been most certain to produce crops. The more vigorous the trees, the better able they seem to be to withstand the extreme cold of winter and the frosts of Spring. There is no objection to growing corn or potatoes, or any other hoed crop in the orchard lor the first two or three year^ after planting; This generally secures the cultivation of the ground which is needed and does not seem to retard t ho growth of the trees; but after this period it is better to allow the trees to occupy all the ground. PRUNING. The usual and approved practice in planting an orchard (the trees being one year old from the bud,) is to cut off all side branches and to shorten the main stock according to its size — if it has made a large growth it may be left from three to four feet high. Considerable attention will be necessary during the first season, to secure the proper number of branches, removing all but three or four main brauches. The lateral branches to form the head of the tree, should be started at least three feet from the ground, and perhaps, even four feet would be better. The theory of low-headed peach trees advocated by so many Horticulturists, has mis-led some of us to our lasting injury. Among the more obvious advantages of high-headed trees, are the greater con- venience of cultivating the ground (and as a peach orchard must be cultivated as Ion" as it stands, this is an advantage of great importance), a freer circulation of air in the or- chard ; and, If mentioned last, not the least, the greater convenience of lighting the inev- itable Curculio. After the first year, very little pruning is required for two or three years, or until the trees come into bearing, except perhaps, a slight shortening of overgrown branches. The novice should be cautioned against cutting back too severely during the first year of growth. Some large orchards in my neighborhood, failed to produce a crop the fourth year after planting, in consequence of being shortened in the year before, accord- ing to the theory of most of the books on this subject, while other orchards of the same age not pruned at all, produced large and profitable crops — and I have seen no evidence that the trees which were kept in an unfruitful condition by this system of pruning, have made any better trees than others. These facts, seeming to demonstrate the error of that method of pruning at that particular stage of growth, has perhaps led many of OS into the opposite extreme, equally hurtful to the permanent health of our orchards, that of not pruning at all after the trees actually need it. Peach trees left to themselves until they come into bearing, the third or fourth, year after planting, usually have well- shaped, rounded heads, with plenty of bearing branches and healthy leaves. After this, if the tree is left to itself, the principal growth will be produced at the ends of the prin- cipal branches and the young shoots in the interior will die out. A few years arc sufli- " cient to produce very ill-shaped and unsightly trees with long, naked branches, bearing fruit only at the ends, and finally breaking under the weight of the fruit. The problem is to keep the tree in proper Bhape and to produce a constant growth of young bearing branches in the interior of the head of the tree. For this purpose I know of no other method than the system advocated by Downing, viz. : the annual " cutting off of half the last year's growth over the whole outside of the head of the tree, and also upon the inner branches." This practice is not to be commenced until after the trees have come into bearing. This point seems to have been overlooked by many who have copied the 62 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS theory of Downing, although the distinction was clearly made by him-. Baton this question of pruning I speak with great diffidence, because I have not seen, either in my own orchard or the orchards of my neighbors, that result which seems so desirable. I am compelled to say however, that I have not seen the system alluded to, thoroughly and persistently carried out. I have said nothing upon many other points of practical application to the subject of peach growing — nothing of the peach borer — the necessity and best method of fighting him. Nothing of the arch enemy of the peach — the terror of all peach growers, the Curculio. On the subject of this small, but destructive insect which engages more of the attention of cultivators, and occasions more alarm than all other questions connected with the production of this fruit, I have no information to add to the general stock. It is gratifying to know that this subject is being made a special study by some of our most competent men, and it is to be hoped that the intellectual power of man which has been able to overcome so many obstacles to human improvement, will not succumb to the power of this one little insect. But unless some new remedy be discovered, or the old ones more effectually applied, the days of profitable peach growing in the West will soon pass away, if it is not already past. REPORT OF AUDITING COMMITTEE. The Committee on Treasurer's Report presented the following : Bunker Hill, 111., Dec. 15th, 1868. To Hon. A. M. Brown, President Illinois Stale Horticultural Society : Sir:— The auditing committee have examined the Treasurer's Report as presented this morning, with accompanying vouchers, and find it correct. SAMUEL EDWARDS, ) WM . P. PI KRSON, } Auditing Committee. G. W1LGUS, ) Burden Pullen, of Centralia, read the following: ESSAY ON THE PEACH. In June last I received a letter from your Corresponding Secretary, conveying to me a request from your Executive Committee that I furnish an " Essay on the Peach or kindred subjects," to be read at this present meeting. In complying with this request I have concluded that in calling upon me to furnish a paper upon this subject, your Committee neither expected or desired other than a practical paper, something of my own practice and experience, with results and conclusions arrived at — relating wholly to orchard culture. I shall therefore confine myself to this branch of the subject, referring- merely to one or two others, which I regard as being so intimately connected with, and bearing so strongly upon it as to cause our success in this particular branch of Horticulture, to depend very much upon their favorable solution. In passing over much relating to the Peach, its origin, nativity, history in connection with its intro- duction into this country, or whether or not it is indigenous to any part of our own continent, as is claimed by some, while they might be both pleasant aud profitable, we do not feel competent to do the subject justice, and must, therefore, refer them to STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 63 abler hands, together with its classification as to species and divisions, and those other characteristics peculiar to the Peach Leaf, so interesting to the student in Horticulture, and important in determining varieties. LOCATION. Orchard sites for the Peach should be selected with a view to their elevation, and the readiness with which they will carry off the surface water. Orchards lo- cated on high table lands, but in a basin or flat, which do not carry off the surface Water, arc not much better situated than if planted in low bottom Lands. Borne of us have paid dearly for our lack of forethought in this respect. The Importance of un- derdrawing cannot be over-estimated, nor do I believe as Horticulturists, that we will ever meet with that degree of success aimed at by all, until every rod of land devoted to fruit orchards, shall be thoroughly underdralned. Especially is this the case in all the Prairie fruit region north of the hill country in the southern end of the State ; the character of the subsoil being of such a nature as to be almost impervious to water. I therefore give it as my judgment after much and careful observation, other consider- ations being favorable, that thorough draining is the condition of perfect success, and that good surface draiuage is absolutely necessary to any degree of success whatever. PREPARATION OF SOIL. I will here give my own practice, which I will neither recommend as being the best, nor the poorest that might be adopted, but which has been attended with very good results. I prepare my grounds as you would your strawberry beds to the depth of from twrelve to fifteen inches, width of beds the same as the rows are designed to be apart. This gives a deep clear up furrow between all the rows, and is done witli a view of obtaining good surface drainage at the start, and which I endeavor to maintain in all after culture. I am satisfied had I adopted this practice in the beginning of my orchard planting in this state, my older orchards would, to-day, be worth a large per cent, more than they are. I am no advocate of enriching the ground by manuring for the peach on our already rich prairie soils. Indeed, my own observation Leads tue to conclude that grounds somewhat exhausted by previous cropping are attended with the best results. In regard to tree planting, it would seem a waste of time to give any directions. When the ground has all been prepared the hole should be opened broad enough to re- ceive the roots without cramping, and to the depth desired to set the tree. Set your tree in a natural position, about one inch deeper than it set in the nursery, spreading out the roots. 'Sift in fine dirt, shake the tree well, then till up the bole, pressing the soil firmly about the tree, after which place two or three inches of loose dirt around the tree. If it docs not grow, it will not be the fault of the planting. The practice recommended by many of digging holes three <>r four feet deep in unprepared ground, without any reference to the nature of the sub-oil, I regard as very pernicious. In open porous sub- soils there can be no objection, as tin: roots find a ready outlet, but were the reverse is the case it must he attended with bad results. I have removed trees 4 years planted after this fashion, the roots of which seemed never to have got out of the cell Into which they were imprisoned, but after replanting in broad holes (say from 4 to f> feet in diame- ter), and to the depth of 3 or 4 inches below the main tap roots, became healthy, vigor- ous trees. 64 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS CULTIVATION. There can be but one opinion in reference to the importance of thorough cultiva- tion up to a period of four years. After this time much diversity of opinion exists, 6ome recommending a continuation of the practice, others partial cultivation, and still others none at all. I have given each of these methods a fair trial, and am satisfied with none, but good clean cultivation throughout the season of natural growth. Fre- quent stirring of the soil to the depth of 3 or 4 inches (and I would not advise a greater depth) keeps up the vigor of the tree, delays the formation of fruit buds, until the proper season arrives, and acts to some extent as an insurance on the crop for the suc- ceeding year. In the section from which I write (Southern Illinois), scarcely a season passes without our being visited by severe drouths in the months of August and September. Unculti- vated orchards are at once checked in their growth, premature formation of fruit buds follows, with the falling of the leaves; these drouths are followed by copious rains and pleasant weather. The result is the swelling of the fruit buds, and hence by failing to cultivate, we simply in this case offer a premium for the destruction of our fruit crop to the winter cold. My chief objection to the second practice, which I have termed partial cultivation, reference being had to the system almost universally adopted, of cultivating in the early part of the season. While this is very far in advance of no cultivation, yet I feel that it is subject to very much the same objections only not to the same extent. Careful cultivation secures to us, trees of good constitution, full of life and vigor, while the fruit buds will inherit the same vigor, and both are better prepared to withstand the attacks of their enemies, whether they come from disease, summer drouth, winter blast, or from the more peurile, yet none the less destructive enemy, insects. PRUNING. Various modes are practiced, most of which have their merits when carefully car- ried out. As to the amount of pruning to be done, I believe the richness of the soil should determine. On poor land much benefit is derived from frequent heading in, judiciously performed, attended with careful thiniug out, to avoid too much compact- ness, light and air being as important to the full development of the fruit as a healthy tree. An increased amount of wood growth being the object had in view, we attain by this practice, without any danger to our fruit crop. On rich soils I believe the practice to be injurious, rendering our fruit prospects very uncertain, and even, endangering the life of the tree itself. It induces an unnatural growth of wood, which exposes the tree to destruction by our open and changeable winters, attended as they are by freqent in- tense cold. This rapid wood growth is unfavorable to the formation of fruit buds, and even after passing through the winter unscathed, frequently destroys its own fruit, throwing it off by the force of its own too rapid growth. What I have written refers to trees after arriving at maturity. My own practice has been to head in about once in three or four years, following, if possible, seasons of fruitfulness, when the trees are in a more or less exhausted condition, and when thus done has always been attended with the happiest results. I must say a word here about high and low headed trees. As a people, we are very much given to running into extremes, and I am satisfied that in the matter of high and low tops we will find no exception to the rule. From tops so high that wc had to jump to reach the lower limbs, we now, some of us at least, have to dig to find them. If ever I am permitted to plant another Peach orchard, I will endeavor to STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. G5 lorm the tops at a height of from 3 to 3j£ feet, believing this to be the best for all pnrpoc PEACH BORERS. This pest is no longer a pest to me, after a period of three or four years, during which time I follow the old practice of removing with a knife, in April and Sep- tember of each year. I regard this as the only safe method during the period as above named. Alter this period I adopt the banking system. Have practised this four years, and am fully satisfied with its efficacy. Hank up to the height of from 8 to 10 inches, adding a little each successive spring, and you may rest assured that your trees will not sutler from the depreciations of the peach borer. Mr. President, in what I have written, I have neither theorized or drawn upon science, to prove or disapprove anything that I have recommended or condemned in my own practice, or that of others. I have eudeavored to give simply a plain statement of my own views and observa- tions derived from years of experience, an experience too, that has partaken some of success, and much of failure. I stated in the beginning of this paper that I should refer to one or two other subjects. I had reference to Insects and Transportation. I do not refer to these with the view of giving instruction or of suggesting remedies, but only in so far as they affect all our efforts in elevating our standard of cultivation, and bringing it nearer and nearer to perfection. These subjects of transportation and in- sects are truly causes of alarm and difficulty. They hang over us like a nightmare, paralyzing our energies until we know not which way to look for succor. I believe it is no exaggeration to say that fully one-half of all the failures, due to neglect, and con- sequent premature decay and passing away of our peach orchards, are due to these causes. It is therefore all important that these difficult questions receive our attention with a view to their favorable solution, or else we shall be driven from the field in despair. It cannot be expected, it is not in the nature of things, that men with an atom of brains, will persist in devoting their time, talent, and very best effort, to the production of a commodity, which has for its object the feeding of hordes of ravenous insects, and the filling of the pockets of no less ravenous Transportation companies, leaving to the producer barely a subsistance, and sometimes not that. It may be argued by some that these very difficulties will only make the business more profitable to those who shall remain in it, lessening the amount raised, and increasing prices in pro- portion. But I wish to see no such result. It is our business as fruit growers to raise fruits for the millions, and not for the rich alone. The Curculio and Plum Gouger are the only insect enemies to the fruit of the Peach, of which we stand in much dread. We shall never be able to cope with them success- fully, until we have a perfect knowledge of their habits, from the time they leave the fruit in the larv;e state until they appear again the perfect insect. When once the vexed questions relating to them are settled beyond cavil, we shall then be prepared to attaek them in all their stages, and at all seasons with more success than now. But how can we fear? Our mind reverts to those eminent gentlemen, who are heart and soul engaged in this business. They call themselves Bug General*. This is proper, but they are Generals in the enemy's camp. They are discovering to us the enemies of our foes, the cannibal insects that prey upon them. They are in a sense cannibal them- selves, for what more inveterate enemy have the bugs than they? Besides they have under their instruction a vast army who, if they are not cannibals, desire to be G 66 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS whom they are preparing to lead to the attack, and woe be unto the bug when the on- slaught commences. We therefore take heart and are made glad, because we think we see in the near future an overcoming of these, our enemies. TRANSPORTATION. In order that we may better understand the conduct of the Illinois Central Rail Road, (for it is to this company that we have particular reference,) I will give the charges by express from this point (Centralia, 111), to Chicago, from the year 18(50 down to the present year, (the charges varying from other points in proportion to distances from given points.) Also charges by special Fruit train for the years 1867 and 1868. From 1860 to 1864 Inclusive, the rate by express was $1.00 per 100 pound. From 1865 to 1868 inclusive it was $2.00 per 100 pounds. This was not the regular but special rate given on fruit. It is worthy of notice here that the profits to the express company were greater at the $1.00 than at the $3.00 rate of charges, as showing where the fault lies. By Fruit train for 1S67 and 1S68 the charges were $1.25 per 100 pounds. This latter train is run by the Railroad Company, the express company having nothing to do with it. It will be seen that just as soon as we began shipping fruit in large quantities the rate was doubled, and no concession has since been made, except we consider the rate by fruit train a concession. But this does not amount to so much as appears on its face, when we consider some of the difficulties attending it, and the additional expense to the shipper of delivering the fruit into the hands of the commission merchant after arrival. To say nothing of the wisdom of the policy pursued by the company, it would seem to be their settled pur- pose in view of all the facts before us, to take advantage of our necessities after having' got us well embarked in the business of raising fruit. It would seem that the mere presentation of the question would bring the remedy, and let me say that this is our hope. Men preyed upon by various insects will overcome them, and transportation companies will come to comprehend the relation of things, and nurture and foster a business which is of so much value to them, and they will serve their own interest by attending to it at once. But we must conclude. Shall we say nothing of the beauty, deliciousness and healthfulness of this peer of all fruits? What more beautiful sight than to see the heavily ladened tree, courtesing gracefully to the delighted beholder, ready to be plucked and feasted on by hungry and grateful palates. You ask Pomona, herself, and she but repeats the question. May we not hope that the day dawn of relief from our insects enemies is near at hand, that our great Rrailroad companies who have in charge the transportation of this fruit to the hungry millions, will come to regard it as sacrilege to in any wdy discourage its production by exacting exorbitant rates, by the use of unsuitable cars, and rough usage, thereby depreciating its value, its sanitary usefulness, and its beauty. We think they will. Jonathan Huggins, of Woodburn, read the following : PEACH ESSAY. The peach, a native of Persia and China, and brought to this country somewhere about 1680, is doubtless grown in the United States at the present time more extensively than in any other country ; and the great peach-growing district of this country is now STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 67 the Western States, and our own Illinois stands in the front ranks as a grower of this undisputed queen of the fruit kingdom. Witl* a favorable climate over a large portion of the State, a soil unsurpassed, the flavor of our peaches is second to none, but Is unusually rich and delicious. The peach is easily propagated. The stone, or seed, if nut allowed to become too dry, will grow as readily as a sound kernel of corn ; but if exposed to the sun and wind for weeks before planting, they will lay two years before sprouting. On gathering the seed, let it be. spread on the ground, where (he water will not stand, and covered with a few Inches of earth. In the spring, about the time the ground is in good working order, tin- stones will be found mostly cracked and the germ just starting. For nursery culture they should be planted in good soil, well prepared, in rows four feet apart, and say four to six inches in the row; for garden culture the rows may be much nearer ; cover one to two inches; cultivate well, and early in the following Sep- tember the trees will ordinarily be found in good condition for budding. Early, the following spring, the stock should be headed back to within about three inches of the bud. At the close of the season, in good soil, with good cultivation, these buds will be found to have made a good and sufficient size for transplanting. Before transplanting, the soil of the whole plat of ground intended for your trees should be ile. ply stiii-iil with plow or spade, say to the depth of twelve to fourteen inches. I have found eighteen feet apart sufficient for the trees. In marking off my ground, I prefer a chain, and use lath as the cheapest and best stake to mark the place where I wish the tree to stand. I plant a little deeper than the tree stood in the nursery. I would shorten in the tree on planting out, and in after pruning, use the knife with a view to a round headed tree, with no forks, but the center of the tree open to the air and sun, and trimmed up high enough to admit of plowing near the tree. Cultivation of the soil [s essential to success in peach growing. Annual pruning and shortening in of the limbs is all important to the health, long life of the tree, and the finest fruit. In order to succeed, peach trees must be planted on naturally dry, or artificially drained soil. It w el feet does not cause the " yellows " in the peach, it is just as certain to cause death, and my own opinion is that much of that peculiar sickly appearance no- ticed among the peach trees, in certain localities, the past year may be found to have its origin in Imperfect drainage. I prefer high rolling ground for a peach orchard and would never plant on the borders of those, little ravines which are so common In the West. In planting for market we often err in planting too many varieties. In this latitude, Hah'.- Early, Troth's Early, Cole's Early, Early York, Old Mixon Free ; Crawford's Early, Stump the World, Crawford's Late, Morris White, Heath's Cling and Smock are found desirable. Hale's Early rots to some extent, but not more than some other popu- lar varieties. On account of its early ripening qnalities Ave are not disposed to dispense with it. Thinning out the fruit when there is a full set, is of great importance. Let all imper- fect, and the smallest fruit be taken from the tree, when not larger than a robin's egg, leaving the peaches from five to ten inches apart, and here the knife as well as the fingers may be used to g I advantage. But time will not permit me to continue the subject. Let me reiterate as the essentials to successful peach culture ; deep and thorough pulverization of the soil, the selection of 68 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS healthy trees for planting, of the best varieties, to be well planted out, on well drained land. Thorough after culture is absolutely essential to the growth and success of the tree. Their fruit will show clearly whether or not these facts have been regarded. Rev. J. V. Hopper, of Bunker Hill read an essay on THE CHERRY AND ITS PROPAGATION. This paper will be confined mainly to the sour cherries of the Morello and Kentish families ; and especially to the Early Richmond variety of the Kentish, because the writer has had more experience with it than with others. I will state however, that so far, my experience and observation has led me to the conclusion that the Heart and Bigarreau cherries are too tender in tree to be a profitable tree to plant for market purposes, and the same is true but to a less extent, of the Duke cherries. The bark of the trees burst on the south or south-west side, and in a few years the tree dies. If this could be remedied, then the sweet cherries could be raised with much profit. I have experienced yery little in this direction, but the following may be of interest : About fourteen years ago I planted a few Bigarreau cherry trees that were grafted before on the Morello ; in a few years all of these were dead but two ; I had heard that to scarify the bark would prevent its bursting ; I tried it and the trees are now alive, and so far as I can judge are in perfect health. The scarifying was repeated for seve- ral years. They may have lived equally well without the scarifying. At about that time I became interested in the Early Richmond cherry, and gave no more attention to the tender varieties. I have had the Early Richmond in bearing about ten years ; my oldest trees are grafted in the limbs of the Morello. My younger trees are root-grafted on the Mazzard stock and planted with the union of the stock and scion below the surface. They commenced bearing at about five years old, and have borne a good crop every year since until the present one; last April the buds were killed by the sleet of that time. The buds of the Early Richmond on my place have not been killed in the winter; while the buds on more tender varieties have frequently so killed. It It is a singular circumstance that last spring the buds of cherries were killed, while the buds of peaches escaped, and the peach blows were much more advanced than those of the cherry. I expected the opposite result. The same sleet killed the Apple and Quince blows. One Quince bush standing near the south-east corner of my house and having large trees on the north-west of it, was very full of fruit ; while those not thus protected had no fruit. With me peaches and pears suffered less from that sleet than other fruit. HOW DO YOU PROPAGATE THE CHERRY ? By root -grafting on the Mazzard stock. The process is the same as that of root- grafting the apple, but is not so certain to succeed, principally, I think because thii stock will not endure so much exposure as the apple stock, and because the cherry does not callous so readily as the apple does. Great care should be taken in handling them, from the time they are taken up in the fall until they are set out in the spring ; eo that there be but little exposure to the air, and especially to the dry air of a room heated with a stove. In transplanting let there be as little exposure as possible, and have the work well done. It appears that the callous of the cherry is sooner injured STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. G9 by exposure to the air than that of the apple. Also great care is required in keeping them, from the time that they arc grafted until set out, as they are more liable to bo Injured by having the packing material either too damp or too dry. The scions should be cut in the fall and carefully kept until wanted. For although if left on the tree they will grow and appear to have suffered no injury from the winter, because they are nonribhed by the full flow of sap of an established tree, yet the winter cold will so far destroy their vitality that they will not grow when root-grafted. WHY DO YOU PREFER THE MAZZARD STOCK ? I prefer it to the Morillo on account of its comparative freedom from suckers from the roots. I know of no advantage in this latitude, and in our soil (a winter wheat soil) in the use of the Morello stock. If the Mazzard stock is placed under the surface, it docs not winter-kill with me. For this reason I prefer a root-grafted tree to one that is bedded on the Mazzard or even on the Mahaleb, as I have had them to winter- kill. My trees bear as young as I think a tree ought to bear, and if not injured by 6pring frost they bear as abundantly as could be expected of any tree. I have not Uoed the Mahaleb stock to any extent ; from what I have seen of it, 1 judge it to be a more rapid grower than the Early Richmond, and even if it were not so, I think it is not desirable to dwarf the Early Richmond tree, as it does not make a large tree, and dwarfing is not needed to make it fruitful. Lucius C. Francis, of Springfield, read an essay on THE PLUM. In this essay I shall endeavor to be brief but practical, giving largely the result of my own experience, which may, perhaps, be sufficient apology for the frequent use of the pronoun I. Downing, in his Fruit and Fruit Trees of America, describes three species of wild plum indigenous to this country. 1st. The Chickasaw. This species grows very plentifully in our river bottoms — it is generally known as the Sloe. The tree, as well as fruit, is quite distinct from the common wild plum. The leaves of the former have a delicacy of tex- ture, which, with their shape, somewhat resembling that of the peach, make it very easy to distinguish it from the common wild. The fruit is also less affected by the sting of the Curculio. 2d. Wild Red or Yellow Plum. This is the Wild Plum so common Id our woods. 3d. "The Beach or Sand Plum. A low shrub with stout straggling branches, found mostly on the sandy sea coast from Massachusetts to Virginia, aud seldom ripen- ing well elsewhere." PROPAGATION. The 6eeds of the Chickasaw or Sloe, and Common Wild, both make good stocks, though my own preference is for the Sloe. I have not been able to detect any difference cither in visior or hardiness in trees grown on either of them. The seeds should be planted as soon as gathered, or put awaj in boxes with alternate layers of sand or earth, and planted in the spring. They should be kept somewhat moist, so as to germinate readily. My own practice is to sow very thick in drills a foot apart, and transplant into nursery rows when trees have attained a height of two or three inches, choosing a moist 70 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS day for the operation ; by this plan the trees are not crowded as in the seed bed, and with good cultivation are suitable for budding in the fall. I have sometimes foiled to have the pits germinate the first spring, and find that others have the same experience. Bud- ding should be done if the trees are large enough the first season. The last week of July and first two weeks of August is perhaps the best time to bud, though I have had excel- lent success the last week in August, and have also had very poor, a week earlier. The yearling trees, if large enough, may be whip or tongue grafted early in the spring, or cleft grafted the second spring. It is advisable to work as close to the ground as pos- sible, so that roots may be thrown out above the graft. To insure the best success it is advisable to graft before the buds have started, or just when the buds commence swelling. PLANTING. The trees are fit to set the first or second year from the bud or graft. The ground for as plum orchard should be rolling, or plowed so as to run the water off readily ; a moder- ately rich soil is perhaps the best for the plum, though there are some varieties (the Diapree Rouge for one) that will literally bear themselves to death on a rich soil. The Imperial Gage is a sparse bearer with us on a rich soil, though yielding bountifully on our oak barrens. Fifteen feet apart is perhaps a proper distance to plant in an orchard. It is true that the Diapree Rouge would be better accommodated at 18 or 20 feet, but the Duane's Purple really needs but ten or twelve, while the Imperial Gage will just about occupy the fifteen feet ; but in order to work the Curculio-catcher successfully, fifteen feet is none too much. VARIETIES. There are a great many varieties described in our fruit books, I shall only speak of those I have had experience with. First of all is the Diapree Rouge, we have fruited it for nearly ten years, and find it possesses more good qualities than any variety we are acquainted with, though it is not as rich a plum as some, it is a prodigious bearer of very large, handsome fruit, of good quality ; it requires thinning in order to produce the largest fruit, is hardy and grows thrifty on our rich, prairie soil. We are indebted to Dr. Kennicott for this variety, being unable to supply a variety ordered, he substituted the Diapree Rouge, with a high commendation of its qualities, and we have never regret- ted it. Duane's Purple is a more showy plum than the Diapree Rouge, and will bring a higher price in market. It bears well, but the fruit is apt to rot on the tree. It is a profitable variety, but it is such an upright grower that it takes about three trees to bear the quantity of fruit that one of the Diapree Rouge will, however it has this advantage, it needs no propping to prevent branches breaking with weight of fruit. Imperial Gage is a sweeter, richer plum than either of the others. As a tree, we think it not quite so hardy, and needs a poorer soil than we have fruited it on, to be an abun- dant bearer. Red Gage is earlier than either of the preceding, and proves a good bearer with us, though rather small, its fine flavor makes it very saleable in market. Smith's Orleans fb.as not done very well with us, perhaps on a poorer soil it may prove better. German Prune with us has proved tender, though we think the fruit is number one or flavor. We have fruited other varieties, such as the Nectarine Yellow Egg, Prince's Damson, » STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 71 and Hanford's Orleans, but arc not propagating from any but the Nectarine, which w< think highly of. PRUNING AND CULTIVATION. We prune but little, and that while the tree is young, starting the head about three feet from the ground. Cultivate aboul the same as with the apple. It is an excellent plan on our rich, prairie soil after the first year, to practice sowing oats among the trees in July. This checks their rank growth, causing them to mature their wood early, and thus be in a better condition for wintering. DISEASES. There are but two or three diseases to which the plum is liable. The black wart lias Dot proved very troublesome in the West, though it is frequently met with — we occa- sionally find it on our own trees, but by cutting oil" the affected limb and burning, the disease does not increase. The fruit rot is occasionally troublesome, it Ls sometimes if not generally confined to varieties. The Diapree Rouge is seldom troubled, while the Duane's Purple in some seasons is very seriously affected with it. Thinning the fruit so no two shall touch each other, is a partial remedy. The plum is frequently injured more or less by the winter, sometimes the tier is killed outright, but more generally it is thrown into a diseased or sickly condition. The abundant vegetable matter in our rich prairie soil causes an excessive growth in the latter part of the season, unfitting the tree for the sudden changes of temperature our winters subject them to. The sowing of oats as before mentioned, will remedy this to some extent; screens of evergreen or de- ciduous trees are also beneficial. INSECTS. Like the apple and peach, the plum is troubled with a borer, and what is a little singu- lar, this tint i> not mentioned in any of our fruit books, it is quite troublesome with us ; I have suspected that it might be identical with the peach borer, but will leave this for the Entomologist to decide. It is also troubled with a trunk borer, the same I suppose that attacks the apple, tin- elm, soft maple and other trees. Recently transplanted and un- thrifty trees are generally the only ones troubled. The ('.inker Worm seems to be nearly as much at home on the plum as on the apple, and has been very troublesome with us. The Caterpiller is frequently found on the plum. The Leaf Holler also is perfectly at home there. Last but not least are the Cur- culio and Plum Gouger. These have been SO thoroughly described by Dr. Walsh in his first Annual Report of the Acting State Entomolgist that it would be superfluous 1" des- cribe them in this esBay, merely mentioning that while the larva of the former live-, upon the fruit, that of the hitter lives upon the kernel Inside of the shell. Hemediu, Offensive and Defensive — their Result. — First, in the offensive department, I will give the New York Observer's gnat Curculio remedy : » * "To one pound of whale oil soup add four ounces of sulphur. Mix thoroughly and dis- solve in twelve gallons of water. Take one half peck of quick lime, and when well slacked, add four gallons of water, and stir well together. When well settled and clear, pour off the transparent part and add it to tie' soap and water mixture. "To this mixture add four gallons of strong tobacco water. Apply this compound, when thus incorporated with a garden -yringe to your plum, or other Bruit trees, so as to 72 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS drench all parts of the foliage. If no rains succeed for three •weeks, one application will be sufficient. If washed by rains it should be renewed." The receipt was effectual in raising — not plums, but the price of whale oil soap from one dollar and seventy-five cents per hundred pounds, one year, to six dollars the next. We tried it faithfully on a portion of our orchard, and finding the Curculio had misun- derstood the object of the syringing, or was obstinate and wouldn't take the hint, we fitted up a Curculio catcher similar to Dr. Hull's, and invariably caught as many Curcu- lios from the trees that were syringed as from those that were not. Gas Tar has been recommended, but it is utterly worthless for this purpose. Indeed, a gentleman in- formed me that he had tried the strongest smelling substance to be obtained at the Gas works, so strong that his neighbors complained of it as a nuisance, but without any effect. Coal oil is also recommended, but as it will not drive off lice from cattle, it is doubtful whether it will drive the Curculio from the plum trees. Among the defensive remedies, cotton batting tied around the trunk of the tree has been recommended, in en- tire ignorance of the fact that the Curculio has wings and flies readily. Common salt has also been recommended : after smoothing the ground, and packing hard, the salt is to be spread on a quarter of an inch thick as far as the branches extend. I have seen no report from any one who has tried it, but would suppose from the fact that the Curculio will fly half a mile or more, the remedy would have to be extensively applied to be anything more than partially successful. Hogs running in an orchard while the plums are falling, is, from the fact above men- tioned, also but a partial remedy. Last, but after all that has been said, the only reliable plan of fighting the "Little Turk" is the jarring plan — knock the rascals down on a sheet spread under the tree, and pinch their heads off. Dr. Hull's Curculio catcher is an admirable contrivance for doing this speedily and effectually ; it has been suggested that if the umbrella plan was carried out more closely it might be an advantage. A jointed handle, or a handle that could be inserted so as to fold up the sheet from the barrow, would make it more convenient for passing through gates, and also storing away when not needed. In conclusion, I would say, whoever would be a successful plum-grower must exercise the persevering, unconditional surrender spirit of our President elect, " and fight it out on this line, (the jarring and sheet process) if it takes all summer." EPISODE ON THE CHICKASAW. Colman — I have been very much interested in the Essay of Mr. Francis. But I think he is wrong about the Chickasaw Plum being in our river bottoms. I have never seen it wild in the western country, except thickets of it at Herculaneum brought in originally by the old French settlers. Walsh — It is put down by Lapham in his lists, as indigenous to Tazewell county. Warder — It is only found native, south of Memphis. The plum found in northern Illinois is different. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 73 Dr. B. F. Edwards (of St. Louis.) — I have known this plum GO years, and I never saw it either in Illinois or Missouri. It has a long slender leaf. There is one here with a similar leaf. The true Chickasaw is of a mixed red and yellow color, a little oblong, and grows in clusters. The tree is about 10 feet high. Column — It is a round or roundish plum. There are thousands of trees in the Florissant valley. It is a very sweet and delicious fruit. Tice — I have seen it in Alabama, and the Chickasaw nation, and ought to know it. I got seed from Texas and the Chickasaw nation and grew seedling trees. The Texas variety ripens from July 1st, to 4th ; the Chickasaw about the 10th. It is an immense bearer. It shakes from the tree readily before it is fairly ripe, and ripens after it is down. It sells at $8.00 per bushel. The variety called Chickasaw here ripens about the 10th of September. The tree is larger and the leaf longer. This plum would make a good hedge plant. It will bear crowding to any extent and is perfectly hardy ■with me. The Wild Goose Plum is a Chickasaw. There is little variation in the seedlings. Colman — It sports but little; we use it as a stock. The fruit is nearly curculio-proof. It is cut off by frost occasionally. We should plant large orchards of the plum to get fruit. Tice — I have the Chickasaw and the Miner. They are'varieties of the same species. Walsh — I saw the Miner plum in large quantities at Galena. It is a cultivated variety of the Chickasaw, and twice as large as the common wild plum. It is only passable in quality but cooks well, and, after scalding, keeps well in jars. Wier — The Miner is said to be grown from a seed of the Chick- asaw. Daggy — I bought the Chickasaw, supposing it to be curculio- proof. It don't ripen and is of no value. The description agrees except as to size. Riley (of St. Louis.) — The Miner plum is nearly curculio-proof. 74 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Dr. Edwards — I never saw any trouble with the curculio. Wilgus (of Richview.) — Won't it be attacked by curculio here ? Walsh — I think it is likely, but at Galena I only found one plum in a basketful that had been attacked. Hull — I would call attention in planting plum trees (to protect peach orchards by gathering the curculios to the most natural fruit), to the Columbia variety, whose juice appears to drown the larvse from eggs laid in it. Vasey (of Richview) — There are two species of wild plum in the State, the common wild plum (primus Americana), and the Chickasaw (prunus Chicasa). I have seen it in groves in the south part of the State, but am not able to say whether it is intro- duced or native. (In answer to a question). I do not know that there are two species with the peach shaped leaf. Pettingill — I think I have had the true Chickasaw; I got it 25 years ago under the name of Sugar plum. It sprouts so badly that I should not advise any one to buy plum trees of friend Colman, if they are propagated on the Chickasaw stock. Colman — The' stock is a good one, because it dwarfs the plum. The sprouts come from the seeds of fallen fruit, rather than from the roots. Note by the Secretary. — I append a few notes from various authorities, tending to show with .the above discussion : 1. That the Chickasaw may have many and strongly marked varieties, of which the most striking, common peculiarity is the peach-shaped leaf. 2. That it grows in a cultivated or adventitious state, nearly or quite to the north line of the State. Grey's Manual. — Primus Chicasa Michx. (Chicasa w Plum,) stem scarcely thorny (8 — 15 high) ; leaves nearly lanceolate, finely serrulate, glabrous ; fruit globular red, nearly des- titute of bloom (}4 — % in diameter) ; the ovoid stone almost as thick as wide, rounded at both sutures, one of them minutely grooved. Maryland to Illinois (probably not in- digenous) and south westward. Browne'' s Trees of America. — A tree of this kind is standing in the garden of Rev. E. M. Johnson of Brooklyn in New York, which has attained a height of about twenty feet, with a trunk of ten inches in diameter. It is perfectly hardy and matures fruit every year. Darlington's Weeds and Useful Plants. — Flowers, April — Fruits, July. — This little tree (which we believed to be a native of a Southwestern territory, where it is a small shrub in its wild state,) by long culture, produces a very pleasant fruit. When we consider the the great difficulty attending the culture of the common plum on account of the attacks STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 75 of the curculio, it would seem that this, and the other native species Bhould receive more attention from our horticulturists than has yet been bestowed upon them. It approach- es the cherry in character and appearance, and may be considered a connecting link between the plum and the cherry. Trant.Ule.8taU Ay. Sor., Vol. III., F. Brendel. — Is reported from Grundy County, whether indigenous or naturalized, that is the question. G. \V. Minier of Minier, Tazewell County, says the Chickasaw plum is found on the Dlinois bottoms opposite Peoria, and thai some suppose it was introduced there, by the early French settlers. Wild (loose Plum. — Is a variety of the American Plum. — Jfeehan. Entirely distinct from the Chickasaw, and the common wild variety of the woods. — A. 3f. Lawver. WINE GROWING. J. M. Pearson of Alton, read the following paper by Theodore Engelman, of Mascoutah, St. Clair county : REFLECTIONS ON WINE GROWING IN THE UNITED STATES, AS A BRANCH OF INDUSTRY. Grape-vines have been planted in this country very extensively in late years and the area covered with vineyards is rapidly increasing. In the vicinity of large cities and within easy access to them, the fruit of the grape-vine will always find a paying market ; but in more out-of-t he-way places, and in fact, in most of the vineyards, the grape is grown with the intention of converting it into wine ; an article of commerce, heretofore exclu>ively imported from foreign countries, principally from Germany and France; and the interesting and important question has already arisen : Will and can the native wines stand the comparison and competition of the imported article ? The following data are intended to furnish some material, to help in the solution of this que&tion. The imported wines vary largely in quality and price; at present our native wines compare and compete only with the more common or inferior imported article in both quality and price, and the latter is generally preferred, most of the consumers of wine being accustomed to the foreign flavor. It cannot be disguised] that foreign, wines demand higher prices and find readier sale here than the native product. It is how- ever fair to presume, that the native wine will improve in quality from year to year, and that the palate of the wine consuming public will become reconciled to the native aroma, and will relish it, and the only question will be left, whether we can raise wine in this country as cheap as it can be imported P In Germany and France, land is on an average higher in price than in the United States, but labor much lower; so an acre of vineyard at the age of four years, when it enters the period of bearing, will cost or he worth in these countries as much as in the United Btab from $400 to $500. A day laborer can be hired in these foreign countries at 20 nuts, and will do as much work as a "hired hand" in this country, to whom $1.50 per day is paid. So, if in Germany and France a gallon of wine can be raised with profit at 20 cents, thcW 76 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS grower in the United States must have $1.50 per gallon to stand on equal terms -with his foreign colleague. It may be proper to remark here and to bear in mind, that we owe it to the cheapness and richness of our soil, and to the extensive use of agricul- tural machinery, that we can fairly and successfully compete with foreign countries in the production of breadstuffs ; but that in the production of wine and its treatment everything must be done by hand. We must further bear in mind, that in Germany and France most of the labor in the vineyards is done by women, whose wages are still lower than those of the men, and that the green leaves and twigs and the tops of the new canes, which are removed by the process of summer pruning, and which are generally given to the laborers, consti- tute a desirable food for cows, and form an important item to the vine-dresser. This accounts for the fact that all the labor and attention necessary in a vineyard during the year can be hired at about $8.00 per acre ; labor for which we in this blessed coun- try pay not less than $100.00. So, if our foreign competitors can raise a gallon of wine at 20 cents, we ought to obtain $3.50 per gallon, to be on equal terms with them. These estimates are based upon the supposition, that the average yield per acre is the same in this country and in the foreign countries named ; if there is any difference, it is, if we except our prolific Concord grape, in favor of the foreign country. The cost of transportation by sailing vessels from Europe to the United States is very small, and is nearly counter-balanced by the expenses of storing and attending the wine in the cellar during the process of ripening and until a sale is effected, which expenses are much higher here than in Europe. So far the comparison is decidedly in favor of the European wine-grower ; to counter- act his advantages we have the duty levied upon imported wines under our tariff laws. The duty on imported wines is twenty-five cents Ad valorem, and a specific duty of twenty cents. If the average price of a gallon of wine, on which the import duty is to be paid, is thirty cents, the duty will amount to twenty-seven and one-half cents and will increase the price of the wine to fifty-seven and one-half cents per gallon ; suppose all other expenses of the importation to be fifteen cents per gallon, the price will be raised to seventy-two and one-half cents, which will leave a margin in favor of the importer of foreign wines, of seventy-seven and one-half cents for every gallon of "wine, which he imports to this country, in opposition or competition to the native juice, if we value it at $1.50 per gallon. To overcome these disadvantages which darken the prospects of wine-growing in this country, as a branch of home industry, and threaten to smother it in its infancy, it has been proposed to apply to Congress for a modification of the tariff laws and an increase of the duties on imported wines. The subject has already secured the attention of the horticultural and vine-growers' associations in the western states, especially in Ohio, and will be laid before Congress. All the different branches of industry, which now are sources of national and individual pride and wealth in this country, have received in their infancy, and are receiving yet, after they have attained maturity, the protection of the government ; why should not the growing of grapes and the manufacture of wine receive its proportionate share of such protection, as well as the manufacture of iron or steel? It is true, the wine grower pays no revenue tax ; he can sell his wine at the place, where it has been made, without license for that purpose ; but as soon as he removes his wine from his cellar to a place where he expects to find a market for it, the laws of the STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 77 United States, as well as of the individual states require him to procure and pay for a license, before he offers it for sale. If lie intends to sell in quantities of more than three gallons, he is considered a wholesale-dealer in liquors, and his United States license is not less than §100, in addition to what he has to pay for the local, state or city, license. If these laws wtii' changed; if the wine grower was permitted to sell his wines, or cause them to be sold at any place or places, where he can find a market for the same, without tit— t obtaining licenses, as aforesaid, the benefit thereof would accrue as much to the public as to the wine grower; the former would secure a good glass of wholesome wine, at a reasonable price, and the latter would receive an equivalent tor his enterprise ; for the capital of care, money and labor invested in his vineyard, and the consumption of wine would largely increase and supersede more and more the use of deleterious and more intoxicating drinks. At present the wine grower has no other chance, but to sell his wine at a low figure to the wholesale liquor-merchant, to the grocer, or to the wine and beer saloon keeper, and has do! Beldom the rather painful satisfaction, of seeing a bottle of his wine sold for (or even of paying for it himself) as much as he has received for a gallon of it. The foregoine; statements are made and the suggestions thrown out with the intention of furnishing to the Illinois State Horticultural Society a subject for discussion, and if considered proper, for action. Colraan. — In Missouri, we have already passed such a law as Mr. Engelmann recommends. Turner. — I dissent from the view of the essayist as to the rela- tive cost of wines. The reasoning seems tome, loose, and the items necessary to a just calculation, are left out. Spaulding. — I also dissent from his conclusions. I think we can ultimately produce varieties of wine equal to or better than those of Europe, and that we can stand competition. European clarets cost about $1.00 per gallon laid down in St. Louis. The American wine producer can more easily put his wines into market at 75 cents per gallon. And we invest our capital, understanding fully that we must undersell the European wines. (In answer to a question.) — If grapes are worth less than 10 cents a pound, and wine is worth $1.00 per gallon, it is more profita- ble to make grapes into wine. At Cleveland, we saw Delaware grapes sold at 12 cents, Catawba 6 to 8, Concord 7, and Isabella 4 cents per pound, and yet they were claimed to be profitable. Dr. B. F. Edwards. — I have endeavored for several years to as- certain the cost price of grapes. I noticed three instances this year of remarkable results. One man had two acres planted mostly with 78 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Concord, but with some Hartford Prolific and Delaware. lie sold $1400. worth of grapes, and made 800 gallons of wine. Another, from three acres of Concord, sold $1500. worth of grapes, and made 1500 gallons of wine. Another, a Mr. Leffigwell, from If acres, has made in 3 years 4000 gallons of wine. One man, by using horse power for cultivation, can take care of 5 acres of grapes. Spaulding. — The cost of labor in cultivating a vineyard here, is higher than in Europe, but a man will do two or three times as much by means of our labor-saving implements, and an acre will produce twice as much. The Secretary reported the following essay from Louis L. Koch of Golconda, Pope County. The author is a German not sufficiently familiar with the English language to be willing to attempt writing a paper except in German. The translation may hardly do justice to the writer who is one of the most scientific of our Southern grape growers. NAMES OF THE DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE GRAPE-VINE. The diverse naming of the separate parts constituting a grapevine, which we find in our works upon grape culture, and which have their origin in the old European provin- cialisms, is an obstacle in coming to a common understanding. A nomenclature, as near as possible suiting our local relations, but looking to a gene- ral use, might correct the evil. I take the liberty to recommend such an adoption, but refrain from urging it, prompted by the importance of the subject. My good inten- tion, I hope, will be received with the liberality which characterizes this worthy assembly. 1. The grapevine has as its separate parts : (a.) The trunk, which reaches from the ground to where it branches, and has its height according to the prevailing system of pruning, from 6 — 18 inches. (6.) The arms are a continuation of the trunk, giving form to the vine, the number and size of which are determined by controlling circumstances. (c.) The fruit branches are in number and size corresponding to the form and growth of the stock, and are branches from the side branches. They are rather short, not much over 4 inches long, and form, as their name implies, the basis for the grape and spur. In my system of pruning, there are on such fruit branches, one fruit cane and a spur, with two eyes. In the fall, the old fruit cane is cut away and the two canes grown in the course of the season from the spur, and generally, the vigorous are now pruned to fruit canes and spurs. This mode proves to be a very efficient regulative of wood growth and fruit bearing. 2. The head is the stem in another form, differing essentially from the stem in this wise : while this grows from 6 — 18 inches, the former connects the root and plant. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 79 By the head pultun' arc meant all sprouts growing from the root, and which are nu- merous, annually cut short, mostly to two eyes, by means of which a knot or lump is the consequence. The name " head," is natural ou account of its resemblance. 8. The canes have grown in the previous summer from the old wood, and are now wood themselves and the producers of the coming harvest. They are cut according to their future destiny, to a larger or smaller number of eye- and are called spurs. (a.) These are canes cut down to two or more eyes. The canes winch grow from them generally very rigorous, are intended for the continuation of the stock and fruit canes, and require therefore the closest attention. In my system of pruning, hereafter described there arc nine spurs, each allowed t\\ 0 6J es. (b.) Fruit Canes. — Cut short, probably one foot long. They are inferior to the stubs, though of the same age, are destined to bring forth the fruit ; therefore cut short, ac- cording to prevailing circumstances, to as many as ten eyes. 4. Canes. — This is the name for all in course of the summer growing branches, and are here more definitely described. (a.) Nurse Game. — Are those sprouts from the eyes of the stubs. (b.) Fruit Canes — Sprouts. — Are all those summer sprouts grown from the fruit canes and intended for fruit bearing. Tbese growths arc assisted by clipping the grapes. (c.) Wafer Sprouts — grow most anyplace from old wood of the stock. They sel- dom bear grapes ; weaken if left to grow ; the growths are a detriment to the shap- ing, but are sometimes allowed to grow for the purpose of raising substitutes for frost- killed stocks. In this case, they are nursed with the usual care bestowed to Nurse- canes, but destroyed under all other circumstances. 5. Regulators. — Laterals — I consider the first name the more correct one. Those are the sprouts which grow by each eye, the strongest in the middle part and reach sometimes a considerable length. What nature by the growth of these sprouts intended to accomplish is yet a matter of surmise, and all arguments thereof in contradiction. While the one advocates their being let alone, nay, even as being essential to the development of the vine, another demands their total destruc- tion ; and curious! both results lead to naught. II. Gauss says in his "Grape Culture," page 117, in this connection : ".Remember well, the Regulator should never be destroyed wholly, because they are in too close contact with the organism of the eye. Unmistakably, their function is to carry off a superfluous sap and to regulate the circulation." Keiht gives the same view. The grapevine of the wilderness left entirely to itself, without any human or artificial interference, shows a productiveness unexcelled, and demonstrates the conclusive fact, that these Regulators are rather promoting the growth than other- wise. Furthermore, they seem to be to them a necessity, on account of the numerous wild tendrils. We are, by the culture of the grape directed to regulate according to existing circumstances. Many reasons, which 1 shall give hereafter, to follow this appointed road of nature ; It remains therefore for us to show how much, or how little thereof, we have to adopt; in other words we have to show what will, under certain circumstances, further our interest the most. I observed in Germany, grapevines grown on houses for years. Every year after they were through blooming, each sprout was cut down ; every Regulator then already large removed, and year after year they were loaded with grapes. 80 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 6. Eyes — Buds — mean in general, as by every other plant, so also by the grape, the bud that grows on the new sprouts in the same coloring, from which grows, in the fol- lowing spring, the new sprout with leaf and bloom. On a well developed grape are four different eyes to be found, to wit : (a.) fruit eye, the most developed on the grape, mostly from the third to the tenth and produces each two to six grapes according to the age and kind of the vine. Near the old wood on the top of the vine, also on young, not yet fruit-bearing, conical in form, is another eye, which seldom brings fruit, and is called (b) wood bud. (c.) Reserve bud, mostly in poor developed condition, hardly visi- ble to the eye, and near the two first named. When hard winters, late spring frosts, hail, or other causes, the buds are destroyed, then nature shows her purpose with this eye. This reserve bud now takes the place of its destroyed predecessor, his former neigh- bor and brings, when not yet too late, a recompense of a harvest which would otherwise have been lost, (d.) Twin buds are two, sometimes three fruit eyes with one basis, which grow and develope themselves and produce, if left undisturbed and bring them to ma- turity, but yet in most cases die, except the stronger one, as soon as there is uo fear of late frosts, since they will seldom do well together, and are furthermore injurious to the strength of the vine. 7. Tendrils. — Grow opposite to every leaf and grape. They are of the thickness of twine, fork, when grown two or three inches long, in two hook-like arms or fingers ■which fasten themselves on any thing in their reach by winding themselves in tight rings around the object. After the leaves have fallen off they become woody like the vine, and are opposite every eye. Without this organ the vine of the forest could never have reached the top of the trees, and would consequently not live. By the culture of the grape, and the consequently necessary mode of fastening, these tendrils are no more re- quired, and therefore to be removed. 8. The stem of the bunch Peduncle, connects the grapes with the vine and so connects the stem of the berry with the grape bunch. By the description of the richness of the berry this stem is often mentioned and deserves therefore naming here. 9. Bloom — is the fine coating of the berries, which changes in color from whitish to the charming dark blue. This bloom gives to the berry a charm and should by marketing be preserved. 10. General. (a.) Short or long jointed is the relative distance between one eye and the other, and determines the value of the grape in certain kinds. ATTEMPT TO CLASSIFY THE FOREST GRAPE, AND PROVE THE PARENTAGE OF OUR TAME GRAPE. Of the many kinds of grapes which are and have been cultivated in Europe, in the course of thousands of years, the number of which may reach over 2000, the parent grape in the course of the long period of its cultivation, as history demonstrates, is hardly known. Only one kind is named. Persia is considered to be its home according to tra- ditions in wine-culture. Whenever the history of American wine-culture shall have reached such a distinguished position as it has in Europe, then will our succeeding auth- ors receive all our commentaries relative to the history of the parent grape and our pres- ent observations and experiments, with due regard. We may give the means to preserve, or at least give sentiment to establish a system, which, if not of particular value to the producer, will be of no inconsiderable value for the furtherance of knowledge. We may STAVE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 81 with almost certainty, adopt five native grapes as the parents of our already very large variety of tame grapes, and which count at present by the hundreds. /•'r our wine-culture, of such rich and important offspring, as the Catawba, Concord, Diana, Hartford Prolific, the worth- less Isabella, besides many other crosses, which originated by hybridizing with European grapes, as tor instance all the Roger Hybrids manifest a foreign ii ascent whose attributes t liey have more or less retained. its habitations are the mountains in the eastern and northern States as far down as Pennsylvania, and may have been with its large berries — sometimes % of an inch in diameter, although not sweet nor palatable— a very welcome fruit to the hunter in the wilderness. Growth, thrifty; vine, chestnut color, long jointed; cane in its growth, white and wooly, and on top, rosy; leaf, larg'', mostly without incisions, ending in three large points; edge, crooked and without teeth; upper part, apple green and shining ; lower part, wooly and leather color ; bunch, small, more round than long, with 10 — 12 berries sometimes less; berries, round, very large, sometimes % of an inch in diameter, of the most beautiful appearance, dark blue, covered with light blue bloom, thick skinned, with i strong, astringent flavor, and little sweetness. Not to be recommended for the table, nor for culture. The F<>x grape requires, in order to thrive, a treatment suiting its wild nature, bears well, produees three or four of its small grapes, on one fruit cane. All its descendants can with "certainty be multiplied through cuttings; they are characterized by their woolly appearance ; beautiful rose-colored foliage at its end points and the tops of the young canes, and also by its long joints. They are all very productive. Berries are mostly round, thick skinned, more fleshy than juicy, inherit more or less the Fox llavor, and are, with few exceptions, less subject to the destructive sicknesses. I. Summer fi, < Vffis cestivalia). — The vine grows to a gigantic height, stem or trunk like a tree, over a foot in diameter, but few vines bear fruit. Cane, light brown, thin, joints long. Leaf deep cut like teeth, when young, lower side but little woolly; when older, smooth on both sides, upper side shining, lower side pale green. Grape compact, middle size. Berries small, about a quarter of an inch in diameter, clustering, dark blue with light bloom, thick skinned, without juice, with large kernels, and therefore dan- gcrous, when eaten in large quantities. But a few grapes will produce a pressure in the stomach. I know of two cases, when boys, who had enjoyed the luxury to freely, had need of medical aid. Ripens in October, is of inferior taste. Wc are to this summer grape indebted, through crossing and nature for some very choice offsprings as for instance, Norton's Virginia, Oynthiana, Clinton, and different Ozarks. :;. Winter or Froti Grape, (Vitus cordifolia). — Stock in growth and cane resembling the former very much. The leaf medium si/.e, shining green, mostly sharp cut, thin, smooth on both Bides. Grape long, very loose. Berry small, about a quarter of an inch in diam- eter, nearly black with little bloom, ripens late, is hardly eatable before the frost, but then mostly dry, and of very inferior taste. Between the named No. 1, 9, and 8 are many varieties, which acknowledge in their appearance the one or the other as their parent, but yet forbid strict division. In form, color, and smoothness of the leaf on both sides, Taylor and Rutllf are related to No. 3, although their early ripening protest against it. 4. Muscadine or Southern Fox Grape, ( Vitis cidpina). —Stands entirely isolated, but is a 82 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS most Interesting kind, if not, superior to all others. Growth is like a tree and requires, in consequence, when cultivated, a different treatment from all others. The wood, with a smooth, almost shining light gray bark, is hard like box-wood. Cane, thin, thick and knotted, the fruit eyes, mostly on the regulators or waterspronts of the previous season, and allows therefore, no pruning intended for fruit bearing, but only to give shape. Leaf, small, dull form, but with sharp incisions, light green color, upper and lower sides smooth. Grape, more broad than long, resembling the northern Fox grape, and seldom with over 8 — 11 berries. Berries, large and oval, the largest di- ameter about one inch and over, in form and size resembling our wood plum ; dark al- most black, with very little bloom ; thick skin, like leather ; fleshy, little juice, and ripens unevenly ; is mixed in harvest with the Seuppernong, a relative more suited for cul- ture. It is found in the forests, from the 35th. degree, south, and the farther south, the oftener. The above mentioned Seuppernong is the only relative known to me, cultivated in the same latitude. It has stocks in an old vintage, one covering % an acre. Leaf, light green, small, oval berries, the seed of which again produces mostly dark colored fruit like the Muscadine, and requires layers therefore, for its multiplication. Wine made from this grape, receives an application of sugar and spirits, but is still of inferior qual- ity. 5. Mustang Grape, ( Vitis 3fustangpnsis).— Is a native of Texas, and grows in such quan- tities, that in the time of their ripening, the forests appear almost blue witli grapes. This is a grape without an equal. Unfortunately all the seedlings which I raised thereof, were males and consequently unproductive, which in this grape is very common. Therefore I am unable to speak of my own observations of this grape. Stock, tree-like, over one foot in diameter, and climbs more than 80 feet high. Cane, brown, fruit cane, 30 feet long, the end pointed, as are also the medium sized. Pointed and sharp cut leaves, of which the lower side is whitish, while the upper, dark green and shining, are covered with white wool, and the ends are of a pretty rose color. The main color is hardly distinguishable, and looks on the cane, as if it was strewn over with flour. To judge from my seed plants, this grape must be very productive, for from every fruit eye, grew from 3 — 4 fruit canes, every one of which had from 3 — 6 grape buds, and they all ripened. In the report from the patent office, of 1861, page. 582, is the fol- lowing communication concerning this interesting vine, from Mr. S. B. Buckley and Dr. Gideon Linsecom of Long Point, Washington Co., Texas, "harvested of one stock, 8 years old, in one harvest, 54 gallons of wine." The grape is more broad than long, compact, medium in size ; berries large, to one- inch in diameter, according to the different degeneration, from blue to black covered with blue bloom, skin thin with four seed kernels. Between the outer skin and the flesh is a thin skin, whteh contains a sharp, red juice, and which creates, when eaten, a burn- ing in the throat, and when taken in large quantities, considerable pain. This skin is removed by a little pressure with the fingers on the berries. The real flesh of this grape is rather of moderate good taste. The grape ripens mostly in the beginning of July ; it is first ground, then pressed, the juice fermented by open bung, to let the rough gas es- cape ; three pounds of sugar per gallon is added ; then the fermentation left to conclude The wine is a beautiful red, resembles in taste the better claret, and sells at home mostly at $1.00 per gallon, and is very much esteemed. In the interest of knowledge, I might dwell on a great many more forest grapes, whicli STATE II )RTICULTUIIAL SOCIETY. 83 would oiler in their various differing forma an interest, but having here only a practical course in view, such would lead us off to far. The great difference of the above des- cribed varieties showed to me therein the common form of our collections of grapes and the surest basis to come at least near a classification. May later writers with more Inves- tigations enriched, consult this simple sketch. REVISION OF THE GRAPE LIST. The grape list was gone over, with the following discussion: Clinton. — D;igg.y — I move it be added for market and family use in Central Illinois. I dont believe in recommending it or any other grape for wine. Clagget, of St. Louis — I would not plant it for market when it will not sell as well as other varieties. Redfield — It is sold a ";ood deal for cooking. Daggy — It is the hardiest grape we have ; ripened, it is good. There are however, many spurious ones. Turner — I believe Clinton will acquire favor as an eating grape. I find I and my family are getting to like it more than any other. Mason, of St. Louis — I would add my testimony in its favor. I have 4 acres planted, 2 of which are in bearing, and shall keep at it. I keep it as a late table grape, and esteem it for wine. Carried. Creveling. — Hull — I move it be recommended for family use in Southern Illinois. It has one great defect of losing its leaves ; but it hangs well and is very fine in quality. Spaulding — It is loose on the cluster. That arises from defec- tive fertilization. That is remedied I hear, by planting it alter- nately with Concord and Hartford Prolific. It is a very excellent grape. Mason — I have planted it extensively. The bunches were very fine last fall ; perhaps on account of thinning. The main objection to this variety is its being so subject to attacks of the leaf hopper. McPike, of Alton — A loose bunch can be overcome by close pruning (say to 8 eyes,) in the fall, and early and prompt pinching in. Carried. 84 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Diana. — Weir — I move to strike out the recommendation of Di- ana for the North. Lost. Norton 8 Virginia. — Galusha — I move to strike it out for the North. Carried. Rogers Hybrid No. \. — Hull — I move to recommend it "for trial," in South. Carried. Herbemont. — Pearson — I move to recommend it for family use in Southern Illinois. Carried. Ives Seedling. — Hull — I found this grape healthy, where Con- cords, on vines of the same age were rotting 60 per cent. It does not generally bear as early by one year, as the Concord. Rulander. — Flagg — I move it be added for family use in the South. McPike — I think it is the best grape in my vineyard. It is per- fect, except in size. It is preferred over all others by all. It car- ries a good cane, leaf and fruit. The vine is a little tender. Is a strong grower. Colman — I have known it 10 or 12 years and saw it this fall at St. Genevieve. It is supposed by some to be a foreign variety, and I think it is related. It is liable to attacks of leaf hopper, and I was told at St. Genevieve that it is only a moderate bearer and somewhat tender. Dr. Edwards — I think the name should be St. Genevieve, and it is no more a foreign sort than the Herbemont. Weisenecher at St Louis, has quite a vineyard of it. It has done well with him and stood the winters tolerably. Clagget — It is not profitable for wine. Weisenecher says his grape is neither the Rulander nor St. Genevieve. Tice — The Red Elbing is Mr. Weisenechcr's grape. He sold stock to Mr. Husmann, and at Hermann from its resemblance to the foreign variety, was called Rulander. It is different from St. Gene- vieve. Spaulding — It is a good family grape. Mr. Weisenecher calls it Rulander in talking of it to me. Carried. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 85 Martha. — Hull — I move it be recommended " for trial," South. Carried. Adjourned. SECOND DAY — EVENING SESSION. Samuel Edwards of Lamoille, Bureau Co., read an ESSAY ON THE CURRANT. Tlit' Currant is well adapted to the climate of our state, and regions farther north. Iu consequence of its easy propagation and producing fruit when cultivation is neglected, it will probably ever remains as at present, a popular fruit with those owning land, who give no special attention to fruit culture. Though it will give some return for the room occupied, when neglected, Buch a course is not recommended to be pursued with this or any other artificially planted fruit. By deep tillage, a liberal annual manuring, pruning, clean cultivation, and thorough mulch- ing, the size and quality of the fruit is greatly improved. The currant succeeds tolerably well in a great variety of soil ; best in one strong and slightlj moist — northern slope is preferable to a southern one. By being planted in shade of fence or trees, the fruit is retarded in ripening, and may be used a much longer time direct from the hushes, than when grown in open exposure. By covering bushes, when fruit is nearly mature, with gunny sacks, bass mats or brush, the same result can doubtless be attained. For our usually dry and hot summers, the hush form is far preferable to growing them as trees. Late summer, after growth is completed, fall, or early spring is proper time for planting cuttings — wood of one year's growth is preferred; cut in lengths of eight or ten Inches, inserting four tilths of their length in well prepared rich soil, dirt pressed firmly around lower end. It is always advisable to take cuttings before severe freezing; if not planted out until spring, winter them in moist sand in cellar, where they form callous preparatory to rooting, and often send out roots two or three inches in length. Well cultivated plants, one to three years of age, or vigorous offsets are suitable for set- ting in permanent plantations, four by Bis feet a good distance apart. Manure liberally each ant mnn, or cultivate clean but shallow early in the BCason, mulching hea\ ily before hot Weather >et> in. When they are of full bearing si/.e, shorten long shoots of the year one third their length each fall, remove old mossy branches and feeble young shoots, thus keeping up young vigorous wood fur bearing. The bunr i> the only in-eet enemy which has yet appeared to inflict injury on the cur- rant with me, and tiny have done so little damage we have never attempted any pre ventive or remedy. An application of soot from wood lire, is -aid to be an effectual rem cdy, and the cheapest known for repelling the currant worm, which for the past few years has caused a general failure of the crop of currants and gooseberries in many parts of the Eastern States. It Bhould be sprinkled on the foliage when wet with dew or rain. Saving a \rv\ high appreciation of the value of this fruit, I made a collection of ail varieties recommended, readily obtainable from nurseries of the Eastern States and 86 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Europe, a dozen years since. Over twenty-five varieties have been faithfully tested. The only one I would add to the Societies' List for 1867, is Long Bunched Holland, the latest variety in ripening. As the name indicates, bunches are long, berries of good size, much the strongest grower in the collection. REJECTED LIST BY SAMUEL EDWARDS. Attractor, Belle of St. Gilles, Champaign, Chasselar, Fertile D' Angers, D' Pnlnau, Magnum Bonum, Prince Albert, Knight's Large Red, Native of Berlin, Red Grape, Short Bunched Red, Silver Striped, Wilmot's Grape. Wm. P. Pierson, of Onarga, Iroquois county, read an essay on THE PHILOSOPHY OF UNDERDRAINING. The Necessity and Importance of Tile-Draining in Illi- nois— Our Resources and our Facilities for Executing the Work. The end of all draining is the removing of surplus water from the soil. All intelli- gent men agree in the position, that there can be no healthy growth of grain or other ordinary vegetation, in soil whose surface is covered with water any considerable por- tion of the period necessary to their germination of growth. Hence all persons attach more or less importance to the removing of surface water from the soil, as one of the means of preparing it for the production of healthy vege- tation. But there are comparatively few who seem to appreciate the importance, and much less comprehend the necessity of removing surplus water lying immediately under the surface. It matters but little, however, whether the line of the water level be a little above or a little below the surface ; there can be no healthy germination or growth of ordinary vegetation, in soils that are saturated with water any considerable portion of the year. It has been found by actual experiment that a soil of average porosity will absorb and hold in suspension, about one-half of its bulk of water. When filled to saturation, it will hold about three-fourths of its bulk of water. Now accumulated water upon the surface, and the accumulated water of saturation under the surface, are both equally injurious to all common vegetation. There are three ways for this surplus water to escape : one, by surface drainage ; another, by the slow and chilling process of evap- oration ; and a third, by the means of an outlet in the soil. And here let it not be forgotten, that water, especially rain-water, performs impor- tant functions in the soil. It is not sufficient to provide for carrying off the surface, as many seem to suppose. Rain-water possesses highly valuable fertilizing elements ; : supply of water to meet these immense drafts during the dry months of the year. I think we shall find in this system a remedy in great part for our leaf blights and mil- dews; for suspended growth in summer and long protracted, unhealthy growth in autumn ; with great hope of relief from the terrible scourge of rot in peaches and grapes and some possible amelioration of pear blight. Under these conditions of culture, our trees and vines, and other plants, will know little of extremes of flood and drouth, of cold springs and hot summers, of the strangu- lation from standing water, and of debilitation from a parched soil. Our early vegetables, and strawberries will be hastened many days in maturity — a great gain for Southern Illinois cultivators in our competition with other localities. Our strawberry crop particularly, will be sustained throughout a long bearing season, know- ing no such thing as drouth. By the deep working, pulverization, and intermixture of the soil, and the carrying away all excess of water, we not only enable the plant roots to reach an immense supply of fertile elements already stored in the soil, but by the freer admission of air and the more complete filtration of water through it, we carry important agents for the decom- position and re-combination of those chemical elements which arc locked up beyond the reach of vegetable affinities. The air and water both manure the soil. The ammonia is ■ stimulant, and the oxygen and carbonic acid are powerful agents in disintegrating the soil by chemical action, producing a combination of new elements, adapted to sustain vegetable growth. A well trenched and underdraw d soil is evidently much more perfectly reached by the rains. It may be said that our ground is completely saturated with water in the spring, i at other times, which is true, for a moderate depth of soil, but it is undeniable that the great bulk of rain-fall runs oil' on and near the surface, rarely penetrating more than a few inches; hence, an almost total loss, under our shallow system of culture, of the great advantages of this perpetual and gratuitous manure supplying agency of nature It should be remarked here that Providence has given this section of our country a more than average abundance of rain, which If properly husbanded by deep culture, will add an important amount of annual richness to the land, and will supply every sea- s', n and stage of plant growth with necessary moisture ; while in fact we suffer every year from droughts, always damaging and more or less excessive, our annual rainfall in Southern Illinois is about fifty inches, while the basin of the great lakes has l.ut thirty inches, New England about forty inches, and old England only about, half the amount we have. This water should be retained long enough In the soil to part with all its fcr- 92 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS tilizing substances, and the surplus be discharged through the sewerage of our fields, into the brooks and rivers. About twenty inches in depth of water is annually evaporated. This amount is materially reduced by drainage, thus saving heat in the soil iu the sea- sons of excessive rain, which are the cool seasons of the year. Again, drainage and deep working will largely prevent surface washing on moist land, the- desirableness of which on all rolling laud, and especially among the hills of Egypt, it is not necessary for me to enlarge upon. A field well worked to the depth of 18 to 24 inches and kept in a porous condition as it will be, by the very fact of drainage, will be able always to absorb and hold all the water falling in a single day, in all but our severest 6torms, it being very rare that as much as two inches depth of water falls in twenty-four hours ; while each two-inch drain pipe, laid at an inclination of one foot in twenty, is capable of discharging 50,000 gallons in 24 hours, which is equal to a depth of nearly two inches over one acre. So it is evident that with the absorbing capacity of trenched soil, and the discharg- ing capacity of tile drains laid even two rods apart, there is no occasion for surface drainage, or the washing which is now so rapidly robbing our soil of its richest elements of fertility. There is another matter in which drainage will be of the greatest value to us, in pre- venting the heaving of the soil, and the freezing out of plants. The average yield of the wheat crop, now so small in all Egypt, would be largely increased and possibly doubled from this cause alone, saying nothing of the results of a deepened soil. The damage to the strawberry crop is often sufficient in one winter, to many times pay the whole expense of tile-drainage. How much our orchards suffer in this climate from freezing the roots in our wet winters, it is difficult to know ; but we may be sure that they gain nothing by it. We should not forget in passing, another beneficent agency of nature in sustaining vegetation — the supply of moisture during the dry season, in the form of vapor and dew. It has been estimated that the annual dew deposit, is equal to five inches in depth of water, or about one-fourth of our rain-fall, during the six summer months. And we are surrounded with an atmosphere of vapor which is carried by the air into all soils and substances which are permeable to it. Now a well drained and deeply worked soil is in the best possible condition for the absorption of vapor, while an un- stirred, baked soil will receive very little of it. The length of season given for working an under-drained soil, is another great advan- tage to the cultivator With drainage, all the labors of the farm may go on in twenty- four hours; after the heaviest rain ; while the undrained field will lie cold, wet and sod- den for many days, and all vegetation will grow sickly. Time does not permit me to enumerate, even, all the advantages of the system under consideration ; I will close with a few suggestions. I have used the terms subsoiling and trenching interchangeably, in their relation to drainage ; but with relation to special crops, there should be made a distinction : Sub-soiling is possibly the best treatment for the strawberry, and all those crops whose roots do not penetrate the soil deeply. While I incline to the opinion that trenching will be found more valuable for the orchard and vineyard, thus inviting the roots down- ward farther into richer, inverted soil, and so into conditions of greater equilibrium of temperature and moisture. A thorough mixture of the surface with the subsoil might be the better for all crops. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 93 The cost of working the ground to a depth of eighteen inches, when the roots are rotted, I estimate at $10 per acre, and the nexl Bis inches will probably cost $10 more The cost of tile draining two rods apart and three feet deep, should not exceed $40 per acre — everything counted. Possibly the tiles can be laid four feet deep for that money. The great practical question now arises: Will it pay'/ I think it will, for ordinary farm crops, pay fifty per cent, annually on the cost ; and in fruit growing the profits will >ie much larger. I doubt not that in the strawberry crop, many times the total cost of drainage and Bub-soiling will be returned annually, in Increased profits, in orcharding, it i* probably a question not only of larger and fairer crops, but of perma- nent health of trees, and of freedom from many of the scourges that pursue tin' fruit- grower, witli such terrible exhortations to a better life — L <\, a more thorough and generous culture. Mr. Emerson, who is a philosopher among common things, as well as in the poetic and divine, once said in an Agricultural address, " By drainage we have gone to the subsoil, and we have found a Concord under Concord, a Middlesex under Middlesex, and a basement story of Massachusetts, more valuable than all the super-structure." Let us investigate this basement story under Illinois, that we may not be thoughl lacking in the upper story! Let us remember that every inch in depth of soil which we can pulverize, aerate, and bring within the reach of plant roots, will add one hun- dred tons of available, supporting nutriment for those roots to the acre — an equivalent for many generous crops. Instead of buying more acres of surface, let us work the wealthy acres lying under those which our eyes are acquainted with, and which have been waiting to enrich as, from " the beginning." DRAINAGE DISCUSSION. Spaulding — I would like, with the permission of tlie society, to ask a few questions. In the first place, how far will tile draining do away with the necessity for surface-drainage? Earle — I have a friend who has under-drained a hill-side, ami he informs me that he has had no surface washing since he put in his drains, three feet deep, and I think two rods apart. The subsoil was clay that would hold water perhaps twenty-four hours in spring. Turner — There is always a current of air from the earth up- wards. Some of the tricks of perpetual motion depend upon this principle. Warm air contains latent moisture as it rises. If earth is pulverized, the laden air sinks with the loose earth and leaves its moisture. Hence, the man who ploughs all day prepares showers at night. Perhaps one-fifth of all moisture gets into the earth in this way. Drainage deepens this process. My under:drained grounds 94 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS escaped the effects of the drought much the best. On a northern slope, plants came on earlier and stood moisture and drought better than on an undrained southern slope. Pierson — I have drained about 14 acres. I found the books did not give all the information needed. For instance, can you depend on the tiles to carry off all the water ? The books dont say. I knew that when the ground was frozen, the water could not run off. I wanted to put in fruit which could not endure water on the surface. So I found it necessary to provide for a winter outlet by shallow sur- face drainage. In summer, water soon disappears. Over the tiles we must have deep culture and thorough surface culture, to get the best advantage from them. I have several acres that will absorb 2 or 3 inches of water in 24 hours. I think that even steep slopes may need to provide for heavy rains. Perrine, (of Centralia) — I laid 3000 rods of tile in Indiana, and have put in about 200 rods where I am. I prefer to ditch when the water is running, and level in that way. Draining is almost an en- tire preventive against Avashing. I never have made surface drains. Colman — It is impossible for 3 inch tiles to carry off rain every time. Thos. H. Collins, near New Albany, Indiana, had a drained farm on the river bottom. After severe rains the water would stand upon the surface. It takes some time for tiles to work well. Mr. Henderson of Bridgeton, St. Louis Co., Mo., used a mole drain plough 8 years ago. The drains are still working well. Galusha — Very little descent will answer in draining. A good level I have found to be a large triangle about equilateral, the sides about 10 feet long with a plumb line hung from one angle. I made about 2200 rods of mole drain 6 years ago, which is working well yet. The efficiency of a mole drain depends on the subsoil. Clay with much sand in it would not answer. Wilgus — Mole drains have not generally succeeded or they would be more extended. They do mischief by washing out and cav- ing in. The hardpan along the Ohio and Mississippi railway cannot be penetrated by a mole drain. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 95 Periam, (of Champaign) — I mole-drained 20 acres once, at the depth of '2\ i'eet. The drains spoiled in 3 years. Crawfish, mice, rats, and moles dug to the drains. Then I went to work and put in tile drains. The least fall was -\ inches in 300 feet. It cost $50. to $100. an acre, to put in tiles 3 feet deep and 30 — 33 feet apart. The season is lengthened 3 weeks by tiles. Pierson — I would be willing to lay down tiles where there was no fall, provided there was a good head of water back of the place. I have no faith in mole drains. Perrine — On my farm in Indiana, a field that produced 25 bush- els of corn to the acre before draining made 125 bushels afterwards. Adjourned. THIRD DAY — MORNING SESSION. Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Lane. Hull — I move that each speaker be restricted to speaking once on the same subject, and be not allowed to speak longer than 3 min- utes without leave. Carried. Dr. Warder, from the Committee on Fruits, handed in the follow- ing report : By N. H. Flanagin of Bunker Hill — Rawle's Janet, By Alex. II. Gaston, Henry, 111. Stark, from Ohio, a keeping market variety. By -I. H. Crain, Pulaski Co. — Large Striped Pearmain, Turner's Green, fine texture, promising ; Nicajack, dam's Spicy, winter, new ; spark's, Baccolinus, already described in Judd's Horticultural annual ; Terrall's, also described in Judo's Horticultural annual; Davage — promising, new. From Ohio Horticultural Society— Scarlet Sweet, London Pippin, Cooper, "Sweet Pippin," Sigler's Pound, Baltimore, Winter Sweet Paradise, Pittsburgh Pippin, Minkler, (of Illinois,) Peek's Plea-ant, Rhode Island Greening, in variety ; King of Tompkins, Wei 3eek-no-further, Campbell's Seedling, Stark, Yellow Bellflower, Unknown, a keeper, Wood's Greening, Bnbbardston, Baldwin. From Missouri, by A. M. Lawver, (see letter); large striped Pearmain, "Missouri Superior," "Missouri Superior (class)" "Parke's Keeper," Lawver. From Z. Holllngsworth Lee Co., Iowa ; Grimes' Golden, nol In good condition. From E. Burton, Hunker Hill — Pennock, Ortlcy, handsome; Yellow Bellllower, Winesap, .Milam, Bed Canada, very good ; Yeilou N« ■wtown, Rawle's Janet, Gilpin. By Mr. Brother, Bunkcrhill — Rawle's Janet. Mr. Pettingill, Bunkerhill— Baldwin, Hannah? and unknown. It 6 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Your Committee find some interesting varieties in these collections, which we desire to bring before your notice. The Stark — Long known in Ohio, where there are trees fitly years old. This variety bears abundantly on alternate years, producing fair fruit of good size, and very good for market. In Mr. Crain's collection we find his new fruits, the Sparks, Terall's and Baccolinus, also the Dauage, all of which are promising as southern accessions to our lists ol varie- ties that are worthy of our attention. Also the Turner's Green — Medium size, dull green, very tender flesh, finegrained and good but not showy, new. By Byron McKiustry, Kankakee Co. — Seven varieties apples for name; not iden- tified. The collection from Mr. Lawver, produced in Missouri, and Wyandotte Co. Kansas, in an old indian orchard, is worthy of attention, although some of the fruits presented are so like the Large Striped Pear main as to raise the query as to their being different, These are the "Missouri Superior,'1'' the Missouri Superior, {Glass),"1 and the "Parke's Keeper." We learn from Mr. Lawver, that the latter variety has a different appear- ance in the tree, and is distinct from the Large Striped Pearmain of Kentucky, which is grown in Ohio, which also appears to be cultivated in Southern Illinois, and in Mis- souri. We find on cutting the Parke's Keeper, that while it resembles the Large Striped, in external character, the flesh appears firmer and promises to keep longer — the flavor also seems to be more aromatic. The Lawver is a product of Mr. Gray's old Indian orchard, supposed to be a seedling and a new variety, and named in compliment to our worthy fellow citizen, for his devotion to Pomology and the introduction of new fruits. The Lawver is large, very handsome, a good keeper, " March to July," bright, dark red, showy ; flesh crisp, juicy, sprightly, very good, has been called ''the Baldwin of the West." Among the fruits from the Ohio Society, the large greenish yellow apple named Sigler's Pound is believed to be worthy of the attention of those who arc seeking a large fruit of saleable qualities. London Pippin, supposed to be a Virginia variety, very handsome, but its behavior is not sufficiently well known to enable us to recommend it. Baltimore, formerly known in prairie collections, as the "Flushing Spitzenburg," a productive market apple. Winter Sweet Paradise, a favorite Pennsylvania variety. Pittsburgh Pippin, goo A. — "Sweet Pippin," thought to be the same as Sweet Rhode Island Greening at former meetings, very delicate and tender fleshed. Peck's Pleasant. This very agreeable fruit should be better known. Grime's Golden, from Iowa, shows the superiority of this choice variety as a table fruit. PEARS. By — G. Drew, Bunkerhill. No. 1, yellowish, thought to be Josephine de malincs. No. 2, Rupet, not examined because it disappeared before the committee would examine it. By G. Wilgers, Richview, Pound Pear, large and good to sell. JOHN A. WARDER, Chairman. S. G. MINKLER, Sec. STAT 3 HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 97 GRAPES. SInnock & Co., Quincy — Clinton, Catawba, both shriveled but perfect and sweet. APPLES— (additional). From E. Burton— Tahnan Sweet. APPLES EXHIBITED BY A. M. LAWYER. 4 " Lawver." — Only half the usual size. Were grown apon an old seedling tree stand- ing on a poor washy point, in a Kansas Indian orchard. Fruit crop almost a failure there thi> season. Specimens have been carelessly handled. Season .March to July. •I "Parke's Keeper." — Not half the usual size. Grown in Mr. Gray's, old Indian or- chard, Wyandott Co., Kansas. Long Keeper distinct from L. S. W. Pearmain? .'■■'' 3 icrfor." — Specimens of the usual size. Fine long keeper, grown near • Ity, Mo. M. L. Dunlap, of Champcaign, made the following report, from the Committee on FRUIT PACKAGES. To the President Illinois Horticdtnral Society :— Your committee on Fruit Packages I fully beg leave to rep< ,rt . For the Bhipment of peaches, apples and pears, the box known as the Cobden box, holding one third of a bushel, we find generally in use and very valuable. The peach basket used in Michigan, and holding the same quantity does not appear well adapted to railroad freighting, on account of the friction when packed loose, as must be the ease in baskets. When practicable, barrels holding two and a half bushels, are more desirable for apple and pears. For the small fruits the twenty-four quart packages are doubtless the best, holding two tier of quart boxes. The quart box known as the long bottom Balleck, made at Coh- . i- the most reliable. Some of the " tuck " boxes are good, but for long distances Less valuable than the former. For short distances baskets may be used to advantage. For grapes, a box holding five or ten pounds, appear best suited to the market. These I en. Boxes and crates are largely made at Cobden, Alton, and St. Joseph, Michigan. Dr. E. S. Hull, of Alton, from Committee on Pomological Rules, reported that the committee, considering this Society subordinate to the American Pomological Society, would recommend the adoption of the rules of that Society with the following addition : No variety of fruit, vegetable, tree, flower or other horticultural product, shall be placed Upon, Or taken from the Lists Of the Society, except il receive a 111:1 j- .lit \ Of six rotes of persons residing in the distrid for which it is recommended; and ii is recom- mended thai no person vote upon the question unless he have personal experience or observation of the qualities of the variety m question. E. s. HULL. PARKEB i:\IM.F, Ii. L. DUNLAP, W. C. FLAGG, 11. 1). KMl'.KV. 8 98 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS The Secretary reported the Vice-President's reports from the Fourth and Eleventh Districts, as just received by mail. REPORT FROM FOURTH DISTRICT. The Vice-President of the Fourth District would respectfully report on the present condition of horticulture as follows : It has been a year of disappointments and disasters. The spring opened favorably, but on the fourth of April the mercury sank several degrees below the freezing point, destroying almost entirely the apples, pears and cherries, and seriously injuring all the small fruits, leaving only the grapes and peaches intact. Our insect enemies have also visited us in innumerable hosts. Between the grasshoppers and a worm which infested the leaves of our young orchard and nursery trees — which Mr. Walsh says he has never seen before — many of our young orchards were nearly defoliated. The curculio has not only destroyed our entire plum crop, but many of our cherries and peaches. The latter, however, seem to have been only judiciously thinned. Tlie pear blight has also been more destructive than ever before, trees standing in grass and making but little growth, blighting as badly as those that were carefully cultivated, and growing vigorously, completely upsetting the theory of those who ad- vocate the no-culture system as a preventive of blight. D. F. Kinney, of Rock Island, writes as follows of the condition of horticulture in his county : The winter of 1867 and 1868 was disastrous to the fruit interests of this section. There had been no rain to wet the ground for a considerable time previous to the closing in of winter. I think in consequence of the dry state of the ground when it froze up, that many nursery trees, and also a very large number of grape vines, one and two years in the vineyard, were ruined. Dwarf pear trees were very much injured in many places. The strawberry crop, when in bloom, and till the first picking, bid fair to be the best we ever had, but just at this time we had a few days of very dry, hot weather, which seemed to dry up all the unripe berries, and the balance of the crop was scarcely worth picking. Raspberries were a fair crop. Currants and gooseberries half a crop. Apples bloomed enough to have a fair crop, but from some cause failed almost entirely to produce fruit. Pears — about the same as apples. The grape crop was good, and free from disease. There is more attention being paid to planting fruit trees than heretofore, and more are planting ornamental trees than formerly. James G. Madden, of Warren county, says our apple crop was almost a failure. The trees bloomed out it the Spring full and appeared to be healthy ; but owing to the heavy rains and cold weather at the time, the fruit buds were destroyed. Some varieties con- sidered the most hardy failed entirely. The New York Pippin bore full. The pear- crop was good when the trees were healthy. Our dwarfs were very much injured by the blight; is there not some remedy for this disease? if not arrested, our pear orchards will be entirely destroyed. I have made some examination into the matter, and am inclined to the opinion that the difficulty is in the original stock. The Quince does not do well here. In some of my dwarfs I found the Quince stock entirely dead, before the top manifested much evidence of decay. I hope the matter may be discussed before the Society at the next meeting. The grape crop was excellent, the Concord taking the head. The Diana, Rebecca STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 99 Hartford, Prolific, and some of tin- Hybrids did well. The grape is receiving great attention in our county, and quite a number Of vineyards have been planted which ap- pear to be doing well. Ornamental planting is receiving considerable attention, mostly In the direction of evergreens. A good deal of hedge has been planted out, mostly Osage Orange, It does well where properly cultivated and makes a good fence. Tyler McWhorter of Mercer county, writes as follows. In reply to your request for horticultural statistics of the season, I can report on the apple crop about the same as you will get from all quarters, a scanty crop. Summer fruit, from a third to one- lialf crop. Winter apples, scarcely one-fourth of a crop. The trees bloomed rather sparingly, but sufficient for a reasonable crop, had they retained their fruit. Whether the tendency to cast otf their blossoms is to be attributed to the effects of weather, or to the condition of the trees, i» a question on which we have made very little progress toward a solution. It is often improperly attributed to frost. People know that fruit is sometimes killed by frost, and hence from whatever cause trees may cast off their blossoms, Jack Frost is always blamed for it. The Bark Louse has spread considerably in our older orchards, but there is reason to hope we are, for a period at least, to have a check to their increase, from the existence of their little enemies — mites. With the Codling Moth, we see no abatement. The crop was considerably injured by them, though no more than last year. Early Richmond Cherries produced abundantly ; Late cherries, nearly a failure. The old scrubs of peach trees about the county also produced fruit. Our people are In* If' induced to try peaches again, as they have now produced, two years in succession. Fruit growing in this county for market is as yet almost wholly confined to the apple. Thus far grape- have been little planted, but the present season they are bountifully loaded and it is hoped they will hereafter receive more attention. There is a prevailing impulse in our county to plant large orchards. Also a very marked improvement is observed in the inclination of our people to embellish their homesteads. The slovenly, cluttered np appearance that characterizes Western habitations, is being changed for better buildings and tasteful surroundings, enlivened with evergreens. We have a beantifnl country if people know how to improve it. D. C. Benton, of Adams county, reports the fruit crop nearly a failure. Ee Bays the fruit crop, particularly in the south part of the county, was almost entirely destroyed by ., severe hail storm on the second of June. The peach crop promised to be verj One np to that time, and in localities where the storm did not injure them was very fine and a full crop. The apples were nearly all killed by Bpring fr08te when in bloom. I suppose that nearly nine-tenths of the bearing pear trees, both dwarf and standard nave been killed by the blight, the past season. But few cherries are planted, and so far have not, excepl in rare instances proved profitable. A great many Btrawberries are planted, and as in most other places, the Wilson takes the lead. The Jucunda promises to Bucceed on heavy rich soil. The Lawtcn blackberry is grown to a considerable extent, has always proved profitable, though occasionally winter killed. I think the newer varieties, Kit- ta tinny, Wilson's Early, and Missouri Mammoth may prove better.as they promise to be hardier. Raspberries are being planted toagreater extent than formerly; one gentle- man, I am infoimed, in the north part of the eounty having ^ aeres. The DooUttii li still the prairie stand-by; but many other varieties are being planted. Grapes base lone finely, and a great many are being planted, mostly Concord, with Hartford for early and 100 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Delaware for home use. The Catawba has done well this season though a failure for the two pft8t. On the whole this county is wide aAvake on the subject of fruit growing, and more acres will be planted the coming spring, than in any three seasons before. Apples and peaches the most extensively ; then grapes and berries. Raspberries and blackberries generally proving more profitable than strawberries. In Hancock county, as in other portions of the district, the apple crop was a failure, the buds being destroyed by the extreme cold of April. The Rawles' Janet, Ben Davis and Little Romanite, yielded about all the fruit we have. The Codling Moth has been less destructive this season than formerly. Those of our orchardists who took the pre- caution to pasture their orchards with sheep or hogs, or gathered up the small quantity of fallen fruit, will probably be exempt from their depredations for a year or two. The pear blight has probably killed, or badly injured one half of the bearing pear trees in the county. Pear culture seems to be just now under a cloud. The cherry crop was very light and a large portion of the fruit was stung by the Curculio. Peaches were a fair crop and of good quality. It is the first time within my knowledge that we have failed of an apple, or obtained a full peach crop, two years in succession. Hancock county unquestionably produces a much larger quantity of grapes than any other county in the state. Most of the first viney?.rds were planted with Catawba. Those planted later are principally Concord, Clinton, Norton's Virginia, and Delaware. The Catawba has done well the past season, no disease appearing on either vine or fruit. The gross sales from some vineyards have amounted to eight hundred dollars per acre and many others have produced four hundred gallons of wine to the acre. The cause of horticulture is steadily advancing in Hancock county. Much more atten- tion is being paid to ornamental planting than heretofore . If our people could be induced to properly use the means and materials at their dis- posal to improve and adorn their homes we should soon have one of the most beautiful counties in the state. All of which is respectfully submitted. A. C. HAMMOND. REPORT FROM ELEVENTH DISTRICT. Hon. W. C. Flagg, Secretary State Horticultural Society, Alton, III. : — Dear Friend : — Until to-day I expected to be present at the meeting at Bunkerhill, but I regret to be obliged to say I cannot be there. The people of Centralia have directed me to ask the society to have the next meeting at Centralia, sometime in September next. Will you please attend to the matter for me. I had intended to be present and furnish a report from our Congressional District, but you see we are all subject to disappointment. I herewith send you a list of apples recommended by our Centralia Fruit Grower's Association. I also send you my address delivered at the last annual meeting of the Association. All the statistics with reference to amounts shipped will be found in it. When you was at my house I gave you one delivered at the previous annual meeting. In that will be found statistics, etc., as to soil, climate, etc. The only cherries that do much with us are the Early Richmond. It is true that for family use, many of the sweet varieties do well enough, such as May Duke, Gov. Wood, STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 1<>1 Yellow Spanish. The Catawba grape has been the nm-t extensively grown, and has so Gu: been the most profitable. The Eons and Delaware, on Clinton roots have done re- markably well with as. I would recommend this practice of patting the [ona and Dela- ware on Clinton roots. The Cnrcnlio was mncb more destructive with as this pasl season than heretofore. Perhaps it was only in appearance, as there was bul a light crop of peaches, and all or nearly all were Btung. Letting hogs run in the orchard has been the mosl :'ul practice so far, in checking its ravages. Our apple crop was a partial failure, we had perhaps s half a crop. Indeed, apples never entirely fell with us. We had a fair strawberry crop, Wilson's being the variety generally relied upon. Enclosed you will find two dollars, being tin- annual member- ship fee. It grieves me that I cannot enjoy the good talk that I know will be had at Bunkerhill. I am, dear sir, your sincere friend, N. W. ABBOTT, President of Centralia Fruit Grower's Association and Vice-President of State Horticul- tural Society. Non: by Se< ketaky. — The documents referred to will be found in the reports of the Centralia Fruit Growers' Association. Elmer Baldwin of Farm Ridge, La Salle County, read an essay on EVERGREENS IN ORCHARDS. I suppose the appointment to write an essay upon evergreens in orchard-:, means an attempt to theorize upon that subject, as I am not aware that the experiment has been tried to an] considerable extent. 1 'mii only inquire as to the indicated want- of successful orchard culture, and then whether planting evergreens, will in any considerable degree meet that want. I -hall treat of tie- prairie soil, as it is with that I am besl acquainted, and it is on that, orchard- must be raised, or the larger portion of our State be destitute of fruit. The fault- of our .-oil, situation and climate, are too much exposure to tin- bleak prairie winds, too much humus ami too little mineral element in tie- soil, a too retentive sub- soil, with extreme- of heat and cold, drouth and moisture. The best soil for an on-hard. La a Bandy, gravelly loam, t hat is sufficient to ensure a healthy, vigorous growth, and where durine; heavy rain-, the water is rapidly absorbed, ■md on. • that never dries to any great depth, that gives during tin- entire year a good supply of moisture, neither too much nor too little. This will b • accomplished if the porous character of the -oil extend- to a considerable depth, carrying off tin- surplus moisture and bringing up by capillary attraction, h hat is Deeded during tie- entire seas in ; such a soil never dries to any considerable extent. The in' '-t important requisite for the production of any fruit from the vine or tree, is a uni- form supply of moisture. A plant that matures a crop of fruit at the same time that it forms the germs of a fu- ture crop and -tore- up material for it- development, can ii"t perform 1 hi- double duty, surrounded by a dry atmosphere, and standing in a drj and arid -oil exhausted by a sea- son of excessive drouth. 102 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS The Fox grape, or Vi(i$ Labrusca, in its native home on the Atlantic slope, is usually found on some sand or gravel hed near a stream or swamp, where a regular and uniform supply cf moisture is supplied from the fountain below, by capillary attraction. The roots do not descend below the water level, but the ascending moisture is evenly distributed, while the rapid radiation of heat and moisture is prevented by the leaves and leaf mold which covers the surface. Thus situated, the mildew, rot, or premature fall of the leaf is never known. The most healthy and productive apple and pear trees I have ever seen, were raised on those stony, gravelly and loamy ridges in the eastern States, where the chestnut grows to perfection. Extreme drouth will seldom dry that soil but a few inches below the sur- face, while the prairie soil often dries to the depth of two or three feet, or to the clay subsoil. The chestnut will never succeed to any great extent on the prairie. Twenty-five years of experience with one, has developed in that tree most of the diseases of the apple, and those diseases a final death of the tree, is apparently from the same cause. In our climate the dry atmosphere evaporates moisture much more rapidly, than in the damper atmosphere of the eastern states ; the 6un's rays have a more powerful in- fluence when passing through such an atmosphere, as most of our orchardists can testify. A young apple tree with lower limbs six to eight feet from the ground, and standing as most trees do, with a slight inclination to the North-east, is most sure to become diseased on the south-west side, the bark dies, and the little flat borer finishes the work of destruction. Not one in twenty of the trees thus circumstanced will ever arrive at bearing age. Trees standing in Timothy or Blue grass sod, when the drying process is fully carried out, soon cease bearing, become mossy and covered with bark lice, and are soon effectually ruined. But if the ground is cultivated in Buckwheat, or some hoed crop each year, the tree will be comparatively healthy and much more productive ; if in addition, they are set only from fifteen to twenty feet apart, so as to shade and protect each other, and also to shade the ground and prevent evaporation, they will be still more productive. I have often observed such orchards bearing good crops, while others set thirty feet apart were destitute, of fruit, although pretty well cultivated. I have often noticed yards or gardens thicklv set with apple and pear trees, and the space filled with currant, gooseberry, blackberry, and other small fruits and shrubs ; the ground left each fall with a coating of leaves, and the trees thus situated were more healthy and productive than any others. In an orchard along the side of which a row of locusts had been killed by the borer, and which was succeeded by a grove of locust sprouts, extending beyond and surround- ing the first row of apple trees, for two successive years, while the locust sprouts were nearly as high as the apple trees, that row bore more fruit than the six remaining ones in the orchard ; while after the locust sprouts were removed, that row was no more productive than any of the other rows. It is a common occurrence, in fact the rule rather than the exception, that on the open prairie, one side of our apple trees will bear a fair crop, while the opposite side will bear little or none. Commonly the east or north-east side has no fruit while other seasons it is the opposite ; and the same season in the same orchard, trees well protected will bear fruit over the entire tree. High culture or mulching so as to thoroughly protect from drought, will doubtless STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 103 so invigorate the tree as to counteract the injury from exposure to the wind, and pro- tection from the wind will enable the tree to withstand an ordinary drought ; but the vitality and vigor of t he tree must yield to the combined influence of both evils, and the result will pay for care and attention in both directions. Any treatment that will insure a vigorous state of health, will ward off disease — while a weakened vitality, from whatever cause it may proceed, will invite a simultaneous at- tack from every foe. The wounded buffalo is soon surrounded by all the beasts of prey which roam the plains, who soon leave bis cleaned bones to bleach on the prairie. The epidemics which awe sp over the domains of human life selects those whose weak- cm 1 vitality and shattered constitutions lit them for the harvest Of death. Those with enfeebled frame, and those engaged and poisoned by excess, are alike gathered bj the in- exorable reaper. None but those with vigorous health, correct habits and strict con- formity to nature's laws, can hope to escape the fell destroyer. So in vegetable life, that which weakens the vigor and vitality of tin- plant or tree, makes it more subject to the attacks of all the myriads of foes that stand ready to assail it — defective nutrition — under exposure to the elements, want of sufficient moisture or stagnant water about the roots — are causes which usually first stop the fountain of life and invite blight, mildew and rot, with hoists of insect and fungus enemies to the feast, which is the forerunner of dissolution. ( »ur object should then be to guard against all the untoward influences of climate and situation, in order to preserve the health of our trees. Close setting, always good policy, and belts of d-ci lions trees afford a good degree of protection, but are far less effective than evergreens. At the critical period when the buds are just bursting in the spring, when protection is most needed, the foliage of deciduous trees is not yet developed ; so also during the severe cold of winter they are alike insufficient. The close and enduring foliage of evergreens is just the thing needed ; they are not only a perfect wind-break, but the atmosphere around them is warmer, even on the windward side than elsewhere, where there is no protection. Plants standing close on the north side of an evergreen hedge during the autumnal frosts, will remain for a considerable time fresh and uninjured, while all others show the sere and yellow leaf. The fine needle-shaped leaves of the pine and other evergreens make the most delicate and perfect mulching material known — such an one as most perfectly holds and equal- izes both the heat and moisture. When a boy, I have often sought refuge from the. har- vest Bun under the foliage of the hemlock or pine, anil always found the ground and atmosphere refreshingly cool and moist; and when the chilling winds of approaching winter begins to harden the ground, so as to bear a team on the frozen surface, the ground shaded by the foliage and mulched by the leaved of the pine and spruce, will be found still warm and unfrozen. Tender fruits like the Antwerp raspberry, growing in contact with evergreen boughs, will survive the winter uninjured; while those not thus pro- tected arc -lire to be killed. Such being the indicated wants of orchards on the prairie, and such t he characteristics of the evergreen trees — such, then, the ameliorating Influence on tempera! ore and their perfect adaptation for breaking the force of the bleak prairie wind-, and prev< nting the rapid evaporation of moisture — their benefits, in contact with orchards, cannot be doubted. In the damp and cold climate of England they would doubtless be injurious, but in the hot and dry climate of the prairie region, all the indications call for such protec- 104 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS tion, whether set in belts around and through the field, or alternate with the orchard trees, is a question to he decided only by experience. Their presence in any form will be bene- ficial. Every tree and shrub made to grow, adds to the beauty and value of our country. The timber nature gave us, is all along the streams and on the lowest ground ; it has but little effect on the winds which pass over it, and sweep the high prairie with injurious force. Every high ridge of the prairie should be surmounted with a belt of timber — every farm should have its groves ; every cottage should nestle in a clump of evergreens ; every orchard and fruit yard should be protected by the pine, spruce and cedar, till it change a borean, to a milder climate, when a more healthy luxurance and rich fruits shall reward the planter. There is no direction in which the efforts of the Society will be more useful than in directing the public attention to planting timber, and especially in protecting with evergreens the houses, the stock, the fruit and farms of our people. It will be a most profitable investment ; $50 worth of evergreens judiciously planted and cared for, on any 80 acre farm, will increase its value in ten years from $500 to $1,000 or more ; and if we ever succeed in fruit culture on the prairie we must protect it. EVERGREENS DISCUSSED. Galusha — I have handled a good many evergreens ; I have propa- gated from seed and taken them from the forest. It is better for most persons to buy small trees of such men as Douglas, of Wauke- gan. The best kinds are the White, Austrian and Scotch Pines. Hemlock, Arbor Vitae, Red Cedar, Norway and White Spruces. The trees should be transplanted two or three times; the roots should never get dry. In setting, the trees should be pruned and mulched. I prune Pines and Spruces by cutting out the center of last years' growth ; other trees, by shortening in. I planted six hundred evergreens of from four to ten feet in height last spring, and lost but seven, planted on the sight of an old pig-pen. Long — The Red Cedar, Spruce, and Arbor Vitae, are best with us, I lost three out of one hundred in transplanting. I kept the ground loose by mulching. Colman — The White, Scotch and Austrian Pines succeed best with us. The Black, White and Norway Spruces do well. The American and Siberian Arbor Vitae, and Red Cedar do admirably. A mistake is made in not preparing the ground well. It is better to make a large, deep and irregular hole and plant a clump. Baldwin — It is a general fault to let the roots get too dry. Red Cedar is the most diseased with us. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 105 Hull — I have a small belt of Norway Spruces, and when snow was on the ground, the wind being north-east, I found the thermom- eter marked 40° on the lee side, against 30° on the other. Huggins — The Hemlock I would not plant. Jordan (of St. Louis) — I am opposed to planting an evergreen in an orchard. It is better to plant trees thick and let them protect themselves. Warder — When I was a boy going to school, along the Pennsyl- vania lanes, I remember we always got on the warm side of the Cedars on a cold day. In Ohio we want protection for our orchards on the same principle. Edwards, of La Moille — I commenced handling evergreens twen- ty-three years ago. I went first to the Manitou Islands in the fall and brought home a lot, and lost nearly all of them. Fall removal in northern latitudes is not desirable. We transplant in August and September, but handle for transportation in Spring. We can now take from the forest just as well as any way. The loss on such trees with me the last two years has been about two per cent. We get them from open places in the forests and pack in moss ; plant in partial shade and mulch them, and transplant at the end of two years. I mention these details because many of our farmers are transplanting forest trees. White Pine is the best tree to plant for orchard screens. I have planted 1400 rods of orchard screens, the trees at ten feet apart. 1 have sometimes planted double rows for this purpose, and occasionally have planted a row through the orchard. I have some trees forty feet high. The advantages of evergreens about orchards, are in the first place, that they keep the fruit from blowing off. I have also found a marked benefit in the protection afforded from late Spring frosts. (In answer to ques- tions); I have seen no injury from lack of circulation of air in Summer. I protect the orchard on all sides. I have a pear orchard surrounded by evergreens. White Spruce has a larger cone than the Black and grows to a larger size. The foliage of the Black is rather the shortest and bluest and it grows naturally more in the 106 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS swamps. The Spruce sent out by Mr. Root of Skaneateles, N. Y., is Red spruce, a variety of the black. The pine and juniper are the best for dry soils ; the spruces for wet soils — Hemlocks need pro- tection. Hilliard — Evergreens are a good thing in their place, but I think are not in place in an orchard. The Apple tree needs light, air and sunshine all about it. Earle — I know many are planting evergreens in Southern Illi- nois. Freeman — We need more air at the South, but we also need pro- tection. The peach crop at South Pass was lost this year in a belt of cleared land running in the direction of the prevailing wind; whilst on either side where there was protection, some fair crops were saved. A STATE HORTICULTURIST. President A. M. Brown, having vacated the chair, offered the fol- lowing resolutions : Whereas, We have seen with alarm the rapid spread of vegetable diseases in every de- partment of horticulture, threatening the partial or total destruction of our orchards and fruits, unless something can be done to arest their progress, therefore, Resolved, That the Executive Committee of this Society be, and they are hereby auth- orized to engage the services of some competent practical horticulturist, whose duty it shall be to visit the different portions of the State, for the purpose of investigating the nature of those maladies, and ascertaining also, if possible, the best means of curing or preventing them. It shall be his duty to communicate to fruit-growers in the several lo- calities he may visit, such information as they may need, and he may be able to give, up- on all matters pertaining to the principles and practice of horticulture, and shall make an annual report of his doings and discoveries to this Society. Resolved, That further, that the Executive Committee be authorized to pay from the treasury of the Society, to the person so employed, such sum as salary, as they may agree upon with him. Resolved, That in order to carry out the purpose of the foregoing resolutions, we re- spectfully ask the Legislature at its coming session, to increase the amount of the annual appropriation to this Society. Brown — I hope these resolutions will pass, because I see the need of a person who can spend more time in investigation. The Ad In- terim Committee acting without compensation, is obliged to hurry STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 107 along and make cursory examinations, and the results though valua- ble, are not so good as I think we could obtain in this way. McWhorter, (of Millersburg) — I think we may be considered a little greedy to ask for nunc than &2000. per annum. Phoenix — Would'nt it be better to have a State officer, to be called a State Vegetable Physiologist, or something of that sort ? Earle — I think we should not cultivate modesty in soliciting the L igislature for aid. Dunlap — I would refer the Avhole matter to the Industrial Uni- versity. lVarson — I think the Committee Ad Interim a good thing, and we should not dispense with it. The average judgment of six men is better than that of any one man we can get. Long — I am inclined to favor either Mr. Phoenix's or Mr. Dun- lap"^ idea. Flagg — I am in favor of the resolutions. We know our own needs and the best practical way of disposing of them. " If you want a thing well done, you must do it yourself, you must not leave it to others." I favor therefore, asking an appropriation for this purpose, and ourselves employing the man among us, whom we believe most capa- ble of doing the work. I have nothing to say against the idea of a State Vegetable Physiologist, nor against doing a similar work at the Industrial University, nor retaining the Committee Ad Interim. There is enough and more than enough for all these to do. But for practical information and immediate work, we do want something of this kind. Hull — In making our ad interim excursions, we were necessarily too much hurried. \Ve would be met by the local committee, who would have a programme laid down, that necessitated our going rap- idly over a great many places. At night we would take the cars and have for another point. One man should go and spend more time. He should be foot-loose, so as to go at the times when the most valuable observations can be made at any point, and so as to go where wanted, when called for. 108 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Dunlap offered an addition to the resolutions, to the effect: " That the Legislature be requested to give this Society an addi- tional thousand dollars per annum, for this and other objects," but subsequently withdrew it. Sheperd — We find that this Society which we gathered together, originally so few in number, has now such a prestige, that we can ask and receive recognition from our Legislature. Let us ask for money, not for a man. Let us appoint one, two, or three men to make these investigations. Dr. Gregory, (of Champaign) — I believe we are of one mind as to the end to be accomplished. At the University, our business is (1.) to teach and (2.) to increase science. Our Professor of Horti- culture must teach as well as make investigations, and often could not leave his post at the University when he would be most needed elsewhere. The more hands engaged in this work the better, and I hope therefore, the resolutions will pass. Turner — During the six summer months, all books should be shut and all eyes open at the University. Resolutions adopted. INVITATIONS FROM OTHER SOCIETIES. Samuel Edwards, President of the Northern Illinois Horticultural Society, extended an invitation to members to be present at their meeting, February, 1869, at Aurora. E. Daggy, President of the Grand Prairie Horticultural Society, gave a similar invitation from that Society. The Secretary read a circular from the Indiana State Horticultu- ral Society, meeting Jan. 5th., 1869, at Indianapolis. B. F. Kingsbury, Secretary of the Alton Horticultural Society, requested exchanges of printed proceedings, with all other local and State Societies. D. B. Wier of Lacon, Marshall County, presented the following Essay : STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 109 BLACKBERRY — ITS VARIETIES AND CULTIVATION. In its natural wild state there is no fruit of temperate zones so valuable as the Black- berry. The King of all North American indigenous fruits; its perfect adaptation to the want- of man's alimentary system, at the period of Its ripening ; its delicious flavor, com- bined with it- great productiveness, has made il the greatest boon to the bardy pion- eer of our western wilds. The immense amount of human suffering, saved by this .>n.- bountifnl giftof all bountiful nature, and the still greater amount that could have been Bayed by a greater use of this most delicious medicine, would have been inavlnable If Its merits had been properly appreciated by our hardy pioneers. With a very little care it could be had in abundance the year round ; simply by gathering it at lb- proper time and drying it in nature's dry liou^e — the July and August sun — it could i"' kept for an Indefinite time with all its beneficent qualities, Dearly or quite un- impaired, always ready, always good. But corn, corn juice, hog and hominy, too often received the greater care. How kindly nature provided for the wants of the hardy pioneer on his march westward, strewing Iii^ path with most delicious and health giv- ing fruit- in the moBt profuse abundance, as if to say "carve you out a home from the wilderness, court not Pomana until you have all other things in comfort around you, I will give you a full sufficiency of all her choici I gifts free of care or toil, until such a time as you shall have means and time to court her capricious majesty." Allot us, who wrestled in that pioneer struggle will never forget our wild strawberries and cream and short-cakes, our blackberry pies, dumplings and cordial wines, our dried grape Christmas pies, our wild crab and molasses apple butter. I believe, in those early days we a- a people, enjoyed more of Pomona's gifts than we do at tin: present time, with all our planting, care and negligence ; we then had blackberries in abundance— Plums in abundance; have we any now ? No, and never will have unless we fight tor them, our motto will have to be : " Up guards and at them," and we the guards: Pomona has no tree grifts for sluggards. In the first settlements of all new countries, a wise provis- ion of nature allows US to plant our fruits and vines, which thrive and produce fruits, the fairest specimens with but little care and trouble, as if she knew that with our multitudinous cares, we would be likely to neglect the young, yet barren fruit plant ; but a- i a- we have gained a footing, the scourges of older settled regions begin to find their way amongst us, and it is only by untiring industry, energy and watchfuln that we can have any good fruit at all. He that plants a tree, or plant of any kind, in Illinois at the present time, expecting a crop of fruit in the future without any thought or care thereafter, will surely be disappointed, as he should I.e. The early settler could get bis few dozen peach pits out of the old stocking leg, and plant them in his fence corners, and in a few years have an abundance of peaches with no tint her care whatever, in latitudes where our most skilful Horticulturists would fail miserably at the presenl time, our blackberry patch then was all of [ acle Sam's timber land; Motlcr Earth's surface was often black with them; in their season they fed the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air. Ti. rise to two distincl breeds of 6wine ; The thin skinned ones, elongated their countenances in reaching up for them; the tough skinned ones, not afraid of the briar- straddled the bushes, bent them down and 110 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS bowed up their hocks to keep their bellies from getting scratched ; they were known as the " three rowed breed," and sun-fish breed. It is said the first got its name from the fact that they could run their snouts through the cracks of the fence and eat so far as the third row of corn, conveniently ; these two breeds of swine when in a crude state must have overheard the remark, "side ways to war like a hog," and concluded that if side was to tell, they were "on it," and they got so well " on it" that they have never been seen since, except they were " broadside to." Persons wishing to make a further study in this branch of natural history, would do well to apply to any of the older inhabitants of South Pass in this State. But to return to my theme, the Blackberry. We, of the Western States have had this fruit so plentiful from our tim- ber lands until within a few years, that we have paid but little attention to its cultiva- tion as a garden or market fruit, nor did we appreciate its value until we weredeprived of it. Unfortunately for us and the rest of mankind, the culture of the blackberry for market commenced in New Jersey, a state where they manure their land for rye and white beans; of course, their land being that poor, they cannot raise blackberries with- out manuring it ; so all of their best cultivators recommend manure and plenty of it, when making a plantation of blackberries, they being successful of course ; and all the world patterns after them, without a thought whether the soil on which they are to plant is poor enough to need manure or not. I have made the blackberry and its pro- per cultivation, one of my especial studies for a number of years, and I have formed some queer opinions, compared with those of others who have written on its cultivation. In uo case have I seen manures beneficial in its cultivation — always detrimental. In all our efforts to reduce to cultivation and to acclimate any of our indigenous fruits from forest or plain, we have got to either copy as near as possible after nature's man- ner of fruiting them, or get some particular varieties that can be adapted by these artificial means of pruning, training, and shelter or protection in winter or summer to open field culture. It is useless to expect the wild plum or the peach to be as healthy and productive with its roots under the closely netted June grass sod, with its matted surface and surface feeding roots, as they were when their roots run amongst the roots of our original timber-land grass, with deep running and feeding roots; and with the surface of the ground protected by its plume-like tufts, from sudden radication of heat and evaporation of moisture. Yet how many ask the reason why they do not do so well as formerly ? because the Willow thrives admirably in the swamp is no reason that the Oak should. We can do a great deal by artificial means, but we must bend a little toward old Nature's requirements to make success a certainty. Many persons look upon blackberries as all alike, all blackberries only one variety ; while the fact is, there are endless distinct varieties ; we cannot find two " patches " alike in the woods in all qualities. Besides we have at least three, and I should say four distinct species growing together almost all over our State, and no doubt many natural hybrids have been produced. My observations may be summed up as follows : First. Every variety of blackberry indigenous to a certain section of county is per- fectly hardy in that same section, when growing in its normal condition ; that is, if it has the proper amount of shade or sun, of shelter or no shelter, that its constitution requires, and soil exactly adapted to its health. Second. There is no blackberry, be it indigenous or not, healthy and hardy under all circumstances. Third. A blackberry that has been known to give regular and abundant crops in the STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Ill shade or partially shaded, aa a genera] rule would not be likely to give crops if entirely deprived of shade, even ii: the same soil. Fourth. One that has been known to give regular and good crops without any Shade, would not lie likely to give good crops if shaded. Fifth. Some varieties will do well with a deep mulch, others will not endure mulch at all. Sixth. Like all other varieties of fruits, some varieties of blackberries are unproduc- tive or have poor fruit under all circumstances ; some have pistillate flowers, that need fertilizing to produce fruit ; others have their flowers entirely staminate. Seventh. I have never seen a variety that would produce good fruit, if entirely shaded throughout the day, but many do well if they have the full morning sun ; some do well perhaps best, if partially shaded during the entire day ; some will apparently do well, only, where they can grow up through and among other brush. The above we think are facts and should give any one some insight into the manage- ment of a blackberry plantation to make it a success. When all summed up it amounts to this : If you wish to make the culture of the blackberry for its fruit pay, you mii-t first, find a variety suited to the soil you wish to use ; or what would be easier, And a soil adapted to the variety ; second, it yon wish them to grow without shade, you must find a variety that your own experience or that of others has taught you, that it will do well without it ; third, the pruning and cultivation must be adapted to the variety ; if you wish to mulch instead of cultivating, you should ascertain whether the variety will stand it or not. Experience has taught me. that but few, if any varieties of blackberries, strawberries or raspberries will do as well if manured with animal manures as they will without it, in this hot , dry, western climate ; and also that nearly all varieties do best on light siliceous clays, oak timber land, and what Geologists term loess soil. PLANTING AND CULTIVATION. The blackberry should be planted on the highest, dryest land, without any manures or fertilizers of any kind, except the soil be exceedingly poor: if that be the case a half bushel of unleached ashes mixed with a bushel of leaf mold, or the remains of rotted logs mixed thoroughly together and applied at the rate of a bushel to each two rods of row, and thoroughly mixed with the soil will be an improvement: any thorougly rotted manure mixed a- above, with the addition of a peek of time to each two bushels, will be found a most excellent fertilizer for the blackberry or ol her small fruits ; unless the soil be very poor, one half the above amount would be sufficient. The soil should be thor- oughly and deeply stirred, harrowed down level and tine, and laid oil' in rows six feet apart, running north and south, with a deep running double plow ; the plants should be planted in the bottom of these furrow-, IS to '24 inches apart ; the plants used to Mart a plantation should be those started from root cuttings, not natural sucker- by anj means ; it will be more profitable to pay $5 per 100 for good rool cutting plants, than to have the natural Buckets a- a gift. When planting, cut the plant back to the highest crown bud, not allowing the wood of the year before to put forth any branches at all; this win throw all the -t rengt b of your plant into t he present year's growth, and make a b1 ronger plant for fruit tin' next year ; a growth on the old w ood would I"- of no use, only a draft on the plant for nothing; give tin' plant- thorough cultivation throughout the season; they will need no pruning the first season until about the middle of July, then they 112 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS should be gone over and all shoots shortened hack to within a foot of the main stem ; this is quickly done with a sharp corn knife. The next spring- as soon as the soil is in good condition they should be thoroughly plowed, and the side shoots and leader shortened in one half; thereafter they should have shallow clean cultivation until the fruit is ripe. Treating all suckers as foul weeds, except those in the rows. As soon as the young shoots have reached two feet, they should be cut back six inches, and then as soon as the laterals have reached 18 inches, they should be cut back six inches ; as soon as the fruit is ripe, plow again deep and close to the row, this will break off and destroy most of what have been aptly termed the " spike " roots, the ones that throw up most of the suckers. Give good cultivation un- til the end of the season. It would probably pay to shorten in again, a month later. The next season's cultivation would be the same, except a little more length might be allowed to the canes. Every writer that has come under my observation, recommend emphatically, as if success entirely depended on it, to "cut out the old canes as soon as the fruit is off." I say do not do it, if you cannot get yourself scratched in any other way, and must have it clone, hire some good able bodied Scotchman to do it for you, he, from long experience, can do it comfortably. Just let them alone, they can do no hurt and will do you good, by helping to support the young canes, sheltering them in winter and spring, and eventually decaying and returning to the soil the exact food your plants need. This manner of planting and management will be found to suit the constitution and habits of the Kittatinny and Missouri Mammoth, throughout Central and Northern Illinois, and to the Wilson's Early and Lawton, in regions where they are hardy. Other varieties, will be found hardy and productive, under a system of treatment adapted to their natural habitat and constitutions, that might never perfect a berry when treated as above. Some need only the noonday sun cut off from them by a friendly tree, to give most i)erfect results. But I find more of our native varieties will stand the open field culture, outlined above, than I had thought ; some will do splendidly if kept thoroughly pinched back and dwarfed throughout the season, that fail entirely if not dwarfed. Some appear to do well only after they have become quite thick in the row, others do best in hills. I believe the Lawton if thoroughly and completely dwarfed by pinching in, would be found hardy in Central Illinois, on high dry soils, enough so, as to give four crops in five years. VARIETIES. We have three distinct species of the blackberry family in Illinois, popularly known as the high and low bush and the Dewberry, with endless varieties of each species, and probably natural hybrids between each and all the species, in fact, they are so mixed up, he would be a clever botanist that could tell from what stock many of our varieties have sprung. KITTATINNY. This splendid variety has been so widely disseminated within the last few years, that its name at least is familiar to all Horticulturists, and has proven so hardy, productive and fine in quality, that it may well be put at the head of the list. Wherever it has been given a half a chance it has given full satisfaction. But hardy as it is, it must have re- spectable treatment ; those who plant it in their fence corners and let them and the blue grass " fight it out on that line " will be remunerated according to their pains. I believe STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 113 the Kittatinny to be the only blackberry yet sufficiently known, that can be recom- mended for general culture in Central and Northern Illinois. It appears to delight in a liilht, loose new soil, and it will do well in a richer soil than any other variety that has come under my observation. MISSOURI MAMMOTH. In this variety we have the greatest faith, it shows every point of a first-class black- berry ; we know it to be the very hardiest, yet wintered. If it only prove as productive as its good points would lead us to believe, it will be a great acquisition. I can only recommend it for trial ; another season will tell its story. WILSON'S EARLY. This has shown no good points with us, but it may be a very valuable variety in some localities. Its productiveness this last season compared with that of the Kittatinny, on the same aged plants and same soil, was about one berry of Wilson to one hundred of Kittatinny. They are very hopeful of it at St. Joseph, Michigan. It will probably suc- :ed in open field culture wherever the Lawton does. LAWTON. Wherever the Winters are not too severe and the soil is adapted to it, the Lawton has been grown with profit, but from the center of the state northward it is useless to plant it. without it can be protected by some means during winter. CRYSTAL WHITE. This is a white variety that shows good promise. It will find a place in the amateur's garden. There arc many others, both new and old, varieties, that are seeking admittance to public favor. Among them I would mention, a new thornless variety as yet, I believe, without a name, that shows good promise, it is not merely thornless in name, but is really thornless, having no .opines except a few weak ones on the foot stalks of the leaves. A good hardy productive blackberry without thorns would certainly be a great acquisi- tion. I have been carefully selecting varieties, from the woods and fields, of promise, for years, and have some few out of the many tried that, I think worth preserving. Hut the greatest care should be given to the trial of all new varieties of blackberries before offering them to the public. It is a most capricious fruit, a plant that succeeds perfectly we have no record of any variety of the apple thai is not supposed to have origi- nated from a " Crab," or Wilding, (excepl it might be the apple tree that stood in the midst of the garden of Eden, a variety not now supposed to be extant,) this question of the origin of Bpecies, sub-species and varieties, becomes even to botanists, a very crabbed one. Tlie writer may therefore I sensed if he gets tangled in so thorny a subject. Essayists generally follow the common opinion, that the cultivated apple originated from seeds of the wild crab of Europe. But few facts have been adduced in support of this opinion, while there are very strong inferences against it. 1st. The common apple though ever exhibiting a tendency to revert to some wild or less ameliorated type, never produces anything like the wild crab of Europe. 2nd. The European crab has not in la- ter centuries been known to sport into any very valuable varieties. 3d. The fact that the apple is flrel historically known in south-eastern Europe, while the common wilding is found indigenous in England, and other parts of Europe, strongly favors the theory that the improved apple is not the progeny of any European .species, but of some of the wild Asiatic sorts, the original type of which may have become extinct, or the line of descent obscured to the presenl knowledge of botanists. Loudon admits the Pyrta Malta, or parent of all our domestic sorts, to be " an assumed species apparently," while Ray says distinctly that " the specific characters of the Eng- lish crab and our cultivated apple, differ far more widely than those of others admitted to be distinct." The first writer enumerates thirteen species or sub-speeics of the apple, among which he describes 1st. Pyrtu Malm, or assumed wild parent of the domestic apple, "unless (;:- lc says) we may reckon our domestic apple as a separate species." '2nd. Pyrus Malta Acerba, sour fruited apple tree, or wild crab of Europe. 3d. Pyrus JLtltu Prunifolia, or wild Silurian crab. 4th. Pyrtu Malta Baccata or berry-like fruited crab, also a native of Northern Asia. 5th. Pyrtu Maluz Astracanica, or Astrachan apple found native about Astrachan. These five appear to be only sub-species of the true Pyrtu Malta, or unknown parent of the common apple. The other species described by Loudon are the American Crabs and a few others from whicb he drops the word mains, thus indicating that they are more specifically distinct. None of them appear to have anything in common with those Improving Bpecies, h hich are continually sporting Into new and valuable varieties. Wbich one of the above we may regard as being nearest In relationship to the true Pyrus mains, or original type of the domestic apple, it is difficult to determine; but the fad that the latter In its myriad of sports never reverts to, or produces any of the others, favors the opinion first given, that the original of the common apple is not now known to botanists. But while this connecting link is lacking, it does not become us to supply its place by elevating what is evidently only a sub-species to that rank. Indeed I think there, is much plausibility in the position of a cotemporary American writer who Bays in a recent publication, " if we may judge the Pyrtu Malta Pruni- fiilia or wild Siberian crab, by our cultivated fruits which pass under the same name, it must be a specie.-, much more susceptible of Improvement by culture, than the Euro- pean Crab and a far more probable projenltor of the putative offspring of the latter." The Pyrus Mains Astracanica of Loudon seems to have been but little mentioned by IIS TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS American writers on Pomology- But from the peculiar foliage of the Red Astrachan apple and the great resemblance to it of the other so called Russian varieties, it is pos- sible that they all have a distinct origin in this sub-species, a fact which may account for the superior hardiness of these now popular sorts. The results deduced from the botanical principles involved in the above facts, should not be lost sight of by those who expect to realize the coming hardy apple for the North, by planting promiscuously the seeds of the common apple. Let them by all means choose the seeds of such apples as the Astrachan, Oldenburg, and other northern varieties, for the attempt to acclimate the orienial common apple in the region of Lake Superior, is about as futile as would be the attempt to acclimate the fig in Illinois. I have spoken of the superior hardiness of the so called Russian apples. They are only partially hardy, not entirely so. But few of them if any, yet fully tested are found equal to the climate of St. Paul. And there is another drawback on these varie- ties not yet overcome. None of them, I believe keep through the winter. The Siberian sorts however, genuine descendents of the Pyrus Malas prunifolia or baccata as some authorities assert, which still rest under the cognomen of "crabs," have shown characteristics of improvement in the fruit, combined with perfect hardi- ness in the tree, which promise to fill the now vacant place of good fruits for the northern regions, both of fall and winter varieties ; fruits too, of a quality that will render them sought after in other sections as well as in the extreme north. Dr. J. A. Warder informs me that he saw the Siberian crab bearing abundantly on the Peninsula of Kewanah, Lake Superior, the most extreme northern point of the state of Michigan. I believe also that they have been planted and survived at Pembina and Selkirks Settle- ment in the British Possessions. So rapid has been the progress of this species, that sorts originating from seeds sown by accident, or casually mixed with other apple seeds have sprung up in various sections, especially in the Northwest. Several of these are already acknowledged as leading articles of the nurseryman's trade, and others are now knocking at the doors for admission to public favor. The Hyslop and Transcend- ent Crabs are now found in the Catalogues of nearly every nurseryman in the United States, and no nurserymen in the Northern States would think of dispensing with them. The call for cions and young trees of these kinds, is so great, that now after eight or ten years of popularity, they have not been produced in sufficient quantities to bring down the price to less than double the cost of the common, established sorts. At the State and County Fairs in the Northern States, new varieties of the Siberian crab have lately been exhibited — at some of them, in profusion. Over a dozen new sorts of fall and winter crabs were shown at the State and County Fairs in Wisconsin, during the past season, and at the Minnesota State Fair, more than fifty varieties of merit were on exhibition. At some of the winter meetings of the local Horticultural Societies of Illinois, good and promising Winter varieties have been shown, and what is better, from all these States, varieties of this species have been submitted to the test of good authorities, by cooking, eating, and manufacturing into cider ; and have been found to give the highest satisfaction in all these forms, and in some respects they have even excelled any variety of the common apple. For cooking plain, for conserves, and for cider, no sorts are equal to some of the Siberian apples that have been brought into notice. The peculiarly hardy and healthy habit of the Siberian apple trees, a quality which belongs to them by virtue of their origin and specific constitution, renders them STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 119 adapted uot only to the extreme north, nourishing and bearing frail abundantly where no other species will thrive ; but they answer an admirable purpose much farther south. The whole belt of Middle States need them to lill up t lie gap caused by frequent failures of the crop of common apples, from the extremes of a variable climate which do not affect the Siberian species. I am not fully informed as to the extent of their Introduction and trial at the south ; but if, as I am led to believe by the frequent in- quiries received by Nurserymen at the North, they are known and appreciated there, the people of those states can use them for several important purposes. As a tree of ornament, in form, llowcr and foliage, as a fruit of ornament on the tree and on the table, and as a choice and reliable fruit for the various uses of the kitchen and for cider. The main, in fact the only objection to this species, is the small size of the fruit. This is being remedied to some extent by the production of new seedlings of larger size, hut it is not to be expected that this will cease to be a point of comparison soon at least. At the extreme north this objection can easily be overlooked; its complete hardiness more than compensating for paucity of size in the fruit. This (Unit is also le-scued by the extreme delicacy of the skin of this fruit, rendering it entirely unneces- sary to remove it for any purpose, and also by the compactness of the core, rendering it easy of separation from the pulp when cooked or preserved. These are points of very favorable comparison in the cost of preparing fruit for use. The Transcendent Crab is already grown to such an extent in Minnesota, that the fruit has acquired a reputation in the markets of St. Paul, and is actually preferred to the best imported New York and Ohio apples for the kitchen, notwithstanding its smaller size. I obtained these facts from parties on the spot in September last. Those however, who judge the size of the Transcendent, by the common Red and Yellow Siberians will form a very erroneous • pinion of its marketable appearance. The many good points pertaining to this species, among them those thus briefly ad- verted to, and its consequent importance to the Horticultural interests of this continent, must form the apology for this imperfect essay, which is designed more to draw the at- tention of Pomologista to the subject, than to state any (acts m u to them. Everything that may add to the resources, the comforts, the luxuries or the reputation of our coun- try, should engage the attention of every high-minded citizen. The pursuit of Horticul- ture can never engender anything but the purest patriotic pride in the hearts of its devo- tees, and there is no reason why the Pomologists of this continent should not only aspire to the honor of disseminating throughout our own borders, but even to send back to the. home of their original species, new and improved fruits, which our own peculiar necessi- ties and exigencies, or our labor, skill and genius have called into existence. Then- can be no more promising or profitable theme than the improvement of the apple, and its adaptation to the varied requirements of our wide domain, so wide and so varied thai wa can not afford to neglect or ignore a single variety of worth, much Less a whole species, which gives promise of untold value to some sections, and is not without Lnteresl in all. in conclusion then, we claim that tins question of hardy and useful apples, for the whole American continent from the most northern civilized portions to the southern lim- it of the apple, is the most Important one within the present range of horticultural in- quiry. And that it ought to be considered by the Pomologists of this country, in that patriotic and cosmopolitan .-pirit which should characterize the citizens of the freest and most rapidly developing country on the globe, and also that in its discus-ion, the Siberian 120 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Bpcck's should figure largely ; 1st. Because it is a species possessing greater hardiness and vigor in our trying climate, than any other species or sub-species of the apple. 2nd. It is thus rendered a practical necessity to an area of habitable territory, at least one third as large as the whole area where the common apple can be depended upon. 3d. Its social and commercial value to this vast region can not be computed in figures. 4th. It has shown the highest possible tendency to improvement, having already given ns varieties indispensible, even where the best sorts of the common apple are grown. 5th. Its rapid improvement gives great promise of future advancement, and it should receive the attention of fruit culturists from this consideration alone. C. Andrews. The Secretary also presented a paper on RIDGING THE GROUND AS A PREPARATION FOR PLANTING ORCHARD TREES. By J. W. Clarke, Green Lake Co., Wis. A considerable proportion of the soils of Central Illinois is so disposed, that the sur- face is capable of drainage, only at a comparatively slow rate. The prairie soils in the eastern part of the center of the state, in fact, require special outlets to carry off the surplus of surface water in seasons of considerable rainfall. And the timber soils be- tween, and in the vicinty of Terre Haute and Alton and the Great Western and Missis- sippi railroads have a retentive and somewhat compact soil. At least, this is the case to a distance of some twenty miles east of Alton ; where though rolling in some places, the land in others nearly level, and difficult of surface drainage. An example of this char- acter is also found in the vicinity of Areola, and in the timber on the west of Douglas and east side of Moultrie counties. Many of the apple orchards, though making a thrifty growth of wood, are shy of bearing ; and the moss frequently found on the bodies of the trees, sufficiently indicates the presence of too much water in proximity with the roots. It must necessarily be a work of considerable time to Tile Drain the large extent of retentive and slowly draining soils in this wide spreading central fruit belt. Yet nothing is more certain than the present necessity by some means compara- tively effective. Orchard grounds are, in these days, seldom cropped with wheat or other small grain. It is therefore unnecessary to retain their soil in a level condition, as would be the case were crops grown, requiring the use of the reaper in harvesting them. Neither is it true that orchards need be level to admit of mowing, for but few orchards are seeded to grass as a crop. Anticipating the foregoing, as some of the objections that may be assumed as against it. I submit that ridging the ground to the extent of one and a half or two feet above its ordinary level, before setting out trees upon it, would be attended with the following, amongst other advantages, when the soil is devoted to producing fruit trees of any of tin1 species adapted to its climate. 1. Ridging by one or two plowings, in the same direction, about doubles the depth of feeding or surface mold. Affording facilities for the growth of lateral roots to a much greater depth than would be available in the absence of ridges. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 121 2. As raking the surface soil is equivalent to lowering the subsoil, surface drainage is, by ridging, made tar more efficient than it can be with merely level culture. The water having more Boil to descend through, bears a lesser proportion to the bulk of mold, and must therefore drain out of the surface soil iu less time, than when saturation, as a result of much water in proportion to soil, takes place in the surface moid. 3. The more effective drainage, resulting from ridging and increased depth of porons soil, must lead to an increase of temperature in the surface mold so drained, thus estab- lishing conditions productive of earlier spring growth, as well as materially shortening ii intervals of suspended growth as result from excessive rains, or protracted drouth. By tending to equalize temperature in the soil, ridging before planting to orchard trees, would thus prolong the season, by improving the growing condition. Tin' increased depth of soil would favor increased vigor and rapidity of growth, while the increase of warmth must induce earlier growth in the spring, with the probable result of the com- pletion of the season's growth earlier in the autumn, in consequence of the soil about the roots of the trees being drier and so far less promotive of succulent or immature growth of wood. 4. Trees growing on ground so ridged and ameliorated, would be less liable to destruc- tion or mechanical injury from severe freezing on the one hand, or excessive heat on the other. Thus would ridging promote positive improvement, and preclude in many in- stances serious injury. As to any supposed inconvenience in working land thrown into ridges of twenty feet or upwards, after ample experience and extended observation in this direction, I must say that working soils ridged only in so limited a degree, is but lit- tle less convenient than would be its cultivation in level farms. And the actual incon- venience incident to ridging, is far less considerable if done before trees are set, than is the practice, observable in a number of instances, of ridging the soil up to the trees after they arc of bearing m/.c. This latter practice forces the root end to curve upwards in an un- natural form, without securing drainage about them, or the benefit of drainage in either tree or fruit ; while ridging the soil before putting out the trees, would secure earlier and h althier growth, as a condition precedent to finer and more mature and healthy fruit. As an ad interim expedient, to serve during the duration of at least one generation of fruit trees, and as a precursory introduction to, and tolerable substitute (or tile drainage, I submit to the society, that ridging for each row of trees and setting them in the ridge, on soils that retain too much surface water or retain it too long, is worthy the attention Of intending tree planters and orchardists in central Illinois. Tyler McWhorter of Millerburg, Mercer County, having been prevented from doing so at the proper time, now read an essay ON THE APPLE. Can I hope to say anything new on B subject on which we have been talking and writ- ing for some twenty years ? It is easy to write and elicit attention on a subject that comes to us with the charm of freshness, opening up some novel thought or new enter- prise. But on the apple, a subject which we have bo often talked out, and then talked it over again, can [expect to say anything new to the in. Eorticultural Society? It would be difficult to conceive when the human race first commenced t be cultivation of the apple. It seems to have come on down from the earliest periods of the tradition- 122 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS ary history of the Asiatic races. And what horticulturist can in his heart blame mother Eve for tasting the apple ? The apple goes with the civilized races to almost every inhabitable region of the globe. It seems adapted to greater extremes of latitude, and is less capricious of soil and cli- mate than any other fruit. Where apples can not be raised, it is unfitted for human be- ings. If we have talked more about apples than of any other fruit, it is because we have had more of them than of anything else, and they abide with us longer. Though we have talked much on the apple, there are some matters on which we are not fully settled. It will be the object of this essay briefly to touch a few unsettled questions in which the orchardist is concerned. LOW HEADS. Well, how low ? In what form have the head branch out &c. ? On such points, the man who has experience only with young orchards, will hold different ideas from one who is dealing with trees that have attained age. The low tree will certainly make a large top more rapidly, and bear fruit sooner, than if the sap from the roots had to pass up through the sap-vessels of a long trunk. It will also stand the winter better. But in an old orchard, when trees have attained broad proportions, it becomes difficult to culti- vate and get about under the trees when the top starts out at the ground. The question for the orchardist is, how to secure the advantages of low heads, and ob- viate the difficulties that arise, as trees attain age. We accomplish this only by a judi- cious system of pruning. Eirst we would allow the tree to branch low, but as far as practical, we would encourage a central stem, of a predominant growth. We would pre- fer not to have the entire top of the tree branch from a low point. If some of the side branches incline to become too strong so as to rival the central stem, let them be checked by shortening back. If the central stem takes too strong growth, then it should be checked by cutting back, to encourage the growth of the side branches. With this form of top, we may have all the advantages of low heads in our young or- chards, and as trees attain age and broader proportions, the lower branches, as they be- come troublesome, may gradually be removed and no injury is done to the health or form of the tree. PRUNING. Injudicious pruning is not among the least of the evils in the way of successful orchard culture. On the subject of pruning, we have doubtless much to learn. A very common error in young orchards, is that of cutting out all the small branches in the center of the tree — it is the small center branches that give us the first crops of fruit. It has even become a question among some of our best Horticulturists, whether the universal practice of pruning out the center of old orchards trees is not an error. It is argued that the trees should not be allowed to extend their tops to such broad propor- tions, with such a great amount of waste room in the center of the tree without either fruit or foliage. That instead of trimming out the centers, we should shorten back the extending branches occasionally ; thus keeping the top in closer limits, and encouraging a fresh growth of fruit-bearing wood on the outside of the top. It cannot be claimed that this theory of management has yet been sufficiently tested to justify its recommend- ation for general practice. But at least, we may do by it as by some of our apples — recommend it for farther trial. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 123 ROOT GRAFTED OR STOCK GRAFTED TREES. On this subject we have at times had some random discussion ; but it can hardly be said that it has received a critical consideration. It 1b claimed that stock grafted trees are more productive ; the only foundation for such a theory being a dissimilarity between stock and graft. The stock is merely the conductor through which the crude sap passes from the root to the branches. And, it is trne that a dissimilarity between stock and graft often retards circulation ; and whatever retards circulation, favors the formation of fruit buds. But, in our stock grafted apple trees, there being DO specific dissimilarity, (as between pear and quince) no very marked results should be expected. Nevertheless, it must be granted, there does exist some degree of dissimilarity in the woody fibre of different varieties ; and it cannot be doubted that this slight degree of dissimilarity, in some cases retards circulation. Hence, it is bnt a legitimate conclusion that the stock grafted tree may, in some cases, be more productive. But if there is a dissimilarity between stock and graft, there must also exist alike dissimilarity among the different varieties we cultivate ; and from this reason alone, no uniform advantage can be derived from stock grafting as a general practice. Then again, there is also a like dissimilarity between seedling stocks — in a lot of seedlings no two are alike, and there must be a corresponding variation in the effects. Thus we see the advantages of stock grafting as u practice, is rendered still more complicated and uncertain. But still, we can admit the probability that some of our cultivated varieties may be so peculiarly distinct in woody fiber, that, as a general rule, when grafted or budded on other stocks, the circulation may be more or less retarded, and hence, result in a greater tendency7 to productiveness. Thus, the conclusions to which we arrive is, 1st, that the only advantages that can result from stock grafting, must be from a dissimilarity of stock ; 2d, that no uniform advantage can be effected, except by using a uniform kind of stocks with each variety wc BO cultivate. Hence, if we would give this subject a fair trial, let our shy bearers be tried on different varieties of root grafted stocks. Let us have experiments that will lead to different results. OUR SELECT LISTS OF APPLES. flow phall we expect improvement? It cannot be supposed we have yet arrived at the ultimate of improvement. True, we can get up a list for Autumn, and for Early and Mid- Winter with which we are tolerably well suited. But we would like some Improvement in our Early Summer apples. We would like something as early as Early Harvest, on such a tree as Ben Davis, and as good in quality and as productive as the Benoni. And we are far from lieing suited with our list of Keeper*. Can we name a Je keeper that Is free from objections ? Janet and Wine Sap are too small; White Winter Pearmain sc»bs ; Ben Davis has every qualification except quality ; Willow Twig is only a good cooking apple, and so on through the list. We want an apple equal to Yellow Bellflower or Roman Stem in quality, with the productiveness and keeping qualities of the Willow Twig. For improvement in our list of Keepers, let us experiment with Southern apples. We hardly need expect that a Northern climate will originate a good keeper, adapted to the wants of the Valley of the Mississippi. Where the seasons are short, nature produces fruit, having a short period from, the blossom to the maturity of the fruit. 124 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Northern apples generally drop too early for our long Autumns ; as examples, take the Roxbury Russet, Rhode Island Greening, Baldwin and Jonathan. Our longest keepers have a more southern origin, such as Janet, Willow Twig, Wine Sap, and Limber Twig. Let us test the Southern apples. I will close this article with a few reflections on the'subject of Insect Depreciations : It is certainly not very gratifying to look back over the horticultural investigations of fifty years, and see how little has yet been accomplished by man in checking insect depredations. It seems that all the means that we can employ, in the destruction of insect life, must have such a very limited application, that in the aggregate, very little has been accomplished to abate the evils. It is not my purpose to dissuade people from continued efforts, but from needless alarm. While we feel that we have not accomplished much ourselves, we can fall back on a very consoling reflection. It seems a universal rule in nature, that whatever species has the most rapid means of increase, nature has also provided the most formidable means to diminish their numbers and check their overspread. In all animate nature there is conflict. Insect life not only preys upon the vegetable, but also upon each other. Scarcely a species exists that has not one or more parasitic enemy. Insects generally, have a rapid means of increase and will exist in proportion as conditions favor their existence. And we can easily understand that the prevalence of any one species will afford a means for the subsistence of their parasitic enemies. In other words, the carniverous insects will spread in proportion to the insects on which they subsist. When the Potato Bug pre- vails then the Lady Bug can flourish and feast on the eggs of the former. Where the Bark Louse has become spread, its little enemy the Mite, finds means to subsist. Then we have extreme atmospheric changes, with the changing seasons — all the changes of the elements favor or check in some way, the spread of insect existence. WThile we are devising means to work on a small scale, nature often sweeps away the pest in a single season. A STATE BOTANICAL SURVEY. W. C. Flagg offered the following resolution : Resolved, That we hereby solicit the Legislature of this State to provide by law for a Botanical Survey which shall embrace the collection and formation of cabinets of all our native and introdced plants and woods, for our principal institutions ; the preparation and publication of a series of reports ; and finally, the study and description of our na- tive and introduced fungi, especially in their relation to vegetable and animal diseases. Adopted. RECONSTRUCTION AND ENTOMOLOGY. Dr. Warder proposed the name of M. W. Phillips, of Chatawa, Miss., as an honorary member. Carried. Dr. Warder also offered the following preamble and resolution : Seeing that it is known to most of us, that The American Entomologist, published by R. P. Studley & Co., of St. Louis, at $1.00 per year, and edited by our enthusiastic STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 125 friends, Benj. D. Walsh and Chas. V. Riley, has now reached its fourth number, and that it has given entire satisfaction to all \\li<> have perused Its well filled and beautifully illus- trated pages, therefore Jiesolved, That we as a Society confidently recommend it to the Horticulturist, as a journal that will more than repay the small price at which it is published. Adopted. ANNUAL ELECTION. Mann — I put in nomination for President, Tyler McWhorter. Freeman — I nominate J. W. Cochran. Mr. Cochran declined and moved to make the nomination of Mr. McWhorter unanimous. Carried. The following persons were elected Vice Presidents: At Large — Jonathan Periam, Chatsworth. 1st District —J. W. Cochran, Chicago. 2nd " James Crow, Crystal Lake. 3rd " W. H. Hausen, Franklin Grove. 4th " B. D. Walsh, Rock Island. 5th " I. W. Stewabt, Florid. 6th " O. B. Galusha, Morris. 7th " W. P. Pierson, Onarga. 8th " L. C. Fraxcis, Springfield. Oth " N. Overman, Canton, 10th " A. A. Hilliard, Brighton. 11th " J. Warren Fletcher, Centralia. 12th " George Wilgus, Richview. 13th " T. A. E. IIolcomh, South Pass. W. C. Flagg was elected Corresponding and Recording Secretary. John M. Pearson of Godfrey was elected Assistant Secretary. Jonathan Huggins of Woodburn, was elected Treasurer. PLACE OF NEXT MEETING. Wier moved that Bloomington be the next, and the permanent place of meeting. Pearson was opposed- to the motion as there was no invitation to go there. We had a standing invitation from the Alton Society. Galusha moved to amend so as to make Normal the place of next meeting. Dr. Gregory moved Champaign as an amendment to the amend- ment. That part of Mr Wier's motion proposing to make the loca- tion permanent was struck out. 126 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Mr. Freeman moved to refer the whole matter to the Executive Committee. Mr. Pierson proposed Onarga as the place of next meeting. Dunlap and Daggy favored the proposition. Mr. Freeman's motion carried. Mr. Wier offered a resolution instructing the Executive Com- mittee to inquire into the propriety of locating the Society at some point. Laid on the table. STRAWBERRY LIST REVISED. Large Early Scarlet. — Dunlap — I move to strike it out for market in Central Illinois. Carried. Longwortlis Prolific. — Hull — I move to add it for family as south. Lost. McAvoys Superior. — Hull — I move to add it for family use, south. Lost. French's Seedling. — Galusha — I move it be added for family use north. Lost. But on subsequent consideration, carried. Nicanor. — Wier — I move it be added for trial, north. Lost. LongivortJi s Prolific, again. — Hull — I move it be recommended "for trial," in southern Illinois. Spaulding — It is the best strawberry in the list. Hull — It is the most popular one in Alton. I put it and Wil- son's Albany in the same crate and sent it to Chicago, and it out- sold the Wilson 10 cents a quart. Colman — It is next best to Wilson for market. Spaulding — Longworth's Prolific will yield more good handsome berries than any other variety. As the berry is well known, I move that the recommendation be "for renewed trial." Carried. Green Prolific. — Dr. Edwards — I recommend it for family use, anyhow. The vine is a rapid, strong grower, and with me it bore more than double as much as the Wilson. Pearson — It sold with me for from two to five cents more per uart than Wilson, and outbears anything going. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 127 AVier — It is the most promising pistillate variety in northern Illi- nois. Column — It deserves trial. It is the most productive next to Wilson. Carried "for trial." Dr. Hull — I move that the Missouri members be invited to vote with us in making up the lists. Carried. McAvoys Extra Red. — McWhorter — I move it be recommended " for trial," in northern Illinois. Carried. Dr. Geo. Vasey of Rich view, read an essay on TREES. A tree is one of nature's grandest efforts. No matter whether it be the lowly thorn, the stately oak, or the towering pine — there is in eaeh variety something to be admired. Look at the tree rising from the ground with a linn, dense trunk, spreading out its strong arms, dividing and subdividing into numerous branches until they expand into the diversified foliage, burst forth into flowers, and culminate in fruit. What a wonderful life is in the tree. Not a life of sensation or volition, but a life of silent action and change. Some of the most wonderful operations of nature arc there having development. The air is loaded with the deadly exhalations which arc continu- ally being thrown off by the respiration of men and animals, and had not nature pro- vided a means of relief, these accumulated poisons would at length put a period to ail animal existence. But, here stands the tree with its expanded surface of leaves, every one of which opens a thousand doors to welcome in the polluted air, that it may extract therefrom the ma- terial to build up its own fabric. What pleasing associations are connected with the trees with which we have been familiar I How like old friends they appear around our dwellings, stand like sentinels in our stnct>, display their excellence in our orchards, and relieve our weariness, or drive away our care in the pleasant grove, or the quiet forest. We love them foi their strength, for their beauty, for their grateful shade, for their protection from the rude blasts of winter, and for their usefulness. Gentlemen of the Horticultural Society, your efforts and labors among the people to induce an appreciation of the value of trees, and to extend their cultivation for the var- ious purposes of ornamentation, for hedges and shelter, for fruit and for timber — these labors will not be in vain. There ;u-e many who in a tree, sec only a mass of fuel, or a quantity of lumber, and who cut down tin' mosl beautiful groves with a remorseless hand. How thoughtlessly we look upon many »f the common objects of nature, and fail to see in them, wonders that might excite the admiration of an angel ! Probably much of the apathy and inUitferenee of our people in regard to tree culture is due to an important neglect in the education of youth. The Love of flowers and trees is a natural sentiment, but it is one of those sentiments which will not readily 128 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS survive the bli^htinc: influence of neglect. To keep our hearts warm and open to the refreshing Influences of Nature amid the cares and labors of life is one of the most desirable of human attainments. To secure this condition our children should be encouraged to observe the different kinds of objects around them, especially to study plants and trees, to collect speci- mens of them in different stages and compare them with each other, so as to become acquainted with their distinctive characters. For farmers and farmer's sons, it would seem that this information would be almost indispensable, and no institute for Agricultural Education should graduate any student without a good, practical acquaintance with the prominent vegetation of the country in which he lives; with the different varieties of grasses growing in his fields, their habits and peculiarities ; and also with the shrubs and trees which he will meet with, in the every day business of life. It is surprising to notice the very general ignorance which prevails with respect to the great variety of our native forest trees. Perhaps no state in the Union is more favored in this respect than our own. True, we have extensive prairies entirely destitute of trees, but they are intersected with rivers and streams, which are bordered with a fine growth of trees ; then we have in different parts of the State a great diversity of soil, surface and climate, with a corres- ponding diversity of productions ; often presenting extensive forests of valuable trees for building material and for use in the mechanical arts. In order to impress this subject more permanently, and to elicit information, I here present a list of the principal forest trees of this State, and will occupy your attention with some remarks concerning them. ( Magnolia acuminata Cucumber tree. ( Liriodendron tulipifera Tulip tree. Asimina triloba Papaw. Tilia Americana Linden. Bass wood. Aesculens glabra Buckeye. Acer Sacchariuum Sugar Maple. Acer dasycarpum White or Soft Maple. Acer rubrum Red or Swamp Maple. Negundo aceroides Ash-leaved Maple. Black Maple is a variety of Sugar Maple. Robinia pseudacacia Black Locust. On Ohio river. Cercis canadensis Red bud. Gymnocladus canadensis Coffee tree. , Gleditschia triacanthus Honey Locust. Gleditschia monospenna .... Water Locust. Southern. | Primus Americana Wild Plum. Primus chicasa Chickasaw Plum. Primus Pennsylvauica Wild Red Cherry — only in the North . Primus serotina Wild Black Cherry. Cratcgus coccinnea Scarlet fruited Thorn. Crategus tomentosa Black or Pear Thorn. Crategus crusagalli.. Cockspur Thorn. Pyrus coronaria American Crab. ^Pyrus augustifolia Narrow-leaved Crab — Washington County. Liqnidambar Sweet (him: j Cornus tiorida Dogwood. ( Nyssa multiflora Black Gum. Diospyros Virginiana Persimmon. Bumelia lycioides Southern Blackthorn. Bumelia languinosa Southern Buckthorn. Catalpa bignonioides Catalpa. stat; horticultural society. 129 The Catalpa is found in Pulaski County, 100 feet high, and two feet In diameter, probably indigenous. Fraxinua Americana White Ash. Fraxinua pubescena !e'h ; moist soils. Fraxinua viridia Green Ash. Fraxinua sambacifolia Black Ash. Fraxinua qnadrangulata. ...Bine Ash. afras officinale Sassafras. Ulmns l'ulva Slippery Elm. Ulmna Americana While Elm. (Jlmua racemosa Corky White Elm. Found only in the North, and there sparsely. Ulmns alata Winged Elm — found in south pari of the State. Celtis occidentalia line kin Try — found throughout the State. Celtis Mississippiensis Hackberry — found in extreme South. Mortis rubra Red Mulberry. Periam has seen this in Cook County. Platanua occidentals Sycamore. \ Juglans cinerea Butternut. is nigra Black Walnut. ( larya olivseformis Pecan — found as far north as Menard County. Wier has seen it in Peoria County. Carya alba Shell Hark. Carya microcarpa Small fruited Hickory. Carya sulcata Western Shell Bark. Carya tomentosa Mocker Nut. Carya porcina Pignut Hickory. Carya ainara Butternut. Softer shell than the pignut Hickory. The Hickories do not hybridize much. Quercns alba White Oak. Quercus-obtusiloba Post Oak. Quercus maci Burr Oak. Quercus bicolor Swamp White Oak. Quercus castanea Chestnut Oak. Gray considers this as a variety of prinus, but I believe it to be distinct. It is found on rocky ground. I have seen it in Menard County, about Springfield, and near Alton. Quercus Imbricaria Laurel Oak. Quercus nigra Black Jack. Quercus falcata Spanish I >ak ; at South Pass, and in Madison County. Quercus coccinea Scarlet Oak. " coccinea var.tinctoria.Yellow barked Oak. " " var. palustris. Swamp Spanish Oak. " rubra * Dr. Warder — We are inclined to put rubra first, and coccinea and tinctoria as offshoots of it; but palustris we regard as different. Dr. Walsh — I think rubra and tinctoria are different, because the galls upon them are made by different species of" insects. Castanea vesca? — (Chestnut.) I am not certain that this is a native. President Drown — There are a number of old trees at Caledonia, supposed to have been planted by the Indians. Fagm ferruginea — American Beech in south part of the State. Flagg — It is probably in East part of the State, in Edgar County, ^9 130 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS as I have seen it just over the line in Indiana, on the Terre Haute and Alton Railroad. Ostrya Virginica Hop Horn beam. ( 'arpinus Americana Horn beam or Ironwood. Betnla lenta Black birch is found above Dixon. Betula papyracea White or Paper Birch, on Mississippi, at Fulton, and on Lake Michigan. Betula nigra Red Birch in southern part of the State, and as far north as Springfield. Salix nigra Black Willow. ' Populus tremuloides American Aspen. Populus grandidentata Large Toothed Aspen. Both of these are found more or less throughout the State. Populus monolifera Cottonwood. "Angulata is not a species, I think. Populus heteroyhylla ? Downy Poplar. Probably native in the South. Pinus Banksiana Gray or Northern Pine. Found on Lake Michigan, and "upon Ridges in Cook County. Pinus strobus White Pine, at Rockford, etc. Freeman — I think the yellow pine is found in the Southern part of the State. Larix Americana Tamarack. Thuja occidentalis American Arbor Vita?. This has been seen in La Salle County. Taxodium distichum American Cyress — found no farther north than Jonesboro. Wier — It is found on Vermillion river. Juniperus Virglniana Red Cedar. Pearson — I move that Dr. Vasey be requested to reduce his remarks to writing. Carried. RE-DISTRICTING OF STATE. 0. B. Galusha from Committee on Re-districting the State, report- ed adversely to taking any action at this meeting. The report was received, and the Committee continued with in- structions to report at next meeting. THE BIRD QUESTION. Mr. Huggins read with unction the following extract from a letter of Mr. Minier : " I have written a few thoughts on the birds. Alas ! poor things when the Alton Hort. Society gets after them. They will find friends however, in the State Society, especially Dr. Warder and ' The Douglas.' STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 131 " The Douglas," though "tender and trewe " — to birds, was not present, and Dr. Warder, owing cither to having had his grapes eat- en the past season, or to the dread presence of a good many mem- bers of that ornithological Ku Klux Klan, the Alton Horticultural Society, did not make so good a fight as he was capable of. Spaulding — I would like to know something of the usefulness of the English Sparrow. Warder — It has cleared the docks in New York city. We are going to have 400 or 500 of them in Cincinnati the coming season. Column — I am a friend of birds in general. But in a young ap- ple orchard of mine, in the wooded country below St. Louis, I find the Sapsucker has girdled hundreds of trees. He ought to be ex- terminated. Hull — We must distinguish between birds- Our Alton Horticul- tural Soc. likes birds as a whole, but dislikes some. There are injuri- ous and useful birds, just as there are injurious and useful insects. Our boys learn to kill one class and save the other. Again, birds often eat more of our friends among insects, than of our enemies. We have created food for injurious insects, and they increase. The birds do not keep up the balance. The lady-bug, as a cannibal insect is more useful than the birds. I would kill the Jay, Catbird, Cherry- bird, Oriole, Sapsucker, and Red-headed Woodpecker. Wier — I can get along with all except the Catbird, Thrush, and Jay. I can keep birds off of my grapes, but not off of my cherries. Hull — I move to recommend the killing of the six birds I have named. Spaulding — There is also a bird new to us, of a steel blue color, that was very destructive this year. I killed two bushels of this and the Oriole, in two or three days. They appeared to be migrat- ing. They peck and spoil the berries without eating them. Kill- ing some, drove off others. My neighbors with vineyards of from one-fourth to one acre, who did not kill birds, had their grapes all destroyed. Turner — I once forbad my boys from killing any birds on my 132 TRANSACTION'S OF THE ILLINOIS place, except the blue jay. But I found afterwards that the blue jay, if saved, drove all the other birds away. Kingsbury — The bird question is one of locality. I hired two boys and kept them shooting from sunrise to sunset, on 1J acres and found it a good investment. The Oriole was the worst, and the steel blue bird, that Dr. Spaulding mentions, next. Adjourned till evening. THIRD DAY — EVENING SESSION. Dr. Hull's motion was carried. Mr. Pettingill offered the following resolution : Resolved, That our legislature be requested to so amend the law prohibiting the des- truction of certain birds, as to allow any person to kill the birds named, upon his own premises. Carried. FLOWERS. An essay on flowers by Mrs. E. S. Hull, was read by Wm. E. Smith of Alton. The increasing fondness for and attention to the beautiful, visible about our country homes, is a pleasing and hopeful indication. Hopeful, because it shows our people are taking time to enjoy something of this bright world of ours, instead of seeming to con- sider, and almost making it a valley of humiliation and incessant toil. Time was when most men appeared to regard " the West," as a temporary sojourn, in which they were to make fortunes, and then return to the old homo toward the rising sun to spend and enjoy. But, I think the gold they acquired was, to many, the true Lotus flower, which the ancients tell us, if once tasted of caused forgctfulncss of former country and love for the one where they were. They who only came to stay awhile found the "land pleasant to dwell in." The cabin gave way to the more substantial dwelling. Year by year new comforts were added. The necessary potato patch, generally in front of the house, expanded into a vegetable garden. From time to time the good wife appropriated small portions of this for her hollyhocks and lilacs. By-and-by new flowers were planted, and the beautiful encroached so rapidly on the useful, that the latter was finally banished to the rear, where, ins'ead of receiving less, it received more attention than formerly, that all things might be in keeping. And now the family have a flower garden! A small thing, you will say perhaps. Will never contribute to the support of the family, says the practical man. Possibly not in dollars and cents, but man does not live by bread alone. A little pleasure is needed sometimes to revive weary, drooping nature ; and who shall number the many innocent joys our garden shall afford? Not a garden made classical with 6tatues and rare works of art, delighting in secluded walls, cool grotos, or sparkling STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 133 fountains ; but simple and unpretending in its character and narrowed in its ana • Ktiil.it has it- sweetand not transient pleasures, and many days of gloom and noon of monotonons boil will be relieved by pleasant^reveries on the flowers that were, and fond anticipations of those to come. Especially fond after the long, dreary reign of the frost kin::. Then will come forth •■ Daffodils Thatconie bel >re the swallow does, and lake The winds of Hard) with beauty : Violets dinf, Hut sweeter than the lids of Juno's eyes Or Cytherea's breath." A word or two, supposing we have flowers: In the genial spring time, after the close confinement of winter, out-door work is happiness. To hoe, to rake, to dig in the moist, fragrant earth, Beems to be what we shall always like to he doing ; but it is not always spring. Plants are the most tyrannical of pets ; they must be tended in son and out of season. Neglect is death; or worse, deterioration. Better have only ■ grass plat, than a garden gone to waste. It makes one think of the garden of Eden a tier the tall. I would not discourage floriculture, but encourage it in its best form. We read of a man plantings vine and eating the fruit thereof ; but we are not to suppose he did nothing in the interim. There must be work, constant, unremitting work. Let every one who .an, have flowers; but let them be well eared for, that they may look healthy and happy ; for " ' Tis my faith that every llower Enjoys the air it breathes." A flower must have its proper food, drink, and dwelling place, or it can no more exist or grow than a human being. It is the full development of vegetable life, and the consideration of its mysteries, involves a careful examination of the life of a plant from the seed placed in the ground to its maturity. In the seed cell, the embryo of the future plant is carefully preserved in its envelope of starch and gluten. This life germ, under favorable cirenmstances, has been preserved for centuries. Wheat taken from t lie hand of an Egyptian mummy germinated and grew. The process of germina- tion is essentially chemical. The seed i- placed in the Boil, excluded from the light, supplied with a due quantity of moisture, and kept in a temperature above that at which water freeze.-.; air must have fin e access to the seed, which if placed too d p in the soil will not germinate; the starch, which is composed of oxygen and carbon, most obtain another portion of oxygen from the air in order that it be converted into sugar; this sugar furnishes loud to the coming plant, which in a short time will -hoot, its leaves above the soil. A species of slow combustion takes place in the process ol germination, and carbonic acid gas, composed of carbon and oxygen, is evolved. Thus by a mystery thai BCience doe- qo| enable us to reach, tin- spark of life is kindled ; life commences its work, and the plant grows. Why do not some of our lady florists devote a portion of their gardens to wild flowers? I cannot better express myself on this subject than by quoting the words of Mr. John H. Tice in an essay on "Our Native Flowers." "I wish to enter a plea for tin' wild fiowers of America : a plea to have their merits appreciated for adorning our homes, and a plea lor rescuing them from destruction, 134 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS before it is too late. Many localities in the older states, and even many in the new ones of the West, where once the choicest wild flowers abounded and bloomed in the wildest profusion, are now destitute of them : not even a trace of them is to be found ; they have as completely disappeared before the onward inarch of the white man as the red man has, whose war path they decorated, and whose wilderness home they enam- eled from time immemorial. The work of destruction is still going on. "Tear by year they are crowded into narrower limits, and unless the rescuing hand is soon piit forth, they, like the red man, their companion through the indefinite past, will live only in story and in song." All plants are wild somewhere, or grow spontaneously. What is common to us may be rare in other countries. The mullein, of but little beauty in each floweret, but a brave plant, growing cheerfully and heartily out of abandoned soils, ruffling its roots with broad-palmed generous velvet leaves, and erecting therefrom a spire that always inclines us to stop for a kindly look. This fine plant is entirely neglected by us, but in other countries it is &fl noer, and called the " American velvet plant." In my child- hood days, when I held a queer belief, picked up somewhere, that flowers were fairies, the Tbistle was always the prince of the story. But farmers and gardeners have no love for the tall, stylish plant, and have, doubtless, rightly declared against it, a war of extermination. I would not advise the planting of either mullein or thistles. There are many more beautiful wild flowers, and more suited to the garden. Anemones, wild violets, spring beauties, the American cowslip, etc. For a list of our native flowers, let me again refer you to Mr. Tice's essay in the Agricultural Report of Missouri for 1865. Most essays on flowers are addresed to women in a hygienic point of view. They are directed to floriculture as a matter of duty. If you work in the garden j'ou will be healthy, seems to be the text. My only objection is, it appears to be making a duty of what should only he a pleasure, though, of course, all duties should be pleasures. Why not recommend the culture of flowers for their beauty only ? Let us sometimes forget utility, if we do live in the last half of the nineteenth century. A few hours spent in the garden, away from the petty cares of housekeeping, would doubtless conduce to mental, if not physical health, by taking the cobwebs out of the brain, and our thoughts from dwelling on our special grievances. To those engaged in literary pursuits, the flower garden is a real blessing. Books are the great agents of civilization. They are the silent teachers of mankind, filling the mind with wisdom, and strengthening the understanding for the strife of action, making us powerful and gentle, wise and humble, at the same time. But we can not be always buried in our hooks. We must sometimes go out into the sunshine, and it is necessary in order to enjoy our books, that we should also enjoy the privilege of air and light, drinking in health and vigor to enable us to make the best and most profitable use of our sedentary hours. In direct opposition to books, or, rather, in secret combination with them, are flowers. The out-door book, Nature, has so liberally provided for us in so rich a variety of types and bindings, as to leave no excuse for not gratifying our individual tastes. The lover of flowers has this advantage over the lover of books, that he can never be at a loss for variety ; but the classification is somewhat arbitrary, and there is hardly any one who loves the one, hut also loves the other. The best way to enjoy either is to enjoy both ; to take them alternately, so that they may relieve and show off each other to the best advantage. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 135 " The influence of gardening," says Miss Cooper, in Rural Hours, "is a civilizing and Improving occupation in Itself; its influences are all beneficial ; it usually makes a per- son more amiable, and more industrious. Persuade a careless, indolenl man to take an interest in his garden, and his reformation has begun. Lei an Idle woman honestly watch over her own (lower-beds, and she will naturally become more active. There la always work to be done In a garden ; Borne little job to be added to yesterday's task, -without which it is Incomplete; books may i>e closed with a mark where we left off; needle work may be thrown aside, and resumed again ; a sketch may be left half finished, a piece of music half practised ; even household matters may relax in some measure for awhile; but regularity and method are constantly required — are absolutely indispens- able to the well-being of a garden. The occupation itself is so engaging, that one commences readily, and the interest increases so naturally, that no great share of per- severance is meded to continue the employment, and thus labor becomes a pleasure, and the dangerous habit of idleness is cheeked. Of all faults of character, there is not one, perhaps, depending so entirely upon habit as indolence, and nowhere can one learn a lesson of order and diligence more prettily and more pleasantly than from a flower garden." Among the heathen matrons, as far back as the Phoenicians and Sabines, before the founding of Rome, flowers held an important part in their religious ceremonies. The Romans instituted a festival in honor of Flora, as early as the time of Romulus, as a kind of rejoicing at the appearance of the blossoms, which they welcomed as the har- binger of spring. The poet Cowper says : " The spleen is seldom felt where Flora reigns, The low'ring eye, the petulance, the frown, \nd sullen easiness that o'reshades, distorts And mars the face of beauty, when no cause For such immeasurable woe appears ; These Flora banishes, and gives the fair Sweet smiles and bloom less transient than her own." Among the Romans, the bride wore a garland of dowers on the head. Even at the present day in the old countries, it is quite customary to strew flowers in the path of the bride. On festal occasions they are alsousel to decorate churches, and to those ■who condemn this practice as unchristian-like, we would say in the words of Bishop Heber, "If this be heathenish, heaven help the wicked." By the ancients, beauty and divinity were alike crowned with flowers; the objects of their earthly love and Unearthly devotion. They equally graced the altar and the domestic hearth ; the tem- ple, the palace, and the cottage. And even down to the present day, wherever shrines are set up, a risible manifestation of holy things and invisible, there do wreathes and garlands of flowers continue to be suspended. Let db deal gently and considerately with this tendency to the beautiful. The Deeds of life are so urgent among us, and the claims of society so heavy. Let our youl b sing if they will, and our maidens, like the sweet Pcrdita and the gentle Ophelia, give flowers to be " worn with a difference." Let them try love auguries with the petals of the rose, or the down of the dandelion, as they did long ago before Goethe had made the text full of pathos and beauty by the fate of the simple Margery. Let the trefoil indicate the cross, or be suspended over the lintel, to point out the 136 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS destined of fate ; for these things have been done for hundreds of years. Harmless and sweet fantasies like these, redeem this dull work-a-day world. An Essay by Mrs. T. A. E. Holcomb, of South Pass, was read by Parker Earle. ABOUT FLOWERS. " Consider the lilies of the field how they grow ; they toil not, neither do they spin, and yet I say unto you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." The love of flowers is universal. It begins to develope itself at an early age, and little fingers always with great difficulty refrain from pulling them to pieces. One of the dearest sports of childhood is the creation of miniature gardens, surrounded by the choicest bits of moss, and into which can be transplanted spring's first buttercups and violets, where seeds may be planted, and the earliest lessons of hope and patience learned. It is impossible to estimate the influence of flowers. An all-wise Creator, not con- sidering the earth habitable without, formed them first, that the home He had provided should lack nothing. The theologian sees in their wonderful reproductive structure and arrangement, one of the strongest evidences of the intelligence which knew so well how to adapt a means to an end. The physician discovers in them healing for the maladies of the body. The man of science finds in them a vast field of exploration, ever beautiful and ever new. The painter finds a model for his brush — the sculptor for his chisel. The manufacturer a pattern for embellishing his wares, be they cotton or silk, wood or iron, porcelain or glass. The lover finds a name for his sweetheart ; and the maiden, with the bud of a rose or the leaf of a geranium, speaks words so low that none but a lover's ear can hear, yet so sweetly potent that the whole world seems henceforth a fairy land, and himself supreme monarch. It sometimes happens that a man claims to be so eminently practical, that he deems it his duty to protest against the cultivation of flowers as a waste of money and time, and a misuse of land. But, even as the .man who declares music folly, may often be heard whistling some pleasant air, so you may find his garden, just at the end of the border where the sweet-marjoram and house- leek grow, a fine old-fashioned red peony, that has been there so long, he has forgotten it is a flower and would as soon think of removing one of his fence panels as of disturbing it. Yes, and just across the walk is a rose tree which was his mother's favorite. That little bed beyond was once filled with pinks and other flowers, the care of a little sister. She is gone now, and the bed is devoted to early peas and lettuce — but the strong man's thoughts are always gentle when he spades that bed in the spring ; and if he lives to be old there will be pinks there again. During the years of middle life, men sometimes become so engrossed in business that, for a time, everything is discarded that does not seem to tend toward the realiza- tion of some cherished ambition ; but, when the brain becomes healthy and the circu- lation less rapid, when hope is lost in fruition or disappointment, he begins to look about for some quiet spot where he can plant flowers and make a home. Although flowers are so eminently attractive for their grace and beauty, their deli- cateness and fragility render them particularly the objects of our affectionate care. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 137 They are so sensitive, too, that it almost seems us though they were endowed with sensation and perception. Bow sweetly they breathe apon the careless who tread un- heedingly upon them! Eow they shiver when touched by an ungentle band! How they shut their eyes and (.-over their beads with their mantles when plucked from the parenl Btem, and hovi soon they * l i » • ! lint Bee bow booii they recognise a friend, if he only administers to them a eup of cold water! How quickly they revive — how gratefully they smile their thanks, and exhale their gratitude I The love of (lower.-, is such an acknowledged virtue that many claim it who do not possess it. It seems to me that a lady who only hires a stranger to cultivate and cut her flowers, and has no other use for them than the adornment of her house or her person, evinces more admiration tor herself than for her flowers; and I cannot help questioning the genuineness of thai affection, which permits the last novel to make one forget to water plants, or the delicacy of one's hands to prevent cultivating them. And I have no patience with those scicntilie monsters who are never satisfied till they have investigated the internal structure of a plant, from the terminal leaf to the most distant spongiole. What would one think of a physician who heeame so ahsorhed in anatomy, that he looked upon mankind only as so many splendid specimens, which it would give him infinite pleasure to dissect for the advancement of science! The pleasure of memory is perhaps one of the most independent and gratifying sources of our happiness. Did you never puzzle yourself for days, trying to think what old friend was so like some new acquaintance — or whose almost forgotten voice you heard again, when some stranger was speaking ? Hut were you ever at loss to tell what vision rose when, after years of wandering, you once more inhaled the perfume of the lilac? How clear came the remembrance of every sight and Bound of a spring morning, long ago and far away ! Does the heliotrope ever fail to make you think of somebody ? And of whom does the first rose of summer remind you ? The choicest gems in literature are indebted to dowers for their most Btriking similes and glowing descriptions. What so forcible as the glory of man compared to the flower of grass ? And how can we realize Bum's beautiful apostrophe to happy and innocent love apart from " the milk-white thorn, That Bcenta the evening gale." No wonder lowers are considered the abode of fairies, and that they come to be regarded as emblems of all the virtues and passions ; for, by a thorongh acquaintance with them, they acquire a personality which makes them very companionable; and we regard them separately as a good shepherd does each individual member of bis flock. As the influence of flowers is always refining and enobling, so the associations they bring, are always the purest and sweetest. Who can imagine a person gii ing flovi ers to any but a friend? And did you ever know of a very bad person who Loved and culti- vated lowers P [f I werea young lady I would much sooner trust my happiness to the keeping of the man whose button-hole was adorned with a sprig of mignionette, than to him who drove the finesl horses and indulged lo the mosl costly Ha vanasl And if 1 werea young man well 1 suppose I should do as the rest -do. The cultivation of flowers Is so conducive to health and happiness, that it seems unnecessary lo say one word in its favor, and the modes of culture, and fashions of 138 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS arrangement are so thoroughly discussed and widely published that there seems noth- ing left to say on the subject. And yet when I think of the plates of elaborate grounds and extensive conservatories, the unpronounceable names and exaggerated descriptions, the high price to pay and the infinite labor to keep, with which our hor- ticultural periodicals abound ; I think, if there is nothing to add, there may be some- thing to subtract. There is so much said on the subject of taste ; so many rules that must not be violated ; that an ordinary lover of flowers would be so appalled as to despair of ever raising any flowers that would not shock Mrs. Vegetable Grundy, either by the small amount invested in their purchase, the unscientific mode of culture, or the bad taste displayed in their arrangement. One person says : " don't make a flower garden and cut it all up into little beds ; it is so great a departure from Nature ; it is very ugly." The pinks and dahlias, the roses and japonicas of our gardens, the cultivated and intellectual man, and the accomplished and well-dressed women of our houses, are all a departure from nature, but I never heard of any fault found on that account. And who ever heard that the beauty of a landscape was at all impaired by the addition of a neat, pretty village, and its surroundings ; with its straight, smooth road, flanked on either side with convenient, cozy dwellings, half hidden in the trees; its schoolhouse standing apart, and its church on the hill ? And why not a village of flowers ; with roads of gravel, and fences of box and iris ; houses of rosewood ; meadows of daisies and cowslips ; store-houses of honeysuckles and jessamine for the hummingbirds ; a little garden of reseda and hyacinths for the bees ; an orchard of flowering almonds and japan quince ; spines of hollyhocks and dahlias in the distance ; the whole inter- spersed with domes and archers where the birds may give concerts ad libitum f Nature may be all very well in her way, but in my opinion the Good Father has created many of our surroundings as imperfect as we are, at first, and that he intended us to do some things ourselves. I am sure he always expected us to build houses to live in, and he did not think in doiug it he would mar the beauty of his landscapes, or he would have created us so that we did not need them. And I am sure he expects us to reclaim the waste places and make the wilderness blossom as the rose. There is beauty in diversity as well as uniformity — in masses as well as in isolation, in convenience and in use — and above all in harmony. So 1 say make a flower garden. You can cultivate so much more easily, you can protect with greater convenience. You can arrange to eclipse the rainbow and better than all, you can run out and gather a profusion of flowers to give to some unfortunate body who has none, in just a minute and never miss them. Of course this garden is not to be placed where your eye. rests on it continually, because the eye would be overtasked, just as the ear would be if everybody carried on conversation in an Aria from La fille du Regiment Robert le Diable. Nor should it be placed so near a road that the dust is always settling down upon it. Every person who loves flowers will find some convenient and suitable place for them, both in doors and out. There is no necessity to copy here all the directions given for compounding soils, selecting plants, time for planting, pruning, transplanting, shading, watering, &c. A few words however may not be amiss. When a person begins to make collections for a garden or conservatory, I think he should act on the same principle he would in forming a library. That is, begin Avith something he knows, or that some reliable friend recommends. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 139 I shall never forget my own disappointment in the PerUlw Nankinensrs, which is described as a beautiful variegated foliaged plant — very fragrant. Nor that of a triend who purchased from the catalogue descriptive, a new and expensive plan! with a very imposing name. Aitertwo years of careful training it, produced a flower ahoul the color of a turkey's egg, and fully laden with the odor of sulphurretted hydrogen. As soon as possible, after commencing the garden, learn to bud, to graft, and to propa- gate by layers and •cuttings. There Le a simple method of rooting cuttings, which may not be known to all, and therefore may be of interest. Cuttings of almost everything will rool v tv readily during the warm weather, it' inserted in a shallow dish nearly filled with well washed sand. The only *' directions " are — "set in the sun and keep wet." This method is particularly adapted to the use of beginners who are too impatient to wait a reasonable length of time to see whether they have rooted or not ; as von have only to make the sand very wet ; when the cuttings can be taken out and examined, and then reinserted, without injury. If the dish be porous, and the wood only partially hardened, so much the letter. What plants you can't make, buy. But I think you will find more pleasure, in a plant whose entire growth has been made under your care, than in those suspicious looking, puny things so often sent out by professional florists and seedsmen ; not only because you have labored for it, but because you can rely upon it. In any garden, however small, care should be taken to ln\ e a succession of flowers all through the season; if not, the garden is apt to be neglected ; as the pleasure is then prospective. The hardy bulbs are the first to greet us, and ere they are gone, the flow- ering shrubs come on. These are followed by roses, hardy herbaceous plants — summer bulbs, greenhouse bedding plants— annuals, and lillies, through the summer, while dah- lias, tube roses and chrysanthemums prolong the season till it is time to go sleighing. Again I say plant flowers. They will always do their besl to repay you for your care. Tend them well ; they will not disappoint yon by ingratitude. Don't be afraid of spoil- ing your complexion, and be sure the friend to whom you tr'ive flowers, will never think with less fondness of the hand which gives them, because it may be a little browned in their service. ' AN ESSAY ON CLIMATOLOGY, By Prof. Win. M. Baker, of the Industrial University, was read by Mr. Pearson. Ladies and Gentlemen of flu Horticultural Society: — The Bubjecl which has been as. ted me, on which to presenl an essay, is so wide in its extent, and so various in its bearing, thai a per. -on more a specialist than myself, may well be in doubt as to what one, of its manifold relations he shall present, in the brief space allotted to Buch an et From man's earliest existence upon the e;n-tli, nietcrology — the aspeel of the risible heavens, the cloud.-, the rain and the dew — the winds that blow where they lisl —the changes of seasons and all the various phenomena accompanying these — has attracted his attention, e\ citej his wonder and awe, and incited him to the Btudyofthe laws governing the constant changes and evolutions going on before him. Although great progress has been made in the comprehension of phenomena, and of many of the laws governing them, yel they are dependent on so many cause-, primary or incident. Th< causes are many of them so withdrawn from human observation, they interact so fre- 140 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS qoently, that but little advance has apparently been made in practical results, from this long course of study and observation. It has seemed advisable to me, therefore, at this time, to confine myself to what is in some respects an accidental branch of the subject, and yet one which, in its practical bearings upon the work of this Society, seems to me important and worthy of study. I refer to " the influence which man has had, or may have over climate, by the changes produced by them, especially with reference to the prairie regions of the West. In presenting this subject, let me say, I can in no wise lay claim to the office of an original observer, and only aim to put the results of others' labors in a more concrete form, and to apply them to the region just mentioned. It is an old and common observation that " climate changes man ;" that he is, in some respects, the creature of it ; that though, owing to his house-building and clothes-wear- ing propensities, he occupies a wider range of latitude than any other animal, yet that climate does not fail to take its revenge on him, and write its influence in unmistakable characters on both mind and body. Long continued and severe cold, compelling enor- mous consumption of the most heat producing food, dwarfs the body, enfeebles the intellect, and we have the Esquimaux. Excessive heat, with its enervating effects upon both mind and body, taking away all desire aud motive for continued exertion, by its stimulating effect upon vegetation, aud by the few imperative wants which man feels in consequence, has nearly the same effect ; as witnessed in the islands of the Pacific, in the central regions of Africa, etc. But I need not dwell upon this. It is acknowledged by all. In a slight degree we may see its effects in our own country : the burly, bluff John Bull, from the moist and generous climate of Britain, becomes in New England, in a dryer climate, the Yankee, with less rotundity of body, Avith firm, hardened and tough- ened muscles, with voice less rich and broad, but higher pitched and nasal. In the West and South he becomes more lank of form, more bilious of aspect, with flattened articul- ation, with perhaps more nervous energy, and yet with less reserved force. And thus it has ever been. As Prof. Draper, in his intellectual development of Europe, says : " Variety of natural conditions, gives rise to different national types, artificial inven- tions occasion renewed modifications. Where there are many climates, there will be many forms of men. Would any one deny the influence of rainy days on our industrial habits, and on our mental conditions, even in a civilized state ? With how much more force, then, must such meteorological incidents have acted on the ill-protected, ill-clad, ill-housed barba- rians ? Would any one deny the increasing difficulty with which life is maintained, as we pass from the southern peninsulars to the more rigorous climates of the north ? .There is a relationship between the mean annual heat of a locality and the instincts of its inhabi- tants for food. The Sicilian is satisfied with a light, farinaceous repast, or a few fruits ; the Norwegian requires a strong diet of flesh ; to the Laplander it is none the less accept- able, if grease of the bear, or train oil, or the blubber of whales be added. Meteorology to no little extent, influences the morals ; the instinctive propensity to drunkeness, is a function of the latitude. Food, houses, clothing bear a certain relation to the isother- mal lines. For a similar reason, the inhabitants of Europe, tend each year to more com- plete homogeneousness." Draper's Tntelh dual Development of Europe, page 20. But it is only of comparatively recent date, that it has been shown that man is not the passive recipient of even mighty climatic influences, but in his turn reacts upon them STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 141 and fbrceB them to yield,, though in a comparatively Blight degree. Statistics, carefully tiered, show that In Europe, changes In climate, and especially in regard to the fall of rain, the prevalence of storms, have followed the felling of trees, the removal of forests, actual condition, even making large allowance for exaggeration, it was easy to see that the level was considerably depressed. The (acts spoke for themselves. Oviedo, who, toward the close of the L6tb century had often traversed the valley of Aragua, says positively that New Valencia was founded In 1555, at one and one-half miles from the lake of Tacarigua. In 1800, Humboldt found this city, three and one-half English miles from the shore. The aspect of the soil furnished new proofs. Many hillocks on the plain, retain the name of Islands, which they more justly bore, when they were sur- rounded by water. The ground laid bare by the retreat of the lake was converted into admirable plantations of cotton, bananas, and sugarcane; and buildings erected near the lake, showed the sinking of the water from year to year. In 1706 new islands made their appearance. An important military point, a fortress built in 1740, on the island of Cabiera was now on a peninsula. Humboldt did not hesitate to ascribe the diminu- tion of the waters of the lake to the numerous clearings which had been made in the valley of Aragua within half a century. In 1800, the valley of Aargua possessed a population as dense as that of any of the best peopled parts of France. Such was its prosperous condition when Humboldt saw it; :22 years later, I explored this valley. For some years previous the inhabitants bad observed that the waters of the lake were no longer retiring, but on the contrary, were sensibly rising. Grounds, not long before occupied by plantations, were submerged. The island of Nuevas Aparecidas, which appeared above the surface in 1766, had again become shoals, dangerous to navigation. Cabiera, a tongue of land on the north side of the valley, was so narrow that the least rise of the water completely inundated it. A protracted north wind sufficed to flood the road between Maracay and New Valencia. The fears which the inhabitants of the shores bad so long entertained were reversed. During the 2:2 years which had elapsed, important political events had occurred. Venezuela no longer belonged to Spain. The peaceful valley of Aragua had been the theater of bloody struggles, and a war of exter- mination had desolated those smiling lands, and decimated their population. At the first cry of independence, a great number of slaves found their liberty, by enlisting under the banners of the new Republic. The great plantations were abandoned, and the forest, which in the tropics, so rapidly encroaches, had soon recovered a large por- tion of the soil, which man had wrested from it by more than a century of constant and painful labor." Mar- hand gives the following remarkable in tanee of the effect of trees upon springs: "The Wolf Bpring, in the commune of Boubey, furnishes a remarkable example of the influence of the woods upon fountains. A fewyears ago, this spring did not exist. At the place where it now rifles a small thread of water was observed after very long rains, but the stream disappeared with the rain. The spot is in the middle of a very steep pasture, inclining to the south. Eighty years ago, the owner of the land perceiving that youmc lirs were shooting up in the upper part of it, determined to let them grow ; and they SOOn formed a flouri.-hiiitr grow. As soon as they were well grown, a tine spring appeared in place of the occasional rill, and furnished abundant water in the lonf droughts. For 40 or 50 years this spring was considered the best intheClosdu Doubs. A few years since the grove was felled, and the ground turned again to a pasture. The spiring disappeared witli the. wood, and is now as dry as ft was 90 years ago." William ('. Bryant, as quoted by Dr. Piper, makes the following remarks: "It is a common observation that our summers arc become dryer, and our streams smaller. Take the Cuyahoga as an illustration. Fifty years ago, large barges loaded with goods 144 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS went up and down the river; and one of the vessels engaged In the battle of Lake Erie, was built at Old Portage, six miles north of Albion, and floated down to the lake. Now, in an ordinary stage of water, a canoe or skiff can hardly pass down the stream. Many a boat of 50 tons burden has been built and loaded in the Tuscarawas at New Portage and sailed to New Orleans without breaking bulk. Now, the river hardly affords a sup- ply of water at New Portage for the canal. The same may be said of other streams. They are drying up, and, from the same cause, the destruction of our forests, our sum- mers are growing dryer and our winters colder." Cautegril gives an almost conclusive example, occurring in the province of Langbru- griere, France. " The inhabitants of this commune had long been noted for their opposi- tion to forest laws. A forest of some 4,000 to 5,000 acres covering a mountainous slope, has consequently been almost cut away. A stream upon which were several mills, drains this commune. As the forest was cut away, it was found that the floods were much more violent, and dangerous, while in the summer there was not water to supply the needed power. Since 1340 a new system has been initiated. The forest is carefully pro- tected, and new plantations are continually made. In proportion to the restoration of the forest, the condition of the manufactories has become less and less precarious, and the action of the water is completely modified. There are no longer sudden and violent floods, and the mills are no longer forced to suspend work in summer." But I can not give further Illustrations within the limits of this essay. Sufficient have been given to show the effect man may have upon the flow of water, and the consequent climatic changes. Owing, as is believed, to the stripping of the hills and mountains of trees, the provinces of Dauphiny, Avignon, and Provence in S. E. France, are decreas- ing in productiveness, in population, and in wealth, in such a manner as to call forth the most serious investigations of the government. The streams become torrents, the rains wash down the soil from the steeper hillsides, and what once was the abode of plenty, has become desolate and barren. Forests have another effect which may be noticed ; and consequently by their destruc- tion, man causes change. They not only retain moisture, and make its flow more equa- ble and constant, but they protect from extreme heat or cold. As a defence against the violence of winds, they are of great utility. The R. R. engineer tells us that there is a very sensible diminution of fuel, while running through a region sheltered by trees. We all know that the ground does not freeze to so great a depth in the forest as in the open ground. While in New England it is not uncommon for the first snow to fall, before the ground in the forest is frozen, and to remain all winter, the ground thus being complete- ly protected. While it is not pretended that man can change the duration of summer or winter, and alter the sequence of the seasons, yet it is generally admitted that he can greatly modify and partially control their effects upon himself. By the changes produced by him prevalent diseases are modified or driven away altogether. Malarial diseases are especially under his control. Ague is hardly known now in New England. It was formerly prevalent there, especially in the valley of the Connecticut ; but the cultiva- tion of the soil, drainage, etc., have driven it away. Thus, in the West and South, it is gradually retiring before these influences. So with yellow fever ; its field is becom- ing more circumscribed, and its type less virulent, as man guards against the causes which cherish it. New Orleans under Butler, may be cited as a striking instance. Under his vigorous rule, the strictest cleanliness was observed. As was said by many, STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 145 it became the " cleanest city of its size in the world." The fever did not appear ; but as this care was relaxed, and dirt again became the rule, fever has again made its appearance. It is found that growing vegetation, especially trees, has a protecting influence against malaria. It la stated that Lieut. Maury interposed several rows of sun flowers between the National observatory and the malarial region of the Potomac, with eminent success In diminishing the unheal thineas of the locality. La Roche, as quoted by Blodgctt, says that "a thick forest formerly extended on the south side of Rome, protecting it from the influence of the Pontine marshes ; this belt has been reserved and the country has become proverbial for its unhcalthincss. Trees were planted by the Romans to protect localities in this manner, and the practice was enforced bylaw: " Whole families," says Bartlett, " have resided near the Pontine marshes, and by the intervention of shrubs and trees have escaped for years the nox- ious efTects of their putrid waters." Dr. Hosack states that "a family in New Jersey was attacked with fever, in consequence of cutting down a wood that separated them from a morass in the J e'ghborhood." Army physicians therefore recommend having a wood if possible, between a marsh and an encampment. Beirut, formerly very un- healthy, has ceased to be so since the planting of a wood of fir trees below the town. At Paramaribo, the trade wind that regularly ventilates the town and renders it habit- able, blows over a swamp within a mile of the town, but the malaria is arrested by an intervening grove of trees. The effect upon the long unhealthy Maremme of Tuscany — by filling and draining swamps and the planting of trees — may be also cited, whereby the health of the locality has been essentially changed within the short space of one generation. Let us now see how these principles apply to the Prairie regions with which we have so largely to deal. Whether with Prof. Lesquereux — (Geology of Ills., Vol. 1, Chapter VII.,) we hold that the prairies have been formed by the gradual filling up, and consequent retro- gression of vast lakes, and that the soil formed in this manner, being unfit and unsuited for the growth of trees, they consequently remained treeless, or, with some, that they were cleared by a more civilized race than the Indians, which race once inhabited these regions — clearing the oak openings of Ohio, leaving their traces in the mounds and fortifications still to be seen throughout the West, especially in Ohio, and were then kept cleared by the Indian- by their annual burnings — the facts are that the pioneer settlers found this a comparatively treeless region, with a peculiar vegetation, the sur- face very generally moist, unless in the heat of summer, and, as is asserted by that 6trange myth — the oldest inhabitant — with a somewhat more equable and less intense climate than now. In the comparatively few years that have passed since its settlement, wc find trees springing up in the prairies, and extending themselves where they are not planted by man ; the prairie grasses, whicli by their thick roots and herbage protected the BOi] from gulleying and washing, have disappeared whenever cultivation has come in; the land has become drier, even where drainage is not resorted to ; the streams have In-come less constant ; agues and miasmatic diseases are becoming rarer, &c. rrei's Late. Of this Dr. Crain says he has never seen an early winter apple 80 uni- versally popular. It is about the color of the Pennock and most like the Spitzenberg in flavor. It is very productive. Spark's is productive, not best in quality and a uniform bearer. In color and form it is like the Ortley. Virginia Greening resembles Fallowater, and is considered promising. Shockley resembles Black Gilliflower, but is lighter, of acid flavor, not high and keeps well. American Golden Russet did well last year but has not generally been satisfactory. Smith's Cider succeeds well here so far, and is profitable. It is a very early winter apple. At Cobden is said to be water cored. Nickajack is profitable to sell southward in Spring. It is not very good. Jtawles Janet spots before cold weather, but does well a few miles off on the oak ridges. Pryor's Red wants the same soil, on which it has succeeded well in this county. Lavage. This Dr. Crain believes to be the best apple yet tried in this region. It keeps, with less loss than the Nickajack. Wincsap succeeds well here. It was more tender in bloom last year than other sorts. The year having been so unfavorable, the committee have had few opportunities to examine any new sorts of apples, and have little to report in that direction. In a few years we may expect some interesting results from the various experiments now going on. Mr. Andrews, of Marengo, is introducing some winter Siberian crabs, which in the terrible winters of the northern country can endure the climate and produce a tolera- ble fruit. Mr. Skinner, of the same place, has some 1500 varieties under trial. Our Industrial University will plant about that many the next spring. I have myself about the .-aine number. Mr. Lawyer, of South Pass, from whom a great part of these col- lections are derived, has I believe about 2000 varieties in his experimental orchard. PEARS. Pears were also injured by the spring frosts so as to produce but a very small crop, but were perhaps better than the apples. Trees, however, showed some blight at several points. At Aurora we heard considerable complaint of lack of success in pear growing, though I think that ultimately when proper modes of management are understood, that that beautiful region will grow the pear. The Flemish Beauty, according to Mr. Minkler, has been the most successful variety with him, and next to it, the White Doyenne. 160 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS At Princeton we saw the Vicar of Winkfleld bearing well in one of the village lots. At another place we found considerable blight, associated however with perfect health in other trees. The Hon. John H. Bryant showed us a lot of pear trees with which great pains had been taken. They were surrounded on three sides by a high close board fence. They were standards, beaded low and planted 18x18 feet. They are now 12 years of age. Of the 250 trees originally planted, about 15 or 20 per cent, are dead. The varieties comprise Bloodgood, Flemish Beauty, Lawrence, Belle Lucrative, Bart- lett, White Doyenne, Seckel, Rosticzer, Dearbonis Seedling, Steven's Genesee, Beurre Bosc, Beurre Diel, Oswego, Beurre and Madelaine. Of these the Bartlett is the best, "three to one" in productiveness thus far. Belle Lucrative comes nest, and Seckel next. Bloodgood has not yet borne fruit. The pears last year, and to some small extent this, had the russet bands and spots seen by your committee last year about Alton. In Mr. Bryant's yard is a tree of the Burlinghame pear (of Kenrick) 20 years old, thrifty, and bearing good crops. At Arthur Bryant's, we saw some good pear trees of considerable age, but omitted to take notes of them. At Centralia, we saw some fine young pear trees ori the grounds of Mr. Pullen, and some good dwarfs on the place of Valentine Betz, but the general condition of the trees in this vicinity was not good. The excessive drought of 1867, and the very late and v e, spring of 1868, had prevented timely cultivation, and injured the trees. At this point also, we saw the russet bands on some of the fruit that had escaped the spring frost. Mr. John Betz, who has about 50 varieties, and 1500 to 2000 trees, says he would plant now only the Bartlett. At Cobden, where I spent only a few hours, we looked in on the large pear orchard of Parker Earle & Co. Some trees had made an aggregate growth of 18 feet, although planted this season. The trees three years planted, were very handsome and thrifty. Here and there a tree was dying and upon being pulled or dug up, were found to have the roots dead or dying, and coated with a white or grayish fungus growth, apparently the result, but possibly the cause, of decay. This orchard, like most of those of lower Egypt* was planted on freshly cleared land immediately after clearing. I am inclined to think that for some species of fruit trees, this immediate succession is not congenial, and may possibly be a condition of disease and death. At Villa Ridge, we saw the very fine pear trees of Judge Brown, whose experience with varieties has been given in our last report. We found some blight, and a very pe- culiar fungus on the limbs of one or two of the trees. A spider web-like myceliun runs up the branches, making mushroom-like excrescences around the buds and in the forks of the smaller limbs. This web-like process, at first white, grows brown as it becomes older, and forms white, oyster-shaped blotches along the web, which I suppose may con- tain the spores of the plant. This fungus appears to grow with great rapidity and to confine itself entirely to the exterior part of the tree, doing no apparent injury beyond destroying the leaves and making them drop. Pear trees in this remarkable soil grow with great vigor. A Flemish Beauty tree at Dr. Crane's, 11 years planted, is already 20 to 25 feet high. My observation of varieties of the pear at Alton, has been limited owing to the fail- ure of fruit. On my own place, Bartlett, Belle Lucrative, Seckel, Onondaga, and Duch- esse d'Angouleme were least injured by frost. I have not observed much blight, but I think there was a good deal of latent tendency that way, which from lack of favorable conditions did not develope. I think I checked it one case upon the Easter Beurre by STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 161 root -pruning. At any rate, I root-pruned in May, when I found certain limbs not healthy, and at the .same time cut off the unhealthy limbs, and the disease appeared to stop. PEACHES. We saw peaches everywhere, even as far up as Aurora, but hardly any good crops ; those who had trees in the north part of the State had some peaches, and we think our northern Mends should keep seedling trees growing. Mr. M inkier informs me that by planting a row or two of peach pits about his place, he gets a lot of peach trees that cost almost nothing and bring a crop or two of fruit that is quite remunerative in peach- Less regions. This fruit is so much better picked ripe from the tree, that northern culti- vators ought to exert themselves to secure at least a limited supply. Dwarf varieties, such as Van Bureu's Golden Dwarf and the Italian Dwarf, can be easily protected ; and, by double working, can dwarf other varieties. And even ordinary trees, by close plant- ing, shortening-ln and roofing, can probably be made profitable, and certainly agreeable to the family, in high latitudes. Mr. Wier at Lacon, informed us that he had 400 to 500 seedling peach trees planted in 1864, that had a good crop on them this year, and bore a few last year. The borer and the June grass, he declares to be the two chief difficulties to contend against. At Quincy, at the State Fair, Mr. D. C. Benton of that city, exhibited 61 varieties of peaches, fresh or preserved in brine. He kindly furnished me with the times of ripening of the ditrerent varieties, this year, and I took notes of his remarks upon them as follows : Aug. 5th — Hale's Early : Rots badly ; got 30 boxes from 70 trees. Aug. 11th — Serrate Early York: Rots nearly as badly as Hale's Early. Aug. 15th— Fay's Early Anne : Rots, of no value. An!?, loth— Troth's Early Red: One of the best market sorts. Aui,r. 17th — Haine's Early lied, (Phoenix) : Higher colored and not so downy as Troth's ; rots ; of no value. Aug. 18th — Coolidge's Favorite : Rots badly. Aug. 18th — Early Lemon, (Pullen) of clear yellow color; of no value. Aug. ISth — Honest John, (yellow) : A good market sort. Aug. 20th — Amelia. Aug. 20th — George IV., (Phoenix) : Same as Large Early York. Aug. 20th — Yellow Rareripe, (Pullen) : A Serrate variety. Aug. 24th — Crawford's Early : Most profitable variety thus far. Aug. 24th — Galbraith's Seedling : Of no value. [I think this cannot be the true Gal- braith, which ripens earlier.] Aug. 24th — Large W/iite Free, (Pullen) : Of no value. Aug. 25th — Bergen's Yellow : A shy bearer. Aug. 86th— Van Zandt's Sujwrb: Of no value. Aug. 26th — Yellow Rareripe: Bears well here. Aug. 27th — Early Admirable: Very like Oldmixon Free. Aug. 27th — Early Barnard : Of high color and very firm. An;'. 27th — White Imperial: Showy ; rots badly. Aui?. 80th — Snow: Undesiraale. Sept. 1st — Brevoort: One of the finest. Sept. 1st — Druid Hill: Not desirable In competition with Oldmixon Free. Sept. 1st — Late Delaware: Not desirable. 12 162 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Sept. 1st — Lemon Cling : Too sour, and rots badly. [This cannot be the true Lemon Cling or Pine Apple, -which is very late.] Sept. 1st — Moore'1 s Favorite : Not valuable. Sept. 1st — Oldmixon Free : One of the best. Sept. 1st — Reeve's Favorite: Good, but not bearing well. Sept. 1st — Robinson Crusoe, (Pullen) : Good, white, free. Sept. 1st — Shanghae Cling, (Pullen) : Good. Sept. 1st — Stetson's Seedling, (Phcenix) : Of no value. Sept. 5th — Beer's Late Melocoton: One of the best, late. Sept. 5th — Oldmixon Cling : One of the best clings. Sept. 5th — Susquehanna: Very large ; desirable. Sept. 8th — Jane: Same as Stump the World. Sept. 10th — Crawford's Late : A sby bearer. Sept. 10th— Burden's Rareripe: White and colorless ; of very fine flavor. Sept. 10th — Harker' s Seedling : Very good. Sept. 10th — Jaques' Rareripe : Very good ; bears well. [This peach should come earlier, according to some authorities.] Sept. 10th — Late Admirable : One of the best. Sept. 10th — Monmouth Melocoton : One of the best market sorts, but comes with Beer's, which is better. Sept. 10th — Philadelphia, (Pullen) : One of the best. Sept. 10th — Prince's Red Rareripe: Very good ; desirable market variety. Sept. 10th — Scott's Nonpareil : Of finest flavor ; a good market sort. Sept. 10th — Stump the World: Good market sort. Sept. 10th — Wier : Small, not very good ; very hardy. Sept. 12th — Morris' White, (Pullen) : Large, fine ; rots a little. Sept. 12th — Prince' s Paragon : Small, handsome; not desirable. Sept. 15th — Qaskill's Late: Good. Sept. 15th — Heath Free: Rots ; somewhat good. Sept. 15th — Wara's Late Free : First rate market sort. Sept. 17th — President : Good. Sept. 20th — Smock : Good. Sept. 21st — Patterson's Late White, (Pullen) : Not valuable. Sept. 25th — Allen's Late October : Valuable. Sept. 25th— iter's Smock: Better, larger and stronger grower than Smock. Sept. 25th — Todd's Seedling : Not desirable. Oct. 1st — Heath Cling : Not valuable. Oct. 10th — Molden's White : Best late market variety. Mr. Benton recommends the following as a market list, from his experience thus far : Aug. 15th— *Troth's Early Red; 18th. Honest John, (yellow); 24th. **Crawford's Early ; 26th. **Yellow Rareripe. Sept. 1st — ** Oldmixon Free ; 10th. *Reeve's Favor- ite ; 5th. *Beer's Late Melocoton ; **01dmixon Cling ; 10th. ^Crawford's Late ; *Jaque'a Rareripe ; **Late Admirable ; **Phvladelphia ; **Scott's Nonpareil ; **Stump the World ; 15th. *GaskiU's Late ; *Ward's Late, Free ; *Heath Free ; 17th. *President ; 20th. *Smock ; 25th. **AUen's Late October ; *Beer's Smock. Oct. 1st. — *Heath Cling ; 10th. *Moldcn's White. Those marked with one star (*) are commended. Those marked with two stars (**) specially so. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 163 At Puna, I visited the orchard of Mr. Chase on the 20th of July. His orchard had a fair crop of fruit, somewhat marked by the Curculio. The Hale's Early was coloring and rotting, as elsewhere. The orchards In the vicinity of Pana, I believe, had generally a tolerable crop of peaches, and did not Buffer as much from the Curculio, and rot as those farther south. At Alton, the curculio and rot were very damaging to the small crops of fruit that were left by the frost. One grower, S. B. Johnson, who had a very good crop, kept flres burning in and about his orchard during the frosty nights. In my own orchard, most of '.he early varieties foiled on younger trees; Hale's Early, entirely on young trees, had few n aches and those all rotted. Troth's Early on trees six years planted were nearly all destroyed by frost ; whilst a variety very similar, purchased as Cole's Early, ami ten years planted, had a fair crop. Large Early York, on trees six years planted , was almost a total failure, whilst on trees planted ten years, it bore well, — the only apparent difference being the age of the trees. This held true with Crawford's Early, and other varieties. Yellow Rareripe failed on six year old trees, that bore little fruit last year. Late Admirable, on trees ten years planted, bore line and fair fruit. Magnum Bonum proved very prolific, on six year trees, last year and this, but is not best in qual- ity or very tine in appearance. Stump the World, on trees of six years that did not bear las! year, had a good crop of fruit, less injured by frost and insects than almost any other variety. The Heath, and other late varieties, ripening in wet weather, rotted badly. I have received some trees of new varieties this fall, that are said to promise well. One of these is from Thomas J. Pullen, of Hightstown, X. J., called the Salway, and described as "a late yellow freestone, very hardy, remarkably productive and highly colored. It ripens from ten days to two weeks later than the Smock, and is a great acquisition to our late market varieties." Such is Mr. Pullen's claim, not yet proven by actual trial in the West. Another variety, I received from P. J. Berckmans, of Augusta, Georgia, who there finds it the best market peach to succeed the Smock. This is Pic- quet's Late, described as "very large, yellow with a red cheek, flesh yellow, buttery, rich, sweet, and of the highest flavor ; maturity from end of August to middle of Sep- tember," [at Augusta.] Flatus St. John, a yellow peach, ripening with the Early Tillot- son, is another promising sort, also from Mr. Berckmans. At Centralia, we found that not only the peaches had been nearly all destroyed by the late frosts, but the trees, owing to the large and exhaustive crop of 1807 and the backward, wet spring of 1868, were looking badly at the time of our visit, (May 28th.) At Du Quoin, we examined the large orchard of the Winter Brothers, noted for its successive good crops. The orchard contains about 50 acres, and was planted eleven years ago, the trees being set 18x20 feet, and some 13x20. The trce6 were started with low heads, which results in three or four trunked trees more difficult t anagein pinning and cultivation. The Messrs. Winters state they would hereafter make the trunks not less than 18 to 24 inches high. The last four or five years, the earth has been mounded up about the trees to the height of about 18 inches. This is thought to keep the trees dryer and to keep out the borer. Cultivation is begun when there is a Crop Of fruit, late in May or curly in June. The ground is ploughed twice and then kept clean by running a large cultivator made for the purpose, which cleans out a space of 20 feet by running through it three times. In years when there is no crop the ground is less cultivated, as one main object in cultivation is to increase the size of the fruit and maintain the vigor of the tree at the time when its vigor is most 164 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS taxed. Three rows of trees that had been left uncultivated the last year, were shown us in one corner of the orchard. They were nearly dead from the neglect. Hogs are kept in the orchard at the rate of about one hog to the acre and kept on short com- mons, so as to make them industrious in picking up the fallen fruit as soon as it drops. The varieties cultivated are Serrate Early York, Large Early York, Crawford's Early, Oldmixon Free, Crawford's Late, Morris' White, Smock and Heath. For a new planta- tion, the following are recommended : Hale's Early, a few, Troth's Early, Large Early York, Crawford's Early, Oldmixon Free, Crawford's Late, and Smock. The earliest ripening of the Hale's Early, here, is July 13th, and the Smock ripens from the 20th to the 25th of September. From the 6000 to 7000 peach trees planted, the nett sales in 1866 were $22,600, and in 1867, $8,000, and in 1868, $ . For some reason, we found the crop of the present year quite exempt from the attacks of the Curculio. This is attributed by some to the keeping of hogs to pick up the fallen fruit ; by some, to clean cultivation ; and by some, to the impervious character of the subsoil, making it a bad lodging place for the larva of the Curculio. We found at DuQuoin, that much dreaded disease, the " yellows." It had invaded the orchard of Winter Brothers, but had been fought with promptness and energy as soon as known, and was now nearly exterminated. But near old DuQuoin, we were shown an orchard in the last stages of the disease, which was immediately recognized by Dr. Hull as the old foe of the Eastern states. The first symptom of the disease, according to the Messrs. Winter, is the premature ripening of the fruit. The Oldmixon sometimes ripens a month before its time. All peaches so affected, although of different varieties, look much alike. Bright red spots appear upon the surface, and a reddish discoloration runs from them clean through the flesh to the stone. The next symptom is in the growth of the leaves at the ends of the limbs. These appear blotched, white and curled. The disease appears to work downwards into the lower and longer branches of the tree. First a limb dies, and finally the tree. It takes about two years to finish the work. As Dr. Hull will report more fully and intelligently on this subject, I confine myself to this outline of the dis- ease, which should be met and fought persistently. At Makanda, we found a pretty general failure of the peach crop. Geo. H. Knowles probably had the best, his crop being large and tolerably exempt from the ravages of Curculio and rot. The special causes of this exemption I did not learn with cer- tainty ; some attributed it to isolation, failure of crop the previous year, and the amount of clearing and burning going on during the winter. In the orchard of T. O. Springer & Bros., I saw the Turkey Hill, a yellow peach ripening with Troth's Early. It is very good in quality and is looked upon by Mr. Springer as hardy and promising. At Cobden, the failure of the peach crop was not quite so great. West of the Rail- road, we visited the orchards of E. Leming and James Fowley, both of whom had good crops. The Messrs. Lawver and others, I believe, had also fair crops. Mr. Leming said he caught the curculio on Hale's Early and the Little Anne (?) varie- ties, commencing just after the fruit set. Last year he picked up all the fallen fruit. The Hale's Early rotted wherever marked by the curculio. Galbraith's Seedling, for some unknown reason, rotted the worst. A part of the orchard which had been in clover STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 165 for two years, had no crop worth naming, whilst that kept in cultivation had a good lot of fruit. We saw here some uncommon varieties, among which were Demming's September, a very large, white cling; Honey, tender and unthrifty; Coolidge, ripening July 23d, but small ; Robinson's Rareripe, nol approved. Mr. Lemlng's orchard was in fine cultivation, the earth mellow and ft cc from weeds and all harbors of vermin. It was an oasis among the desert places of our Egyptian orchards. On the adjoining farm of Mr. Fowley, we also found good culture and a very fine lot of Crawford's Early. Mr. Fowley had been catching the curculio for s.ix weeks. A part of the orchard was cultivated last year, and a part not, but there was no apprecia- ble difference In the peaches on the different plats of ground. At Villa Ridge we found the peaches about all destroyed by frost or curculio. CHERRIES. Cherries were also injured in a great many sections, but we found more or less of them at all points visited during the season. At Palatine, as we rode out to Aurora, we saw trees red with the Early Richmond, and at Aurora, we saw very good crops of the same variety. The fruit seemed to me larger and finer than such specimens as I have seen in the south part of the State. At Princeton, in the yard of Chas. Baldwin, we found the May Duke bearing well, and looking tolerably healthy; also the Belle Magnifique on Morello stock, but getting upon its own roots. Early Richmond on Ma/ialeb stock, was bearing abundantly. At Mr. Taylor's, May Duke, Yellow Spanish, and other varieties on the Mazzard stock, were dying. At J. G. Bubach's, we found Early Richmond and trees on Mahalvb stocks, standing in grass, eight years planted. They had borne fruit live of the eight years. At Arthur Bryant's we found the common Morello bearing well. At Lacon, Mr. Wier showed us Carnation in fruit — a very good cherry, but not pro- lific, he says, uuless top-grafted. Elton and Governor Wood, he commends. Belle Mag- nifiquc is not productive. Belle dc Choisey is about as hardy as May Duke, but not so productive. English Morello, he considers the most prolific cherry he has. Black Tar- tarian, stands well. All these are planted on the bluff lands of the Illinois. At John S. Benson's on the lower land, we found the common Morello full of fruit. At Alton, Jas. E. Starr, President of the Alton Horticultural Society, gave us the fol- lowing as his view.-, of some varieties. Black Tartarian, he places first ; Gridby, !ir£ Herbemont. No.20 do by Theo. Englemann 1866 73 " 21 do " do 1867 69 Cassauv. No.22 do by Theo. Englemann 1867 85 The must of No. 14 was reported as weighing 86° by Orschle's scale. That of No. 19 at 103° ; that of No. 4 at 72°. An additional sample of Catawba was sent in by Theo. Englemann — vintage 1967 — which, in the opinion of the committee, was quite superior 13 178 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS to the one reported on above of the same year, but was probably so much disturbed by transportation, etc., as to prevent a fair estimate of its quality. Hence it does not ap- pear in the above list. The communication of Mr. Englemann, which accompanied his contribution of wines, is appended to this report. The sample of Currant Wine, contributed by J. A. Pettingill, of Bunker Hill, was of good quality. Two samples of Cider, shown by Mr. A. Hilliard in 1865 and 1868. The former was not much esteemed ; while the latter was found to be a good sound cider, creditable to the maker. All of which is respectfully submitted. C. W. SPALDING, Chairman. JNO. M. PEARSON, B. D. WALSH. Remarks on the samples of wine exhibited by Theo. Engelmann, and sxibmitted to the judg- ment of the Committee on Wines, as well as to the members of tlie Society, generally. Norton. — Vintage, 1865 ; made Sept. 23 ; quantity obtained, 60 gallons. The grapes were sweet and ripe. The berries were separated from the stems, mashed, and the pom- ace left in the fermenting tub until the last days of October ; then the juice was pressed off from the skins and seeds. The wine was adjudged very good, and has rather lost than gained in quality by age. Norton. — Vintage, 1866; time of harvesting, Oct. 4 ; quantity obtained, 80 gallons. The branches were mashed as they came in from the vineyard, the stems were not sepa- rated ; all, juice, seeds, skins, and stems, well mashed, were put in the fermenting tubs, and submitted to fomentation for ten days ; and then the must was pressed off. The weather during that time was pleasant, the nights rather cool, and the. fermentation pro- gressed slowly but regularly. Norton. — Vintage, 1867 ; commenced Sept. 24 ; quantity obtained, 650 gallons. Vines loaded with splendid fruit. The berries were not separated from the stems ; the juice was left to ferment with seeds, skins and stems. The season was very warm, and fer- mentation commenced immediately and violently ; for fear that the stems and skins would communicate to the wine too much of their tannin and acidity, the juice was pressed off at the expiration of four days. The Norton has always been healthy in my vineyard, and has produced frnit every year since the vines commenced bearing. The yield in quantity of wine is very changeable and uncertain ; the average below that of any other grape. The wine is in my estima- tion, a superior article, but more so as a medicine than as a beverage. Catawba. — Vintage, 1866 ; commenced Oct. 8 ; quantity of wine obtained, 3200 gal- lons. The vines were well loaded with fruit, but had lost their leaves, and the process of ripening had progressed slowly and unevenly. At the commencement of the vintage, the must of the carefully selected grapes, showed on Oechsles' scales, only 72°, equal to about 15 per cent, of saccharine matter ; but while under the rays of a dry and warm October sun, the juice of the grapes diminished in quantity it gained in quality, and the scales showed on the 20th of Oct., 88°, equal to about 20 per cent, of sugar in the must. Catawba. — Vintage, 1867 ; commenced Oct. 8 ; quantity obtained, select quality, 1460, STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 179 second quality, 1600 gallons. The juice of the selected grapes or first picking, averaged 91. o1-', uii (tecbsles' BCftlee, equal to about •ll}.{ per cent, of su^ar. The must of the other grapes, of which the Becond quality of wine is made, varied between 70° and 88°, but it will be seen that this wine (the second quality) is better developed and riper than tin' select quality. It is well known that an inferior must clears up better and faster than rich must. It is reported, thai in Germany, many of the wines of 1865, a vintage re- markable Cor the richness of BUgarln the most, are not yet clear. Catawba. — Vintage, 1808 ; commenced Oct. 6; quantity obtained, 1100 gallons. The vims bad suffered severely from mildew, which had destroyed more than half of the crop, and injured the quality of what was left. It is too young yet to deserve the name of wine. ('•>ncord. — Vintage, 1867 ; commenced Sept. 16 ; quantity obtained, -too gallons ; rich- ness of must, 78°, equal to about 17 per cent, of saccharine matter. I am not blind to the merits of the Concord as a market grape, but do not agree with those who pronounce it a good wine grape. Herbemont and Cassady have been made only in small quantities, and the quality fails to give me satisfaction. T. E. TESTING COMMITTEES. Dr. Hull — I move that three committees, one for each fruit dis- trict, be appointed to test and report upon new varieties of fruits, etc., that may be put in their hands for trial. Carried. REPORT VICE PRESIDENT THIRTEENTH DISTRICT. The Secretary submitted the following reports from T. A. E. Holcomb, Vice President for the 13th District, and member of the Entomological Committee : Up to 5th of April, the prospect for a fruit crop was unequaled. The dry autumn of 1867, seemed to have had no bad effect, and the buds for the crop of fruit for 1868 were excellent in condition and abundant in quantity. The well matured wood of last season's growth passed through the winter in apparent safety, and the opening of spring found the Horticulturists of the 13th district making preparations for gather- ing and marketing an unprecedented amount of all kinds of fruit. But " The third day comes a frost — a killing frost," or, if it miss the third and even the fourth day, it comes on the fifth, and In a night, lays waste the hopes of a year. Peaches and Pears were in bloom, strawberries had partially opened and apples were just ready to unfold their beauties, in promise of coming abundance. The peaches and pears were killed, the strawberries showed many a black eye as evidence of the severe mill they had passed through, and the apples still straggled and feebly bloomed. Such was the general result of the early April freeze. It afterward appeared that some localities escaped. The northern part of the district, where the season was not so far advanced, and the eastern part in some way protected by the rivers, and here and there an orchard in the south produced an ordinary crop of peaches. A large 180 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS crop of appleB is reported from Williamson county, and the eastern river counties had an average production. The strawberry was supposed to have escaped with the loss of such buds as were sufficiently opened to be killed by the aforesaid freeze, and, as there were no more opened than could be readily spared, an abundance of that fruit was still anticipated. That plant itself seemed to entertain the same opinion, and bloomed till the fields were white. But another difficulty was encountered. Two weeks of cold, rainy weather followed, and the blossoms which had made so vigorous and healthy appearance were washed clean of all fertilizing properties, and their fruit- ing prevented. In one instance where preparations were made for shipping 12,000 qts., less than 1,200 were gathered, and in general not over one -fourth of an average crop was harvested. At this time the prospect everywhere for a full crop in 1869, is entirely satisfactory ; and as we do not expect lightning to strike twice in the same place, the next report from this district will undoubtedly show horticulturists with round faces and full purses. South Pass, III., Dec. 10, 1868. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON ENTOMOLOGY — SOUTH DISTRICT. The Mantis Carolina is a marvel of patience and the very personification of faith. It quietly sits, its arms folded in the attitude of devotion, and, as if firmly believing in the direct interposition of Divine Providence in its behalf, awaits the approach of the un- suspicious insects which is its natural food. Though it requires many small insects daily, it never loses its firm trust, nor impatiently starts in pursuit of its victim, even if it lingers a long time in sight. And yet I have seen men of full stature and mature years, with long sticks, beat to death the friend of humanity, believing it to be extremely poisonous, and withal, a very dangerous neighbor. On the 13th of May last, a gentleman presented me with a bug, which, at great personal risk and by means of long sticks, he had succeeded in capturing alive, and had imprisoned in a stout box. He assured me that although he had escaped without being bitten or otherwise injured by the poisonous creature, he would not make such a risk again ; and that if I wanted anymore of that kind, I must capture them myself. The "bug" proved to be an elegant specimen of that most beautiful beetle, the Calosoma Scrutator, an insect so modest and retiring in his habit that it is not often in sight, but so philanthropic in his disposition that he is dear to the hearts of all his acquaintances. I mention these facts for the purpose of calling attention to a very prevalent fear and prejudice which exists against insects in general and what leads to the destruction of thousands of our truest friends. To such an alarming extent does this sentiment prevail that it seems to me there is no more importaut entomological field to which the forces of the State Society can be directed, than the dissemination of a thorough and accurate knowledge of the personal appearance of our insect friends, and the extirpation from the minds of the people of that superstitious and unphilosophical development which to some extent, excuses the man " Who needlessly sets foot upon a worm." It seems as though men had become convinced that all insect life, not only in the STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 181 larval state, but also the beautifully colored and exquisitely sculptured image, was tin- seed of that same serpent t«> whom Eve, in the desperation of her newly-discovered sin, pointed as the destroyer of her Integrity ; and the hatred which men exhibit toward them can only be explained by the assumption that it is the promised "enmity between her seed and thy (his) seed." To eradicate this illogical and unholy inference, to assure men that insects in none of their various forms of life, can be fairly considered as the Offspring of 8atan, to awaken a love for these simple creatures of God, created always for a wise, and generally for a directly beneficial purpose, this is the good work before us. How is this to be effected? We cannot hope to correct in the present gen- eration of adults the false ideas in this matter, which for hundreds of years have grown with each generation's growth, and strengthened with its strength. Our only hope is through the youth of the land, in whom prejudices are but a band of straw, and through whose intelligence not only their own, but their parents' affection for all living beings may be awakened. And these are to be reached through systematic and persistent effort in the common school. It is my desire that a small hand-book for use in the schools of the State may be prepared, not so much for the purpose of giving the scientific classification of insects, as for awakening in the mind of all children a desire to study the subject of entomology, which would certainly follow a slight acquaint- ance with their metamorphoses, and some of their leading habits and characteristics. I would ask the Legislature to have prepared, at the expense of the school fund, a finely colored chart of the principal useful insects of the State, and one of these I would have hung in every school room in the State. Entomologists have always advised the careful protection of our insect friends, and in some cases, the importation or colonization of the friendly insects of other countries or localities. But how can this be effected when the knowledge of the people is so limited. Poor dog Tray is a frightful example of the influence of bad company, and it is enough that a bug is found in a peach orchard suspected of having curculios in it, to entitle him to the same ignominious death which the curculio is so well known to deserve. It is nothing uncommon when the curculio-catcher makes its morning round to see all its contents, of whatever class or description, meet the same bloody end : " Friend and foe in one red burial blent." And certainly It is not strange that all the useful larvae should meet destruction. If neither the intelligence of the mantis, the beauty of the green Colosoma, or the grace and agility of the Tiger beetle, can save them from the crushing heel of the seed of woman, how can it be expected that they will escape when, stripped of outward adornment, they present themselves as vile worms. Let the chart therefore show the connection between the image and its larva, placing them side by Bide, till the eye of the child, accustomed to this plain method of demonstration, may never rest upon the real larva without at once associating it with the perfect insect. I would not underrate the work already accomplished. The Influence of our State Entomologist, with that of his co-worker of the State of Missouri, is already felt, and in the southern district I am sure the Information in relation to Insects is a hundred fold greater than when those officers received their appointments. So much for the cause of Entomology. A few words of experience for the last year. 182 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS THE POTATO STALK WEEVIL, (Daridus trinotatus, Say.) Late in the summer of 1867, 1 found that nearly, or quite one half of the stalks, in an acre field of Peach blow potatoes, were shriveled and dead. I thought it was caused by some disease, but looked to ascertain if any insect had been at work upon it, and did not succeed in finding any. The stalk near the ground, in all cases, was entirely collapsed, in most cases the whole stalk was quite dry. In June, of the present year, I found a small patch of early potatoes in the garden similarly affected. This time I succeeded in finding a small larva in the stalk, and early in July, Entomologist Riley being on a visit to South Illinois, I reported the case to him, and begged his assistance in working it up. The result was that he dug up the most of the potato patch, and carried away a large number of stalks, each containing one or more of the larva in different stages of growth. He advised me to dig carefully around the hills in search of pupa. This I did for several days, till I was satisfied that if the insect underwent its transformation in the ground, it was not done in the vicinity of the potatoes. I then sought, thoroughly, in the stalk itself, and succeeded in finding pupa, which I suspected belonged to the Bavidius trinota- tus, (Say,) and which I had seen described in Harris' Insects, as first taken by Miss Morris near Philadelphia. In about two weeks my suspicions were confirmed. For full descrip- tion, see Harris1 Insects, p. 81, and American Entomologist, Vol. I, p. 22. THE COREOPSIS BUG, (Corimelana pulicaria, Germar.) This is a true bug of the Scutellera family, about one-sixteenth of an inch in length and nearly as broad as long. The scutel is black and almost entirely covers the abdomen, leaving only a yellowish white line in view at the margins. I mistook the insect for a beetle — the scutel being as large as the elytra of many beetles. This insect I noticed two years ago on coreopsis blossoms, which it entirely destroyed. This year it made its appearance on strawberry blossoms, April 23d ; June 10th, on the Black Cap Raspberry, and later in June it completely covered the Coreopsis in the garden, and in the fields the wild Jersey Tea (CeanotJius Americanus.) This insect is reported to have destroyed a field of Black Cap Raspberries at Quincy, in 1866, and I fear it may prove an insect enemy of considerable notoriety in South Illinois. THE TWIG GIRDLER, (Oncideres cinguletus, Say.) This insect, fully described and figured in the American Entomologist, Vol. I, p. 76, has been found at work in this district to considerable extent, girdling the twigs of pear, hickory and persimmon trees. To prevent the spread of this insect the American Ento- mologist says : " The best thing you can do is to pick up the severed twigs and burn them." THE PENNSYLVANIA SOLDIER BEETLE, (Cliaidiognathies pennsylvanicus, De Geer.) Through the united efforts of Mr. E. Leming, of Cobden, and our State Entomologist, proves to be, in the larval state, a feeder upon the larva of the Curculio. As the beetle itself is found feeding upon flowers, it has heretofore been, naturally enough, regarded as an enemy, and suffered accordingly, It is to be hoped that the several photographs of this insect (see American Entomologist, Vol. I, p. 51,) may be so generally studied that such a mistake may not occur often hereafter. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 183 THE THIRTEEN YEAR LOCUST, (Cicada tredecim,m\vy.) Has made its regular appearance during the past summer, in rather more than two- thirds <>-K ami ants and worms from burrowing in the collar of It. This being done pile and tramp in the balance of the earth. Charing posts will not pay unless they are thoroughly Beasoned. It is worse than time and labor thrown away. I would advise not to do it at all. The hearts of the old white oaks of the ridges and large .sized post oak- make t he he- 1 posts. Large limbs last longer than the body of the same tree, except the heart portions Of it. 184 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS The next best to the Heart of Oaks, is the Mulberry, which has generally been con- sidered occupying the first rank among our indigenous trees. Over Cup Oak and Black Walnut do not make profitable posts. Dogwood and Apple Tree make the best of mallets and chisel haudles. They should be seasoned in the stick, in a dark place, standing on end. The best time to set posts is when the ground is quite dry. The holes should be dry or bored while the ground is moist, thereby savins a great deal of hard work. White Oak and Hickory Sapling Grape Stakes should be peeled as soon as cut ; also sharpened and stood, sharpened end up, to season. They will last from six to eight years. The above remarks apply to timber for all purposes of building. Firewood should be cut when the bark adheres to the wood. BENJ. F. LONG. EXPEKIENCE WITH GRAPES. My farm is on the southwest }£ of Sec. 11, 5 south, 6 west of the 3d P. M., on the dividing ridge between the Okaw and the Mississippi ; polls to the north and south-east and west, timber land— the original growth, Hickory, Black and White Oak, Black Walnut, Sassafras, with a few Persimmons and Red Bud ; soil gray, over a porous yellow subsoil. No hard pan or blue clay in 35 feet. The ground for vineyard prepared with the plow, by first plowing the lands the width of the rows, finishing where they are to be planted, and then plowing bare, so as to raise a ridge in which the vines were planted. I received, in the fall of 1864, the following varieties : Concord, Norton's Vir- ginia, Clinton, Hartford Prolific, Delaware, Herbemont, Diana, Creveling, Taylor or Bul- let, Rogers' Hybrids, Nos. 3, 4, 15, 19, 22, 23, 35 and 43 ; Allen's Hybrid, Union Village , Maxatawny, Rebecca, North Carolina, eedling Bloods, Black Cassady, Mary Ann, Logan, Iona, Isabella, Adirondack and Cuyahoga ; these were all planted in the spring of 1865; in the fall of 1865 I received Union Village Seedling and To-Kalon. Of these, Rog- ers' Hybrids, 3, 15, 19, 22, 23, 35 and 43, 1 can see no difference in vine, leaf or fruit ; 4 is a very different grape. The Delaware, Cuyahoga, Rebecca, Logan, Mary Ann, and Cas- sady have never fruited, and have made very little growth. Taylor or Bullett has made a rampant growth, but no fruit. Rogers' Hybrids have made good growth, and a good crop of fruit. Creveling, good growth, but little fruit. Concord and Hartford Prolific, rampant growers, and fruited well in both 1867 and 1868. Clinton has fruited little, but is a great grower. Norton, little growth the two first seasons. The last two has grown well, and this season a good crop of fruit. The Iona, Isabella, Adirondack, Union Village and Union Village Seedling have made very poor growth, and no fruit yet, and, I fear, never will. The To-Kalon and Maxatawny fruit this season, but not much growth. Herbemont, a very rampant grower and good bearer. Diana, very little force any way. This is my experience with grapes : The Concord first ; Hartford Prolific, second ; Her- bemont, Norton and Clinton, next. These three are all small berries. Rogers' Hybrids I like well. My mode of training has been on Fuller's Arm System. This fall I have pruned on nearly every system with which I am acquainted, and some on a plan of my own. All of which is respectfully submitted. WILLIAM COLWEL. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 185 APPROPRIATION BILLS. Minkler — I move that the Treasurer be instructed to pay Dr. Warder $25 for traveling expenses. Carried. Hull — I move that the traveling expenses of B. L. Kingsbury, who was associated "with Dr. Spalding and myself in our trip to Cin- cinnati, &c, be refunded him. The amount is $41.25. Carried. FINAL RESOLUTIONS. The Committee on Final Resolutions, through their chairman, reported as follows : Your Committee on Final Resolutions present the following : — Wuekeas, The year, which is now closed, has been one of unusual labor and research by both the individual members of this Society and by its Committee Ad-Intcrim ; and Whbbbab, This Committee has received from the officers of the Railroads over which it has traveled, and citizens of every place which it has visited, uniform kindness and attention with an evident appreciation of its work ; and Whereas, The citizens of Bunker Hill by their hospitalities shown this Society, at its present meeting, have more than fulfilled their pledges to entertain and provide for the comfort of it- members ; therefore Resolved, That the thanks of this Society are hereby tendered to the Officers of Illi- nois Central Railroad Company, for generously providing a car for the use of the Ad- Interim Committee in visiting the several fruit districts along the line of their Road from Chicago to < lairo. Resolved, That the thanks of this Society be and are hereby tendered to the following Officers and R. R. Companies for courtesies shown our Committee in passing them over their respective roads, thus enabling them to collect a vast amount of useful information at trifling expense to this Society, also for commutation of fare to members attending this meeting; viz., Illinois Central; Indianapolis and St. Louis; Chicago and Alton; Rock Island; Chicago, Burlington and Quincy; Chicago and North Western; Mount Carbon; and to tin' Lake Michigan Transportation Co.; St. Joseph and Chicago Trans- portation Co., and the Cairo Ferry Co.; Gen. G. A. Morris, Supt. of Indiana and Terre Haute R. R. ; (.'apt. J. E. Simpson, Supt. Terre Haute and St. Louis R. R. ; Col. Edward Barding, Suj.t. Iron Mountain R. R., Mo. ; W. D. Griswold, Ohio and Missis- sippi R. R. ; Mr. Messier, Asist. Pres. Pittsburgh and Ft. Wayne R. R. ; Pres. Ilovey, of Cleveland, ( lolumbus and Cincinnati H. R. Resolved, Thai the gratitude of this Society ig hereby express* d to citizens of Onarga, Champaign, Centralia, Du Quoin, Cobden, St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, Villa Ridge, Makanda, Aurora, Princeton, Lacon. 186 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Resolved, That our sincere thanks are herehy offered to the President and members of the Bunker Hill Horticultural Society, aud the generous citizens of this beautiful village and surrounding neighborhood for their hospitalities and kind attentions to our members of this Society during their present session, and we assure them that we shall ever grate- fully remember their kindness, and the pleasant associations formed during our stay with them. Resolved, That the thanks of this Society are hereby tendered to its retiring officers for their intelligent and faithful discharge of their duties during their term of office ; also that our thanks are due and tendered hereby to the Bunker Hill Band, and the various newspapers, who have sent their reporters with us, and given us the advantage of their columns in publishing notices of our meetings and transactions. Resolved, That the Secretary furnish a copy of these resolutions to each of the several parties named above, as far as may be. O. B. GALUSHA, Chairman of Committee on Final Resolutions. ROTTEN ROOT. Riley, (of St. Louis) — The impression of the Society, I believe, is that there are two kinds of rotten root, one caused by a fungus, and one by the aphis. There are three, I think. (1.) There is a fungus that attaches itself to the roots of the pear and the apple. (2.) There is another rot, of fungus origin, in the apple root. (3.) A third and distinct rot has the root aphis as its cause. The first year after insects leave, the knots which are supposed to character- ize this rot disappear, but the roots may be rotten. To destroy this aphis it is best to encourage its parasite. Mulch may bring them to the surface, and they can then be destroyed by hot water, etc. Chrysallic soap may be used also, but be careful in using carbolic acid, as it does not mix readily with water and may injure trees. PEACH TREES AND PEACHES. Hull — Ceasing to cultivate the peach tree in August, tends to destroy the next crop. The trees should be kept growing long until late in the season, that they may not mature their fruit buds too early. Colman — Thin out shoots in summer, to develop leaves and buds well. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 187 Hull, (in answer to question.) — I dont train to any special form. Capet, in the Jardin des Plantes, planted pear trees, and produced marvelous results from pruning, by recognizing leaves and fruit buds, and keeping them balanced. A pear growing in the interior of one of his trees had just as good a chance as any. Such pears brought five francs apiece, when pears of the same variety could be bought in the Paris markets at five francs a bushel. Spalding — The proper system of shortening-in is thinning bark. Flagg — Of new varieties I would suggest Salway, a new seed- ling, disseminated by T. J. Pullen, resembling the Smock, and claimed to be two weeks later. Also Picquefs Late, which P. J. Berckmans writes me is the best market peach in Georgia to succeed Smock. Both are said to be large, yellow fleshed and freestone. Freeman, II. C. — I have a seedling tree six or seven years old, which fruited the second time last year. I sent off four boxes of them on the 15th October, which was a week too early, and they sold at $2.50 a box against Michigan peaches at $1.50. It is much later than the Smock, which ripens early in September with us. It resembles Smock ; is large, and has small globose or almost reniform glands. THE NEW STATE HOUSE. Mr. Shepherd introduced a resolution in condemnation of the new State House. It was tabled as not german to the objects for which the Society had convened. STANDING COMMITTEES. The President announced the following as the Standing Commit- tees for 1869 : Meteorology — William Baker, J. W. Tollman, J. II. Tice. Botany — George Vasey, L. D. Morse, T. J. Bunill. Entom<>lit pressing of the cheese arc put in the vinegar casks, and only the richest part of the must {joes into the eider, this is the new process of cider making. Certain parties are Belling the recipe for cider making on a new plan, charging one to live hundred dollars; here it is in short, clean sound apples, ground and allowed to remain in the pomace over night, or if cold weather twenty-four hours ; run the weak portion nf the juice, being the first and lasi pressing, into the vinegar cask, rack off in two or three days after fermentation has set in, and bung up tight. The cider is too rich to ferment without access to air in a warm room. Apples like the Snow apple, having a liLcht body are improved by adding one third sweet apples, mixed before grinding. Winesap, Smith's Cider and Gilpin are superior for cider. A few unsound apples and a little water make it almost impossible to keep cider sweet ; and, certainly, such cider is not fit to drink. AN EXCURSION. To close the season the Illinois Central Railroad Company invited some twenty fruit growers from this State and Michigan, with members of the agricultural and daily press to an excursion from Chicago to Cairo. The time occupied was eight days, giving an opportunity to examine the lauds, orchards and gardens along the route, as well as to appreciate the mild climate of this great fruit region stretching from Lake Michigan to the head of the upper Mississippi, where it meets the same tropical products of the 60uth. At Champaign, Centralia, Du Quoin and Cobden, the party was increased by new recruits, until, at Cairo, the party numbered sixty-six. Daily excursions were made among the orchards and fruit gardens, and evening meetings were held to discuss various matters pertaining to fruit culture. The excursion was a success in all respects and cannot fail of good results in better modes of culture, in shipping, in a better selection of varieties of fruit, and in all the details of this immense business that promises the coming season, to occupy more than a whole train a day to carry the products of these orchards to market. A FOREST TREASURY. Essay by Henry II. McAfee, of Stephenson County. To the fathers of horticulture — that valuable company of enthusiastic philanthro- pists, which has for years been laboring, in season and out, with reason, argument and example, in favor of arboriculture — the apathy, Indifference and listlessness of the public has been no doubt a .-ore trial and discouragement, though a grain of comfort was present with the pound of disappointment, as la usually the case. If the whole people would not at once wake up to the importance of the subject, some would, and progress has been made. Horticulturists are marching on, ami the strong cards of self interest will soon draw all the world after thein. Though the respected high priests of 198 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Pomana, and Sylva, and Flora, in time sink to a long rest, the ranks of disciples of the rural arts are constantly filled by new recruits. All these years past, since first homes were made upon the prairies, the sweeping northwest wind pierced to the bone of man and beast at intervals through the year. Flesh has suffered sore discomfort, and vegetable life has met with great destruction because there were no pliant, thick interlaced boughs, dense foliage, and sturdy trunks, to interpose before the chilling blasts from the barren lands of the Northwest. And all this while our natural forests would at any time furnish, upon call, thousands, yes millons of seedlings, (or the seeds to grow them) of trees, of scores of species, some appropriate for ornament, some for shade, some for fuel, some for lumber and timber, some for hedge and fence and shelter belt ; and, in fine, for any and every use. These native forests and copses are a very treasury, filled with the riches we need most — a bank, afflicted with no such seasons of stringency and panic as the Wall Street con- cerns — a bank of issue, creating and turning out myriads of green-leafy promises of future comfort and pleasure. From the great American Elm, with buttressed trunk and tree-like limbs, a forest of graceful outline in itself, to the little blueberry, fruiting when an inch high ; of the mul- titude of native species, the majority are mostly worthy of cultivation. During the past season a careful canvass of the ligneous growth of one county (Stephenson) has developed the fact of the existence within, and native of this county, of 40 Genera, containing 111 species of trees and woody shrubs and vines. This county is considered lightly timbered. Large quantities of coal are imported for fuel ; while for building, vehicles, agricultural implements, cabinet work, etc., almost all the material used is imported — that is, it is brought from other counties and states. And of material for hedging, fence, fruit and ornamental planting, the most comes from without our borders. To show how rich we are in native arboreal growth, I pur- pose naming the useful native species in alphabetic order : Acer — the Maple family, with its five species, all useful, heads the list. A. rubrum — the Curly Maple of the cabinet-maker, is a rapid grower ; well adapted for ground too wet for the plow. A. dasycarpum — the Silver Leaf Maple of the nurseries ; if headed in, will make a fine ornamental appearance, and is among the rapid growers. A. saccharinum — The Rock Maple produces the bird's eye of the cabinet-maker, and with A. nigrum the sugar, which stands above all other sweets, honey not excepted. The growth of these trees, when properly cultivated, is not so slow as is generally sup- posed, and their wealth of foliage will secure them places before many a door. A. negundo — the Ash Leaf Maple or Box Elder, or Blue Ash or Black Maple, or Honey Maple, has probably more names than a rather small tree deserves, though it is not planted as much as it deserves. Of all these common names, the latter (Honey Maple) is probably the most appropri- ate, for the syrup it produces is a better imitation of honey than comes from any other source, except the nectar cups of flowers. The good traits of this tree are — great vitality. It will live and thrive under very adverse circumstances — rapid growth, at four years from seed 2% inches diameter ; at 12 years, 11 to 16 inches diameter. Dense shade, good fuel, the production of sugar in shade from brown to nearly white, in quantity greater than the other maples. (Careful experiment of the writer, last spring, demonstrated the production of good brown sugar to be 2 8-11 per cent, of the sap used.) STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 199 AmdatKhkr Ocmadetwtl and A. oblongifolia, the Service or Shad berries, should he in every garden, and If aa common as currants, perhaps the robins would get enough of them, and lei oe have a lew. Ampeloptta quinquefolia, the Virginia Creeper will cover with a dense greenery any Unsightly object, of rock work, or wood, hence very desirable. Celtic occideiitalis this good hard wood tree, the Ilaekbcrry, has been slighted. Of beautiful form it is of quite rapid growth when cultivated, and is also very healthy and hardy. Celastrus scandenx — False Bitter Sweet is slandered by its common name, for it is a better vine than the Hitter Sweet, and withal much prettier, the scarlet colored, persistent berries bein<; Bhowy In late autumn, when the eye needs brilliant hues to relieve the general somber effect of the season. Curya alba — The Shagbark entering into so much of the wheelwright work at the present time, will make fortunes for many a western man who will drop the nuts in the deep soil of the prairies. It is no uncommon thing to see annual layers of wood on the young hickory of half an inch thickness, so it is no tardy grower. C. glabra and G. amara — will soon make hoop poles, and hoop poles are needed so long as flour, meat, apples, etc. need to be barreled. Cerassus scrotina. — The Cabinet Cherry, a rapid grower producing valuable lumber in a short time. Crataegus pyrifolia, C. punctata, C. crus-galli, and C. cardata — American Hawthorns, growing from seed or root cuttings, are well adapted for hedge, where thorns and twigs are to do the duty of a fence. Euonymus atropurpureus — The Burning Bush, with berries much like Cclastrus, it makes a fine ornament, where a minature tree is desirable. Fraxinus americana, F, pubescens, F. viridis, F. quadrangulata, and F. sambucifolia, are all first rate trees, readily grown from seed, of which plenty can be had almost any season. The great west may increase its material wealth by many millions of dollars by tin' extensive use of the Ash family. Cornus stolonifera — Purple Rod, its brilliant canes and clean leaves, are very orna- mental. Oymnocladus Canadensis — The Banduc, an oddity, is assigned a place upon some lawns because it is the Banduc. Oleditschia triacanthw — Honey Locust. It is question well worthy of consideration whether the " horrid " thorns of this tree, would tear such great holes in the purses and pockets of people who want live fence, as have been made by that fractious Texan, the Madura ; certain it is Gleditsehia can't be frozen to death in Illinois, and greatly to the sorrow of thousands, Maclura can. Junipenis Vlrginiana — Red Cedar, the most docile evergreen under the pruning shears. Juglant cinerea and J. nigra — The Walnuts, of rapid growth when not too much transplanted; fruitful and profitable. Morux rubra — The Mulberry, good to eat, therefore worth growing. Ostrya I 'frgini \atut — The Iron Wood, ornamental . Ptclea trifollata — Trefoil, rapid grower and ornamental. Prunux Americana and Pyrtu coronaria — The Plum and Crab Apple, have been proved susceptible of great improvement, and when so improved too g I to be without. Populu* angulata, P. manolifera and P. grandidentola — The Poplars have their place 200 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS as quick growing fuel trees where we do not care to wait for the harder, better woods of 6omewhat slower growth. Quereus ttibra, Q. palustrU, Q. coccinea, Q. alba, Q. castanea and Q. macrocarpa — The Oaks, when we are educated up to the point of planting acorns, will be among the very best trees to grow. JSitbus villosus, R. Canadensis, M. strigasus and R. occidentals — The Brambles and Raspberries, the progress already made in improving upon these wild fruits, only proves that more progress may be made by bringing more efforts to bear upon them. Smilaz rotundifolia and S. hispida — The Greenbriars by their dense armature, and rich leaves, claim a place in the ornamental department. Staphylea trifolia — The Bladder Nut, and Spirea opulifolia, S. salicifolia and S. tomentosa the Spireas are all ornamental. Sa?nbucus Canadensis — The Elder, for fruit and wine is desirable. Salic eriocephala and S. lucida — Ornamental Willows together with S. purpurea for basket making deserve civilization. Tttia Americana — The Linden furnishes a thick head of graceful and luxuriant foliage. Toxus Canadensis — The American Tew is a good, dwarf evergreen, with the most beautiful berries. Ulmus Americana, U.fulva, U. racemosa, and another Elm, which I have been unable to identity, are already popular as ornamental trees, and deserve yet more popularity. The Elm above spoken of which I have not found described in popular works on Botany, is known as Hickory Elm, or Yellow Elm, and is the hardest of the Elms, unlike the rest, splitting very readily. Viburnum opulas, V. leutaga and V. prunifolium — the so-called Haws — are pretty shrubs and bear somewhat desirable fruits, while V. pubescens, from its habits in a natural state promises to become a material for hedging, at least as good as Buckthorn. fitis cestivalis and V. cordifolia — the Grapes are doubtless capable of producing many new varieties as good as have already been derived from them. Thus glancing rapidly and of necessity, cursorily over the wood growth of a single sparsely wooded county of Northern Illinois, we find 69 species of trees, shrubs and vines which are all of them really valuable, well worth the care and attention of the Horti- culturist, and some of which are so very valuable that their culture offers a much more feasible road to fortune than ordinary agricultural pursuits. While calling attention to these native growths I would not be understood as slighting the hundreds of other arboreal treasures not native, only it is my most earnest wish that these trees and shrubs so peculiarly our own might be properly appreciated ; and that all our people might take to themselves wealth and comfort out. of our Forest Treasury. THE ALTON LARGE NUTMEG MELON. The seed of this melon was obtained four years ago, from the State of Missouri, by the purchase of what, at the time, was recognized as a fine melon. Nothing back of this, so far as we are informed, was known respecting it. It is called a New Variety, inasmuch as all who have seen it, as we grow it, pronounce it different and belter than all others. Our commission merchants, in Chicago, to whom these melons have been sent for two years past, have repeatedly spoken of them in the highest terms — stating positively, STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 201 " Your melons are certainly far superior to any other variety ever offered in this market." We suppose it to he a hybrid, which has improved in our hands, and it is our purpose to strive to make the good better, and by selecting the choicest specimens for 6eed, to work them up into a single type. Last season we planted in May, and made our first shipment on the 30th of July ; this would seem to indicate that the variety is nearly or quite as early as any other. The melon may be described as round, regularly ribbed ; size, large six to nine inches In diameter. Entire surface thickly and roughly netted. Flesh light green, thick, melt- ing, sugary and highly perfumed. The qualities which recommend it are — productiveness, beauty, size, firmness of flesh, delicious flavor, and long bearing season. It is unhesitatingly pronounced " un- egnaled as a shipping variety." Last season, only two parties — one in Texas and one in Southern Illinois — received the seed, both of whom reported satisfactory results. This winter and spring we have distributed the melon far and wide, in every state and territory, between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and the melon will be subjected to most trying tests. In regard to cultivation. "We select a light, dry and moderately rich soil, in which there is a considerable amount of sand, and enough of clay. The preparation is deep and thorough — the soil finely pulverized. The planting is eight feet by five, a dozen or more seeds to the hill — some for the bugs, and finally thinned to two or three plants. The cultivation, of course, is clean, and in every way perfect, for how else can we grow a good thing ? It will probably pay to pinch the runners, if you do it early; and by early, we mean, almost as soon as the runners begin to show themselves — when they are no longer than your finger. If this attention is delayed till the vines are two or three feet long, it is labor thrown away. But upon this point, as well as upon many others, we shall experiment. more fully, and report in due time, if any thing is developed worth knowing. We shall make thor- ough trial of Baugh's Raw Bone Super Phosphate of Lime, and other special fertilizers, on our melons this spring. In the mean time, we shall watch with interest the success which others are having with the " Alton Large Nutmeg." 0. L. BARLER. Upper Axton, III., March 25, 1869. R. S. GRAHAM ON THE GRAPE. Carmi, White Co., III., Sept. 23, 1868. I have thought for some time that I would " drop you a line," relative to a grape vine I have, tin- name or variety of which I know nothing. It has been bearing five or six years, and has never yet missed two crops each year, (however, one year the second crop got frost bitten.) It is situated as follows : It is planted by the ell of my house, at a post of the porch, say ten feet from the main build- ing ; has two stalks, one trained along the main building, and the other along the porch ; the vines are very long, and very thrifty. I have been in the habit of trimming in March, and then all through the early summer, as I thought the vine requires. 202 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS This second crop of fruit is now of full size, or nearly so. The fruit when ripe is a rich purple, quite large, hangs in fine, large clusters, and has a delicious flavor. I have showed the vine to several gentlemen who have made such things their study, hut have, as yet, found no one who ever saw such a case before. If you have a name for it, I would be pleased to hear it, and if you would like I could send you some of the cuttings in the spring. I made a few bottles of wine this season, for an experiment, and think it very fine. Respectfully yours, R. S. GRAHAM. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON ORNAMENTAL AND USEFUL TREES. To Hon. A. M. Brown, President Illinois State Horticultural Society : Sir, — Tour com- mittee on useful and ornamental trees consider the lists of your Society, as already pub- lished, complete, so far as present experience would warrant us in adopting. Each succeeding year only confirms us in the conclusion, that no subject is worthy of more attention in the prairie region and towns of our State than tree planting. The general increase of interest is highly gratifying. SAMUEL EDWARDS, ) Uommittee M. L. DUNLAP, \ Committee. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 203 LOCAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES OF ILLINOIS. TRANSACTIONS OF THE NORTHERN ILLINOIS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, At its Second Annual Meeting, held at Aurora, Feb. 16 to 18, 18G9. [In preparinc; this report of the Second Annual Meeting of the Northern Illinois Horticultural Society, the Publishing Committee regret their inability to give so full and complete a report of the discussions as they would have been glad to have done, and for convenience of arrangement have not here followed the strict order of business as it occurred.] In the absence of the President, Samuel Edwards, who was detained at home by sickness, Tyler McWhorter, Vice-President from Mercer County, called the meeting to order, with a good attendance of citi- zens and strangers. Mr. Belden, President of the Aurora Horticultural Society, in their behalf and that of the citizens of Aurora, cordially wel- comed the members from a distance to the hospitalities and homes of the citizens. To which the President, in behalf of the members, re- sponded, thanking the President and citizens for the kindly welcome. The session was then formally opened by prayer by Dr. C. C. Miller. 204 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Mr. Emery moved the appointment of a committee of five to re- port on order of business for the session, to report in the afternoon. The motion was seconded and carried. The Chair appointed such committee, H. D. Emery, C. C. Miller, Suel Foster, E. Baldwin, and J. W. Cochran. AFTERNOON SESSION. The committee reported on order of business, which report was accepted and adopted. As several members of standing committees were absent or not ready to report, the REVISION OF THE APPLE LIST being first in order, was taken up, and the list as adopted at the last meeting was read, when any one objecting to them, had an opportu- nity to move their rejection. On motion it was resolved that a ma- jority of six should be required to reject or add to the list. E. and M. stand for family use and market. SUMMER APPLES. Considerable discussion was had on motion to strike from the list Early Harvest and Sweet June, but they were both retained as form- erly. Additions now being in order, the following were taken up : Barnhill's Summer. — Baldwin, of La Salle Co., moved to add for family use and market ; had cultivated it for ten years ; most profitable early variety after the Early Harvest ; ripens about Au- gust 10th, hardy. Kinney, of Rock Island Co. — Tree not hardy with me. Minkler, of Kendall Co. — Tree not entirely hardy ; cannot vote for new varieties that have not been well tested. Lost. Tetofsky. — Robson, of Jo Daviess, moved to add this compara- tively new Russian variety to the list of summer apples for family STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 205 use; finds the tree hardy and a great bearer, and fruit very delicious ; ripens before the Early Harvest ; tree upright. Skinner, of McHenry — This apple has been confounded with the 4th of July apple, but they are different ; tree hardy ; fruit passa- ble ; willing to place on list for trial. Shearman, of Winnebago — Has fruited it for two years ; would not recommend for general cultivation ; tree is hardy ; fruit no bet- ter than the Duchess of Oldenburg. Lost. Carback. — Schoficld moved the addition to the list, renommend- ing it as an early, delicious sweet apple ; ripens with Sweet June. Lost. AV.ARFiELD. — Foster, of Iowa, moved the addition for trial ; after several years trial thought very highly of it. Lost. The list of Summer Apples of the society, now stands as follows : F. and M. standing for family and market. Early Harvest, F. ; Red Astrachan, F. 31. ; Sops of Wine, F. 31. ; Carolina Red June, F. 31. ; Sweet June, F. M. ; Duchess of Olden- burg, F. 31. ; Benoni, F. 31. ; Golden Sweet, F. M. ; Early Pen- nock, F. 31. ; American Summer Pearmain, F. 31. FALL APPLES. Richard's Graft was placed on the list last year for trial. It was now moved to be placed on the regular list. McWhorter — Has fruited it four years ; tree hardy in nursery; fruit large and fine ; excellent quality. Retained for trial. Kkntucky. — Foster moved to add for trial ; tree thrifty, hardy, and fruit handsome. McWhorter ; was the first to introduce the trees several years ago ; the first bearing trees in the orchard ; has been a constant bearer ; customers well pleased with it ; have had it bearing for 20 years ; is a superior cooking apple. Kinney — Tree hardy, thrifty ; fruit large, and quality good. Minkler — Am opposed to adding without a wider trial. Added for trial. 206 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Fall Swaar. — Swansey, of Stephenson county, moved to add for family use. So added. Bailey's Sweet. — Sherman moved to add for general purposes. Find it hardy, productive and excellent. Pearsoll — Productive and hardy. Added to the list. Maiden's Blush. — Dr. Cook moved to add to list. Hunt — One of the best. Is the most profitable I have. Nelson — Tree too tender while young ; grows hardy with age ; one of our best fall apples. Walsh — Enquired if it had proved more free from Codling Moth than other varieties. Robson — Moth does not do much injury with me. Keep Blue birds in every tree. Wier — Stood the winter of 1855 and 1856. One of the most hardy. Quite free from Codling moth. Strong — Have had it thirty years set, and regard it of great value. Dr. Cook — From 15 years' experience find it always favorable. Waterman — Have eight hundred bearing trees. Is one of the most valuable trees I have. Shearman — Hardy since 1855 and 1856. Bears well. Quite free from moth. Bryant — Not free from moth with me. Ledgerwood — Is quite free from moth with me. Nourse — Don't get any fruit from two trees I have had. The fruit drops. Bliss — Am in favor of the apple. Is one of the best I have. Adopted. Fall Wine Sap. — Nelson moved to add for family use. Al- ways bears well. McWhorter — Brought it from the Wabash, from Mr. Curtis' nursery, 23 years ago, where it originated. Quality only moderate; rather unprofitable. Skinner — Had found a difference in size and quality on the tim- STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 207 bcr and prairie ; not always alike ; quite variable ; sometimes scabs. Lost. The fall list now stands as follows : Keswick Codling, F. 31. ; Dyer, F. ; Lowell, F. 31. ; Autumn Strawberry, F. M. ; Haskell's Sweet, F. ; Fall Orange, F. 31. ; Fall Wine, F. M. ; Fameuse, F. 31 ; Fall Swaar, F. : Bailey's Sweet, F. M. ; Maiden's Blush, F. 31. ; Fulton, F. 31. WINTER APPLES. Fulton. — This apple was on the last year's list as a winter apple. Mr. Bryant moved to transfer to fall list. Had had it ripen in September, and rarely kept till January. This character was sup- ported by Shearman, Robson and others. It was so transferred. Peck's Pleasant. — Waterman moved to add. Had been suc- cessful with it. Bryant — Have not succeeded with it. Rice — When grown on timber soil we get fruit. Lime or ashes on prairie soil is an advantage. McAfee — With me grows better on prairie than timber soil. Wier — Good for fattening stock and children. Gilpin. — Miller moved to add to list for general purposes. Af- ter the usual discussion, it was adopted as profitable. The list then stands as follows for winter apples : Westfield Seek No Further, F. 31. ; Dominie, F. M. ; Yellow Belleflower, F. M. ; Jonathan, F. 31. ; Tollman's Sweet, F. ; Ben Davis, F. M. ; Northern Spy, F. M. ; Wagoner, F. 31. ; Roman Stem, F. M. ; Minkler, F. M. ; Rawles' Janet, F. 31. ; Winesap, F. 31. ; Englisb Golden Russet, F. 31. ; Willow, F. M. ; Gilpin, F. 31. CRAB APPLES. The Yellow and large Red Siberian crabs, Montreal Beauty, Transcendent and Ilyslop crabs were on the old list, to which was added to the list after a long discussion, the Soulard crab, being highly spoken of by many, especially for its long keeping qualities. 208 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS The following letter, from Mr. Soulard, was presented as giving the history and origin of this apple. HISTORY OF THE SOULARD CRAB. At the request of the Horticultural Society of Jo Daviess coiinty, 111., I proceed to give a statement of this extraordinary hybrid. It originated on a farm about twelve miles from St. Louis, Mo., where stood an American crab thicket not inclosed, near the farm house, about twenty-five years since. It was cut down, and the ground cultivated some two or three years ; culture being discontinued, another crab thicket sprang up ; when bearing, one tree (the identical kind now called Soulard Crab) was discovered. The fruit astonished me by its remarkable large size, being sent to me by a friend, whose widowed mother, Mrs. Freemon Delauriere, occupied that farm, and I immediately propagated by grafting upon crab stock, and upon our common seedlings, both produc- ing the same fruit ; thriving admirably on both, and disseminated it among my friends as a very desirable fruit, having nothing of the Siberian type. It is to me conclusive that this crab is the offspring of an accidental hybridization of the wild crab by our common cultivated apple. The tree, its foliage, habit, increased •size of tree and fruit, and decreased acerbity, convince me it is a hybrid, and as far as I know, the first instance of such a cross. I consider it the most desirable of all crabs that I have seen. Adding sweetening, it is delicious baked. It makes most excellent preserves, being large enough to be quartered, and unsurpassed by any crab for jams, jellies, etc., imparting its delicate taste and rich crab aroma. The largest have meas- ured over seven inches around. In form, color and smell it is like the common crab, hanging on the tree until destroyed by frost. It will keep two years, with common care, in a cellar, and will stand repeated freezing and thawing in a darkish place. It is agree- able to many palates in the spring. Tree is an immense grower in the nursery, coming early into fruit, and making but little growth afterward, and is an immense and regular bearer. I have made some cider as clear as wine, with sugar, or a quarter part of sweet apples. It will make delicious strong cider. Tree perfectly hardy, having stood the severest winters here, and at St. Paul, Minn., for twenty-five years. I have none for sale, and never expect to dispose of any, not the smallest hatchet to grind ; I am too old. But believe there is money in it for younger ones. Very respectfully, JAMES G. SOULARD. Galena, Feb. 13, 1869. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE AD-INTERIM. As Chairman of the Ad-Interim Committee, it is proper to give a brief explanation of the arrangement under which the Committee was to fulfil its duties. At the Freeport meeting, immediately after their appointment, the Committee convened for organization and consultation. It was then decided that as our Society is not favored with funds to STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 209 defray traveling expenses, it would scarcely be expedient to attempt any very extensive tours of observation. It •was, therefore, thought proper to assign to each member of the Committee, a special department, making it the duty of each to make observations, and i batistics, and embody the result of bis observations in a separate report. In accordance with this plan, the duties were assigned to the members of the Com- mittee OS follow B : Apples and Orchard Culture, Ttlkb McWhoRTBB. Pears, Blackberries and Raspber- ries, 1). B. Webb. Pears, Grapes, Blackberries, Raspberries, Cherries and Atmospheric Changes, Db. C. C. Mili.ku. Cherries, Plums, Strawberries, Gooseberries and Grapes, .1. th. — Of all noxious insects, this is probably the greatest pest. We get no evidence of any increase over the yen- '67, and are sorry to say, nothing new has been elicited to abate the evil. The hay bands of Dr. Trimble seems the most practical of anything yet suggested. Bark Lowe. — This seems to bo a fearful scourge to orchards in the northern portion of the stale; but, on the whole, there Is less alarm on the subject than formerly. There i- evidence from many sources, that the eggs of this insect are, to a great extent, being destroyed by the MUe. It is hoped this is really the case. But it is feared that some who have reported the eggs all dest roved on their trees, have fallen into a mistake, and formed this opinion from examining the old empty scabs ol last year, which still adhere to the bark. But I have collected testimony from several sources, where the bark louse ha- once prevailed, and subsequently appeared, or become greatly dimin- ished. [ remember well that this same European Bark Louse infested the tree.- in my father's orchard in Steuben Co., N'. Y. when 1 was a hoy ; hut the same old orchard is still standing. I measured some of the trunks of these old tree-, two years ago, that were -ik and -even feet in circumference. We may have reason to believe that the spread of the Bark Louse will, as a general rule, he followed by an increase Of their parasitic enemies, the Mite ; and that thus the former will he held in check. In our inland situation, remote from the ameliorating Influence "i bodies of water, Subject to the ,■ .'re me changes of a continental climate, of course I hi-, the subject of Horticulture becomes complicated in some difficulties and uncertainties. It becomes a matter of the highest Importance for us to work into a system of orchard manage- ment, adapted to the capriciousnes8 of our climate. We must work out this problem for ourselves. The most efficicnl means within our reach to ameliorate the asperities of our climate and lessen the difficulties Of fruit growing, is with the evergreens, 'this is a subject on which Borne Interest i- already awakened. But, as on all other new things, there is reason to apprehend a danger oi falling into some blunders in the use wo make of the evergreens. We would doubt the propriety of closing '" every .-mall orchard with a dense wall of evergreens. It i- not our orchards alone thai need- protection, but our stock, our homes, and our Held- — Indeed it i- the entire face of the prairie country, that needs protection. The high ridges of land all over our country should be belted 212 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS with evergreens. The brows of our bluffs and our high broken points should be planted with evergreens. It is not to be supposed our apple trees require the close proximity, or immediate shade of evergreens. Belts or masses of evergreens should be planted where they will most effectually resist the sweeping blasts. Some have recommended to intersperse evergreens through the orchard. This may be well enough in very large orchards in high, open situations, or on ridges and high points of ground. But on limited grounds it would hardly be advisable to intersperse ever- greens through an orchard, except for the object of landscape effect, when we might wish to embrace the orchard grounds in the landscape scenery surrounding the house. If we would take useful lessons on orchard culture in our climate, let us inspect the older orchards of the country, and from these we may learn what evils we would wish to avoid. We find our orchard trees generally bearing slightly towards the north-east — caused by the prevalence of the south-west wind during the growing period. It is very com- mon to find dead portions of bark on the side exposed to the two o'clock sun — most common trees having a lean to the north-east. This injury is from the effects of the sun in winter, when the wood is frozen. The remedy for these evils is a low head. 2. Plant- ing the tree with a slight lean to the south-west. 3. Encouraging heavy branches on that side, and pruning most severely on the opposite side. Again, we see many trees in old orchards that have choked themselves to death, from the effects of the top starting out all at the same point. Some varieties, as the Yellow Bellflower a rcmorc subject to this difficulty than others. So many branches all starting from one point ; in time the old bark grows in, and from the water soaking in, a diseased condition follows. Ultimately the top splits down. This difficulty can be avoided by judicious pruning when the tree is young, so as not to allow the entire top to diverge from a single point. As far as practical, preserve a central stem. Trees of this form are generally more durable. There is still another reason why this form of top is preferable. As the tree becomes old we may wish to remove some of the lower limbs, which may be done without any injury to the form of the tree. People are very generally inclined to draw unfavorable opinions concerning the dura- bility of orchards in this climate, from the decaying condition of so many of our older trees. The conclusions in this case are not wholly justifiable. The numerous vacancies, and the decaying condition of so many trees in our oldest orchards are mainly the work of the long-to-be-remcmbercd cold winter of 1856. We may not for a century have another such an extreme occurrence. Nevertheless, there is no reason to expect that orchard trees will attain the longevity with us, as in climates less subject to extremes of atmosphere. Our soft southern winds extending into autumn — late growth — frequent injury of sap wood from winter — such continued effects will doubtless somewhat shorten the longevity of our trees. Pruning. — On this subject our orchardists of Northern Illinois are quite unsettled, both in theory and in practice. As a general rule, much less pruniug is done here than in the Eastern States. The reason for this seems to be, that in the East pruning seems scarcely ever to be followed by unfavorable results. With us it is often followed by a blackened, diseased condition. The reason for this difference is that the sap-wood of our trees is quite often affected by winter ; in which case spring pruning is often unfavorable. With us it is better to prune in March, so as to allow the wound to season before the cir- culation commences, otherwise it is better to delay until after midsummer. Late in STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 213 autumn or winter is bad, as Bevere freezing affects a 1'il— U wound too deeply. Summer pruning is most free from subsequent sprouting, but gives a greater check to the vitality of the tree. While on thi< subject, it may be proper to call further attention to the system of prun- ing recommended by our horticultural co-laborer, D. B. Wier, whicb seems at least tain il by some plausibility. It is objected to the ordinary practice of pruning out the interior portion of the top, thai as the tree attains age, ,md the top extends to broad and lofty proportions, there beeomes a great amount of waste room in the center, without either fruit orfoliag — that the fruit is produced at almost an inaccessible height — and fin illy, thai being produced from year to year on the same old bearing branches, the fruit becomes small and impi rfeel . To obviate all these objections, it is proposed nol I •> prune out the center ; but on the contrary, to shorten back the outer portion of the branches, thereby producing fresh bearing wood over the external portion ol the tree. By thus cutting backaportion of the old bearing wood occasionally, as practice may prove expedient, the tree is l<> be kept to a more com enient size, the fruit is to be pro- duced mainly on tie' external portion of the top, and oh wood of comparatively fresh growth. Thus, the bearing wood is to be renewed under a practice, analogous in princi- ple to that which we adopt with the grapevine. Under this system, summer pruning would be objectionable, as il does not induce a fresh growth. At present wc can only recommend this system of pruning " for trial" — it will require a test of several year.- to fully determine its merits. EXTENT OF PLANTING. At no former period hare our citizens had their attention so extensively directed to orchard planting as at the present time. Tbere is certainly an abiding confidence in the adaptation of our region to apple growing. The' planting is mostly large orchards, intended for market. Comparatively, bul a small portion of the planting is for home lards. The demand is largely for keeping apples. In the improvement of our si ate, the best prairie lands were first brought Into cultivation. As lands are now becoming more valuable, people are aiming to turn the broken grounds to use. Such grounds arc now being improved and quite e\ier.>ivcly planted to orchards. These broken and bluff lauds are well adapted to orchards, but there is always diffi- culty with such grounds. The trouble is the soil of our bluff grounds Is greatly inclined to wash if kepi in a state of cultivation. On grounds having a considerable inclination, cultivation should be discontinued after the orchard gets a good .-tar: : and where straw is easy of access, mulching should be substituted. Orchards on dry clay grounds are great ly benefitted by mulching. Usually, this work can be done early in Spring; old, wet straw already trod under foot by cattle is good. Corn cobs also good. Varieties. — Inten rakened on the subject of hardy varieties. People wish to planl someting that vri\\ stand tin climate — tear fliitt, mid sell. The Duchess ol Olden- burg is in high request. Attention is al»o turned to hybrids with the Siberian Crabs. Indeed it i Lion of no small Importance, what is to he the mission of that hardy apple thai has come to us from the regions north of the Euxine ! Is it not to subserve a more important purpose than as fruit for *' Ornament and Preserves?" From hybridizing with these crabs, are we not to produce a class of apples adapted to 214 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS the entire region extending- to tlic British possessions, and also among- our western mountain slopes? We advise those having these era h trees in proximity with other orchard trees, to raise seedlings from them ; plant them in hedge rows and test the fruit. If our melting pears are all from the wild choke pears of Europe, what may the future realize from hybridizing with the crabs? GATHERING AND KEEPING APPLES. Plenty of good, convenient ladders, and good, strong hall-bushel baskets are neces- sary. Ladders can be cheaply made of good, clear stuff pine — a full inch thick will do — sixteen feet long for large trees, the sides about four inches wide. The ladder is about two feet wide at the bottom, and brought together at the top— at the top, it is nicely fitted and nailed together with wrought nails ; the edges are nicely rounded at the top, so as not to cut the bark of the trees. The rounds arc of red hickory, or good tough white oak, put together with a three-quarter bit. The rounds should be nailed — not wedged in. Finish up with a coat of paint. Such ladder* can be cheaply made by an}' one, of any mechanical genius. The}' are light and can be carried about any where by a boy. Many are in too great a hurry in getting their summer and autumn apples to market. The evil of sending unripe apples to market, re-acts severely on the orchardist. And further, fruit increases much in size in the last stages of ripening. Equally reprehensi- ble is the practice of sending to market small imperfect fruit. Winter apples are often allowed to hang too long. Many varieties are inclined to commence to drop the last week of September. They should then be gathered with as little delay as possibly. Among the varieties that need to be first gathered may be named, Hub. Nonsuch, Fulton, Tall man Sweet, Burau, Wagner, Jonathan aud North- ern Spy. Every day that apples are left exposed to solar influence, after they are mature and separate easily from the. tree, lessens their keeping qualities. By all means, apples should be carefully assorted ; ivormy applet should all go by themselves. If the weather is perfectly dry, let winter apples be headed up in barrels as soon as picked from the tree — all humbug about the necessity of laying in piles io sweat. There is no way that winter apples will keep so nice and fresh as when headed up in barrels. Of course some pressure is to be applied in putting in the head. They may be taken at once to the cellar or remain a few days in the shade of the trees ; let the barrels lie on their sides; they should have the same position when hauled, and also in the cellar. If apples are properly assorted when put away in this manner, it is seldom necessary to assort them again until they are to be used. The following table is presented with no claim of perfection. It is made out mainly from observations on my own grounds. The object of presenting this classification is to elicit a comparison of observation and judgment among horticulturists. It involves shades of distinction in which the best judges would be unable to agree. Criticism is solicited. Explanation. — The classifications are on a scale from 1 to 6; 1 being the best in quality, growth, hardiness or productiveness, and G being the lowest or poorest. Those marked with the * are recommended. TYLER McVv'HORTER. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 215 NAME OF l'RlIT. Alexandi r Ameri :m • k>l. Russet . . ►Ami ri :;ii Beauty • \ ituran Strawberry. . Hi oy Sweet B ildwin Belnvuit • Benoni Davis k Gilliflower Blue Bloom Br « Iwell •Buran ••... I • ;,'s County I i la Reinette < lhandler I le Beauty •Cole's Quince Cooper Cooper's* K. Wliite I :king Cranberry Pip Cullasaga Disharoon •1 tomine H I ich< «of< Hdenburg. I h Mignonne -J)V.T • I. niv 1 1 ir\ .-si •Karl} Joe • Early Pennock Early Pound R »yal — E. Strawberry English Golden Basse! English Russet j - [jus Spitzenberg. . .. Flushing Spitzenberg. . Fail Swaar Fall Pippin Fall Wine 1 Fallawater i Miami , Iton Fulton Strawberry Gilpin Golden Sweet Grammer's Pearraain. nee' Golden Gravenstein Hall 'Haskell Bweet Haw ley I I ■ ■ : i '•■ "• I I! icking Holland Pippin ] I u i> Nonsuch Hurlbut •Janel jersi " Sweet .i. rett's Red •J tnathan K, swick < lodllng •Kentucky Kin>; ol Tompkins Co. La lies' s« eel Lanes' Red Streak.. .. Lewis Limber Twig •Lowell 3 1 2 1 3 2 2 2 2 T 2 2 1 1 1 3 3 .» i 2 3 2 2 1 2 - - 3 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 3 1 2 2 3 3 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 1 1 3 1 3 3 6 1 1 3 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 4 1 1 1 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 4 1 4 2 1 - - 0 1 1 o 6 3 1 1 3 2 1 1 4 i i 2 3 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 3 2 2 2 2 1 4 3 2 2 1 2 8 1 4 1 2 2 2 3 1 "r, l l •j 2 ■2 1 1 5 2 3 1 1 1 3 2 5 6 6 1 5 4 2 1 I I 2 2 1 1 1 4 3 l 1 2 1 2 i 2 :: i 2 ■_> 3 1 I 1 J i 1 1' i 1 3 3 3 2 5 4 1 1 1 r» 'J 1 i 3 2 l NAME OF FRUIT. •Maiden's Blush Marston's Red Winter. Melon Monarch Mother McLellan Minkler Michael Henry Newtown Pi] pin •Newtown Spitzenberg N ickajack ■Northern Spy Northern Sweet on ley •Peach Pond Sweet Peck's Pleasant Pennock I'eiin. I ted Streak Porter Perry Russet Primate Prior's Red ' Rambo Red As; rachan •Red -) nne •Richard's Graft Red Canada. Red Lady Finger Red Ox.. Red Warrior Rhode Island Greening. Red Detroit Rome Heauty • Roman stem Rolla Roxbury Russet Saint Lawrence • seek-no-Further Bhockley Smith's cider ( Mum ) Famense Sops ol Wine "Summer l'earmain Summer Queen Summer Rose Sum. Sw eel Paradise. . Stark Spice Sweet striped Pippin Swaar Sweet Bough •Sweet -I line sweet Nonsuch Sweet Romanite striped ' lilliflower •Tallman sweet Tj en ton Eat h Vandervere Pippin. . . . Virginia Bed Warfleld White Pippin 'Wegener White Rambo White winter Pear. . . Williams' Favorite. . . , •Willow Twig •Winesap -Wine Sweet Paradise •Yellow Bellflower. .. Vopp's Favorite 2 2 2 2 I 2 2 2 2 I "l 3 1 1 2 5 3 2 1 1 1 I 3 1 2 1 1 o o - a 2 2 3 2 4 1 2 2 3 2 2 2 1 2 1 4 2 2 5 2 5 3 1 3 2 2 5 1 2 1 3 2 2 1 1 3 1 2 1 2 2 1 6 2 4 2 1 1 2 4 5 1 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 2 2 l 8 S ■2 2 1 2 1 i > =, 4 1 2 1 3 1 1 1 4 1 4 .» T 5 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 2 fi 4 2 4 3 2 1 1 2 1 •2 2 3 3 2 I 2 1 2 4 3 1 1 2 4 1 1 1 2 3 2 2 2 1 2 3 1 I 2 2 2 3 2 I I 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 2 3 216 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS THE TEAR. D. B. Wier, of Lacon, of the Ad-Interim, read the following paper on the pear, embracing the substance of his observation and experi- ence during the past season : The culture, propagation and diseases of the pear, as an orchard fruit, I have made one of my careful studies for a number of j'ears, but have made but little progress satis- factory to myself, and therefore think I can benefit others but little in giving them the result of my investigations. I have, it is true, adopted a general system, founded on my own theories and observations and the theories and observations of other cultivators, which, in the main, I intend to follow closely. This system, of course, is the one that my judgment tells me is nearest correct, and the one from which I expect the best and most permanent results. Still I do not confine myself to any particular rut ; but make it my duty to practice other systems that appear to me to be radically wrong, with the same energy that I do my favorite method — the true plan when trying to solve any doubtful question. I will try to outline, in the fewest possible words, the system by which I hope to make the pear a profitable market fruit on my soil and in my climate, not pretending or giving any hopes that the system will be as good on any other soils or in any other climate, unless similar in all material points. After at least twenty years of close observation, I have come to the conclusion that there are but two varieties of natural soil in the west, upon which I could expect the pear to prove healthy and productive, without too great an outlay in using artificial means. These are our high dry scillicious clays, the con- glomerate or loess clays of our timberland bluffs abounding in lime and iron, for Dwarfs and Standards, (I am well aware that this soil is not suited to the quince roots of the Dwarfs, but by deep working and deep planting they can be well established) and re- sembling high dry sand ridges that are sand or gravel all the way down, having the sur- face composed of a foot or more of light sandy loam for standards. As trees planted on these two different soils require entirely different treatment, I shall speak of them separately. First. The clay ridges. These are usually covered by a growth of oak timber, mostly second growth. The land should be cleared by cutting clown the heavy timber and grubbing deeply the stcond growth. The ground should then be plowed a medium depth, harrowed down fine and planted in potatoes, or sown with small grain. The suc- ceeding fall il should be deeply trench plowed. The next spring it will be in fine con- dition for planting. It is best to examine the site carefully, and procure enough stand- ards to plant all the lighter portion of the orchard, and Dwarfs enough to plant the portions containing the most humus. I consider it highly improper to plant Dwarfs and Standards promiscuously in alternate rows, as some have recommended ; for the reason that they require different cultivation and management. I think it the best practice, if the ground was thoroughly trenched plowed the fall before, not to plow it again in the spring, until after the trees are planted. In selecting trees for planting, Dwarfs, one or two years old, and Standards one year from bud or two from root graft are best, though Standards of two years may be used. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. '217 It is of the highest Importance that the treea have never been injured by freezing. Too greal weight cannol be given to this point. The proper way to do, is to procure the in the fall, and bury them, the roots well out of reach of frost, and the top oul < f sight, in good hi av> Boil (sand does not do to bury them In), or buy I hem of Borne nurs- ery where all their pear trees are treated in this way. Plant the standards in rows run- ning 15 degrees west of south, six feet apart in tie' row, rows 20 feet apart. The dwarfs in rows, running in the same direction, lour feet apart in the row, rows !."> feel apart, leaning each tree r> degrees south in the direction of the rows. After planting, the sur- of i he ground near the row.-, should he cultivated I \\ ice during May with a harrow or cultivator ; then about the first of June, the land should be plowed throw ing the soil toward, and in fact, up against the trees, with a turning plow. Daring the rest of the summer keep the row.- of trees thoroughly clean with a cultivator or shovel plow. Late in the fall the dwarf trees should have the soil thrown towards them again, with tie' plow, or he pretty heavily mulched with partly rotted straw or leaves. The trees; Bhould be planted pretty deep in the start, and then, by the above prai . the quince roots of the dwarfs will he covered deep enough to he out of reach of injury by frost* In the fall go over the trees, unci cut away every atom of unripe wood, even if it lake-, every inch of that year's growth. In this way is removed the nidus of many blights and cankers. Head I low, invariably, and if they make a growth of 18 inches or over, their .-hoi .is should lie cut back, from one-third to one-half. Never /;■/'//< pear trees up, hut always prune them down, and never thin out the branches in the interior tf August. By this means the orchard will be kept free of weeds, and in good condition for the growth of t he trie.-. Look over the trees in the fall again, and cut out all unripe w ood, and shorten in as before directed. This treatment Bhould he followed with the dwarfs for all time, or as long as they la-t ; hut for the stand. nil.- it should only he com Inued until they have made four sum- mer's growth ; and then the following spring the ground should he thickly sow n with red clover, thoroughly harrowing the ground before, and lightly after sowing. The ground Bhould be mowed every two or three week- during the first summer after tow- ing 'he clover, to keep the weeds from choking out the treesand clover. Rake the weeds when mowed and throw them around the trees. Each succeeding year mow the clover eraly, ami at leasl three times during the season, throwing it under the branches of the trees. This will he all tin- cultivation they will ever require, unless the June jrra-s should run the clover out. In that event, plowil early in the Bpring very shal- low, harrow tine and then plow again in June and bow in buckwheat ; plow again the nexl Spring and bow to clover. The greatest care should be taken not to allow the tier- 1,1 over hear in their firsl crop. If they Bel a full crop of fruit, at least half of it should he picked off when the size of an acorn. Whenapear tree is carrying its iir.-t crop of fruit, and when the rough bark is forming on its branches, an- the two critical periods of its life. My ideal pear tree La one with the branches commencing within a 218 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS foot of the ground and running out nearly horizontal, with a gentle curve upward — thus giving to the top a pyramidal form, with its greatest diameter perpendicular to the row. Planted and pruned in this way, each tree protects its neighbor from the scorching sun at noon day. I have practised, and can highly recommend the planting of Black Raspberries in the rows, one hill between the dwarfs, and two between the standards. They shade the ground in the heat of summer, and the shade of the pear trees is beneficial to the raspberries. I would also recommend the planting of evergreens mid- way between the rows, fifteen to twenty feet apart. When planting on the sandy soil, I should plant standards, and treat them the same as described; for the clay only, I would plant deeper and not plow the soil up to them, except ones the first fall. I would always prefer the sandy soil above described to clay, for standards. I will now give a few of the facts that have caused me to adopt the above system : In what way does our climate differ from the climate of Belgium, which is I believe, conceded to be the paradise of the pear? Our climate is ten times more changeable than that of Belgium in every way ; extreme changes from heat to cold, from wet to dry ; our sun is brighter both in summer and winter ; we have a great many more clear days and nights, our atmosphere is much dryer. Our soils are not as I believe essent- ially different, except that ours contains more humus than the long cultivated soils of Europe ; but if we plant on the before mentioned soils, we overcome that difficulty, 60 we have nothing to contend against, except climatic influences. Close planting and heading back, and inclining the trees to the south counteracts in a great measure, the brightness of our sun and clear skies. The sheltering of the ground under the trees with growing bushes and clover, keeps the soil cool and moist, prevents the reduction of heat, and protects the soil in a measure, from becoming over saturated with water in the growing season. Deep planting puts the roots down out of reach of sudden dry. ness or over wetness, as well as out of reach of sudden heat and cold, and the soil being naturally warm, dry and pliable, the roots stay where they are put. I look for very beneficial results to be attained from root grafting the pear, as I find a great want of congeniality in many seedlings to the variety worked on them. Root grafting and using the smallest possible amount of root, and in that way getting our varieties on their own roots, will, I think, remedy this want of congeniality. After careful study of the theories and recent practice of the same, or perhaps one of our noted horticulturists,* I still hold to the opinion that the most fatal form of Pear blight is caused by an over- engorgement of the leaves and other cellular tissues of the tree with crude sap, at a time when the leaves are rendered incapable of elaborating it properly, by the extreme heat of the sua and dryness of the atmosphere ; in fact is caused exactly the same as founder in a horse, by overfeeding at a time when the whole system is in a weakened condition ; and further, it is a notorious fact that the pear, like most other exotics, has its foliage greatly enfeebled in this climate, and may, and I am sure does, have its entire foliage rendered incapable of properly elaborating sap at all, in a very short space of time. Assuming this to be a fact, if, at the same time, the tissues be engorged by a strong pressure of crude sap, should blight astonish us ? Would not apoplexy be a more proper name for it? A strong vigorous bottom to the tree would add its mite to the result. Then let us try the pear on its own roots. Root pruning may, in a great *Dr. Hull, of Alton, Ills. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 219 in.. i- iirc, prevent blight in the pear ; and I think thai we have proof that it has. But why does il do it ? I cannot belici e I liat it la cutting off the roots at a certain distance from the tree that does the good, but rather the digging of a deep trench around the tree, and in that way giving it ;i steady supply of moisture during the natural growing season ; for it is a well known fact that Boil bo deeply stirred docs not dry out in one, or even two seasons, tn many other ways, without doubt it is beneficial, but even if it proves a specific remedy I have to consider it wholly impracticable. Even the curious amateur would, I think, soon tire of so expensive and laborious a practice, let alone he that would grow pears for market. Like all other old fruits, the pear lias been bred up toe higblj in one direction ; or to speak to the point, we have given too much attention to growing a fruit of a very superior quality without giving proper regard to health, vigor and productiveness of the tree. Third and fourth class pear-; liave great com- mercial value, if perfectly bardy and productive, as many of them are. I think there lias been more money made from the old Bell pear than from any other two varieties, according to the number of trees planted. A vast improvement can yet lie made by raising seedlings here from native seed, for the simple reason thai those thai have foliage not adapted to this climate can readily be discarded while young. I will now ii upon my legitimate business as a member of the committee Ad-Interim. So fa;- as my recent planting of Dwarf pears are concerned, a regular obituary notice would hit the ease exactly, as three-fourths of the trees I planted in the spring of '66 and '07, are. dead. This has been caused partly by my own neglect, secondly by planting on soil not adapted to their health, and thirdly by the great drouth of the summer of '67. The winter of '07 and '68, I think had nothing to do with their destruction, or at most bul little. I am led to these conclusions from the fact that wherever the ground retained sufficient moisture, my trees did not die. My theory of the cause of their death i~, that the Boil me - ■ thoroughly dry, thai the leaves wen; not supplied with crude sap, ami also became 60 disorganized and weakened by the intense heat and dryness of the air that they entirely losl the power of elaboration. Nowil is a well known fact that the roots of a p-rennial plant must receive a downward How of elaborated Bap from matured leaves late in the season, or they are dead— not liable to be killed by the winter, but I before winter sets in — proof — the body ami branches of the trees were in good condition when spring opened — proof positive, strip every leaf from a tree just when the terminal bud has become firm and plump, and you kill all the roots. I have no doubt that if the soil had been thoroughly saturated with moisture before winter set in, that many of the roots thai were only weakened would have survived, from the well known fact that root-'m an extremely dry soil are injured almost as badly by severe IV tezing as if they were not i-,\ ered at all ; and it is probable that what little moisture was in the roots when winter set in, was entirely thrown off by evaporation from the tree while frozen. There never has been any serious blighting of the pear in proper ■ii as i have named] in this neighborhood. What little there ha- been could he directly traced to stimulating with manures, or in some other way at an Improper season. [ consider manures absolute poison to the pear tree. h nearly every case where trees have been Btricken with blight In soils, and in loea- tions not adapted to them, it has been asioned by allowing the trees to overbear, or by some other cause easily guarded against. Parties.— Nearly all the varieties recommended by our horticultural societies have 220 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS been planted licrc-, and pretty thoroughly tried. I will name a few that have succeeded best ; earning those that have been most productive andhealthy first ; as Dwarfs, Louise B m de Jersey, White Doyenne, Dutchess de Angouleme, Seckel, Doyenne de Ete, Bart- lett, Buffnin. Standards: Flemish Beauty, Buffum, Seckel, Belle Lucrative and Summer Bell— the latter would be called a worthless pear, but it is perfectly healthy, hardy and productive, ripening near the middle of July, and selling readily at $8 per I ushel. Many others of the older varieties promise well. Among the newer varieties showing good promise, I would name Beurre Bosc and Clapp's Favorite ; Doyenne de Cornice appears a little tender, but no more so than others that succeed well. Its foliage is very fine. I cannot too highly commend from thorough study of the subject, the planting of the pear, promiscuously and thickly among other trees and bushes. It has true phil- osophy in it. How many of our hardy native trees are there that nature has to nurse and cradle amongst our hazel, plum and briarpatches ? Nearly all of our forest trees ; in fact the sturdy oaks and hickories are usually nursed and protected in infancy by the lowly hazel. The list adopted by the Society now stands as follows : Summer — Bartlett, Tyson, Rostizer, Doyenne d'Ete. Autumn — Flemish Beauty, Beurre d'Anjou, Howell, Belle Lucrative, Duchess d' Angouleme, Louise Bonne de Jersey, Seckel. Winter — Winter Nelis, Lawrence. For trial — Dearbon's Seedling and Swan's Orange. The subject of blight was taken up and discussed, at some length, without eliciting anything new. CHERRIES. After some discussion, a variety called " Late Richmond " was added to the list of the Society. SECOND DAY — MORNING SESSION. Prayer by Suel Foster. The following essays and reports ad-interim were read : diseases of fruit trees prevention better than cure. By Elmer Baldwin. It is conceded that there are more enemies to fruit culture at the West than in the older states. Fruit trees are more subject to disease, and insects are more numerous, I>roliiie and destructive. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 221 The last f rperience in- established this fact. And our orchards have become unproductive, to an extent alarming to the lovers of good fruit. Similar com- plaints, it i- true, reach us from most of the Eastern Btates— so that to some extent it may be ascribed to nnpropiti • as, which have occasionally occurred in all the his- tory of fruit culture. The failure has been more general in the Northwest than eke- where; showing that there must be some cause that operates here, with more intensity to produce th sive failures. There are Bome localities which have produced good average crops of fruit during the most nnfavbi i ion.*, showing that the cause of failure is not general but local. Our intelligent horticulturists bave with a persistent industry worthy bo important a Bubject, sought the cause and the remedy. Microscopic insect ravages, and fungoid iwth have come in for a full Bhare of investigation — researches in this direction are worth all they cost, merely as a curiosity, and they are, doubtless, destined to result in immense benefit to the product ion of fruit — for when the cause of dls sase i- kno i n, the i- more easily found — and the history of Insect life is the necessary requisite to their destruction. All inquiries and investigations in that direction should be encouraged and aided by every means in our power. But while the microscopist is busy with his glass, and the mologist is after the bugs — there are certain other consideration- deserving atten- tion, there are laws which govern both animal and vegetable growth, and reproduction, whose observance is the first requisite of success. , I am Btrongly impressed with the opinion that specific remedies for animal or vegeta- ble disease arc of only partial utility, and that hygienic and sanitary agencies for their prevention are of more value, than all the curative remedies ever used. Remove the causes which produce malaria from an infected district, and it will do more to eradicate ague and fever than all the drugs in Christendom. A farinaceous and fruit diet, with proper exercise, a cheerful mind, rational and exhil- erating amusement, will prevent, or cure, bronchitis or dyspepsia better than any nostrum. Obey the laws of your being, live well, but temperately, on the fruits and grains of your fields and orchards; remove all impurities from your premises ; breathe pure and fresh air, day and night ; make yourself and fellows happy by doing good to others, and it will more effectually prevent or eradicate typlmid fever than any remedy. Eat to live, and drink only nature's beverage; exercise regularly and temperately; Bin neither against your fellow, nor against yourself, and you will never know gout or rheumat i m. I have digressed in making these remarks, for the purpose of showing that there is a • analogy between the laws which govern animal and vegetable life. And to show that th.' normal state of both animal- and vegetables i- that of health — and thai disease i- abnormal and th': result of wrong conditions. And that when wrong conditions in- duce disease all tie' remedies known are of but little use, they generally only palli while tie' disease and remedies Bap ami destroy the vitality, a i iturntothe normal condition i- the most efficient and safe remedy. But better still never to leave the nor- mal condition. Now. a- every animal, so every tree has its natural wants, and requisite conditions; to rear th >m successfully those want.- must be Bupplicd. Each variety of tree ha- its appro- priate soil, climate and situation —one tlower here on the river bank where its roots are 222 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS laved with a perennial flow of water ; another delights and thrives only in a deep alluv- ial soil: while others grow in sand; another in clay; while some will only grow in a dry and arid soil where all others will die. The peculiar characteristics of each must be understood, and all successful culture must be based upon such knowledge. Any peculiar unfavorable condition of soil or cli- mate, must be remedied artificially, to rear any variety of tree, or its culture must fail. There are several conditions required by the apple tree, not furnished by the prairie soil and climate. Its first and most pressing requirement is moisture, there are but few trees more impatient of drought than the apple. It is a rapid grower and immensely produc- tive. Reflect upon the demand upon its resources — it has to form its annual growth, mature its immense crop of fruit, and form the fruit germs for the next year's crop of fruit — all at the same time. Now, consider it standing in a soil almost entirely deprived of moisture, as our prairie soil often is in August and September, and we may well expect to find leaf blight, frozen sap blight, and other fine spun throated diseases the next summer, but which are generally only evidences of exhausted vitality, and but what might be expected — little or no growth ; defective and scabby fruit, of poor keep- ing qualities ; the fruit grown of the next crop, imperfect or entirely deficient — and the tree weak and exhausted, the prey of insects and disease. The apple tree is a gross feeder, a constant supply of nutriment is required to supply its waste, a good and gener- ously rich soil is required, and as the nutriment is available only through dilution in the moisture of the soil, deficiency of moisture is deficiency of nutriment — we frequently hear fears expressed that our soil is so rich that our trees may grow too fast, this may be true of young trees before they come in bearing, but I have never known it true of trees after — the reverse is generally true — trees seldom bear more than one crop of fruit after they stop growing, and that very imperfect. The condition of health and full nutrition is the condition of fecundity in animals, and vigorous and perfect health and growth are the conditions of productiveness in vegetable life —fair and perfect fruit cannot be ex- pected from any other condition. I have noted that those orchards which failed to produce fruit the past season made a very feeble growth, and that those which bore a crop of fruit made a fair growth of wood. A steady and constant growth through each season, is necessary to successful fruit culture. An orchard that has stopped growing must be thoroughly renovated by cultivation and resume its normal growing condition before fruit can be expected. The renovation must be radical. As well might the Physician expect to restore health to a cholera infected district, by use of some nostrum, or to clear the ague from the swamps of the lower Mississippi by use of Quinine, as expect to realize a crop of good fruit from trees standing in stagnant water, or in the dry and parched prairie soil, during a season of extreme drouth. There are some insects that prey upon healthy growing trees, the Canker Avorm, Tent caterpillar, Large borer " Saperda bivittata," are of the class, with some others and must be destroyed. But I have never known the small flat borer infest a healthy tree, when the bark has been partially killed by sun-scald, this borer commences work. The Hark louse with me has never attacked a healthy growing tree; an unthrifty tree invites the lice and the lice prevents it growing, so the two work in harmony and the tree goes under. The best remedy is to'cultivate, manure, prune, wash with alka- lies, and by every means invigorate the tree ; start it growing once, the remedy is STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 223 complete. But the best policy is to always keep it growing. That is the best Insurance against disease, Insect enemies and failnroof fruit. It would be presumption in me to hint at the cause of pear blight, for I know noth- ing of it, that is as to its cause. I do not know it practically, but a word as to my experience in poor culture may not be entirely useless. In tlie place of my nativity among the bills of New England, where a pear orchard was not known solar a my knowledge extends ; there were occasional single pear trees very healthy and produc- tive There were Borne facts connected with those isolated trees, that I noticed when a youth, and are still strongly impressed on my mind. Those trees usually stood in the corner of some field, yard or garden, generally on rather low ground, where the wash from considerable surface was collected, frequently at the foot of a hill, and where the leaves and litter naturally collected to form a mulch, where there was a reasonably rich and uniformly moist soil and open and porous subsoil. Here the roots had a chance to develop their natural habit of striking deep in the earth. I do not suppose all the trees were set in that situation, but I inferred that those set elsewhere were not permanent . The roots of the pear strike deeper than those of most other trees ; when this is pre- vented by an impervious subsoil, the tree cannot be healthy. Does not pruning the side roots to prevent blight, force the growth of the tap roots deeper into the earth, thus reaching permanent moisture, and thus supplying the condition that prevents blight '.' A season rather wet, following an excessive dry one always produces blight in the pear ; is not the drouth the cause? There is a cause, and that course of culture which insures a uniform and healthy growth, will be most likely to escape the evil, at least the condition of those trees which were healthy, would lie the best to pattern after, in culture. It is notable that apple trees where they have attained the size of about twelve inches in diameter, when their roots have penetrated deep into the earth, t bey are less liable to disease than when younger, and that the untoward influences of climate affects them less. The Sugar Maple barely lives when set on the prairie, its growth being very slow for years, but when it has attained a size of ten or twelve inches in diameter during a period of thirty years, it, then grows well. Its roots have reached the depth of permanent moisture and the vicissitudes of a capricious climate do not affect as in-fore. Heavy mulching would have msured its growth at first, and the same may be, and doubtless is true of our fruit trees. Underdraining as a remedy for excessive moisture and drouth, will eventually be a necessity in preparing an orchard site, and deep, thorough and constant culture or heavy mulching, or both judiciously applied will insure against drouth; when that is done and a regular supply of moisture and healthy growth insured, and shelter and protection from the bleak winds fully supplied, we may reasonably expect less disease and fewer failures of the fruit crop than now. There are some iullucnces we cannot correct ; the dry atmosphere of the W< Bt i- not as favorable to some kinds of fruit culture as the moister atmosphere of t he Eastern States. But this is not a fatal objection, and there is no doubt but by proper culture and protection we can counteract the untoward Influences of a defective soil and capricious climate, and to restore or create those conditions which have proved, here and elsewhere, the conditions of success. But we must know what the cahse of failure is, before we can apply a remedy. The incorrect opinion, that severe cold was the 224 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS cause of all the evil that beset our fruit trees, has been a great injury by preventing an effort at cure in the right direction. As that evil was wholly beyond our reach, but little effort could be made against it. But on the grand principle of supplying the natural wants of each variety of plant, we can hardly go amiss, and may result in a success beyond our most sanguine anticipa- tions. Nature is the best guide and most reliable teacher. Supply the condition of health and uniform growth, without interruption, and microscopic animalcula and fungoid growth, will lose most of their terrors. TRANSPORTATION OF FRUIT. By Suel Foster. I have not a great deal of experience in the transportation of fruit, but what little I have is quite unfavorable — unfavorable for the producer, for the carriers, for the trade, and for the consumers. And while this is my experience, I also find it is universal. If there are other and more favorable experiences and practices, they are only exceptions to the general rule. It is hardly necessary for me to explain what I mean by bad prac- tice of transportation of fruit, but some express carrier might ask, " What do you mean." I will say I simply mean rough handling. I Jseut pears to Chicago, 210 miles by express — Bartlctt's, Seckles, White Doyennes, Flemish Beauties, Glout Morceau, etc. The mere mention of their names causes their vision of beauty, fragrance and flavor, to flash across my memory with pleasant emo- tions. Went into the market of the great, the rich, the luxurious city of Chicago, and sold at $3.50 to $5 per bushel, in damaged condition. I sent grapes to Chicago which sold at 16 cents per pound, and at the intermediate prices down to 4 cents, "in damaged condition.'''' Those fruits sold for half price, nor did the purchasers get the profit, nor the carriers, nor the consumers, nor the producer ; but the best half was given as dead loss — as a devouring fire consumes. How much such loss is sustained annually by the fruit trade of Chicago, I am unable to make any calculation, but we well know it is very great. I asked Mr. Piatt, a Chicago fruit dealer, who attended our meeting last winter, if there was no remedy for this abuse in transportation? He replied that there was none. If we attempt to claim damages of our express company, they will say they don't pay such damages, for it is expected that fruit will get damaged some by carrying. The damage i--> not worth a suit, and so we are remediless. Thus to combat with our express or rail- road company, is a great undertaking. Now I have encountered some undertakings in the course of my life, and I have accomplished some things that I hardly expected to, which was done by bringing suf- ficient influence, action and power to accomplish what I had in view. If a man has a good cause in view, and will persevere, he can call a State to his aid. The State has given us all the power we need to remedy this, our grievous evil. The great hindrance to our remedy, is the evil is so diffuse that no one feels its burden suf- ficient to undertake its remedy. Then what we want is combination and concert of action. All other trades but agriculture and horticulture have combinations ; and our trades are beginning to combine for mutual benefit. I would advise this, and all other STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 225 horticultural societies, to raise by subscription a sum sufficient to prosecute transpor- tation companies (brail damages they do to fruit. Employ inspectors in Chicago for this purpose, to examine all fruits where damage is claimed, or the commission merchant to whom it is sent may answer this purpose ; and a lawyer to prosecute the cases. Have witnesses unknown to the express carriers, go to the cars, and see the handling and hanlfrng of the fruit to its delivery, and the evidence is complete. Then, and not till then, t lie express companies will issue orders to their employes to handle careful. We sec very few looking-glasses and costly pictures and furniture smashed up by the carriers. And can they not handle fruit as careful? It will take a little more time to handle carefully, and cost more. Their prices are generally sufficient for careful handling, and where they are not, we must pay them sufficient, or keep our fruit at home. If any rascally fruit raiser or dealer should pack rotten or damaged fruit, and claim damage, such should be prosecuted for fraud ; for above all things we should keep our own hands clean. I am confident the good which can be accomplished by suit- able effort, and not very extensive or expensive, but positive and well advised, will amply pay the producers, the carriers, the trade, and especially the consumer. And if we will move in the matter, we 6hall have the good will of all. This subject elicited considerable discussion and caused many hard remarks being made about the express companies, regarding their carelessness in handling fruit. ERRORS IN HORTICULTURE. By Suel Foster. Improvement of Varieties by Cultivation. — We often put too much dependance in this. We cannot change a Yellow Bellftower from its original character, growth of tree, and appearance of fruit. But the tree by high cultivation may be made to grow more thrifty, and the fruit larger and fairer, and different climates and soils, and grafting upon different roots and stocks, it will ditfer somewhat. But when scions have been taken and grafted fifty times from dilferent growths, it is all of one and the same tree and generation, and when taken back and grafted upon the original seedling tree, it is the same as it originally was, with possibly some slight variations, such as severing and grafting and not forming a perfect reunion may cause, or it may incur disease and bring back to the parent tree. We lay it down as a general rule, that we cannot change a variety. Therefore when it is said that seedlings or wild fruit will improve by grafting, or by cultivation, it can only be relied on to a slight degree by high cultivation. Improvement may be made by new generations, which always originate in the seed. — While so much has been accomplished by new seedlings from the Grape, Strawberry, Rasp- berry, Blackberry, Cherry and Pear, our apples — the best fruit of them all — have been left to shirk for themselves. It is true, we can count good varieties by the thousand, why need we trouble ourselves with more? It would he very desirable to have an apple as good as the Jonathan, that would keep with the Willow Twig, and the tree 1G 226 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS as thrifty, hardy and productive as the Ben Davis. Tliis probably could be accom- plished by crossing the flowers of different varieties, and after many trials with such seedlings, produce the desired variety. This is a scientific aud beautiful study for our Experimental Farmers at the Agricul- tural colleges. A seed is one of the most wonderful things in the works of nature. Let us go back to its origin and contemplate for a moment : "And the earth brought forth grass and herb, yielding seed after its kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after its kind ; and God saw that it was good." If the Creator had first made the seed, there would have been no necessity to have created the plant or tree, for that wonderful and beautiful principle of producing the plant was created in the seed ; and each species reproducing " seed after its kind." I have never been able to discover that God made any mistakes here ; the apple seed produces the apple tree, and the pear, the pear ; aud I have never heard of these differ- ent species hybridizing ; if it has ever occurred, as with animals, it will not be likely to continue in that line to another generation. To have created the seed, was to have created the plant, for in the little seed is contained all the principles and powers of producing the plant and the gigantic tree ; the apple always covering its tree with apple bark, apple limbs, and apple buds and blossoms ; no two leaves alike and no two blossoms alike, and no two seeds alike. In each seed is established a new variety. If Mr. Bull, and Mr. Rogers, can so direct the propagation of grape seeds, as to produce desired varieties, why not do the same with the apple? Cannot the color of the apple be influenced by shading the flower with desired colors ; colored glass with its warm and strong reflection. So with flavor ; flavor it with fragrant air ! Another error very common with many horticulturists, "and the rest of mankind," about the Sponigoles that support the tree. A Spongiole, Webster says, "In botany a supposed expansion of minute parts of the termination of radicles, resembling sponge, for absorbing the nutriment of plants." Of course Webster is good authority, aud gets all the scientific knowledge he can on the subject, and this he says is supposed to be so. Now if we are to suppose about the growth of a tree, I am going to try my hand at it ; and it seems to me that any person who ever worked in a nursery with his eyes open, could see that the main support of the tree is not from the minute spongioles at the termination of the roots. First, we dig up the little seedling, and cut all the little spongioles off ; graft it and set it out and it grows — not without a spongiole, fori suppose that the whole root is a spongiole, the bigger the better. Second. I write this article because my customers want me to save all the little shreds of roots on the trees, for through them they are informed the main support of the tree comes. I think those small, very small spongioles, are a damage to the tree in trans- planting, rather than a benefit. Suppose we take up two trees with one side with a mass of shreds of roots, and the other side a few large, long roots, with few small ones, and we cut off all the small ones from the large ones, and from one of those trees we take off all the roots from the side on which there was a mass of small ones, and from the other take off the large ones from the other side. Now which is the best tree to set out ? Certainly the tree with the large roots, the greatest surface of bark of the root, for the whole bark of the root is its spongiole. Every nurseryman knows that trees live and grow if they have plenty of large roots, even if they have no small ones. The bark of the root, when in moist soil, is constantly STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 227 absorbing moisture and nutriment for the tree ; and while the tree is exposed to drying wind- and the -mi, evaporating moisture all the time, if the root could not supply that moisture without its small spongioles, it would invariably die. Again, the Bmali Bhredsof root- almost invariably gel killed in transplanting, by dry- ing or by rough handling; and if we examine after the tree commences growing, we shall tind that very few of the fibers have lived through the transplanting. In most cases I would rather they would be cut oil*, and give the earth a better chance to pack around the large roots. The positions assumed by this paper were attacked by M. L. Dun- hip, and the discussion became quite general and spicy among several members, who soon subsided, having evidently got beyond their depth in the mysteries of Vegetable Physiology. THE APPLE BARK LOUSE IN 1866. BIRDS VINDICATED FROM THE CHARGE PREFERED AGAINST THEM BY THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST. By Henry Shimer, M. D. The apple bark louse has been the object of much study and writing, from year to year. So that it may appear to most of you, that the subject is quite exhausted ; but we can never know too much of the habits and natural history of any injurious insect of so mucli importance as the apple bark louse. Inasmuch as the State Entomologist, Mr. Walsh, in his first annual report charges the birds with being the sole instrumentality, in spreading these noxious creatures from tree to tree, and informs his readers that if all the birds in the world were killed, the bark louse would become extinct by starvation, after having first killed all the trees that are infested. This appears to me as a very bold and striking operation ; one that would materially tend to change our whole course of procedure towards the birds, if true. And observing that Mr. Walsh gave no data of observations for such a conclusion, I determined in the early spring, to investigate the subject from an unbiased stand- point ; believing still as I had always taught, that we have no right, in Entomology, to know anything except by observation. We may in our studio reason out many con- clusions, where we have the general principle of science for our premises, but here we are dealing with a simple, minute insect, of whose habits we can know nothing by reading the history of other animals; its habits, modes of life, propagation and distri- bution are so entirely independent as to require separate observation. We know that birds lly from tree to tree, but is that a sufficient reason for conclud- ing that they convey the bark lice, and that they are distributed in no other way ? Before uttering such sentiments, we ought to prove them guilty, and not to be able after careful observation to detect any other method for the distribution of the bark 228 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS louse. Would either of us be justifiable in charging neighbor Jones with robbing our corn crib, simply because he passed that way every night, from his daily labors. The crib may have been relieved of all its contents, but still neighbor Jones is innocent before the law until proven guilty. We know that the apple bark louse does spread from tree to tree, but reasoning in the same way we ought to hold the birds innocent unless proven guilty. But if we conclude to lay the charge upon them by the method of exclusion — not finding any other method by which the bark louse can be distributed ; we must first by close observation exhaust all other methods. This accomplished, we may then, with some show of justice, bring so grave a charge against the birds. Reasoning in this manner, I commenced my observations in the early spring, in the orchards of Mt. Carroll Seminary grounds, and neighboring farms, where I had ample material for the most complete research ; making notes as I proceeded, the essential parts of which I herewith submit for your consideration. May 15th. — The apple trees are in full bloom. Within the past few days, my attention has been called by V. Armour, Esq., to a wild red plum tree, which he calls " Missouri Plum," on which are great numbers of this identical "bark louse" (Lepidosaphes (aspidiotus) conchiformis.) They appear, chiefly, to be last years' scales, yet very few of them have sound eggs ; they have been despoiled by some parasite. I also found this same unmistakable "bark louse" quite abundant on the "Moun- tain Ash," (Pyrus Americana) in a neighbor's garden ; the eggs have been injured in a similar manner. In these cases the affected trees, Plum and Ash stood close to apple trees covered with bark lice scales. This is very interesting, as proving to my mind that the "apple bark louse," is capable of living on trees, not only of different genera, but also on those of widely different families. After seeing this we can readily appreciate the cor- rectness of the declarations of Mr. Curtis, that this insect is identical with the coccus arbour m Unearies,GeSry, of the Elm — a thing which appears inconsistent with the modern notions of the habits of plant lice. May 24th. — During the past few days we have had very fine, mild weather, and I have occasionally observed young bark lice crawling on the trees. A few of them I find here and there on the trees already, in the form of the new little scale. At 3 P. M., I observe their rate of motion by time and instrumental measure. The distance traveled per minute was from six to eight-tenths of an inch, in a straight line, which gives three and a half feet per hour, or eighty-four feet in twenty-nine hours. The eggs beneath the scale are not hatched ; so it appears that they hatch out irregu- larly, this year, and leave the parent scale immediately. This may be accounted for by early fine weather. Last year it was too cold for them to hatch until quite late, in con- sequence of which, they nearly all came out together, and in some instances remained some time under the scale, after hatching as reported by Mr. Riley to the State Society. May 25th. — I saw the first young Acarus Malus of the season. May 26th. — Rainy ; saw no bark lice. May 27th. — Fair and windy. Bark lice abundant on the trees. Got down on my knees, and carefully examined the ground around under the trees, and between them, at various places in the orchard, with a leus. I saw many bark lice all over ; especially more numerous under the trees ; six and more, sometimes, immediately under one field of the lens. Everywhere in the orchard, even half way between the trees, I could find STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 229 plenty of young bark lice crawling about on the ground, grass and weeds. Even where the apple trees were most remote, I have seen two and three in one field of my one-inch lens. I also found them crawling up the Bide of the barn, at some distance east of apple trees ; also found the bark lice on the fence, piles of wood and lumber wagon, sled, &c, in the orchard. May 28th. — Cold rain ; the bark lice are crawling very slowly. May :inth. — I found some bark lice crawling very slowly. Beneath one scale, I took twenty-live young bark lice. At 4 P. M. I put a number of these into a vial, to see how long they would travel in this confinement. June 1st. — Rain and cold ; no bark lice crawling on the trees. Those bottled day be- fore yesterday are crawling around with usual activity. June '2d. — The bottled bark lice are crawling slowly; see none on the trees or ground. June 3d. — A very few are crawling on the trees. Those in the bottle are no longer in motion, and appear to be dead. June 7th. — See several young bark lice crawling, and about the same number of young acarians — the parasitic enemy of the apple bark louse. The number of located bark lice does not exceed the number of the old scale. Afternoon — The acarian parasites are much more numerous than I have ever observed before. I often see several under one field of my pocket lens, as I explore the limbs of the apple trees. To be certain of the determination, I brought some into my office and instituted a microscopic examination. They arc all over white ; thus proving that the head and fore-legs of those described from autumn specimens of last year, were really stained with the juices of the despoiled eggs, as I then suggested as possible. June 9th. — The closest search fails to secure any young, crawling bark lice. The hatching season is over. Most of the young have anchored themselves (asl to Hie trunk and limbs, close to the parent stem. This failure to emigrate outward to the extremity of the limbs, a-- much as usual, may be accounted for by the unusual prevalence of cold, damp weather, at the time of their migration. July 4th. — Durini: the past few days I have made close search, with a view of deter- mining the condition of the young bark lice, and find the great majority of them blasted — killed by something which I am convinced was the acarian parasites, observed so abundant amonir them in the early and middle part of June. July oth.— The few living yottng apple bark lice are nearly half grown. Upon turn- ing up the scale in a manner that bends it, I readily see it separating into two flakes; the inner stratum is thin and brown, and readily cleaves from the outer or main part of the scale. Upon carefully trying a number of specimens, I find that they all present this same phenomena ; this inner scale looks very much like the skin newly moulted, and not yet cemented to the outer scale, and is another argument in favor of the theory de- rived from my former observations, that the scale of the apple bark louse i- constructed by the Insect, out of its mould skins, cemented by its secretions, etc. (2YafM. Amer. Ent. Soc, January, 1868, pawn locomotion and winds being quite sufficient. And, as noted on the 27th of May, I found them on the side of the barn, where the foot of a bird could find no resting place. Furthermore, I have killed some birds in the orchard, but never found a single bark louse on their feet ; the spring of 1887, with us, would have been a much better season to test this, than the spring of 1808, because in 18G7 the bark lice nearly all hatched in one fine day, as I then observed, on the 9th of June; while this year they began to appear much earlier, about the 20th of May, and continued to hatch during a period of about three weeks. Consequently, a fewer number were on the march at any one time therefore, I would be less likely to find them on birds' feet this year. The dissemination of such an idea that the birds are the sole cause of the spread of bark lice, is a very remarkable thing to come from the State Entomologist, and must not go before the world as a mere theory — a mere theory as it appears to me, after all my long and close series of observation-. Yet I cannot persuade myself that the talented gentleman uttered so momentous a proposition, without due consideration. 1 have done what I could iii the past year, with an unbiased mind, to examine this theory criti- cally, and so far as I have gone, find it not correct. My observations, herewith submit- ted, prove beyond dispute that the hark louse does spread without the aid of birds ; and 1 have not been able to prove thai they do anything towards spreading the hark louse. I hope that others may have investigated this important subject also, and thai you may, therefore, get more Ughi than I have been able to bring before you. The question is big with importance; shall we condemn the birds or not? Shall we venture to sanction the extirmination of 80 important a branch of the animal kingdom as the feathered song- sters, without the most careful deliberation, and untiring observations f Would not so 232 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS bold a measure be rasbness beyond description ; an impeachment of the wisdom of Him who created all things and pronounced them good ; an unhinging of the very founda- tions of nature. Mr. Walsh believes because the bark louse is found first on the lower limbs of a tree, that it must therefore have been conveyed there by some bird. Now is it a fact that birds sit on the lower limbs more than on upper limbs ? The birds of passage — Silvico- lidse, Wrens, &c., &c, that frequent orchards abont the time of the opening of the blos- soms, have nearly all left for their breeding grounds in the North, before the hatching of the apple bark louse. The "Thistle bird," "Yellow Warbler," "Maryland Yellow- throat," "Orchard Oriole," "Baltimore Oriole," " Robin," " Cat-bird," " Brown Thrush," King-bird," a few varieties of Sparrows, &c., &c, only remaining. Now where do we usually see these birds perching? I feel quite confident, most frequently on the upper limbs and outer branches. We therefore are forced to conclude that the finding of the bark louse first on the lower limbs, is almost a positive evidence that it came there by crawling up the trunk of the tree ; and after a long, weary journey, it would be very likely to stop for food, at the first opportunity, on the lower limbs, and thus become permanently located. But why charge this upon birds, any sooner than upon insects ? Who has not seen the swarms of insects, flies, &c, among the trees, at this season ? And is it not just as rea- sonable to suppose that the young bark louse might attach itself to the foot of some fly or other insect, and thus be transported to the neighboring tree, and are not the proba- bilities in favor of this explanation, much greater than the bird theory ? We must, therefore, come to the investigation of this important subject, with unbiased minds. If we are entomologists, we must not let " the bugs" get so close to the organ of vision, as to obscure the light of the sun. If ornithologists, we must candidly review the subject by the light of truth, be the consequences never so unpleasant. If studying both sciences, we must still search for truth, using only the the mighty lever of observa- tion, to dig for the hidden treasures in the great book of nature. The doctrine that would induce us to kill all the birds, is a dangerous one ; one that would so materially unbalance the great laws of nature, as to bring down condign pun- ishment, with sorrow, upon our unworthy heads. Let it be well considered. I believe that the execution of such an edict would result in so rapid a multiplication of noxious insects in a few years — yes, before the present generation had passed away — that every green thing would be destroyed, and famine reign triumphant throughout the land. This is no overdrawn picture. Figures are not wanting, based upon observation, to show that the controlling influence of one family of birds is very great, and all on a single farm, beyond calculation. Where is the man with a well balanced mind, that would wilfully and deliberately kill all the birds, were it in his power, or even encourage such a disposition among the youths of the land ? To establish such a desire might be productive of greater mischief than any other, bearing upon the entire economy of insects ; might far outweigh all the good that can ever come from the accurate description and classification of all the "bugs" in the world. This latter is an interesting and important object — one well worth develop- ing ; yet it is of but secondary importance, compared with the economy of insects. I believe that the extermination of all birds would be an unparalleled error — one that could never be amended by all the devices of man. Birds are nature's scavengers in the STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 23 wood, the field, the lawn — everywhere ; and he that kills one for mere sport, or from blind prejudice, Lb a dangerous man in the community. What can man do among insects, with his own hands? But little, as I have shown in my address bi fore you, last year. Nature's method tor controlling noxious insects, is almost beyond the aid of man, except by Indirect interference. If every farmer should keep in his employ an entomologist whose whole time would be devoted to the study of in- < ; S, and in devising and executing means for the extermination of the injurious ones, the concentrated efforts of all this army of entomologists might possibly fail to be as effectual, as the work now silently performed by birds, in the great Valley of the Missis- sippi. .Mt. CArroll, III., Feb. 4, 1869. [This paper was not read, but referred to the publishing committee.] Mr. Walsh, State Entomologist, said it was a fallacy to suppose the imported bark louse was kept in subjection by cultivation of the tre<>. The best remedy he had found was an application of one part of domestic soap to six parts of water, to be made when the insect first hatches, it is sure death to every one touched. They hatch according to the season from the 20th of May to the 5th of June. Considerable discussion followed regarding the condition of trees when attacked, varying very much with different individuals. CAN FRUIT BE RAISED TO PROFIT IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS. By W. E. Lukexs. If this question can be truthfully answered in the negative, then we arc in an unfor- tunate predicament. All our plans for increasing the area of fruit culture, all our endeavors to create a deeper interest in the subject, will bring loss and not gain to all concerned. All our horticultural societies will have spent their forces for no profitable return. For we may rest assured that the American people will not prosecute a busi- ness after it is demonstrated to be less profitable than some other occupation immedi- ately within their reach. In determining this question, it would not be fair to rely upon the agregate of facts within our reach. Many mistakes in varieties, in planting, and in after culture are incident to first attempts in a new country. Moreover the settlers coming from a wide range of latitude in the Eastern, Middle, and Southern states, brought with them their peculiar notions and prejudices, as to varieties and modes of culture. As a conse- 234 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS quence, hundreds and thousands of trees and shrubs were planted, too tender for our rigorous climate ; even hardy varieties, were either poorly cultivated, or not cultivated at all ; and thus failure resulted from this fact, rather than from any peculiarities of climate. But with the experience that fruit growers now have, can they not plant such varieties as are known to he hardy, in soils best adapted to their growth, and with sucb after treatment as experience has shown to be best, with as sure a prospect of success as they can expect from raising corn or wheat ? If not, let us all abandon it at once. Suppose we plant one hundred apple trees to the acre, and allow fifty of them never to bear any, the other fifty to commence bearing at eight years from planting, and bear every other year for twenty years on an average of four bushels to the tree, or two thousand bushels in twenty-eight years from planting. These if sold at one dollar per bushel, will produce an average of $71 per acre, per year over the twenty-eight years. Yet with a judicious selection of sorts, and location, double or triple this result may be expected. Three hundred cherry trees can be planted on an acre of ground. Late, and Early Richmond, aud a few other hardy varieties, and after the fourth year to the twentieth, we may safely count on a yield of sixteen quarts per tree. When sold at a shilling per quart, would amount to $600 per year for sixteen years, or $9,600 in twenty years , or an average of $480 per year. Deduct half this and we still have $240 per acre, each year. Kentish trees in sight of where I am now writing, have borne since I have known them, twice the amount of which I have noted down. One tree in one year, the owner informs me, produced about 45 gallons, and were sold for about $27. Grapes, if well taken care of, will produce two hundred bushels, or eight thousand pounds per acre. If these are sold at five cents per pound, it will give us $400 per acre, from which deduct for extra expense in raising them, above what an acre of grain will cost, and we have $350 per acre. One gentleman of my acquaintance, whose judgment ought to be relied upon, as he has been largely in the nursery and fruit business, is quite discouraged ; thinks we will be obliged to resort exclusively to raising grain, principally corn. He informs me that in Ohio, in the vicinity of Cleveland, cultivators are cutting down their fruit trees, being no longer profitable. He admits that grapes can be profitably grown now while prices are high, but when much larger amounts are produced, there will not be a demand for them except to make wine ; and this it is thought to be of doubtful pro- priety. I am not, at present, advocating the propriety of making wine ; but this objection comes strongly from one who has sold thirty thousand bushels of corn in one year, to be manufactured into whiskey. There is no farmer but knows that nine" teen-twentieths of the corn sold to the grain buyers, goes to make a beverage, an hundred fold more mischievous in its effects, than the wine manufactured from grapes. Some of these farmers who object to planting an acre of grapes, for fear they will be made into wine, will raise six hundred to one thousand acres of corn in one season, which they are well aware, will soon be in the shape of some 200,000 gallons of whiskey. If the delightful occupation of raising fruit, has got to be abandoned in this country, let all concerned know it as soon as possible. I hope the subject will be thoroughly discussed, and if necessary, a committee be appointed to gather facts upon the subject and report at the next winter's meeting of the Society. STATE HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 235 RErORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ARBORICULTURE. By A. Bryant, Sen. In the opinion of the Committee, a review of the past year, shows a growing attention to the cultivation of shade and forest trees in Northern Illinois. The demand for such trees is evidently increasing, and nurserymen are making preparations to meet it. The prospect is therefore encouraging. Yet it is true, that a very small portion of our land- holders are alive to the importance of the subject. For every acre of forest trees planted, thousands are destroyed. It may be safely assumed that In the county of Bureau, one- half the primitive growth of timber has been destroyed within the last fifteen years. Nb1 only this, but tracts of young timber trees, whose growth annually added at least ten per cent, to their value, have been cut down for fire wood. The necessity of imme- diate and strenuous exertion to repair this waste, must be obvious to every intelligent mind. Let then, those who are aware of the importance of the matter endeavor to arouse others ; and above all set the example, which is often far more potent than pre- cept. Let those who manage our County Agricultural Societies, who certainly ought to be informed on this subject, devote the premiums, worse than wasted upon jockeyism, to the encouragement of tree planting. There is work enough for all. The value of the Black Walnut for timber is well known, and it is more easily raised from seed than almost any other tree. The nuts when gathered maybe thrown in a heap, and covered with earth. In the spring, they should be taken out and planted, and cultivated like corn. After two or three years' culture, the trees will need no other care than the exclusion of stock. The White Oak, the Burr Oak, the Ashes, and the Maples, merit cultivation, and before all, the European Larch. This tree which is planted, for timber in Great Britain to a greater extent than all others ; combines strength and durability, with rapidity and symmetry of growth, in a degree hardly to lie found in any other. Loudon quotes from the Elstoryof Trees and Shrubs of Desfontaines, a French writer, a statement that there are in Switzerland long established vineyards, in which the vine props are made of larch. These have been transmitted from father to son, without ever having been renewed. It must not be suppos • latitude, and they are the elect for horticulture in Minnesota. The meeting adjourned on the 26th of January. All railroads give free passes to all members, and evince a great desire to see all the horticultural interests developed in the great and growing State that their several 240 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. roads bisect. Go back to Minneapolis Thursday evening ; stop with Mr. Elliot, who pro- poses a trip of observation Friday and Saturday. Drive twenty miles Friday morning to Lake Minatonka, and call on our pioneer horticulturist, Peter M. Gideon, at Excelsior ; examine the orchard of Mr. Gideon, which is just now coming into bearing, he having raised several seedlings, which are attaining a national reputation in the " Wealthy" and the "Molly." The Wealthy is a seedling of the Duchess of Oldenburg, without doubt, having in the tree a striking resemblance of the parent, in form and color and texture of the wood ; keeps well until July, and is of great promise and commanding appearance, and is not a whit behind in quality the finest apple we have on cultivation. The Molly is its worthy colleague in many respects. At eight o'clock of the following morning, bid good by to our host and hostess, and retraced our step for Minneapolis via Wyzeta ; in the route find two varieties of wild Thorn, the double extract of Thornliness. We bring them down to the Hennepin County Horticultural meeting which meets that afternoon at Minneapolis ; on our way call on Mr. 8. Gates to examine his orchard ; find him growing quite a number of the more hardy varieties with very happy results ; among the trees we noticed Duchess of Oldenburg, and a great retinue of the coarser varieties of the Siberian Crab. Arrived in Minnea- polis at noon ; attended the Horticultural meeting. The meeting was largely attended, much interest manifested in horticulture, and samples of apples grown in different parts of the county presented, and the two Thorns brought in are presented by W. Elliott, and a committee appointed to examine and report the best means to propa- gate it as a hedge plant for the Northwest ; the next day President Hoag of the State horticultural society comes with his sleigh, and takes me to Judge Baker's, four miles out of Minneapolis, where he is engaged in Horticulture and Floriculture, who sold last season three hundred dollars worth of choice wild plums of one variety. The next day go to Anoka, eighteen miles north on the Mississippi, where Lewis Martin is com- mencing a nursery and is fruiting several kinds of apples ; for instance, Duchess of Oldenburg, Haas, and a great retinue of the choicer varieties of Siberian Crab. Back to Minneapolis, called on W. Elliot and examined trees and green house plants ; trees of all kinds look fine, and green house plants most splendid. Friday start homeward, via Minnesota Central road, called at Northfield thirty minutes. Much attention is given to trees and fruits, took next train to Faribault college and find Mr. Harkness at home. Leave at noon for Owatona, and. connect with cars on Winona & St. Peter's Railroad ; came to St. Charles at evening, and call on H. C. Robinson and stop over Sunday. Monday morning start for Winona, and come down the south Rolling Stone Valley to Stockton ; call on the Pioneer nurserymen, Messrs. S. Bates & Son, who have been located there fourteen years, and,show nearly twenty kinds of those new seedling apples of Minnesota ; many very nice and of a splendid flavor. They sent some of the best by me to the Wisconsin State Horticultural meeting, and to our own meeting at Aurora. The apples were shown at both meetings. At Madison, the State Horticultural Society meeting was in session ; presented our credential from your society as a Delegate, and was madean honorary member. Many fine varieties of apples were shown from different parts of the State, and much interest was manifested by all present, and from all the reports made at the meeting, Wisconsin is becoming one of the fruitful states of the Northwest. Through the efforts of the able President, Doctor Hobbins and the efficient Secretary, Willey, Wisconsin Horticultural Society is making rapid progress in Pomology. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 241 SIBERIAN APPLES. Chas. Andrews, of Marengo, presented and read a lengthy report on the Siberian apples. As the same ground has been gone over in his paper to the State Horticultural Society, in this volume, it is omitted here. A PROPOSITION. The reading of the paper drew out some remarks from E. II. Skinner, Marengo, McIIenry Co., who has now growing on his place over 2,200 varieties of apples, among them 19 varieties of Russian origin. His proposition is to give one graft of each of the 19 vari- eties, to any person who will send $2.00 to D. ~W. Scott, the Secre- tary of this Society, and thus become a member of it. The cions to be assorted and packed ready to deliver at the next annual meeting. RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT. The Committee chosen to consider the death of W. W. Beebee reported as follows : V i. Beebee died in December last, after a short illness, of lung fever. He was an ardent and enthusiastic horticulturist, having practiced it several years in the rigorous climate of Northern lows, with varied success, as all others do who have to fuel their way in the new country, with very little to guide him ; but having the public spirit to report hia successes and his failures through the public press, that others might see his path, and avoid his mistakes. lb' was an Honorary Member of this Society; and late Secretary of the Iowa State Horticultural Society ; a devoted Christian member of a church where he lived, a warm Mend ami valuable citizen. In .Mr. Beebee, we feel that we have lost a valuable member, and mourn his loss ; wc sympathize with his bereaved family and friends. ' Be»olv< $5.00 50.00 " 15,000 yearling trees, 5 aorta <§ $5.00 per m 75.00 " cultivating S years @ $6.00 00.00 " cutting out alternate row .">tli year 30.00 " cutting out alternate row 9th year 80.00 " interest upon Bret two items, in 10 per cent, for 12 years 330.00 " interest ii] ion fourth Item (5 10 per cent, for 10 years 60.00 " taxes 12 years, an average value of $10. per acre, at average of 2 per cent, with interest @ 10 per cent, on taxes 38.00 $873.00 Cr. P.v t',,4' "i five vear old poles, average contents }^ cubic foot, 25 cords @ $5.00 $ 125.00 ■'• 1,200 nine year old trees, average contents 4 cubic feet, 100 cords @ $5.00 500.00 " 8,200 twelve year old trees of 8 cubic feet, 200 cords 1,000.00 " two years start upon another grove by sprouting of stumps 250.00 " original value of land 150.00 $2025.00 873.00 $1152.00 As net profit of $115.20 per acre, and this when every item upon the debtor or expense side has been made as large as could be made to seem reasonable, and while every item on the profit side, has been estimated as small as known facts would warrant, and though we are at present unaware that just such an experimental grove as we have represented has ever been grown and accounts kept, yet we will make bold to predict that more than double the clear profit here indicated may be realized by any prairie farmer, and then leave out of account improvement to the land, and increase in market value of timber lands. If cottonwood was used the ten acres would yield nearly if not quite double the amount of fuel that our account credits, but Soft Maple and Honey Maple and Hickory Elm and Red Elm were in our view, in making the above bill, and with one of these trees there is a source of profit after the 9th year almost equal to its profit for fuel, namely, the production of sugar and syrup, which will be considered in its appropriate department. The policy and profit of planting for fuel the Poplar family of trees is often ques- tioned, and there seems to be a wide spread prejudice against them. But time will doubtless dispel a prejudice so unfounded, and to the Poplar family, with some of the Maples and the hardier Pines, is reserved the most magnificent work of civilization, to redeem the plains or great American desert from its thraldom of drought and desolation and make it a good pastoral if not an agricultural region. THE PRODUCTION OF MANUFACTURING WOODS. The 1 1 — t nf manufacturing woods is not a large one. Headed by the White Pine, whose millions of feet of lumber freights thousands of long railway trains, and covers thousands of acres of river and lake surface, it embraces the building lumbers, the cabinet Lumbers, the Implement and machine strong timbers, the wheelwright's stutTs, the cooper's atufb, and the material for the innumerable small wood manufactures down to the line box block upon which the engraver cuts his lines. Within this list there arc a few woods which we cannot produce, by reason of climatic incompatibility, but the great mass we can produce. 250 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS The Pine grows well on all but the underdrained lands where stagnant and unhealthy "water renders the earth sodden. Hickory, Oak, Ash and Elm, grow splendidly every where if planted right ; they are the standards for strong work and a twenty year old sapling of either is long enough to cut up for almost any use, and the best thing to be said in their favor is, that the rough sawn lumber is worth from three to seven cents per foot measure, giving a prospective profit even to the slower growing of them, far above that to be desired from fuel plantations. Then we do not lack for beautiful woods for ornamental work ; Black Walnut, the prince of cabinet woods, which has already taken the palm from Mahogany ; the cabi- net Cherry, Curled and Birdseye Maple, Honey Locust, and Banduc or Zebra wood, though the principal, do not make up the list ; and all are of ready growth and may be grown with great profit. We had thought to prepare a schedule, showing importations of the manufacturing woods, but have found the work o( collecting data, far too great and had to abandon it, before any definite information of value was reached, except the one great fact that the values of imported woods exceeded in every case the most enlarged estimate. The fencing interest is dependent upon importations of the material for dead fences to a great extent ; the fences of native material are on the decrease in most localities, while a good share of the business of the lumber merchant arises from the sale of fence lum- ber and posts. We take for granted that the operations of importation of material and exportation of money to pay for it are always bad economy, when the money might just as well remain at home for other uses, if we would use home material costing no more than the imported. Upon these grounds, hedging is doubly profitably to a com- munity, first profitable in using home productions and retaining at home the cash resources of the country ; and secondly profitable in giving a fence which in the aggre- gate of years, is very much less costly than the dead wood fence of like efficiency. We have endeavored to give the prominent hedge plant of the West, the Maclura, a fair and careful consideration, and with results as follows : 1st. North of Chicago in most localities, it is not possible for the most careful cul- ture and attention always to produce a good hedge, if the plants used are the ordinary seedlings ; only when the planting takes place at the beginning of a series of mild winters, is success certain with ever so much care. This conclusion has been reached after inspecting many hundred hedges, through all the time since the introduction of this plant as a hedge ; and finding that where one mile of good hedge was completed more than a hundred miles were failures. Of course ignorance and carelessness have largely to do with this result, but the immense per centage of loss even in the most careful hands, proves conclusively that incompatibility of climate is the great destroy- ing cause. 2nd. The Maclura, like other plants propagated from seeds, sprouts "into a great number of varieties differing in form, and other characteristics. This fact, which seems to have been heretofore overlooked by professional propagators, we deem of great importance ; for one of the traits of difference of seedlings, is a difference of hardiness, and it may be that some way of propagating from tested hardy varieties, by root cut- tings, layers or the like, can be adopted, and thus the rigorous climate be overcome at last. Everybody has noticed that in the same hedge row, the plants show different degrees of hardiness, some killing back, others never ; and if the Osage men will take hold of our hint upon varieties, they at least may make money out of it. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 251 3rd. The Madura without thorns, if such a thing ever was, would be for every man who can be strictly Impartial, a much more desirable shrub for fence than Lb the present worse than porcupine. The days are past in which thorns are indispensable to B live fence; indeed the thorn part was always more useful as a fancy than as a reality. From five to ten inches apart say the < (sage men now, and plash at that ; and the reason is, that an expensive experience has shown that thorny twigs will not keep out our enterpri-ing rooters; and the bodies must be crowded together so that solid wood, not thorns impedes the trespasser. If bale wood is to stand from five to ten inches apart why not have bale wood which grows twice or thrice as rapidly as Osage, and is with- al! useful, not a thorny nuisance. A Lombardy tree fence can be planted and tended at about 50 per cent, of the cost of a Madura hedge, and it will yield what Madura will not in must cases, fuel to pay for the ground it occupies. In Jo Davies county there is a certain five year old row of Lombardy poplars, which were planted from six to eighteen inches apart, and there is now no opening in the line of greater width than four inches, and present prospects indicate that the trees will many of them soon touch. If any tree will stand close planting, it is the Lom- bardy ; and when growing too high, a topping at five feet high will not injure its vitality, and the wood removed is a good fuel as aspen, if cut and piled under the shel- ter of a roof. The Honey Locust, a very synonym for hardiness and health, deserves better treat- ment at our hands than it has received. It will hedge in Illinois either by dwarfing or bale fencing ; and it is such a luxury in this long and worm ridden country, to possess a No. 1 tree, which is bug and worm proof. Many members of the great Cnetagus or Haw family are quite capable of being dwarfed, and this family should not be given up yet as a hedger, without further trial. Buckthorn is a success in northern Illinois, though its rather slow growth is against it. The Hedge Sloe (Viburnum Pubescens), which we have recommended for trial, is a shrub of hardy appearance and in its natural locations forming dense hedge-like thickets ; the wood is rigid, tough and of fine grain, and it bears fruit so abundantly that seed for propagation may readily be obtained. It is not thorny, but its short, strong laterals answer all the good purposes which thorns do. The last hedger we shall allude to here is the Acer Negunda or Honey Maple, known also as Ash Leaf Maple, Box Elder, etc. This tree, though as yet untried in actual hedge, has been seen growing under such conditions as to make it almost cer- tain that it will bear crowding in a single line, so that the bodies touch. Its' extreme tenacity of life, surviving every vicissitude, even throwing up a lusty rank of young saplings, when half uprooted and prostrated by the freshet ice, and defying solely and alone, the assaults of the batallions of city cows, which had destroyed all the other native trees in their range, prove it a worthy subject for experiment ; and when we add to its supposed value as a barrier, its known value for fuel and as a sugar producer, it r.-ally seems that more is to be hoped from this tree than from any other. The only tree productions we shall call attention to as sources of profit, arc, first, the fruits, and 6econd, sugar. Among the fruits there are few if any, which may not be Improved into an Increased usefulness, when we come more fully to understand the philosophy of varieties. At present we are in the dark as to the causes which produce new varieties of excellence and worth; but it is far from chimerical to hope that we may yet know how to produce definite improved varieties. The Native plum and the Chickasaw plum, and that other Tennessee plum which the 252 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Botanies do not describe, can all be made to yield splendid returns to the horticultural exchequer, if the best known varieties are chosen. The Persimmon is a hopeful subject. The true wild grapes are called upon for new varieties by a sister society, and having already done great deeds, may yet do greater. The Crab apple, endowed by nature with a fine aroma, may in time abate some of its undesirable qualities and take on a better form and flavor. And the nut-bearing trees readily produced, may be made to yield their merchantable luxuries. Foremost in pecuniary interest, however, is the sugar product. Here is a mine as yet but little worked in the West, but still of vast importance. The Maple family, beside elaborating from its slower growths the finest flavored sweet known, furnishes from its rapidest growing member, a sugar only second to the other in flavor, and in a greater quantity. Since the last meeting of this Society many people have tried the sugar producing qualities of the Acer negundo, or Honey Maple and in no case within our knowledge without entire success ; the experiments made by one of your committee showing : 1st. That the Honey Maple produces more sap than the Sugar Maple of equal size, half a gallon per day being obtained from a little tree of three and a half inches diameter and five years old. 2d. The sap is richer in sugar than the other ; the yield of dry sugar averaging two and eight-tenths per cent, of the tveight of the sap. 3d. Crystallization takes place always, unless the sap was soured before boiling, or unless it was so badly burned that the sugar was carameled. 4th. The sugar produced is in general whiter than that from Sugar Maple treated in the same manner. Though all the experiments last spring were on a rather small scale, the unanimity of results may safely be taken as proof that the Honey Maple may be relied upon as a sugar producer. On many a farm there is waste land upon which taxes must be paid, and from which no sort of revenue is derived. These wastes are generally so gravelly or rocky that where better land is so plenty, as in the West, no attempt is made to cultivate them. Surely a good fuel or sugar producing grove on such grounds is much to be wished for, and it may be had too, for among the rocks is generally a good soil, and several kinds of trees seem to delight in such a location. Dacotah, Montana, Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Indian Territory and New Mexico together, contain an area of steppe or arid plain of immense extent and of little use to a civilized people except it may be for pasturage. The bane of this great region is drought, which is in part caused by its altitude, but is also owing to a great extent to its treeless condition and the consequent rapid evaporation of what moisture is derived from the atmosphere. But one course can be successfully pursued to redeem this region from its semi-desert character. Trees by the millions of millions must be planted; at first the kinds which will stand the droughts, and parching heats, and sweeping winds, afterwards, others as the conditions are ameliorated. For this work the Cottonwood, the Mesa Pines and the Honey Maple are indispensable. These trees show by maintaining their hold in such a soil in spite of the prairie fires, that they will grow there if protected. The renovation of this great region is a work too great for individual enterprise, it STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 253 needs organization, the protection and fostering care of the general government, ami the energetic action of the great railroad corporations which own, or will own, half the land to he benefited. To show tin- profit of trees, as renovators of poor or thin soils, we call attention to the result of Bome English experiments in that direction. The European Larch of SO veins' growth had increased the producing value of the land planted, one thousand per cent., an average of 33% per cent, per annum. Oak in 30 years increased the value of the soil 600 per cent., or 30 per cent, per annum. Ash in the same time 303 per cent., or l"i per cent, per annum. Scotch Fir, 50 per cent., or 2% per cent, per annum. These experiments took place upon soil worth a rental of but about 9d per acre, and therefore a greater proportionate increase in value took place than could upon compara- tively good soils. But tree growth is nature's own method of renovating worn down soils, and whenever the known mammal and cropping expedients fail or are too expen- sive, the barren may be improved in a series of years of tree growing. We present herewith a list of deciduous trees and shrubs, with their respective growths and other characteristics, classified so that a ready reference may be made to the promi- nent characteristics of any tree. Only such growths as are believed to be hardy enough lor our region are admitted. This list gives the average girth in inches at 5, 10 and 15 years of age, of good healthy trees, also the height in feet at the same age, and the relative value for fuel, manufactur- ing woods, hedging, shelter belt, decoration and productions. The standards of comparison in the six columns of values, are the best and the poor- est trees for each, with intervening variations of value, graduated to a scale of 10 points. For instance, the best fuel wood is Shagbark Hickory graded 10, and the poorest Crack Willow graded 1. The best, manufacturing wood is White Oak graded 10, and the poor- est White Birch graded 1. The best hedges, so far, Buckthorn and Madura, graded 7, because they are not yet good enough, and the poorest, here mentioned, Grey Willow graded 2. The best shelter is Honey Maple and Lonibardy Poplar graded 10, and the poor- est Coffee nut graded 1. The best decorative tree Norway Maple, Larch Azalea, &c, marked 10, and the shabbiest Crack Willow marked 1. The most useful trees on account of productiveness are Tennessee Plum, Honey Maple and Chestnut, marked 10, while man; others are of no use in this respect whatever. During the la.-t autumn one of the members of your committee made a partial botani- cal survey of Stephenson county, and finding about a hundred species of woody plants, where it was generally supposed not half the number existed ; this survey shows that we have among us the elements out of which a profitable arboriculture may be built up. The list of species of woody trees and shrubs of Stephenson county is at the service of the Society if they desire it. In conclusion we would recommend to the Society the incorporation of Arboriculture as a science, to be fostered and encouraged by this Society, and the employment of a Committee on Arboriculture as a standing committee of the Society to report annually. 254 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS sg III Jit - is fe • 5 ~ a bo g c mi £> - - 3 s~:~ 3 oi- a >» g g H H g » a MM ft ft o o pJJ a u 5 /. /. - - y. - - - — uotpnpojj ^ c tc t. o oo u I a a eS fc •uoi^ioaaQ ia«X»»OQ CCC:C;oOCOCCCOt-OOaOt-IOaOt-t-10'»1 I •pnj IfllDOlXt- cocoe* t~^ to cj oo t- o •* oo oo co cc <* ia M 13 M W oa A <1 W W K to P O P ft M o w ft £ S y CO I Is a S 5 cs s"2 cs£ mJ u >•• O U p a <"■— E'O « S c ft-^~ k ^^.u.t-t-~ -„:;'_ OCOCUCJCOCOxCJj- O U O « CJ 1) O" H Hiiil!! CPCl3Cw>CIQc^'o3cO •aaqmnjsi t-i«NCO'*ioeot-ooo: CNCO-^lOCOt-OOCTi: 4 CO** UO CO t- < 4 CN CN CN CN .|S cc* cc co t- •[.>!,,! c-. to ~ co co c> cn Cl.O© i-rnnMNSlN •fio^-t-t-f « oo oo oocsooo co -»• co co cri o ^i i-i rl rl ri t-1 i-1 t-t ft NNrH^H i-i rl n ^i n n •satiOA S »t-KO:Co >o <£>•<*■&•*■* loion-tion g o O e P pa — 35 - E ■< r/> H a /• T & Q M O W •ao'imnx = i i ; - ■> d a _ — = = -/. ,. •_ ■_ 5 - — Z. — SSt-J-fc- ■ — — ;::-'-;;; ■c i - / as c — : i :" — - ". ■ -r ~r t -r »?. '". >-0 i-"- •-- i.-. l ro -p 10 CO t- 256 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS AFTERNOON — SECOND DAY. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers being in order, the following was the result : President — J. W. Cochran, of Blue Island, Cook Co., 111. Vice Presidents — First, S. J. Davis, Davis ; Second, A. Bryant, Jr., Princeton; Third, S. L. Keth, Palatine; Fourth, B. N. McKiustry, East Summer; Fifth, "W. E. Lukens, Sterling. Corresponding Secretary — D. Wilmot Scott, Galena. Hecording Secretaries — C. C. Miller, Marengo ; H. D. Emery, Chicago. Treasurer — E. H. Skinner, Marengo. AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS. On motion of H. H. McAfee, Article 2nd of the Constitution was amended to read as follows : " The objects shall be the promotion and advancement of the sciences of Pomology, Horticulture and Arboriculture." Article 3d, amended by striking out the words " of Life members paying a fee of Twenty Dollars at one time." By-Law 7th, adding to the Standing Committee, a committee on Vegetable Physiology. STRAWBERRIES. Mussels Prolific — Was stricken from the Society's List for gen- eral cultivation. Leaving the list of the Society for market, Wil- son's, G-reen Prolific, and Downer's Prolific. For Amateurs, Frenche's Seedling, McAvoy's Superior and Extra Red. RASPBERRIES. D. B. Wier made the following report Ad-Interim, on the Rasp- berry. The Raspberry, if it is not now, soon will be the most popular favorite of the small fruits, particularly the American Black Cap family. I do not think I can give any very valuable new facts in regard to its cultivation. The main points to be observed in its STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 257 cultivation for market are to choose a good, dry soil, not over rich and prepare it by trencb plowing deeply. A northern Blope Is to be preferred. Avoid beating manures. A little shade from trees is beneficial t<> tbe Cap varieties. Clean culture throughout the growing season, and a systematic shortening "!' the young canes commencing • in the middle of June, and again about the first of Angust. Cul back canes one- third to one-half the next spring. The greatest care should be given the plants from Hi" time "i blooming until the fruit is ilpe, with reference to keepings full Bupply of moisture in the soil. This can be done by thorougb.15 stirring the soil or by mulching. My experience has been, that mulching 1- not to be depended upon, but thorough -.- u 1 ti- vation is always safe. The most serioue objection to the Black varieties of the Cap family, i- their drying upon the bushes before fully ripe. E have had no trouble in that way, and my freedom from it I attribute to using no manure. A slight shade at noon day and directly after, with clean cultivation, is a sure preventive. I am not bo well prepared to write on the cultivation of the Raspberries as 1 expected t<> have been when I made choice of my (this) subject last winter, having failed, for want of time in _ ....<■■ practical experiments, by which I bad hoped to have settled some unset- tled points. Hut one point is firmly bi ttled in my mind, that I have found more pleas- ure ami profit in the cultivation of the Raspberry, than any other small fruit. My favorites of the old and well tried varieties are still the Doolittle Black Cap and Pur- ple Cane, but there are several of the newer varieties that show good evidence of far out-stripping them in every particular. I will only notice a few of them that have fruited here, and that I have seen in fruit elsewhere ; Golden Cap, a strong grower, productive and hardy, fruit of large size; Golden Fellow, firm i-> texture, of good flavor, hut scarcely juicy enough; Davison's Thornless, a variety of Black Cap, with fectly smooth canes, fruit large, of excellent flavor; Black, the earliest; plant of rather slender growth, hardy ami productive, a ejreat acquisition! BUlsdale, very like tin- Purple; Cane, though a plant '>f stronger growth, hcrry longer, flavor best, long hi «eas varieties are known to Botanists as Rubua Occident- aUs, and though not so delicate ami juicy in its flavor as the European variety, (Rubus Id. -an- and its varieties J its great hardiness, freedom from snekering, productivi and the great extent of country over which it can be grown with Buccess, will without doubt, always make it the popular Raspberry, without we can hybridize it and produce a ni'v class between it and cl ol Reds, as the Purple Cane, Slusdale and Philadel- phia appear i" be. Our other native Raspberrj that has been brought under cultivation to some extent • Ra ' - igosus of Botanists. This is a very delicious fruit, if we can gel It, bnt it Is bardly productive enough in cultivation, besides its had habit of suckering renders its cultivation unpleasant. Then- has been little improvement made InitsvarieU and there are none that can he directly traced to it for their origin that can be recom- mended. We now come to consider those varieties that do not directly belong to any botanical diversion, bnt appear to be natural crosses or hybrids ; of l hese t wo hare been already named. Purple tane and Ellisdale. They appear to he .1 cross between the wild Red (R. 8trlgosu8)-and the Black Cap, (R. Occidentalism partaking of the most marked characteristics of both. The Purple Cane suckers from Its root- and roots from its 18 258 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS tips, and bass mixed flavor, and consistency of berry. I hope to prove by fruiting seedlings of it another year whether it is a species or a variety. At present, I am inclined to think it a species. The Philadelphia, in this plant we hare all the strongly marked characteristics of a hybrid ; it suckers but little and does not root from the tips. It has proven here hardy, very productive, of fine size and color ; flavor ?«ot first rate, shows promise of being a great acquisition, Clark. This is probably a true variety of the Mount Ida species, though showing: some of the characteristics of being a hybrid, Fruit, very large, bright red, of the best flavor, enormously productive and much hardier than any other European variety. Plant, a strong grower, suckering very freely ; I think on light clay soil with good care it will give large and regular crops without protection. Even if it has to be covered in winter, it will repay the trouble. There are a great many other new varieties that show excellent promise, but not well enough known to be named here. The Raspberry can without doubt be yet greatly improved. It is very easily grown from seed. The fruit should be washed — > the seed washed free of pulp, dried in the shade, raised with moist sand in the fall, put in a bos and buried on the north side of a building until it begins to sprout in the spring, and then sown in drills, covering. about a half an inch deep. It is best to sow it where partially shaded, or on a northern slope ; give thorough cultivation during the first, and many of the plants will show fruit the second season, A good way to get cross breeds would be to plant many kinds- closely together near a stand of bees ; the bees in gathering necter would carry the fertilizing pollen from Sower to flower, and certainly the seeds would produce a mixed race. How nicely the careful, gentle and potent hand of Woman is adapted to the pro- ducing of new varieties of small fruits from seed. Ladies, why do you not take hold! of this thing. A thimbleful of raspberry seed gathered promiscuously, handled and planted right, will give you almost endless pront and pleasure. The seedlings will nearly all bear fruit of good quality, and make almost as good a "' patch ,f as the best varieties, and then you have ehance of drawing a first class prize in the great Horti- cultural lottery. Considerable discussion followed. The Dooliitle and Purple Cane were retained on list as before. Philadelphia. — McAfee moved to add for general cultivation : considerable opposition was shown, but it was at iast added by a small vote. Clarke — "Was discussed and highly commended by several, but not enough votes to place on list. BLACKBERRIES, KlTTATiNNY.— 'Nelson moved to add to the list; had found it hardy and fruitful. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 2 GO Innis, of Aurora — Said it had not winter killed with him. It was recommended. Missouri Mammoth. — Was pliscussed. It was the general opin- ion that it was tender. Mr. Wier, however, defended it from the charge, and testified to its hardiness. CURRANTS. No change was made in the Society's list. Considerable complaint was made by several, of the currant borer. Mr. Walsh said the only effectual remedy was to burn the infested limbs. The insect lays it eggs curly in June. EVENING SESSION— SECOND DAY. Mr. Stickney, of Wauwatosa, delegate from the Wisconsin State Horticultural Society, gave something of a History of Horticul- ture in that State; which was followed by an address by Hon. M. L. Dunlap, on the " Influence of Horticulture on a Village Popula- tion and its connection with Agriculture, &c." Following it with an on plan;* t ion of the method of training the grape vine on the spiral system. ORNAMENTAL SHRUBBERY. The committee on this subject reported the following list: Snow- ball, Persian white and purple Lilac, Weigclia rosea, Japan Quince, Syringa, Flowering Almond, pink and white, Purple Fringe, Tar- tarian Honeysuckle, Strawberry tree, (euonymus,) Chiananthus Leaved Lilac or Josseika, Spirea prunifolia, Red Bud or Judas tree. 260 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. THIRD DAY — MORNING SESSION. Prayer by Rev. Mr. Stoughton. TIMBER CULTURE. D. W. Scott, of Galena, offered the following preambles and reso- lution, which were adopted : Whereas, The quantity of pine and other timber trees in this country are rapidly approaching an end, and Whereas, The wants of an increasing population, their health, wealth, and social happiness, as well as the strength and permanency of our government demand that in- stead of a diminutiou there should be an increase of our forests by artificial plantations, and Whereas, Such is the character of the work, in the long delay of a remunerative return to the planter, that, in the opinion of this Society, Government patronage is nec- essary, therefore be it Resolved, That we adopt such measures as shall be most likely to secure such aid from our State Government as will have a tendency to inaugurate a general system of forest culture in the State. The Chair appointed the following persons as the Ad-Interim Committee : E. H. Skinner, Elmer Baldwin, A. Bryant, Jr., S. Edwards, H. H. McAfee. GRAPES. The Concord was adopted for general cultivation ; Hartford Pro- lific, for early ; Clinton, for family use ; Delaware, for family use and market, and Ives' Seedling for trial. Delaware. — Baldwin — Said if thorough and deep culture was given, with plenty of hog manure, the Delaware would bear as- many grapes as the Concord. Bryant — Said the fruit was good — when you get it — but the plant is subject to mildew, and it is hard to raise. Sherman — Had found this grape growing and doing well at St. Paul, Minn., perfectly hardy and productive. Rice — If plants are grown from layers they bear well. PROPAGATION OF GRAPES. Mr. Mostow, an old gardener who has had forty years' experience, said that he has been very successful in propagating grapes from cuttings. He takes them off in the fall before they have been frozen^ STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 201 cuts up into proper lengths, ties in bundles, places them in a cold frame, top downwards. The leaf buds arc thus kept cool and moist, while the but end being near the light, develops roots. As soon as the soil is warm enough, say in Ma v. he removes the cuttings from the frames to the open border. The roots having already started, the plant is ready to put forth leaves, and in most cases grows well. He condemns the plan of raising grape vines from green wood; says the plants are not worth having. Mr. Wier has used nearly the same process. Inverts the cutti] covers with sand three or four inches, and covers the whole with manure. In spring removes the manure, puts on sash two weeks to develop the roots, removes to the open border as soon as the weather is suitable. lias been very successful. Mr. lb W. Scott has been successful in raising vines from green shoots. Takes fine copper wire, twists around the shoot, pegs down in pots set in the soil. The wire causes stricture and enlargement of the shoot and in its efforts to sustain life, throws out roots at this point. Can grow dozens from a single shoot in this manner. B. D. "Walsh gave an interesting talk on the Leaf Crumpler, Codling Moth, Currant and other borers, the most of which has been before published; and as his remarks were not written out, areomit- ted from this report. STANDING COMMITTE] , The following Standing Committee were appointed for the ensuing year : sokolooy, in its relation to Horticulture — 8. Brooks, Chicago ; T. Hunt, Ridott ; James < 'row, (Jrj Btal Las Gbologi —James Shaw, Mt. Carroll ; T. McWhorter, Aledo ; E. II. Bebee, Galena. Ornithology— M. Z. Sims, Aurora ; J. Robson, Galena ; Era I.. Bailey, Mt. CarrolL Botany— H. H. McAfee, Freeport; W. II. Bebb, Winnebago; A. Bryant, Jr. Princeton. En pomology— B. D. Walsh, Rock [sland ; Dr. II. Shlmer, Mt. Carroll ; Dr. Mygatt, Richmond. Fbuit Lists— A. Bryant, Sr., Princeton; T. McWhorter, Aledo; E. II. Bkinner, Obnambntal \ni> Useful Tree Plajitations— D. C. Scofl eld, Elgin; -i. s. Shear- man, Rockford ; .1. <;. Bnbach, Princeton. Obchabds \.m> Vim - ■ ,. Minklcr, Oswego; W. I'.. Lukens, st.ilin-_ : p, Iness, Aurora. Vbgi > iM I'iiv-jologv — J. Pcriam, Chataworth ; D. B. Wier, Lacon; II. II. Mc- Afee, Freeport. 262 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS LIST OF TEEES ADOPTED. The following is the list of trees adopted by the Society : European Larch ; White, Red and Bine Ash ; White Burr Oak, Rock Elm and Acer Negundo. Nut-Bearing Trees — Black Walnut, Butternut and Shell Bark Hickory, Chestnut. Shade and Ornamental — White Elm, Silver Maple, Sugar Maple, White Ash, Tulip Tree, Mountain Ash and Cucumber Tree. Evergreens— Norway Spruce, White Spruce, Austrian Pine, White Pine, Red Pine, Balsam Fir, Arbor Vitae and Red Cedar. Hedging — The Osage Orange and Honey Locust were recommended for hedging in Northern Illinois. Mr. McAfee offered the following resolution : Resolved, That a standing committee of four practical horticulturists be appointed from different parts of the district, to test, under such directions as the Executive Committee may prescribe, any new variety of fruits which may be presented to this Society for adop- tion, and report results to this Society. . Adopted. Mr. Scott, in behalf of Mr. T. Hallet, of Galena, offers to send two quarts of the Miner plum, next October, to any member who is willing to pay express charges. Accepted by the Society. The Society adopted the " Townsend " as the proper name. It was also recommended for general cultivation in Northern Illinois. Mr. Foster offered the following : Resolved, That every member of this Society plant and induce his neighbors to plant, first, evergreens ; second, deciduous trees in wind breaks on the northeast, northwest, and southwest sides of their buildings, orchards and farms. Mr. McAfee gave the result of some experiments which he has made with regard to the sugar-producing qualities of the Acer Negundo. He considers it valuable for that purpose. FINAL RESOLUTIONS. Resolved, That the members of this Society tender to the citizens of Aurora their sin- cere thanks for the kind hospitalities extended to us during the present session of our Society. Resolved, That the members appreciate the courtesy of the following railroad com- panies : Chicago, Burlington and Quincy, Illinois Central and Western Union, in return- ing the members free over their several roads, and that by thus aiding the cause of tree planting they also deserve the thanks of the community. Resolved, That we tender our thanks to Hon. S. Edwards for the able and efficient manner in which he has discharged the duties of his office, and that we recognize in him a zealous and hearty co-worker in the great cause of horticulture. Adjourned. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 263 LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE Northern Illinois Horticultural Society for 1860. X > P. (>. Add rets. i Mi Whorter Lledo. 'A lard Marengo. K . Si afield Freeport. Dr. C. C. Miller Marengo. Dr. w. Bird Mt. Pleasant, Iowa- Daniel VJTorthington ..CI Elmer Baldwin... Farm Ridge. II. II. Mi I fei Freeport. D. F. K : i ej Rock Island. H. C. Graves Sandwich. I Pearsall Porl Byron. B. N. yi: Kin-try IC :t — t Sumner. RoviUoRice Sandwich. A. Bryant Princeton. spherd Hei 1 Hei nesey LaSalle. - el Foster Muscatine, Juwa. A. T. M -e Polo, III. •'. \V. ( < .< lirjn Blue Is! i ad. .1 1 . I ' Bine ry CI '. B. Whitney Franklin Grore. 3 G. Minkler Oswego. W. T. Nelson w _ | . >u. ■I. A . C< ok \ urora. - - earntan Rockford. .11. N. Bliss Providi i M. W. Hollingsworth.. Prerport. B. Monroe Pen . II. K. Viekroy lie W. II. II: — ■ Frank lin Grove. I':i\ id Leonard Burliagl Martin Allei Mcndoti . D. K. Pi cl .Marengo. Win- Henry. r Boehelle. W. \V. Wedgew l...Alden. -I. P. Brnbaker Nuchuaa. -John Swanzey Bidott. rhomas Hunt Bidott. - Mareng i LH. Vail Marengo N. Swe< i I » K ill.. Or. Walan Bo( b M.mcL Alea II. Gaston Henry O. < . Scofield Blgin." 8. B. Ledgerwood Forest Rev. II. Slade Elgin. Robert Douglas VVaukcgan. n -I. Douglas Waukegan A. B. Fisb K gin Dr. M. B. Bald win.... Elgin. Dr. I.. S. Pennington.. Sterling. ( '. Andrews Mareng i. -.1. W. Bti wart Ma Mo. J. s. Siickucv Wauwatona, W Peter Inness Aurora. * Honorary Menal/er. Name. P. 0. Address. George B. 8< hamp <»-v -)- B. Bairnes Young America. .). \v Stewart Hennepin. E. Sims \ in i •I Periam Champaign. I>. B. Wier La .1. s. Beel] Oswi Willij m Thompson . .. A ur- W illiam A. Nourse. . . . Moline. A. I' Bunnell Aurora. * I. Koughmau Iowa City, low*. A. A. Cramptoi ('<.]<• Valley, DL James Crow .Crystal Lake. D: 8. I'ni ail g refferson. 8. J. Davie Freeport. W. II. Mann Gilm F. Safford Mt ren 50. M. L. Dunlap 1 hampaigi II. .1. Dunlap Chan | tign. I.. Ellsworth Naperville. Mi I too Ellsworth Naperville. J. R. Chapin Wethersfldd. .1 . Dunning .Jefferson. \v illia in I . Hei mi s ■ . .Piano. L 8. Piatt ...Chieago. E. Von Otcn Naperville. *J. C. Teas .Richmond, Ind. S. L. Kii-.l P»latii C. r Trask aurora. H. I!. Waterman Aurora. I. D. Tern Mi =souri. Dr John A. Wander.. Cine! noatL i:. II. Bird .-all \11mra. o. N. Shedd Aurora. Holmes Miller An- J. G. Harr Aurora. L. Tltaworth Aurora. 8. MeCarty Annua. i. E. Towne Annua. Dr. a. Hard Am IH vii) Lone Mt. < SarroL H W . Y\ i !: n i. . . . I ..-.via. AY. 1». Niehols Chieaeo. John C. Hoaglan < Ihicago. Oliver Dewey Somono* k. Bryant Princeton. M. Z. S'jiiss 1 in Joseph Conet Rock Island. Or. (. Hungerford . . .Union. M>- Henrj A: Ingersoll.. Marengo. 0. \\ . Beotl Galena. .1. (,. Boulard Galena. .). W. Robson Galena. J. If. Hani- Galena. T. H.-jlJi-t t dalcjia. 2G4 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS ALTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Our Society continues to Increase in numbers and in interest ; the past year our .v\ eragi attendance has been about fifty, and the meetings hare been more than usually inter- esting and instructive. The practice of holding our meetings at the residence of members was the turning point from which may be dated the establishment of our Societ y upon a firm and lasting- basts-. The increasing interest manifested in our meetings- since we commenced the practice of "■meeting round," assures us that the soc-ial feature of our Society is the one best calculated to draw ont a good attendance, preserve good order, and secure strict attention to our legitimate business. Each year we hare essays, reports and discussions embracing the whole range of horticultural topics. Our pro- ceedings are published in the Daily and Weekly Telegraph. The Society also has about sixty slips, containing our proceedings, struck off", of which the secretary sends one to each of the leading horticultural and agricultural journals, to different prominent horti- culturists, and to different horticultural societies. Our object in sending to the different horticultural societies is not solely to gire them some sound horticultural knowledge, but to procure an exchange. I mention this from the fact that, up to the present time, we have received an exchange from but two societies, viz.: the Quincy Horticultural Society regularly, and the Dayton, Ohio, Society occasion-ally. The officers of the different horticultural societies will please make a note of this. From the different essays and reports of the past year, I select the following- as cons- taining matters of interest for your annual report : THE PLUM CUKCULIO. An Essay bead before the Alton Horticultural Society, at its Regular Monthly Meeting, heli> on the Tth of February, 1868, by Dr. E. S. Hull. There are at least fire beetles of the curculio family that aire destructive to our fruits-. In this paper, however, we-shall chiefly confine onr remarks to the one known as the True Plum Curculio. For a full and scientific description of this insect, see Walsh in the Practical Entomologist, page 75, vol. 2. This plum curculio, so-called, has of fate years become so generally disseminated and destructive to our fruits, that any farts concerning its ha dits cannot fail to arrest attention. In this latitude curcullos begin to make their appearance early in the season, always some days before the trees are in bloom, and are usually stocked with well grown eggs by the time the young plums are as large as a pea. Everywhere in this region where orchards are numerous and regularly in bearing, the curculio has so increased in numbers that they no longer confine their operations to the plum, but deposit their eggs in all our orchard fruits. Tbese inseets are also we!3 acquainted with the hickory nut. This year, on a large shell bark tree contiguous to our orchard, on which there were one or two bushels of nuts, not one could be found which had not been destroyed by them. I hare also known them to deposit their ej in strawberries, gooseberries, and occasionally in grapes. Perhaps It is a little curious that these last named fruits, as well as apples and pears, should be attacked by them, since in none of these are the larv.w perfected, except ha the very early apples. The STATE HOBTICTTLTURAL SOCIETY. 265 same remark wlU also apply to the hit'' peaches Btnng early in season ; whereas, In all the early varieties, as well as early nectarines, the apricol and cherry, they breed quite as freely as in the plnm. Notwithstanding the larva' are not perfected Id the pear and late apples, the eggs hatch and the young grubs eat their way a considerable distance into these fruits, w here they perish. The fruits, at these wounded parts, cease to grow, and some varieties of apple-, the Rflwle's Janet, for example, in some localities, nearly all rot from the punctures thus made. Those apples that escape rotting are so deformed and knott] as to be of little value, except " t<> sell," and for cider. The mischief done by these insects is by no means confined to the Loss of t tu • stung fruits; these, under certain conditions, rot to such an extent, especially some of tin- early peaches, as to defoliate and kill all the interior branches, and so impair the vitality of the trees, as to render them worthless, and, in some instances, to kill them. Within a few year- we have discovered that much of the black knot, on the branches of our plum trees, was clearly referable to the stung plums resting on, and rotting on the branches; thus creating those conditions favorable to a Bpecies of fungoid growth resulting in that peculiar enlargement of the limbs known as the " black knot." itness the operation of the curculio in stinging the fruit it is necessary to approach her with caution, take a near position and remain motionless a few minutes, when Bhe ■will cease to notice you; being provided with a bi1 of mirror, resting it in a favorable position, and, with the further aid of a glass magnifying eight or ten diameters, yon will ile i" view the "little turk" at her work. 'lie insect having taken a strong hold on tic fruit, Bhe depresses her snout, bringing it under her body and in cunt act with 1 he fruit. The end of the .-mud very much resem- bles the lower part of an elephant's trunk. A little way down in this, as Bhe folds hack the end of it, you will observes pair of jaws or shears. If you wish to observe more minutely the shears, crush the body of a female curculio and then place her on her hack under a microscope, with the end of her snout up; in her struggles she will fold hack the end of it, and will commence cutting right and left, so as to fully expose her shears and her manner of operating them, the two halves of which are each an exact represen- tation of the cutting blade of a pair of pruning shears. These cutting blades are admira- bly adapted for making the crescent eut of this insect, also for wounding the fruits, from which it sucks its food. With these shear- she make- a minute cut just through the skin of the fruit ; next, without changing her position, Bhe thrusts her Bnoul under the skin of the fruit to the depth of about L-16 of an inch, moving it hack and forth until the cavity is large enough to receive the egg it is to retain. She next changes her i tion and drops an egg into the mouth of the cut, then regains her former position, taking the egg in the end of her snout, crowds it to the end of the passage before described, the upper end of which has been enlarged to receive it. she then enlarges and deep, qs the cut at the entrance, giving it that peculiar crescent Bhape which is the distinguishing mark of the plum curculio. in thi- manner she i tinues her operations on from one to eight plum- per day, until her More of eggs Is exhausted. The daily average varying atly, according to the temperature; continued warm weather exciting the insect to the greatest activity. Their eggs, after being deposited in the fruit, an' left to depend on the warmth of the atmosphere to hatch ; at this time they may be crushed with the thumb or finger nail, without Injuring the fruit. These eggs are oval, and of a pearl white color, and large enough to he Been by the naked eye. When these are about to 206 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS hatch, the form of the insect can he seen through the shell by the aid of a glass. The young insects, on emerging from the shell, burrow and eat their way into the fruit, often nearly making the circuit of the stone before penetrating to it. These grubs or larva1 are sometimes confounded with those of the long-snouted nut beetles that occasionally puncture and place their eggs either within the stone or on its surface. Those eggs deposited early in the season are sometimes wholly lost by a few days of succeeding cold weather ; once hatched they are also liable to several casualties — for example : The Columbia and several other varieties of plums, under certain conditions of growth, All the passage made by the larvae with water and drown them. Others are lost by the too premature falling of the fruit, and the larvae it contains by exposure to the sun ; also from other causes, as we shall show further on. So hardy are these eurculio larvae that after being sufficiently developed in the fruit, and they have safely effected their entrance into ground which is adapted to their wants, that nearly the whole brood will come forth the following year perfect beetles, to renew their attacks on the products of our orchards. A small per cent, of these eurculio larvae become pupa late in the fall or winter, and come forth with the first warm days in the spring, and deposit their eggs as early as the first to the tenth of May. Twice, however, within the last twenty-two years, their first punctures were made May 28th and June 2d. In both of these years the eurculio came forth at the usual period, but delayed operations, as we suppose, in consequence of the cold. So great is their power of repro- duction, that, were the whole country one vast orchard, they would in one or two years, at most, so increase as to occupy the whole. Just in proportion as we increase the conditions needed for them, just in that proportion do we find them to multiply their numbers. Curculios crawl freely and quickly from one part of the tree to another. Before they take to wing they start off at a rapid pace, expanding their wings as they go. They rarely fly, except in the middle of the day, though in very warm nights, occasionally one will be attracted by and tly into a small light. They are very sluggish in their movements in the cool of the morning, and when jarred upon sheets at this time will remain a long while motionless, in appearance a most perfect representation of a dry bud. Later in the day, when jarred from the trees, especially if the weather be hot and the sun shines on them, they will quickly regain their legs and fly away. Of late several eminent entomologists seem to have hastened to the conclusion that all the larvae of the eurculio, after leaving the fruit, penetrate to a short depth into the earth, and there, in from twenty to thirty or more days, transform and hyberuate under cover of bark, grass, shingles, &c. (See articles on eurculio, Prac- tical Entomologist, page 75 and 31.) That curculios never hyberuate above ground, we are not prepared to deny, having ourselves in two or three instances found them late in the season under cover of bark. In this locality, however, that a large per cent, of them do really remain in the earth during winter, at the depth of fifteen to thirty-six inches, is to our mind a well estab- lished fact. During the month of January, 1868, while my workmen were excavating a ditch under peach trees, I found two well developed larvae of the eurculio at the depth of twenty-seven and thirty-eight inches, and during the month of April last, under some cherry trees which had been neglected the preceding year, I found two perfect curculios nearly ready to come forth, four pupae and quite a number of larvae, some of them not more than one-half or two-thirds grown, and others about to enter the pupa state. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 20 7 These curculio Larvae come near the surface as they are about to change to pupse and from the earth .is they transform. This process of transformation Is going on during several months, varying according to their Beveral degrees of development . Their gradual emergence has probably given rise to the theory before alluded to, viz.: that of the general hybernation of this Insect in the beetle form. Some of the advo- cate of this theory, mi dissecting cnrculios late in the season, found their bodies to contain no eggs, while those examined by them In the spring were full of them. In these examinations, it seems to as a physiological fad bas been losl Bighl of, viz.: that the ovary and egg evrms it contains are nol the result Of an after growth any more than in animals or other Insects; also when the ovary is once exhausted, these insects may properly be considered to have run their course, [f this view, thus briefly stated, be correct, then it would seem to follow thai insects examined in the fall, and found to contain no eggs, were really those that had exhaust d their bodies <>t" them, and could in no wise afford any proof of the general hybernation in the manner stated. Is it not possible that the bisects dissected in the fall were those thai had exhausted their ovary and crawled into place.- id' concealment there to die, as they are known to do alter having finished their work? Entomologists have, by experiment, shown that a portion of the larval of the curcu- lio transform in from twenty to thirty days. These experiments made by them in jars filled with earth, cannot, we think, be considered conclusive, since the insects thus treated, would be in a temperat me different from that of the earth at the depth of from one tot hree feet below the surface. Again, is it not probable t hat such larvse, as had been perfected in the fruit, were selected for experiment, whereas, nol more than one in ten of the punctured plums, ever nourish the larva' they contain to become mature grubs? Three dozen cnrculios captured at the commencement of the season, confined and supplied with fruit, ceased to deposite eggs after the 22d day, when an examination under tie- microscope showed their ovary to have been entirely exhausted. Single pairs of cnrculios confined and treated aa above stated, yielded one, 19, and others from :i, and the longest time in depositing these eggs by any one individual was 18 days. Where more than one pair of Individuals were confined in a case if was impossible to determine tin- number- of eggs jointly contain* d by I tiem,6ince an almost constant warfare was kepi up, resulting in the loss of the eggs, before they c6uld be placed in the puncture- made for their reception. Having given the result of our observations, Bhowing that large numbers of curculio.- remain in the earth daring the winter and that their emergencies extends through sev- eral months, thus keeping up a constant supply of fertile cnrculios until late in the Beason. According to the theory of hybernation above ground, this could not he. The following table, compiled according to the theory in connection with known facts would .-how, i- to be without fertile cnrculios for thirt] -one. day.- in what i- known as the curculio season. First eggs deposited say May 5th : days. Time for egga to hatch o 'l one tor Ian a- to perfect themselves in the fruit _ 20 Time spent by the larvse under ground, there showing shortest time, ',n\: for emergence to laj ing eggs, 8 5:5 Deduct 22 days, the latest time of depositing eggs by the insect- in confinement. ..22 Leaves 31 day s 31 2G8 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS To dislodge the cureulio, it is the belief of some persons that severe pounding and jarring of the trees is necessary to bring these insects to the ground, while just the reverse of this is the case, as auy one may learn by approaching the tree cautiously, and with the thumb and finger snap the base of the limb on which a female cureulio is at her work ; at the first jar the insect seems to become aware of danger ; she immedi- ately starts up, and by the time the second or third is felt, she will have loosened her hold and depressed her snout upon her body, folded her legs and antennae, and dropped to the ground. Violent shaking of the trees generally fails to frighten them, while any decided jarring motion, quickly imparted to the tree, is all that is required to briug them down. Various modes for destroying these insects annually appear in print; ninety nine out of each hundred are worth less than the paper on which they are printed. Nearly all the successes so reported are evidently made by persons who, having in preceding years lost their fruit by being stung by this insect, set about trying some experiment to head off the cureulio, and are surprised to find their fruit escape injury. They at once jump to the conclusion that they have hit upon the infallible remedy and without loss of time, herald it to the world. If persons experimenting were fully acquainted with its habits, and the many casualties this insect is subjected to, they would then see how premature it would be to give the result of a single season's expe- rience as conclusive of success. Three only of the remedies that have been proposed will receive any notice from us. A few years since, the lime remedy was quite generally received as a sure protection to the plum. At the time of its appearance in print, we were operating with our cureu- lio catcher and at once discontinued its use on several of our trees, and made a most thorough trial of the lime, which at first promised to be a bucccss. It did not seem to deter the cureulio from depositing its eggs in the plums, but they did not hatch ; later, the weather becoming dry, the succeeding deposits did hatch, and the larvae pene- trated the plums as freely as in those not limed. Further experiments with the lime proved that so long as the weather was wet, the lime or the caustic properties of the lime, was imparted to the water and entered the perforation in which the eggs were deposited and destroyed them, but was of no value in dry weather. The second remedy, we shall consider, that of pasturing the orchard with hogs, is valu- able to some extent, since all the fallen fruit with the larva they contain are consumed by them. In isolated orchards this would be sufficient protection Avere it not for the fact that larva? are often perfected in the fruit, and eat their way out, while the fruit is yet upon the tree. To our certain knowledge, this invariably occurs to an extent to stock the orchard with curculios the following year. We now come to the third and only certain remedy yet known, of jarring down and destroying the insects during the entire cureulio season. And since ours is the only practical mode of capturing the insects expeditiously, yet published, we append to this paper a description of our cureulio catcher, and the manner of operating with it. To make a cureulio catcher, we first obtain a light wheel, not to exceed three feet in drameter, the axletree of which should be about ten inches long. We next construct a pair of handles, similar to those of a wheel-barrow, but much more depressed at the point designed to receive the bearings of the axletree, and extending forward of the wheel, just far enough to admit a cross beam to connect the handles at this point, one STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETV. 269 and a half incbee in the rear of the wheel ; a second cross beam is framed Into the han- dles, and eighteen to twenty-four Inches farther back a third. The two last named cross beams have framed to their under sides, a fourth piece centrally, between the ban- dies, and pointing in the du >f the wheel. To the handles and to the three last named pieces the arm or ribs, to Bupporl th< , are to be fastened. To the front pari of the beam, connecting the bandies in front of the wheel, the ram is attached; this Bhonld be covered with Leather Btuffed with furniture moss, a dozen or more thickne • •I old bat or leather, or other substance, being careful to nse no more than necessary to proteel the tree from brnising. Ascertain the elevation the handles should have in driving and Bupporl i hem in thai position. We now put in place the Btretchers <>r arms, Bis for each side, which are to receive and support the canvass. We put the front arms in position. These extend back to near the center <>r the wheel, on each ride and in front of tti" wheel, (for large machines) say Bis feet, and are far enough apart to reci the largest tree between them, on which it is intended to operate. The remaining anna are supported on the handles, and fastened to them and to the two cross and parallel pieces in the rear of the wheel. These are so placed as to divide the space al their outer ends equally between them and the first mentioned Btretchers, and fastened to the ends of the bandies. Next we ha\e ready a strip of half inch bi ard, two and a half wide. One end of this is secured to the forward end of one of the front arms, and in like man- ner to all the others on < side of the machine, and fastened to the bandies. Both sides are made alike. The office of these strips is to hold the outside ends of the arms in position; they also hold the front arms from closing. These outside Btrips also receive the outside edge of the canvass, which is fastened to them, as wed as the several arm Bupports. It will be Been that the wheel is nearly in the center ,,f the machine. To cover the aing, al this point, a frame is raised ovi r it, which is also covered with canvass. The arms or Btretcb rs, are so curved that the motion of the machine, in moving from one tr< e to another, should bring everything falling on the canvass to depressed points, on each side of the wheel, where openings are made into runnels emptying Into pockets or bags, for the reception of insects and fallen fruit. The whole machine should qoI ex- ceed ten or eleven feet in breadth by twelve or thirteen in length. These are' for Is orchard trees; smaller ones could be protected with a much smaller machine. If the framework has been properly balanced, the machine will require but little lifting, and Will he nearly propelled by its own weight. This curculio catcher, or machine, is run against the tree, three or four times, with sufficient force to impart a decided jarring motion to all its parts. Tl peratorthen backs far enough to bring the machine to the center of the space between the rows, turn- round and in like manner butts the tree in the opposite row. In this way, a man may operate on three hundred trees per hour. REPORT OF COMMITTEE OH ORNAMENTAL PLANTING. One of the subjects that commends Itself to the practical horticulturist, who finds it m ssary to make the beautiful subserve the _ I, U the arranger; his orchardsand other fruit plantations so a- to at once please the eye, and at the same ■ admit of facility of cultivation and the proper product! f fruits. o this topic I beg have to submit a few extracts from a letti r of Mr. Saunders, of the Experimental Gardens at Washington. " I have (ong endeavored," he says, 270 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS "to show how fruit trees may be arranged to take the place of purely ortiamenta trees in pleasure grounds. (See article on this subject at page 443, in flerl 1859.) I regret that just at present my daily duties prevent me from entering upon the details of this matter ; but I have rapid!} dotted a mode on the enclosed sheet which indicates such an arrangement as 1 would adopt. That is grouping the trees, making the outline of the groups irregular, while the trees may be placed in a formal manner in the interior of such groups. Each group may contain a certain class, or variety of class. Occupying the center of such groups, upright growing kinds, such as the Buffum, among pears, the Lady apple, among apples, may be planted in the extreme outlines, set with pendant varieties. Avenues (straight) planted with the cherries, will be suitable. Dwarf apples and pears will make a fine, effective outline, surrounding the larger trees. For shrubbery, currants and gooseberries will answer. Raspberries should be placed in an arrangement by themselves. These, and strawberries cannot be made to produce much effect in landscape. " Many of the fruit trees are of beautiful habit of growth, as fine as any other decid- uous trees, but the mode of planting an orchard would make any tree look common- place. An acre of Norway spruce or sugar Maple planted 25 feet apart would look as formal as any apple orchard." Mr. Saunders, in the plan' alluded to, places winter apples in one group, summer apples in another, winter pears in a third, etc. This idea of Mr. Saunders followed out will afford an interesting study for our fruit growers, atid can be used to produce a profitable ornamentation. Many varieties of greater or less value suggest themselves as aids in so doing. Thus among apples, we have the Lady Benoni and other fastigate forms, suitable for planting the inner lanes of a farm, or even the public highways, after the German custom. We have such beauti- ful masses of foliage as are presented by the Siberian crab in its varieties. The Early Strawberry, Northern Spy, and Red Astrachan, I find suggested in the Horticulturist, as apple trees of good shape, as well as the Tyson, Onondaga, and Finneo pears, and the Black Tartarian, Belle de Choisey and Coe's Transparent cherries. The Carolina Red •June, Domine, Summer Queen, and other sorts suggest themselves as having value in their several ways lor ornamental purposes. In the interior arrangement of orchards, planting on the corners of equilateral triangles affords probably the greatest variety to the eye, with the greatest regularity for cultivation. ■ Irregularity of outline favors the desirable practice, in grounds of uneven surface, of planting on the tops of ridges or hills, and avoiding the lower slopes and hollows, and leaving them for other purposes of cultivation, in which the necessity of avoiding cold air, frosts, etc., is less essential. W. C. Flagg. FRUIT LISTS OF THE ALTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Reports of Special Committees being first in order, W. C. Flagg, Chairman of Com- mittee appointed at Jane meeting to revise the list of fruit trees, etc., adopted by the State Society, so far as relates to this locality, submitted the following ; REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FRUITS. The Committee appointed at the June meeting to report lists of fruits, respectfully report that they consider their action limited by subsequent votes and common under- standing to a list of apples ; and report herewith in tabulated form, their individual STATS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETV. 271 opinions. They regard the expression of their views In this shape as more raluable, i opinion can tlm- be referaed immediately to lmtIi Individual, bis peculiar Uics of • ii] and treatment, and his Idiosyncrasies of taste. \V. c, ETLAQO, Chairman ofCoinmitl LIST \- APPROVED AND CORRECTED. M — M if— Market and Familj I - . f— Family l N \ M ES. .1. A. Pettingill. liil'li'.ml. L. W. Lyon. w.c. B"lagg. , E.S. Hull. American Summer Pearmain*. . . Wtrachan Red* f mf mf mf .... mf mf mf mf mf mi' mf .... mi mf mf ;;;; f mf i" 'inf 'inf m mf mf in mf in mf "t mf f iHt "inf in f mf ml mf mf m in mf 'inf m mf in mf ml mf i. it- iii mf m mf mf mf mf f 'mf 'inf mf f 'inf in mf m 'mf mf f inf mf m mf mf mf mf "t f m f in i . t • mf .... hi in mf 1" inf f •■■ in mf in mf l ••■■ . . . . in in 'inf "f" mf f mf ret Vcllmv mf Early 1! mf ne* f ( 'dr. Bewes' < rab** inf in "t mf mi mf — in Pryor't Red* llll Ramsdi ll'e Sweet 1" ml "Willow T« Ig* Williams1 Favorite Wine or Pennsylvania RedStr'k. 272 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS On motion of Mr. Flagg, the Society proceeded to vote on so much of the list as had the recommendation of three members of the committee. Such varieties, approved by the Society, are denoted by a star (*). Those varieties denoted by two stars (**) are also approved by the Society, without the recommendation of the Committee. Peaks. — Bartlett, Belle Lucrative, Beurre d' Anjou, Bloodgood, Buffum, Clapp's Favorite (trial), Dearborn's Seedling, Doyenne d' Ete, Duchess d' Angoulenie (dwarf), Early Catherine, Easter Beurre, Glout Morceau, Howell, Lawrence, Louise Bonne de Jersey, Seckel, Sheldon. Peaches. — BergeD's Yellow, Columbia, Crawford's Early, Crawford's Late, Haines' Early, Heath Cling, Large Early York, Late Admirable, Late Red Rareripe, Lemon Cling (canning), Oldmixon Free, Smock, Stump the World, Ward's Late Free. Grapes.- — Catawba, for particular localities. Concord, market and family use. Delaware, wine and family use. Herbemont, wine and family use. Norton's Virginia, wine. THE CENTRALIA (MARION COUNTY) FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION. This Society is still in successful operation, with an increase of members, though the regular semi-monthly meetings during the summer and fall were not as fully attended as last, year at the same time. Doubtless, this was in a great measure owing to the fail- ure of our fruit crop this season. In the early spring there was a splendid prospect for a large crop, bnt late, cold, western storms pelted the life out of millions of blossoms of the strawberry, peach, &c. Then, too, as the political pot got hot, interest in other matters seemed to tend in the opposite direction, and become cool. We had about one-fourth of a crop of berries, with no peaches to speak of. The yield of grapes was very good ; there was a fair show of apples in certain localities, but generally a failure. At the present time, however, considerable interest is manifested, and our meetings are attended by a respectable num- ber of the members. We have had a delightful fall, up to the 5th of December, when our bright, warm days and crisp, clear, cool nights were changed to cold, windy, stormy, freezing days and nights, with a furious flurry of snow on the 6th of December. Many strawberry plants, and some pear and apple trees have been in bloom, as well as roses. Friday morning, December 11th, thermometer indicated seven degrees below zero, when the weather moderated. Our annual Strawberry Festival was held on the 29th of May, and was attended by the Ad-Interim Visiting Committee, appointed by your Society, as well as by a large num- STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 273 bcr of our own citizens. Although our show of fruit was inferior in quality to that exhibited the previous year, still it proved quite as satisfactory as cou'd be expected under the circumstance*. We :»!>.» had the pleasure of hearing an able and interesting address by Prof. Greg try, Regent of Illinois Industrial University. The first Fruit Growers' Railroad excursion, on record, arrived here on the 13th of October, consisting of eminent, practical Horticulturists, from Michigan, Missouri, and our own State. Tiny were cordially entertained by our citizens and spent a couple of days in examining our pr ncipal fields for the culture of strawberries, raspberries, grapes, peaches, apples, etc. A number of our people joined the party, and with them visited Du Quoin, Cobden, Cairo, etc. The new acquaintances formed, the interchange of ex- perience and observation, made the occasion plea-ant as well as profitable. A new crate was invented and introduced here last spring by one of the members of our Fruit Growers1 Association, Mr W. G. Goodale. The improvement consists o a set of spiral .-prints placed on the top of the bottom inside with a single spiral spring in the center of the under side of the cover. Many of them were used by shippers last summer with satisfactory results. The fruit is subjected to no jolts, either in Wagons or on cars. The .-prints being graduated to the weight of the fruit, the berries arc transported as lightly as if carried on wings. Our third annual meeting will be held on Saturday night, Jan. 2, 1870, at which time Officers will be chosen for the ensuing year, and an address delivered by Dr. N. W. Abbott, President of our Association. We fear that we shall lose the ready tact and intelligent practical knowledge of Dr. Abbott, as he has removed to Chicago. EXTRACTS FROM REPORTS. " Row can we best protect our peach trees from the depredations of the borer ?" being the subject for discussion this evening. Dr. llooton — Remarked that he had been making experiments with a view to ascer- tain the most effectual and economical manner of destroying the peach borer. Did not wish to be considered an oracle on the subject, as he had changed his opinion in refer- ence to the best plan of operation two or three times in the last year and a half, and wa^ not at all certain that he had reached permanent ground yet. Was quite confident that the borer frequently lived Longer than one year, although the general opinion was that he did not. Had a number of experiments In prosecution which he thought would decide the question for him. Had plugged holes in trees with beeswax, perforating the wax Bllghtly with a pin, so as to allow his prisoner air enough to live on. Had examined some of them to-day and found them still at work. Was not in favor Of cutting the trees with a knife in order to dig them out, as that was nearly as fatal to the tree as the work of the. borer. Had adopted the plan of wrapping the trees with coarse, heavy paper saturated with Linseed oil, and tying them with woolen strings. The paper that he used last year he was using again this year, changing ends, placing the top at the bottom, on account of the paper becoming decayed. The expense of the paper was one cent and a quarter for each tree, beside the labor Of tying it on. Considered this the most effectual method of managing these enemies. PaUen— Thought it necessary to cut out the worms in young trees — say till they are throe years old. After that, was in the habit of banking up his trees with earth. 19 274 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS While the trees are young and thrift}' the bark is tender, so that the borers have little difficulty in penetrating. When the bark is old and hard thought banking better than cutting. Did not know but the plan of using oiled paper was better than either. It was necessary to keep them out somehow, for frequently one worm would destroy a tree. Dr. Abbott had had his share of experience in the general fight on the common enemy. Coincided with the opinion expressed by Mr. Pullen. Brunt on thought that banking to be effectual should be attended to frequently. •Otherwise in the hot, dry weather, the earth would become baked, leaving cracks which would form safe, convenient places for the moth to harbor in to deposit her eggs, and the borer when hatched would find the bark of even old trees comparatively soft under the earth. Considered moisture an essential element for the hatching of the worm. In planting a young orchard would throw the earth to the trees with a plow and finish with a hoe. But it would be necessary to examine the trees carefully with a sharp knife for a few years. If Dr. Hooton's theory was correct and everybody would adopt it, thought the race might be exterminated. Myres — Thought that banking trees with sand would be more effectual than hilling up with earth. There would be less moisture, no cracks for the moths to harbor in, and the sand being loose would encircle the tree closely, while with earth the swaying of the tree by the wind would leave an opening that would prevent any benefit from banking. Besides, the sand being porous would admit the air more readily and be better for the tree. McCord — differed with some Entomologists with regard to the so-called "borer- moth ;" thought the insect more properly belonged to the order, Ilymenoptera, as it more resembled a wasp than a moth. Thought that the microscope would satisfy any careful observer that it was not a lepidopterous insect. Said there were three varieties easily distinguished by their colors and the color of the lame ; one larva living in the tree one season, another two seasons, and another three. The two latter, however, being comparatively rare. Mr. Wooley — Had banked up one thousand trees five years old, two years ago, and had done nothing more to them since, except to raise the dirt a little in the spring. Thought his trees free from the depredations of the borer. Mr. Keeder — had lost an entire orchard in Kentucky, by the help of the peach borer. Thought that cultivation in an orchard of over three years old, was an injury instead of a benefit ; that trees in grass longer lived than those which were cultivated. Knew of one tree that stood on a common, receiving no attention, that bore fruit for thirty years. Mr. Webster — thought favorably of wrapping trees with oiled paper. Banking, to be of much use must be followed up continually. Would cultivate young trees a few years and then sow the orchard to Timothy or clover. Grass was much better in an orchard than weeds. Spoke of an orchard in this county which had produced both irrassand fruit in a satisfactory quantity and quality for several years. Hjay Thought that banking with sand was the most feasible and safe plan yet pre- sented. The greatest objection to it was the large quantity of sand that it would require, and as it would be difficult to obtain a sufficient amount here, suggested the idea of making a small box with which to enclose the tree, and filling it with sand. These would not only be durable but the sand would be light and porous, comapra- STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 275 lively free from moisture, while the sand could not escape. Also it would be a sure protection against rabbits. In (act, he considered it the right thing in the righl place. Fletcher— Thought a drum or cylinder would be cheaper and a more suitable form. Dr. Hooton— Having expressed a doubt as to the necessity of moisture for the hatching <>f borers McCord stated that he had, while making some experiments, mislaid a vial contain- ing eggs of the steel blue moth. Finding it after a lapse of eleven years, he placed the the eggs in some moist earth and they hatched out. Brunton— Alluded to an examination he had of Mr. Fletcher's peach trees. This orchard is situated on hilly land in the timber. No worms could be found except on half a dozen trees which were in a ravine. The subject of Apple Culture was then taken up and discussed at some length in a desultory manner. Under — Thought it would be advisable to re-graft many of our bearing tree, in order to get a more desirable and profitable apple. In cases where trees had not proved true to name, or such varieties as were not suited to our locality, others might be sub- stituted by top grafting without a great loss of time. Care should be taken not to graft fast growing varieties upon slow growing trees. Was in favor of root grafting When a good selection of varieties is made, which can be done more at our leisure. In top grafting, thinks it would be advisable to cut off the top of the tree the year before grafting ; where the stump is large would insert a wedge to ease the graft, so as not to bind too tight ; would put in two grafts, but would allow but one to grow. Crosby — Preferred root grafting, though rather than raise poor fruit would top graft, every time. Alluded to a collar grafted orchard planted twelve years ago, that was overtaken by a root grafted orchard of eight years' planting. Care should be taken not to an, would be valuable. Don't be afraid of making your trees too big ; large, healthy, vigorous trees will yield a larger quantity of fruit. As to fertilizing and the different articles used for that purpose, the apple tree is not very choice. But will feed freely on almost every one of them, if it can reach them under favorable circumstances. All manures should be applied on ground recently stirred by the plow, and the manure should be thoroughly rotten. In regard to the fertility of our soil, would say that that the greatest fertilizer we have, and the one most capable of universal application, is the plow. This implement judiciously used, will bring out of our now barren hard pan, untold riches. When the earth dropped new from the Creator's hand, that stratum we now call " the soil," was precisely the same in all its aspects, as the hard pan which now lies beneath it. In this hard pan there now exists in a fixed form, all of the elements of fertility which the natural soil now possesses. The surface of the earth Is nature's laboratory. In this vast workshop, she has many forces constantly at work. Heat, light, air, water and frost have been constantly at work for ages to liberate from their fixed forms the elements of fertility which exist everywhere in our soil, so that they might be used in the growth and development of vegetables, fruits and flowers, for the use of man and beast. The following is the List of Apples as revised and amended, recommended for cul- ture by this Association, Nov. 21, 1H68, which comprises only such varieties as have been tried, and are known to succeed well iu this vicinity : 278 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. LI^T FOR FAMILY USE. Summer — Carolina Red June, Early Harvest, Red Astrachan, Early Sweet Bough. Autumn — Rambo, Buckingham, Fall Pippin. Winter — Rhenish May, Newtown Pippin, Pryor's Red, Rawle's Jannet, Wine Sap, Yellow Belle flower, Ortley, Smith's Cider, Rome Beauty, Willow Twig and Bailey's Sweet. LIST FOR MARKET. Summer — Red Astrachan, Carolina Red June, Benoni, Fall Pippin. Autumn — Yellow Belle flower, Pennsylvania Red Streak, Rambo. Winter — Rhenish May, Newtown Pippin, Pryor's Red. Baltimore Red, Wine Sap, Rawle's Jannet, Rome Beauty, Smith's Cider, Ortley, Bailey's Sweet. DOUGLAS COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. The Douglas county Horticultural Society was organized 'June 15th, 186S, and the following oflicers elected : Dr. J. L. Reat, President ; M. Noel, Vice President ; E. Diggy, Secretary ; Jas. A. Smith, Treasurer; B. Sweet, was elected to act with the officers as an executive committee of five. The constitution fixes the time of the annual meeting on the first Saturday of Octo- ber, at which time the officers shall be elected. At the annual meeting on the 5th of September, the president, J. L. Reat, read the following address : Ladies and Gentlemen : — In my address to-day, I shall refer to a number of topics, but discuss none at length — shall use the language of another wheD it appears most apposite — giving you freedom and material for criticism. Humboldt appears to have been the first to draw the attention of botanists to the con- nection between the distribution of vegetables and the distribution of heat on the surface of the globe. His essay, on the geography of plants, brought to light the fact, that starting from the equator and advancing to the 'pole, in either hemisphere, the mean annual temperature declines as the latitude becomes greater, and in succession a series of vegetable zones, merging gradually into each other, though each, where best marked, perfectly distinguished from the succeeding, is encountered. In the tropics we have the palms, which give so striking a characteristic to the for- ests, the broad leaved bananas and the great climbing plants, which throw themselves from stem to stem like the rigging of a ship. Next follows a zone of evergreen woods, in which the orange and citron come to perfection. Beyond this another of deciduous trees — the oak, the chesnut and the fruit trees, with which, in this climate, we are so well acquainted, and here the great climbers of the tropics are replaced by the hop and the ivy. STATE milTIJULTURAL SOCIETY. 279 Still farther advancing, we pass through a bell of conifers — firs, larches, pines and other qi edle leaved tree*, and these leading through a range of birches, which become more and more stunted, introduce us to a region Ol mosses and saxifrages, but which, al length, has do tree nor ahrub ; and finally, a.-> the perpetual polar ices are reached, the red mow alga la the last trace of vegetable organization. The deduction* we draw from the premises laid down are these: Fir.-t. The growth of plants is dependent on physical causes. Second. The agencies operating to produce these reaulta, are heat, air and water, and to these muat be added another, which is light; for if growth be couducted in darkness, heat, air and water cannot cause the youug plaut to add anything to its bud- stance, (for it is feeding on the seed.) Therefore, growth in darkness leads to one result, and growth in the sunshine to another. In addition to the physical agencies spoken of, there is an innate or plastic power which resides in the germ, and although the seed may be kept in a dry place for many years, without undergoing any visible change or losing its power of germination, yet when these agents are brought to bear upon it, there is at once an attempt at evolving its parts —in other words, it begins to grow. The organic series presents a noble aspect. Every member of it, even the humblest plant, is perfect in itself. From a common origin, a simple cell, all have arisen. Viewed under the most powerful microscope there can be no difference detected in the primoidal or first cell, which is to produce the lowest plant and that which is to pro- duce the highest ; but the one, under the favoring circumstances to which it has been exposed, has continued in the march of development, the career of the other has been Stopped at an earlier point. J lad ih ■ e agencies, which have been at work, varied, that variation would have been expressed in the resulting form and function. Experiments have demonstrated that every cultivated plant requires a certain quan- tity of beat lor its development, but is is the same thing, whether this heat is distribu- ted over a shorter or longer space of time, so that certain limits are not exec ded. Example of this: Along the banks of the Nile, in Egypt, the time for sowing barley is the latter part of November, and it is harvested at the end of February. In various other places, both upon the eastern and western continents, the time for planting this cereal is from February to June, and it matures in frmo three to five months, yet the same amount of heat is required. This is also true with reference to light, as Berzelius has most graphically said, when speaking of Northern Europe, where, during the month of June, the sun never sets he says that under the influence of this fiitdnfght tun of the north, the life ol plant* runs through the same cycle of change in six weeks which it takes four or live months to accomplish in beautiful Italy. The effect of rain upon plants is two fold : It exerts, over the carbonic acid gas of the air, a solvent power, carrying it into the ground for their nourishment ; it also brings in larger quantities i<> the Interior of the .saline constituents of the soil, which arc required for tissue de\ ulppment, The chemical constitution of soils has great Influence in affecting the well-being of plants ; for we should scarcely expect I ba1 seaweeds, into the composition of which bro- mine and iodine enter, should ever grow where these chemical elements are totalh 280 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS absent. Lime plants can never be developed except on soils iu which that earth abun- dantly occurs, and the same is true of potash and soda plauts. Upon these principles, the vegetation of extensive tracts of country has undergone change in an artificial way. Thus, for example, in some of the Southern States, we may pass for miles in succession, through tracts in which the ancient forest growths have been replaced by the pinus toecla, or old field pin". These are tracts from which the pot- ash salts have been removed by the culture of tobacco. This pine requiring the smallest proportion of these salts, it therefore can flourish where the others cannot exist. One more illustration of the action of these physical agents must suffice. The Virginia cherry attains the height of a hundred feet in the Southern States, and is dwarfed to a shrub of not more than five feet at the Great Slave Lake of the north, lying far to the west of Hudson's Bay. Let us recapitulate. All vegetable organisms have their origin in a single cell — the mode of growth, size and form of which is determined wholly by external circumstances. In all cases the material for growth is obtained from without, and whatever the eventual shape of the structure may be, the first ceil is in all instances alike. There is no perceptible differ- ence in the first cell, which is to produce the lowest plant and that which is to bring forth the giant oak of the forest, or unfold itself into the most beautiful flower. The mode of growth, and the arrangement of new cells, as they come into existence, determining not only the form, but also the functions of the new being, depend on the particular physical conditions under which the growth is taking place. Upon each vegetable product natural agents exert their effects, pushing forward or retarding devel- opment ; over the whole domain of life natural forces exert their sway. Change the con- dition under which growth is taking place, and you at once change resulting form and function; and it is in this manner that the horticulturist works in furnishing what are called improved varieties of fruits and floAvers. And in passing to this more practical part of our subject, we notice that propagation, through the agency of buds, consists essentially in placing a bud of the plant, which it is desired to propagate upon a stock nf a different kind, in such a way, that as development of the bud or cion takes place union or incorporation with the stock shall occur. There are many different ways in which grafting may be performed : they all depend for their success, however, upon causing the alburnum of the cion to coincide with that of the stock, so that the vessels of the former may receive the sap arising from those of the latter. When the parts are thus adjusted they are to be retained in their position by bandages, or other suitable means, and protected from the air and rain by means of clay or wax. The most suitable time for this operation must be Spring, just previous to the rising of the sap. But one great leading fact must be remembered, for to forget it would bring disappointment, with loss of time and money. It is this : If species of different natu- ral orders be grafted they will not take. The stock and the scion must be nearly related to each other, for there are certain limits within which the operation of grafting must be performed. But if we take a bud and graft it in a stock of an allied kind, it will eontinne to grow and develop in the same manner that it might have done without detachmenf from the parent plant, and in the same manner from the new plant that has thus arisen, by a repetition of the process, plant after plant, for many generations, can be secured. Experience has taught us that, whatever might have been the peculiarity of the STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 281 original from which the first bud was taken, those peculiarities, whether of odor, ta-te, color or shape, will reappear in the product ; but experience has also taught us there is that a limit beyond which these repetitions cannot be conducted. Propagation by germination Is, therefore, considered as tending to exhaust the origi- nal phis ic power; but, if from these artificial growths, seeds be taken and caused to germinate, the plants so arising no longer present the Bpeclal, and, perhaps, valued peculiarity, bnt in many instances run back at once to the original and wild stock. From these general, let us pass to special considerations, and gather a few practical (acts with reference ; first, to the grape : I believe it is conceded by almost every one, that whilst thousands of cuttings of various kinds, have been imported from foreign countries, and set in various sorts of soils and exposure, yet the conviction has been confirmed, time and again, that foreign vines were anBnited to our soil, and that in the hardy vines, grasping the great trees of our forests, must be found the .stock capable to endure our American sun and frost, and yield a fruit and juice for Americans to cat and drink. For wine the successful grape was at length found in the Catawba, a hardy, and pro- ductive plant, apposed to be a seedling of the common fox variety ; and from which Mr. Longworth, of Cincinnatti, Ohio, gained so much notoriety, as well as money in Lis pocket. And now with reference to this eccentric man (Longworth) 1 wish briefly to speak. He was a student of nature and labored assiduously in trying experiments. He showed clearly a contempt for European precedent and scientific authority ; joining issue with no less a person than Linnaeus. He tinned his attention 1o, and was success- ful in, raising seedling grapes by planting the seed of our best native varieties, and ob- taining from them good fruit in from two to four years. He also found out (something tha was contrary to the Linnssan system), that there are both males (staminates) and females (pistillates) in every productive strawberry bed ; and as a result of his experi- ments \\c have what is known by the name of Longworth's Prolific — a seedling her- maphrodite with both organs perfect in the same plant — said by some to be worth all the Other varieties of strawberry plants ever raised; and he insists that still better her- maphrodites than tliia may be obtained by following up the experiment ; that is, by raising from the seed, as t lie Prolific and others were obtained. Longworth was truly a practical pomologist. But I have not time to give further illustrations, either of men or Iheir experiments. The European Crab has given origin to all the multiplied varieties of that delicious fruit we call apple. And if there are preserves on our table let us remember, with thankfulness, that Persia gave us the cherry, the peach and the plum, but of these Standard fruits, so palatable and healthy; so varied in fa te and rich aroma, as to be adapted, alike, to the wants of the invalid, or the healthy, 1 will not now Bp< ak, tor it will be the province of this society to di.-cuss the many practical questions arising from thes ■ important subjects. I have already stated that the nutrition (and of course the proper development of flower- and tresi of plants is dependent on physical causes. Now, how can we best control the violence or modify the action of these potcht agetltt, by artificial mearis, is a ques- tion of vital importance. The rays of the sun are essential to jhe proper development of all fruits, yel some, especially the baccifcrous, demand a certain amount of shade in Summer and protection in Winter, to preserve them from the extremes of heat and cold. The time for planting and the physical configuration of the ground upon which 282 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS fruit trees are set, exert over their growth and productiveness a marked influence. The altitude or elevation of the site, together with proper ditching and mulching, must not be lost sight of; yet these are important topics for the members of this society to discuss and decide upon. Therefore I pass to another, viz. : That of protection by means of artificial groves, which answer the two-fold purpose of utility and ornament. In what manner and at ■what time should groves of elm, maple and other indigenous trees, found so plentifully in our forests, be set ? They would add greatly to the beauty and wealth of our broad, rich acres, that in a few years this grand prairie of the north would rival the fair savan- nas of the South ; but in order to this, Flora, the goddess of flowers must not be driven from our gardens by grass and weeds, but treated kindly; her acquaintance cultivated, and her presence properly appreciated. For that man or woman who cannot trace out the indelible hand-writing of the Creator, as it is seen manifesting itself in the gentle tinting of the petaled flower — unfolding in all its variegated beauty and glory — must be laboring under an obtuseness of the moral senses well calculated to fit either, or both, for companions of the man " who has no music in his soul." But is there any one who does not love to linger " Where opening roses breathing sweets diffuse, And soft carnations shower their balmy dews." I pass now to notice what I consider three great wants, viz. : First, we want trees raised and grafted upon our own soil, so that when they are transplanted there is neither change of soil or climate. Second, we want reliable and honorable men to do this work for us — not the predatory fruit tree vendor. Third, we want every fanner, orchardist, florist, gardener — every lover of good fruit or fine flowers, to become working members — not drones — of this society — that by a united effort, an interchange of views and a rehearsal of experience, we may be enabled to properly advance the science and the art of horticulture ; keeping in view the fact that all good that can be derived from thought or theory must come through action and practical labor When these wants are supplied, then and and not until then, may we expect good stock, good fruit and good prices, in less time, with less labor and less cost. Ladies and Gentlemen, I have addressed you to-day, under embarrassments, of which I need not speak, as they are known to most of you. Allow me, however, to congratu- late you upon the successful establishment of a Horticultural Society in Douglas county> and the favorable auspices surrounding us, I think, are guarantees of future prosperity. But, in order for this society to benefit its members, all must feel an individual interest in sustaining it, by promptly attending all its meetings and assisting in accomplishing the objects for which it was instituted. And now, expressing the hope that your very commendable efforts will receive the attention and success they so richly merit, and returning you my thanks for the honor conferred upon me and for the kind attention given me to-day, I close Dy requesting the privilege of being a private member of your society. There was quite a fine display of fruits and flowers at this meeting, which were examined by a committee, after which the following officers were elected to serve until the next annual meeting: Michael Noel, President ; Willis Jones, Vice President ; E. Daggy, Secretary; James A. Smith, Treasurer; Martin Bice, Member of Ex-Com- mittee. There is an increasing interest iu this county, in the cultivation of fruits, yet we are only tyros in the business. Respectfully, E. DAGGY. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 283 GRUNDY COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. The Grundy CountyfHorticultural Society was organized as a separate society, January 14, L866. Previously Lt waa under the care of the Agricultural Society, which was styled the "Grundy County Agricultural aud Eorticnltural Bociety." I'm- a time a deep interest seemed to be taken in the Horticultural Society, but our president, George Fisher, moved to Cobden, Illiuois, and since then but little has been done ; it seems difficult, in a small place, to keep up an interest in a horticultural society as B Beparate society. Our Agricultural Society necessarily absorbs much that would come peculiarly under the province of a Horticultural Society. E. SANFORD, Secretary. ONARGA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Tour letter in reference to Fruit, Flower and Shrub List, etc., duly received by myself and others. Last night the Onarga Horticultural Society revised the entire list. A few changes made as follows : ■u- REJECTED ob In known. — Autumnal Strawberry, Dyer, Early Pcnnock, Early Strawberry. Fall Swaar of the West, High Top Sweeting, Hubbardston Nonsuch, Lowell, Michael Henry Pippin, Mother, Paradise Winter Sweet, Porter, Red Canada, Rome Beauty, Sups of Wilie. Pe\k~ REJECTED OB Unknown. — Beurre Bosc, Bcurrc Easter, Doyenne Boussock, Glout Morceau, Howell, Lawrence, Osband's Summer, Tyson, Winter Nelis. PEAB RECOMMENDED. Additional — Beurre Doyenne. Peaches Recommended. — Bergen's Yellow, Cole's Early Red, Heath Cling, Honest John (Yellow,) Snow, Stump the World, Yellow Rareripe. Pea.( n B ed.— Large Early York (?). Chebbtes Recommended; — Belle de Choisey, Belle Magniflque, Elton, Governor Wood, Late Duke, May Duke, Napoleon Bigarreau. I'i.i us Re ommbndbd. —Chickasaw, Coo's Golden Drop, Lombard. GbA-PES I C i • OMMENDBD. — Northern Muscadine androgens' Hybrid No. 3. mi~ Rejected. — Catawba, (reviling, Ives' Seedling, Norton's Virginia, Rogers' Hybrid Nos. l, 1 and L5. Goi I8EBEBBD3S. — Woodward's Whitesmith recommended. RA.SFBEBBIES. — Golden < lap recommended. Btbawbebbies. — Austin or Bbaker recommended. No material changes in other fruits. 284 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Nut Trees Recommended. — Black Walnut, Butternut, Filbert, Hazel, Shell Bark Hickory. Vegetables Recommended. — Asylum Sweet Corn, New Mexico and Orange Water- melon, Spotted Sugar and Black Eyed Susan Peas, Early June and Cow House Potatoes. Trees and Shrubs Recommended. — Ailantlius, Crab Apple, English White and Weeping Ash, Prickly Ash, White Beech, Catalpa, Wild Cherry, Red-twigged Dogwood, Slippery Elm, Hackberry, Hercules Club, Shellbark and Bitternut Hickory, Thick Shell- bark, Iron wood, Judas Tree, Kentucky Coffee Tree, Larch — American and European, Linden, Honey Locust, Blue Magnolia, Ash-leaved, Black Sugar, Norway White and Sugar Maples, Red Mulberry, Black, Overeup, Red and White Oaks, Silver-leaved Balsam, Cottonwood and Lombard; Poplars, Sassafras, Sweet Gum, Tulip Tree, Black and White Walnuts, Osier, White and Golden Willows, American and Siberian Arbor Vita?, Red Cedar, Balsam and Silver Firs, Hemlock, Irish Juniper, American Scotch and White Pine; Norway and White Spruce Firs. Almond-Dwarf, Althea Barberry, Calycanthus, Crape Myrtle, Yellow Flowering Currant, Deutzia, Crenate-leaved, Slender-branched and Rough-leaved, Forsythia, Honey- suckle (Red Tartarian), Lilac, Common Purple Persian and Chinese Purple, Privet, Purple Fringe, Japan Quince, Snow Ball, Snowberry, Spiraeas, Strawberry Tree, Syringa, Tama- rix, Tree Paeony, Weigelia, White Fringe, Box Dwarf, Savin. Climbing and Trailing Plants Recommended. - Ampelopsis, Bignonia, Bitter Sweet, Clematis, Honeysuckles, Wistarias. Roses Recommended.— Dwarf Burgundy, Common Moss, Luxemburg, Madam Hardy, George IV., Bennett's Seedling, Queen of the Prairies, Baltimore Belle, Seven Sisters. Gloire de Dijon, Aurora, Lamarque, Appoline, Imperatrice Eugenie, George Peabody, Prince Albert, Sir Joseph Paxton. Arthur de Sansal, Baronne Prevost, Caroline de Sansal, La mere de St. Louis, Dr. Arnold, Gen. Jacqminot, Giant of Battles, La Reine, L'Eufant, du Mount Carmel, Lord Raglan, Madame Rivers, Mrs. Elliott, Pius IX. Most of us, though deeply interested in horticulture, are but amateurs in the work. With our brief experience here you will take our opinions for what they are worth. We can exhibit a large list, but it is constantly changing, and, in view of the adaptation of our soil to horticultural products, we expect to give a good account of our labors in future. The articles in the list not recommended by the Society, and not especially recom- mended by us, we have passed as unknown or not adapted to our soil or climate. LYMAN PIKE, Corresponding Secretary. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 285 WARSAW HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Report for 1868. Tiie year has been marked by a degree of progress in this society, though it must be confessed that some members are becoming lukewarm and Indifferent to their society duties and obligations, while a large degree of the old apathy in the com- munity still continues. The county of Hancock, though one of the best physically — probably the hest — on the western slope of the State, is a hard county for a horticul- tural or agricultural society. The bluff lands skirting the Mississippi river from its northern to the southern bound- ary, as well as those in the interior, composed mainly of strong a calcareous soil, and embracing one-third of the area of the country, are admirably adapted to the growth of fruit. Apples, cherries, and most of the small fruits seem at home in its soil ; while the regions of Nauvoo in its northwestern limit, and of Warsaw on its southwestern, have become celebrated for its grapes and wine. It is believed, however, that other portions of the country are equally favorable to their growth. The peach is also grown quite extensively, and will produce a good crop about an average of each alter- nate year, though this county is about its northern limit. I proceed to give a resume of the proceedings of the society for the current year : January. — G. B. Worthen, Chairman of Grape Committee made the following REPORT ON GRAPES. The past winter was very favorable to grape culture, the thermometer not going lower than 12 degrees below zero. The leading varieties, such as the Concord, Clinton, Delaware, Hartford Prolific, and Norton's Virginia, all did finely. But the Catawba, the best grape for all purposes, rotted badly. It did better on widely planted vine- yards than those closely planted ; and the higher the fruit was from the ground, the less it rotted. About two-thirds of the rotten fruit was within two feet of the ground, and the other third within four feet ; while that which was from five to six feet above the ground was almost entirely Tvcc from it. The mildew did not make its appearance in the widely planted vineyards, until about the 5th of July, after about ten days or two weeks of moist weather. In the evening of June 19th there was a thunder storm with a little rain. On the 21st and 23d, it was very hot, and a slight shower in the night of the 23d, and on the morning of the 25th. It rained again on the 25th, and on the following, and the next night. July 1st, 3rd, and 4th were very hot. It also rained a little on the 8rd and 4th. It was about the 10th of July before the rot made its appearance. It did not con- tinue but a few days the first time, but it made its appearance again about the 10th of August, and it was worse than at first. We think that it would be but a small esti- mate to say that half of the Catawba were lost by rot. 8ulphuring was tried on two or three vineyards, bat the result was not satisfactory. 286 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Iu some of the closely planted vineyards, the grapes commenced to rot as soon as they were formed, and continued to rot until they commenced to ripen. There were two or three of our grape growers who had rather a sad experience with their grapes during the past summer. In one or two vineyards, after long pruning, all the fruit that was allowed to remain. And in another, after the necessary spring thin- ning out and pinching, had nearly all of the foliage cut off late in the summer, so that the sun would ripen the fruit. And the result was the same in both cases, the fruit all remained green. There are a great many new varieties that are highly praised by those interested in their propagation and sale. But as our experience with them is rather limited, and that not very favorable ; we would prefer to wait before we pass judgment upon them. Below we recommend a list of grapes for market or, for wine — with weight of the must of some of the wine grapes : Market — Delaware, Concord, Hartford Prolific and Catawba. Wine — Delaware, Concord, Catawba, Clinton, and Norton's Virginia. Weight of Must — Oct, 20; Concord, 84; Oct. 19, Taylor or Bullitt, 105; Oct. 22, Catawba, 85 ; Oct. 27, Norton's Virginia and Clinton could not be weighed by a scale that would weigh but 105. GEO. B. WORTHEN, Chairman. [At the February meeting the above report was called up for discussion. Dr. Lyon recommended the Alvery. Has vines five years old ; quality of the wine about the same as that of the Catawba ; made no rot of last 'summer by side of Catawba, which rotted some. Ripens 10th to loth of September, and will hang on till Oct. 1st. Rich, thin skin, not pulpy. President Hammond — I think well of the Alvey. A. H. Fuller — Named the Israella. It is eight days earlier than Delaware ; fine fruit and perfect bunches. The President — My experience with it is not at all favorable. On motion, Alvey, Creveling, Israella and Iona, were recommended for further trial.] Special Subject. — Pruning discussed. Most members agreed that they had no special time to prune trees — but most prune in the spring. G. B. Worthen — Prune at any time, when, in passing through the orchard, I see any- thing to prune. The Secretary — Expressed the conviction that the peach requires far more pruning than it receives ; that an annual cutting back and shaping to low heads, will produce far better results, and prevent much of the decay and breaking down of trees so common in most orchards. Hathaway — The time for root-pruning, to insure increased production of fruit, is June and early July, in order to affect fruit buds for the coming year. Other processes, such as ringing, slitting the bark, bending branches, etc., were stated to be productive of the same results — the tendency of all being to check the growth of wood. Pruning grapes, it was agreed, should be done in fall or'early winter when not frozen. Dr. Hay — I can state a fact which seems to show that grapes may be safely pruned late in the spring, notwithstanding the general teachings to the contrary. I cut one season 300 or 400 vines in spring, after the leaf had begun to grow ; and although they "bled" freely, so much so as to saturate the soil beneath, they all lived and grew wel STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 287 that season ; and I could discover no difference between their after growth and that of others pruned In early winter. FJSBBUA.BT. — Dr. Charles Hay read Hi" following Essay on VINE CULTURE AND WINE. The subject for discussion, at the present meeting of our Society, being Vine Culture and Wine, I have resolved to make the same the thesis for whatever I may offer in the way of an address. There baring been already considerable capital and labor invested in the culture of the grape, and the manufacture of wine in our country, and the sub- baving engaged the attention of our National Legislature for a number of years past, it is but just and proper that we should give a portion of our time and atten- tion to what lias become a matter of national importance. In regard to vine culture, it is not to be expected that a full treatise can be given in one address, especially by one whose experience is very limited, and who is in much more need of Instruction than those whom he attempts to enlighten. I will say this, ■ ever, at the commencemenl : He who would make a fair beginning in planting a vineyard, should, in the lirt-t place, have his ground well plowed to the depth of eigh- teen to twenty in dies, if possible, in the fall previous to planting. He should then purchase only tir.-t class plants of whatever varieties he may have selected for his vine- yard. Layers from vines already in bearing, I think, are preferable to those from vines not yet come into bearing ; and if plants raised from cuttings have to be used, those produced from matured vines and from wood well ripened, of the previous year's growth, and well rooted, should alone be used. If con venicnt, purchase only of nurserymen whose established character for responsibility and fair dealing will be a guarantee that what they offer will be of the quality and kind ordered. My own experience has taught me that second, third and fourth of either classes of vines or fruit trees should never be planted at ail in either vineyard or orchard. With regard to varieties of grapes to be cultivated, we have yet much to learn. The Catawba, one of the l>est, if not the best, either lor wine or the table, has become uncer- tain in its crop on account of its liability to mildew and rot. The Delaware, a very line grape either for wine or the table, is delicate in its growth, and Will only grow and flourish well in particular localities; these localities, I would say, being on southern slopes, a light, well drained clay soil, inclined to sandy. It ripens early, and on this • unt will always be a good market grape. The Iona and Israelis arc both very fine grapes, ripening early, and may prove to be good and hardy growers : hut as yet the high prices at which the first class of these plants have been sold, have deterred nest cultivators from planting them extensively. The Concord, on account of its hardiness and prolific character, and its adaptation to almost all soils, has won a popularity which no other one variety has obtained. The Clinton, from its hardiness, being sufficient to withstand our mosl rigorous winter-, is becoming a popular variety, and it possi seed of more saccharine and Less acid character, would soon become a very popular variety. It i- a rampant (jrower, and should have plenty of trellis, other varieties which have been introduced into our vineyards, such as the Norton's Virginia, Taylor's Bullitt, Hartford Prolific, Herbemont, Ives' Seedling, Diana, &c., promise well as far as they have been tried, and should receive further trial in our vineyards. With regard to the culture of the vine, I would here say that from my own limited 288 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS observation, we cannot cultivate too much early in the season, cither wtih the plow, cultivator, spade or hoe ; but after July sets in, hot and dry, and the drouth continues, we may do more Injury than good by stirring the soil. In rainy seasons, however, which continue so through the mouths of July and August, as was the case in 1865, we may be compelled to continue the use of the plow and the cultivator, as weeds will then take possession unless destroyed by frequently stirring the soil, and my experience teaches me that no vine ripens its wood well in the shade of weeds or other overtopping vegetation. With regard to the mode and manner of planting the vine, I can do no better than to advise the new beginner to read such works as have been published by A. S. Fuller, Hussmann and Mead, where all the minutiae of preparing the ground and setting the plant is fully described. I will venture here to make one remark, however, about the mode of cultivating our hill sides in vineyards, which has not yet peen fairly introduced, but which, in my opinion, must be done before we succeed fully in cultivating the grape. I mean that we will have to terrace our hillsides in order to prevent the washing away of our soil not only, but the vineoard itself, in a very few years. We have already learned that our steepest declivities produce not only the healthiest vines but the best developed grapes, both as to size and other desirable qualities. It requires more labor to cultivate a vineyard in this manner, but with our labor-saving machinery, this increased labor will bring much more certain returns, both in quantity and quality of the crop, both grapes and wine. I have been recently informed that the*e vineyards on the Rhine from which the culti- vated Rhenish wine is made, are terraced at a cost of money and labor which has been termed almost marvelous ; but the high reputation of the wines produced still pay the vineyardist a fair compensation for his capital and labor. It is true that labor is much more plentiful and cheaper in France and Germany than In this country. That the expense of this mode of culture will deter many from undertaking it on a large scale might be expected, yet, with improved modes of culture and economy in using farming implements, we may promise ourselves a fair return in the increase of our grape crops. With regard to the composition of our soils, best suited to the growth of the vine, I cannot say much, as our soils have not yet been analyzed ; and until this is done, we cannot speak understanding^ on the subject. Our Industrial State University is about to initiate a system of analyzing all the varieties of soil in the State, and from this source I hope that in due time we may be more enlightened on the subject. We are told, it is true, that clay soils are best adapted to the growth of the vine, and the production of the grape ; but what other constituents are contained in this clay soil necesary to the fullest development of the grape, can only be shown by chemical analy- sis ; and what mode of manuring will enable us to restore these elements when wanting, must be learned only by the same process. The localities most favorable for perpetuat- ing the growth and ripening of our native grapes, have yet to be learned by trial and experiment. In the meantime, it is well to get rid of the delusion as soon as possible, that he who plants a vineyard or orchand, no matter where or how, will be sure of a fortune in a few years, whether he labors or not. Success will only follow patient labor, careful observation and wisely directed elforts, after failures, more or less frequently repeated. We come now to treat of the second portion of our subject. A volume might be written on this one word, but a few remaks in regard to the time and manner of gather- ing our ripe grapes, and treating the newly made wine, must close our essay. The grape STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 289 may be considered ripe when the green color of the stem, which holds the cluster, turn* of a brown, wood; color, the bunches begin to hang down heavily on the canes, the ber- ries becoming Boft, a thill and transparent skin, the juices vinous, sweet, thick and adhe- sive, the Beads Dree of the pulp, and dry. It is an important matter to begin with our grapes in rLrht condition, in order to make good wine. Unripe grapes, or those which arc dead ripe, will disappoint as in our expectation of making j^ood wine. In the iirst place, the proper amount of BUgar La not developed ; in the second place, the proper vin- ous acids arc too slow in becoming neutralized to make a rich syrup-likc wine, besides there being a great deal less in quantity. We will take it for granted that every member of this Society understands the mode of mashing the grape and pressing the must or wine from the same ; but it may he that every one does not understand that there must be a proper proportion of sugar and tartaric acid in the must, in order to have wine that will keep, and be of a proper healthy character. Experiments continued through a es of years have convinced our chemists that in favorable seasons, when our Catawba grape ripens well, our must consists of 24(5 lbs. of sugar in every 1,000 lbs. of must, of (5 lbs. of free acids, the majority being tartaric acid, and the balance of the 1,000 lbs. being 754 lb*, of water. Tbis is called a normal must. When our grapes, from the effects of mildew and early dropping of the foliage, fail to ripen well, we must be con- tent with inferior wine, or we must add of grape sugar sufficient to bring it up to the standard ; but adding of grape sugar, although advocated and practised by many, has not yet been generally adopted. I give here no opinion as to the propriety of adding grape sugar to bring the must up to the standard. We have now the must 6cale and the widimeter by which we can ascertain with much correctness the proportion of sugar and acids in the must as it runs from the press. Must which weighs 4 degrees by the scale, is considered normal must, and may be allowed to go through the stages of fermentation without the addi- tion of more sugar. This must, however, may have a superabundance of acids in its composition, which we must either neutralize or be content to drink wine which is too sour to suit most American palates. But I will not here go into the question of Gall- Ising. After the first pressing, there is still left behind in the husks a considerable amount of sugar and acids, which, by the addition of soft water and being allowed to remain in the vat until fermentation takes place, will make either good vinegar or a very pleasant summer drink ; and this process may be repeated even a second tinio with some varieties of must, as the Concord, which gives up its saccharine and acid material more slowly than the Catawba. The lees too may be made profitable by those who may wish to make brandy of a very fine quality ; or it may be made useful as a stimulant for flat or insipid wine; and we are advised to keep a supply always on hand for this purpose; but in what manner it may be kept for this purpose, I cannot advise the reader. The seeds we are told are valuable for firing and giving strength to weak wine, lor which purpose they must be well dried and hung up in a dry, airy place. Fermentation for six or eight days in the vat for rich must, and two or three days for weak mu-t i- advi-ed by some standard writers, before the wine Ifl put into easks to go into the cellar. Much of the good qualities of wine depends upon the proper fermenta- tion before it is placed in the cellar. The larger the quantity of grapes gathered for pressing at the same time, and the larger the quantity of mu-t undergoing fermenta- tion at the same time, and the largerthe cask in which it is placed in the cellar, up to the 6ize of 800 gallons, the better is the quality of the wine produced. When fermentation 20 290 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS has ceased, the casks should he filled full and kept so until the wine is ready for being bottled. We are advised that the process of racking off wine should never be done in cloudy weather ; the wine is liable to be disturbed, and again set to fermentation. A fair, dry, cool day should be chosen for that purpose. The temperature of the wine cellar should always be above freezing in the winter, and never allowed to be above 50 or 55 degrees in the summer. Nothing calculated to impart an improper odor to the wine should be allowed in the cellar, or near the fermenting vat ; accordingly no decay- ing vegetables should be allowed in a cellar where wine is kept. Having been an earnest advocate for the cause of temperance through life, I feel that the substitute of a wholesome beverage which neither inflames the blood nor maddens the brain, for the poisonous, ardent spirits which do both, will be the means of advanc- ing civilization in our country. In fact, it is well known that the use of coarse food and intoxicating drinks make a low state of civilization ; while the use of nutritious food and drink which invigorates without debasing the powers of both bod}" and soul, works the highest state of civilized society. The same being the regular subject for discussion, the Dr. said that he did not claim that his essay contained much that was new ; but he desired criticism on the suggestions and principles it presented, and hoped that members would criticise freely. Dr. Lyon regarded the essay as not sufficiently explicit in some things, for instance, as regards the various processes of wine making. He propounded several queries — " Is it best to crush the grapes and press immediately, or to let them remain for a given time after pressing ? What effect has the atmosphere on the wine ? Is it best to press the grapes at all, or to drain off the juice after fermentation?" G. B. Worthen said — As regards fermentation on the skin, if light color is desired, press out immediately ; if more color is wanted, let them lie awhile unpressed — say 24 hours, or more — according to circumstances. Concord and Ives, the juice should be run out at once ; Delaware might remain longer. The best plan, in my opinion, is to mix all the wine together, and make only one quality of wine from the same grape. Dr. Hay — No doubt treatment has much to do with the quality of wine. We must treat with reference to the kind of wine wanted. I had a quantity of very clear and almost transparent wine, which was hastened in its manufacture through every stage. I suppose that want of color may be ascribed to this fact. It is generally considered that the tonic quality of wines, as well as high color, is acquired by fermenting in the vat. Dr. Lyon inquired if wine fermenting slowly had better be drawn off before fermenta- tion ceases. Has a cask which has not yet ceased fermenting, and is at a loss how to manage it. Dr. Hay — It is said to be best to draw off into another cask. Chittenden mentioned the fact that in his vineyard, he had noticed that grapes grow- ing highest on the trellis usually ripened first ; and inquired as to the policy of high or low training. G. B. Worthen advocated training as much vine as possible on the upper wires of the trellis. Thinks that grapes trained high do best. He cited the case of a vine at his father's residence in town, which had been allowed to run partly on a low trellis and partly on a dead pear tree, perhaps fifteen feet high, without pruning. That portion on the tree bore sound and well ripened fruit, while that on trellis rotted badly. A. H. Fullar — Has trained low. Grapes rotted some, but does not know whether it is to be attributed to low training or not. Uses four foot trellis : first wire 18 inches STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 291 from the ground ; to the next 12 ; to the next 18. All the frnit is between the first and second wires, and nil seemed to ripen about alike. Alton — Thinks low vines ripened frnit as well as high in his vineyard. Hathaway — Has a vine with portions trained at different distances from the ground. Can see no difference in quality of fruit or ripening. March. — President Hammond read the monthly essay, subject: HOME ADORNMENT. r A love for trees and plants and flowers is natural to every refined and well developed mind. This principle may often be dwarfed, or well nigh extinguished by the greed of gain, the eager haste to be rich, which characterizes us, as a nation. But the latent spark remains. Can wc not bring some influence to bear that shall bring this latent principle into action ? This is a question that deserves our serious consideration. 1 shall in this essay, particularly urge upon the farmers the importance of improving and adorning their homes, and attempt to show the peculiar facilities they possess for accomplishing the work, as well as the influence it may be expected to exert on them- selves and their families. There seems to be a prevalent belief that tasteful buildings and attractive surroundings do not belong to the lot of the humble tiller of the soil. That his calling is strictly util- itarian, and that he has not the taste to appreciate, or the capability to enjoy Pomona's choicest treasures, or Flora's brightest gifts. Shall we accept the position thus popularly assigned us? Shall we always plod and drudge ? Shall wc close our eyes to the beauti- ful creations that surround us? Shall we stop our ears to the music of nature? Or when the fragrance of the blooming orchard as it floats on the morning breeze rivaling the delicious fragrance of the gardens of the Orient, is wafted to us shall wc refuse to enjoy it ? Rather let us drink at these pure fountains of pleasure, and find here the relaxation we need from the stern and uncongenial duties of life. The farmer needs relaxation ; without it he becomes prematurely old, and where shall he find it better than in his orchard and garden, among his trees and flowers, watching their ever changing forms and increasing loveliness ? The care and culture of them, ele- vates and refines his mind, and surrounds his home with associations of beauty. It transforms a bleak and uninviting aspect into a garden of Eden. It should be the aim of every man to have a happy, pleasant home. And everyone that owns an acre of land, however humble his circumstances, has certain means and materials at his disposal, which if properly used will give a cheerful, homelike aspect to his dwelling. We have seen a honeysuckle, or climbing rose give to a rude, unpainted house an air of cbccrfrtl- ncss and rural beauty that is quite wanting in many of the pretentious houses our wealthy farmers build. The adornment of their homes contributes in no small degree to the improvement of a people, by the moral influence it exercises upon them. Whatever makes home pleasant and attractive, lessens the temptation to stray into paths of evil. Tippling houses^ gambling hells and dens of darker deeds do not draw their victims from congenial, happy homes. It is not here that wayward boys and girls are trained. But the children of un- happy homes fall easy victims to the tempter, and are often led astray by evil associates. It has often been remarked by travelers that they could distinguish families of intelli- gence and refinement by the appearance of the house and grounds. The house, perhaps 292 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS a humble cottage, is painted a soft and quiet shade ; in the back ground are seen those appendages to every -well regulated farm, the orchard and vegetable garden. While the fruit garden, well stocked with the choicest peaches, pears, cherries, grapes and the vari- ous small fruits occupies a prominent position. Belts and groves of trees are planted about the buildings in such a way as to shield them from the scorching summers heat and the cutting winter's storm. Shrubs and flowers adorn the yard, and a Wistaria or Prairie Queen may be seen clinging to the wall or rambling over the porch. Enter the house and you will find pictures upon the wall, books and papers on the table, and all the evidences of a refined and cultivated family. Another presents a different spectacle ; it stands upon the open bleak prairie and to save land is built near the road. To use an expression of Downing, there it stands, white, glaring and ghostly as a pyramid of bones in the desert. Not a tree or shrub to cast a grateful shade or relieve the monotony of the dreary landscape. It is inclosed with a miserable apology for a fence, and the gates are in the last stage of dilapidation. The yard contains a numerous collection of old wagons, sleds, plows, reapers and hay- racks, old barrels, empty boxes, broken rails and piles of brush, while the family wood- pile occupies the roadside immediately in front of the house. Enter into conversation with the proprietor and you will find that he does not believe in book farming ; that he never reads the agricultural papers ; considers science as ap- plied to agriculture a humbug, and agricultural and horticultural societies a wicked waste of time and money. He sees no use in beauty, no good in trees and flowers, and though he may have a comfortable investment in 7-30's and a satisfactory bank account, yet he enjoys no recreation, indulges in no luxuries, and has no love for anything but the almighty dollar. But, says one, I have not the necessary means or taste to carry out my ideas of iraproy- ment. This is all wrong, and if farmers will only think of it they will find they possess greater facilities for beautifying their houses than any other class. Go to work in the leisure days of early spring, repair the fence and gates, fix up your house, gather up the rubbish, go to the woods and carefully dig some maple3, walnuts and elms, and plant them by the road side, and about your house. Then order from a reliable nurseryman some of the most desirable evergreens, among which are the Norway Spruce, Scotch Pine and Balsam Fir. But if you want a greater variety add Arbor Vita?, White and Austrian Pine, Irish Juniper and Hemlock. Tou will also want a few of the hardy shrubs, among which might be named, the Lilac, Syringa, Weigeila, Snowball, Spirea and Fringe Tree. The man that has established an orchard and garden, and surrounded his home with trees, has done much toward making it attractive ; but still he feels a want, he plants flowers — and the picture is complete. The Quakers have a saying, that beauty is tempt- ation, but there was peculiar force in the reply of the young Quakeress, when reproached for loving so ardently the bright and beautiful things of earth : " God made the flow- ers and the rainbow, surely He would not have painted them such brilliant tints or created so much material beauty, if He had not intended that we should enjoy it." May we not, therefore, assume that beauty is purity, and that the man who enjoys the gorgeous colors of the rainbow, the soft and pleasing tints of the vernal flowers and the gay plumage of the birds, stand higher in the scale of being than the man who looks upon these beautiful illustrations in the book of nature with no emotions of pleasure. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 293 We are informed by history that every civilized nation has loved and cultivated flowers. There are numerous allusions to them in the Bible: the Hose of Sharon and the Lilly of the Valley are spoken of as the perpetuation of beauty. The ancients crowned their Gods and decked their festive boards with flowers. With them, the Cupid Of the ancient Hindoo tipped his arrows. And they have ever constituted the mystic language of eastern poetry. And in the present age we use them to express the deepest emotions of our nature. We present them to those we love. They adorn the brow of the fair young bride. We place them upon the coffins, and plant them upon the graves of the departed loved ones. But above all, we plant them in rich profusion around our homes to gladden our doily lives. And who, that has dwelt among them has not felt their celestial influenc •, and been led to look up with gratitude and love to that great Being who has lavished 80 many blessings upon us. It was my intention to give a list of roses, bulbous and herbaceous (lowering plants that are known to succeed well in this locality, but as I fear that I have already wearied your patience, I will leave this part of the subject in the hands of the flower committee, hoping that they will report at an early day. The Secretary remarked that it has been the usual practice of the Society to discuss the BUDjeet of the essay, and he would therefore present a point or two for consideration. 11'- regarded it as a great and growing evil that so many were leaving the rural districts and the labor of tin- farm, and seeking occupations in the cities. The country is being drained of almost all its young men, who are rushing to the cities to engage in trade and speculation. And this tendency to the large towns and cities seems to be on the increase. The questions he would present are — Why is this? Is it because home is not made as attractive a- it should be? He believed this to be one reason ; but there arc doubtless others ; and he deemed it highly important that they should be discovered, and a rem- edy applied. Win. N. Grover said — The subject is an exhaustive one ; has engaged the attention of wiser heads than ours, and still no effectual remedy is found. He imagined that one great fault lay at the door of parents themselves. Labor on the farm is too much regarded as drudgery ; indeed, is really too much so. It must be rendered more pleas- ant and attractive. Machinery is useful in this respect; as the hard labor of the farm is be •oiiiiiiL,' more and more performed by machinery, this drudgery is lessened. Another cause is that our young men have a curiosity to get out into the world ; to get away from the known and common places and search after the unknown. To coun- teract all these- influences, the homes of the fanners must be made more attractive. More eifort must be bestowed upon their adornment. More care to render them pleas- ant and agreeble. Papers and books should be furnished for mental food, and habits of thought and ttudy inculcated. Mr. Bpitze said — A great fault with many farmers is that they do not give enough time to their sons for pleasure. It is too much work. Work from day to day, and no time for recreation or pleasure, is enough to render boys dissatisfied with farm life, and seek for some easier mode of living. There is too much drudgery ; they naturally require change. The fault lies chiefly witli the parents. Dr. Hay— Regards it as a highly important Bubject, one that has long engaged the attention of thinking men. Was glad, however, to observe that there i, a gradual, though slow, grading up in Bociety,on both .-ides of the Atlantic. Labor Is hourly becoming more attractive and honorable ; the laboring man i- gradually taking a higher 294 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS and higher place in society. The eight hour law for a day's work — which he regarded as probably unnecessary as a legal measure, he deemed highly necessary in practice, as giving the laboring man more time for study and mental improvement. Eight hours in a day is enough lor labor. The bright spots in his own early life — are those in which the labors and associations of the farm, were rendered pleasant by intellectual and social means — and they are the ones to which he can now look back with ^the only real enjoyment. Chittenden — There is, among too many farmers, a lack of attention to reading and literary pursuits. He instanced a neighborhood in the country, where he could find only one newspaper among six families. Such a society as ours is needed in every section of the country. Members should make a point to encourage the organization of such wherever it is possible. Brill — Held that too much education was not necessary for a farmer's life ; and that a great deal of mental culture would render hoys dissatisfied with farm life, and drive them from the farm into more intellectual pursuits. Thought the tendency to culture was rather to entice. young men away from the farm. The President comhatted that idea. He believed that the more intelligence was diffused among the farming community, as a general thing, the better and more successful farm- ers they would become. Was sorry to see so much apathy among farmers in relation to this matter. Knows men worth S50,OO0 who would not have an agricultural paper in their houses — do not believe in "book farming." B. G. Grover — Had been much interested in the discussion, and many things of inter- est had been brought to mind while listening to it. Phrenologically, one person ia qualified to follow one pursuit in life to which another is entirely unsuited. Hence, it is folly to say to my boy — "Stay here and enjoy the pleasures and comforts of this home." If that boy's natural bent was towards other pursuits, however pleasant and attractive that home might be — we must look well to this diversity of character, and endeavor to give each his inclination as far as practicable. Some, to be sure, whose in- clinations are not too strongly turned in another direction, can be influenced to remain at home ; others will go. Much may be done by parents in the way indicated by other speakers to render home happy and pleasant. April. — Chittenden reported a fact of some significance, probably on the question of keeping apples — that in cleaning out his cellar lately, he discovered an apple two years old, lying beneath a board partly covered ■with dirt in a dry place, still in a good state of preservation. It was of Schoenmaker variety. Mat. — Birds and Insects — W. N. Grover enquired, "Does any member know of a bird that destroys the tent caterpillar?" Whitakcr— Has seen a bird — called the Bee Martin — in the act of eating worms out of a nest of these caterpillars. President Hammond — Has remarked the almost total absence of the Canker Worm, and would ask if any member can account for this disappearance. W. N. Grover — It seems to be a fact that most, if not all, these insect enemies have their periods of appearance and disappearance, from causes which are not well under- stood by entomologists. Instanced the cases of the Army Worm and the 17-year locusts. Whitaker — Mentioned the case of the Potato Bug — the Colorado 10-liner. They are emigrating eastward. While they have partially left this region, they are said to be STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 295 very destructive this year in Indiana unci Ohio. Doubtless some coincidence of weather or climate has something to do with it in many cases. President Bammond— To prove this theory correct, I can mention that the cold weather this spring killed large numbers of plant lice. The Secretary — These insects, too, often fall a prey to other insect enemies; and this fact will sometimes account for their sudden disappearance. The Colorado bug is thus preyed Dpon it is said by more than one of the insect tribes. Jems. — Met at the residence of Mr. C. C. Hoppe. Subject of discussion — Ston« Had on the table plates of the Elton, Purple Guigne, and Early Richmond cherries — all magnificent specimens of those varieties. Hoppe — These cherries are all top-grafted on the Morcllo, and are now ei^ht or ten years old. Elton, not very prolific, tree a little tender, upright and free grower; and this is its general character in this region. Fruit ripens about the middle of June. Purple Ouigne bears wells, line fruit, ripens early in June. Tree hardier than Klton. Early Ilichmonds are slow growers, more s preading and dwarfish in habit, bear early, sometimes next year after grafting ; usually good bearers, this year have but little fruit. Tree hardy, as ranch so as the Morcllo. Prefer them on the Morcllo. Has seen specimens of Ilichmonds from the prairies grown on their own roots, for several years past, which were decidedly inferior in size and quality. Locusts. — Discussion concerning these insects as well as a communication to the Soci- ety from .lames B. Matthews, Esq., of Marietta, Ohio, read at the July meeting, suc- ceeded in convincing members that their appearance is more frequently every thirteen years in this region, if seventeen in other localities. Possibly two kinds — and that, one larva;, is the conclusion of Mr. Riley, State Entomologist of Missouri. Peaches. — Chittenden — What peaches, or arc there any, that will come true to the parent ? G. B. Worthen — Felt's Rareripe is one in this region. Pres't Hammond — Most yellow p aches will do so, or nearly so. The Secretary — There is also a peach grown down in Egypt, which the Egyptians 6ay comes true — the Columbia. Ji'lv. — Small Fruits. Secretary made statement regarding the Raspberry plantation of Mr. Willis, of Hamilton. One acre, planted four years ago to standard and dwarf pears; ground previously trenched and subsoilcd. Intermediate spaces planted to Raspberries — name not known — but an everbearing sort (doubtless the Ohio). .Mr. Willis rejects all other kinds, stating that he finds his money in these. Reference was made to the fact that Mr. Dunlap discards all the everbearing sorts. Pres't Hammond — If y experience with them corresponds with that of Mr. Dunlap. With me the first crop is always poor, and the subsequent one not of any value. Dr. Lyon — Spoke favorably of Mr. Willis' Raspberries. Dr. Hay — I am glad to see small fruit culture on the increase. Their use is condu- cive to th I health of the people. They ought to be eaten in far greater quantities than they are. We ought to use for our summer food much less fat pork and bacon, and more fruits and vegetables. Albers — Made Btat mi nl of his strawberry crop this year. Not so good as last year. Thinks the heavy rains beat off the pollen at time fruit was setting. Extreme drought last summer dried up the plants and prevented the formation of new runners. From 296 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS an acre and a half this year, he had only marketed forty bushels ; While from three- fourths of an acre he had last year obtained forty-five bushels. Prices were better this year. Wilson's Albany is the chief reliance ; my Agriculturists did well at two years old. Secretary — If you wished to renew a plantation, would you plant now, or wait till spring ? President — I should wait till spring. Albers — By taking up with the spade, you can plant now quite successfully. August. — Vineyard Culture. — Society met at residence of Mr. Marlot, ten miles from Warsaw, near Sylvan Dale. Mr. M. has vineyard of 15 acres, on a southern exposure, soil a limestone clay with an admixture of sand. There are many varieties here on trial — some of which were doing remarkably well, and were heavily laden with fruit. The number of each is about as follows : Concords, 4,000 ; Catawbas, 4,030; Clintons, 3,000; Norton's Virginia, 500; Ives, 400 ; Delawares, 200 ; Dianas, 100; Hartford, 100 — besides small lots of twenty or thirty other sorts. The Concord vines had made a very fine growth, and looked healthy and vigorous, the foliage bright and green. Many of them were estimated at 25 to 45 pounds of fruit each , and would probably average 25 pounds. The Clintons were full of fruit, but many of the vines were badly affected with leaf-gall. The Delawares were looking well, but not having much fruit — having borne too heavy a crop last year. Mr. M. has bestowed a great deal of labor and care on his vineyard, and we have not often seen one that showed cleaner culture. He manufactures all his crop iuto wine, being too remote from railroads to ship the fruit to market. The three meetings for September, October and November, present nothing of special interest to report. In closing my report for 1868, I will take occasion to add that the year has been a hard one for the fruit-grower. What with the Curculio, the Codling Moth, the Bark Louse, the army of Borers, and the thousand and one other insects and creeping things — not for- getting mildew and blight — that devastate and prey upon our fruits, fruit-growing has come to be a hard road to travel. Our soil aud climate, highly adapted as they are to the production of fruits in variety, seem to be also the home of their many insect enemies. And they seem to be on the increase ; or to say the least, as one class leave us others appear. The Curculio, which had only, heretofore, affected onr plums, apricots and nec- tarines, has this year made sad havoc with our peach crop for the first time. Last year it operated upon the more tender sorts of cherry ; this year they took Morellos, Rich- monds, and the tenderer ones alike, as well as the peach. In the unceasing struggle for existence, which pervades nature, man, it seems, is not allowed to be exempt — but is compelled to take his part. With him, as with inferior animals, destruction precedes enjoyment. Especially must he destroy the insect depre- dators, before he can secure and enjoy the fruits of the earth. And the battle is a serious one. With all his skill and knowledge, and his vastly superior physical abilities, it would seem as if the worm and the bug were likely to obtain the mastery and retain possession of the field. But it will not do to give up the fight. In view of the magnitude of the struggle, would it not be well for all our local societies to direct still greater efforts to the destruc- tion of these insect enemies, and the prevention of these fruit-tree diseases ? Let valu- able premiums be offered for the best practical essays on all these subjects ; and let there STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 207 be a CurcuJio committee and a Blight committee, and a committee for each one of our f i >« ■ - , o( whatever name, in every society, to Investigate and to experiment. And above all, Let every fruit-grower remember that eternal vigilance is the price of fruit. TIL GREGG, Secretary. Dec. 1, 1808. OFFICERS FOR 1868. Pr t—A.C. Hammond, Warsaw. i nl— George B J Worthen, Warsaw. Secretary and Treasurer — Thomas Gregg, Hamilton. Meetings. — Monthly, on last Wednesday of each month. Membership Fee, $1. HORTICULTURAL HISTORY AND CORRES- PONDENCE. ADAMS COUNTY. By direction of the Adams County Horticultural Society, and in compliance with your request, I hereby forward to you a short and hasty sketch of the Horticultural history of this county, the originators and dates of early orchards, nurseries, and the present state of its Fruit Interests. Adams County, Illinois, which lies in the great fruit-growing belt of the continent, rejoices in a large breadth of soil particularly suited to the successful cultivation of every variety of fruit adapted to the temperate zones — a fact which the early settlers were sagacious enough to sec and enterprising enough to turn at once to practical account. With many of them the setting out of the orchard was coeval with founding the home- stead, and in many Localities these old orchards are still in vigorous growl hand bearing — eloquent monuments of the enterprise and industry of our pioneer fathers, and valuable legacies in product and example, linking their honored names In refreshened and grate- ful remembrance with every recurring season. The first orchard set out in this county was by the venerable founder of the settle, ment, Ez-Gov. John Wood, who for nearly half a century has beer prominently Identi- fied with the history of Quincy and Adams County, ever foremost in every work pro- motive of their interests and prosperity, and among the best of whose many good works is the Impetus given to 1 1 1 * - great fruit-growing interests of the county, by his early ex- ample as u Mi'M.-'ssful orchardist. In the Bpring of L830, Ex-Gov. Wood obtained some apple seed from a party at Atlas, Pike County., Ills, and started anurscry, from which he planted bis present orchard in the spring of 1824, having previously planted out peach seed, and such was his success 29 S TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS that inlS27 he had both peach and apple trees in bearing. This apple orchard is still in vigorous condition, both as to thrii'tiness and yield. Some of the trees were lately meas- ured by D. C. Wood, Esq., the largest showing a circumference of 9 feet 10 inches, and several over 7 feet. In 1830 the Governor also started from the seed some twenty to thirty chestnut trees, which lately marked by the tape from 7 to 10 feet in circumference. The well-known orchard on the Tillscn quarter, at the corner of Twelfth and Chestnut Streets, in this city, was soon after planted from Gov. Wood's nursery by Major Rose ; and the example further followed by Mr. Willard Keyes, Silas Beebe, James Dunn and others, of the pioneer settlers. These were all seedling trees. The first orchard of grafted trees in the county was set out by George Johnson, at Co- lumbus, in the year 1S32 — his trees having been brought from Kentucky, and the orch- ard is still in excellent condition. Several others followed their example in the course of the next succeeding few years, prominent among whom may be mentioned Deacon A. Scarborough, of Payson, who set out in the spring of 1836, 200 grafted apple trees, one year old, grown in Ohio, but purchased in St. Louis at a cost of $25 per hundred. This orchard was the scene of one of the Society's practice meetings in the course of the past summer, and its truly magnificent condition excited universal admiration and comment. The same gentleman in 1839 set about 200 peach trees, some of which are reported to have borne full crops in the season just past. He also had the honor of introducing the Concord grape into the county, in the spring of 1855, his vines having been obtained direct from Mr. Bull, of Concord, Mass., and have proved the great adaptability to our soil and climate by a frequent yield of 100 lbs. to the vine in a season. The late William Stewart, of Payson, also deserves most honorable mention as an early and successful introducer and cultivator of select fruit. We conclude this category of early cultivators with the honored name of Mr. Clark Chatten, an orchardist of the first ability, who has made an unquestionably brilliant record as the most extensive and successful fruit cultivator in Western Illinois, who still enjoys the fruits of his sagacity, industry and skill, and who with undiminished vigor is still engaged in planting out new orchards, and actively superintending the interests of his extensive fruit possessions. He commenced planting out grafted apple trees in Fall Creek township in 1837, pur- chasing his trees of Charles Stratton, of Pike Co., 111.; continuing the work in 1S38 and 1839 ; his orchard in the spring of the latter year covering forty acres of ground, and exciting the ridicule of some, and the predictions of many well-meaning friends, that he would ruin himself by his extravagant planting ; as who, they argued, could possibly be found to buy all the apples when his orchard should come into full bearing ? Firm, however, in his convictions of the great fruit era that was coming, Mr. Chatten made a second planting of 30 additional acres in 1842, 15 acres in 1854, 15 acres in 1858, 30 acres in 1SG3, 40 acres in 1867, all on his estate in Fall Creek, and in 1867 and 1863, hav- ing purchased and removed to a new homestead in Ellington township, near Quincy, he crowned his thirty years of service in the great apple interest, by a new plantation of 70 acres, making a grand aggregate of 240 acres devoted to this important and leading staple fruit. In the spring of 1840, Mr. Chatten made his first planting of peach trees, setting out 12 acres, none of which are surviving. Ten years later he commenced setting out bud- ded trees, devoting 12 acres to the purpose. His trees were purchased at the nursery of William Stewart; thrived well from the start, and are still in vigorous condition. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 299 In 185S lie planted out 10 acres more, increasing by the further addition of 30 acres in 1803, all in Fall Creek township, and on his removal to Ellington patting out 55 acres in the spring of 1857 and again in 1S68, SO acres, making the grand aggregate of 187 acres devoted to peach culture, and all select and budded fruit. His success with peaches is probably the most remarkable, and certainly the most satisfactory of any cultivator in the State, having lost but two entire crops, and one partial crop, (all from winter killing) in a period of 23 years' experience ; a result which proves the admirable adaptation of our soil and locality to this valuable fruit, in the hands of the intelligent and energetic cultivator. The effect of Mr. Chatten's exemplary success has been to stimulate peach cultiva- tion throughout the country and Fall Creek township. The scene of his labors and experiments, e.in of itself, point to 30,003 thrifty and vigorous select trees, and num- bers many energetic and successful cultivators of that delicious fruit. The number of boxes shipped from Quincy the season just past was some 50,000, Iowa and northern Illinois affording the principal market. As to the apple orchards at present in the county, it is impossible to form even an estimate of them in the absence of special data. These data embracing the amount of fruit of all descriptions grown in the county the past season, our Horticultural Society has made a very laudable eflort to obtain, but so far with little success except from members of the Society. As it is a matter of very decided interest to every fruit grower, it is hoped that our people generally can be induced to co operate with us in this important particular of annual fruit statistics. In regard to apple orchards, however, it will be perhaps sufficient to state that they form the rule on every farm of any size or pretension. The shipments of apples from Quincy alone have reached 125,000 bushels in a season, to say nothing of the shipments from other railroads in the county, as Fowler, Paloma, Coatsburg, Camp Point and Clayton, and the large amount taken across to Hannibal from the south part of the county. Add these shipments to the amount consumed in Quincy and the county, and we think it not an improbable estimate that with a full crop, the apple orchards of Adams county would show an annual total of 300,000 bushels. This fruit is shipped in all directions from this point ; the principal markets being Northern Iowa, Wiscon- sin and Minnesota, as reached by the Mississippi river. The establishment of the first nursery in Adams county belongs to" the honored mem- ory of George Johnson, to whom reference lias been already made as the planter of the first orchard of grafted fruit. His nursery was commenced at Columbus in 185H, and was for many years in successful condition, being the parent of many of the numerous fine orchards in the eastern and north-eastern sections of the county. This nursery, as far as could be ascertained, is not now in operation, having been sutlered to go down after the death of its founder. Stewart's nursery, for many years the chief establishment in the county, was founded in 1810, by William Stewart, 8r., at I'ayson. In 1852 a branch was started at Quincy. The Pay-on branch was discontinued after the death of the proprietor in 1S57. The Quincy branch was successfully continued by his sons John and Joseph H. Stewart, who achieved for it a leading reputation in the State ; it has lately passed out of the hands of the family, and is at present conducted by Slnnock & Co. The late Deacon A. Scarborough, also established a nursery in Payson at an early 300 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS day, though subsequent to Mr. Stewart. It is still continued I believe, by bis son, A. Scarborough. The nurseries in present operation in the country as far as information could be obtained, are as follows : Sinuock & Co., Hargis & Sominer, D. C. Benton, Manning Brothers, Quincy ; A. Scarborough, James Orr, "\Viliiam A.Mitchell, Payson ; Cbas. W. Kay, Camp Point ; H. A. Horn, Clayton ; and William Cutter, Beverly. Nearly all of these establishments are of an extensive and superior character, devoted to the cultivation of every description of fruit, and ornamental trees and small fruits, and are generally well patronized as reliable home institutions. This sketch of the county would be incomplete without even a brief allusion to the fact that evergreen culture and ornamentation generally, owe their introduction to William Stewart, Sr., who commenced evergreen planting in 1817, and whose name deserves to be associated therewith as a pleasant and perennial memory. The Adams county Horticultural Society wa; organized in December, 1S67, with seven members, and closed the year with fifty. They have discussed and made out lists of Apples, Peaches, Grapes, Strawberries and Raspberries. Profitable and very pleasant practice meetings were held during the summer months at different residences of the members. A commodious hall lias been rented, which they have comfortably furnished and they hold regular meeting on the first Tuesday of every month, which have been very generally well attended, and always interesting and instructive. The officers for the year 18G9 are as follows : Robert Barker, President ; Daniel C. Wood, Vice Presi- dent ; William Stewart, Corresponding Secretary ; George S. King, Recording Secreta- ry ; and Thomas Sinnock, Treasurer. The foregoing is but a brief and imperfect historical sketch of the fruit history of the county, but which it is hoped will serve as the basis for a fuller and more complete history. I am, very Respectfully, Yours, ' GEORGE S. KING, Recording Secretary, Adams Co., Hort., So. BUREAU COUNTY. The first attempt at fruit growing in Bureau County was in 1830 or 1831, it is not certain which, when John Hull sowed some apple seeds brought from Kentucky, and raised a few hundred seedlings. Small orchards of these were planted three or four years after by Christopher Coss, John Musgrovc, Roland Moseley and some others. The fruit was better than the average of seedlings ; but most of the trees have per- ished. Nurserymen have been accused of introducing the apple borer. The orchards above-mentioned, and the nursery from which they were taken, were attacked by this insect before fruit trees were brought here from any other part of the country ; which would seem to be good evidence of its previous existence in this section. In the spring of 1836, John Bellangee brought a lot of grafted apple trees from Bel- mont County, Ohio, and commenced a nursery near Princeton. During that and the following year, orchards of these trees were planted by Cyrus, John and Arthur Bryant, Aaron and William Mescet, and a number of others whose names are not recollected. None of these orchards were of any considerable size. At that time, and for years after, it was a prevalent opinion that it would never be an object to raise apples for market ; and it was sometimes remarked when one was seen planting trees, that when those trees came into bearing, apples would not be worth more than a shilling per kbushel. Mr. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 301 Bellangec introduced some of the best varieties now cultivated, as well as many that are rejected. He soon removed to Dover, where he continued the nursery business for 15 or '-' 1 3 • ire. From 1841 to 1844 nurseries were commenced in Bureau County by James Bosley, Charles Boyd and Curtis Williams. Their stock was obtained from Mr. Curtis, a nursery- man in I I ounty. A few good varieties were brought here by them, and many that were worthless. The Milam, under the name of Winter lYarmain, constituted a large proportion of their stock — a variety which it was said Mr. Curtis propagated to a c insiderable extent by means of suckers. Their mode of obtaining stocks for grafting, was to cut from trees taken up for .-ale such roots as were of suitable size —a practice copied from Mr. Curtis. Neither of them continued the business more than four or five re. In 1846 Samuel Edwards commenced a nursery near Lamoille, where he is at present located : and brought from near Cincinnati a considerable quantity of nursery stock. A great part of it was, however, destroyed during the following winter, which was very fatal to young fruit trees of almost every kind. In 1847, Arthur Bryant began a nursery D a small scale near Princeton. Since tie n Yerry Aldrich, IT. N. Bliss and John G. Bubach have established nurseries in the county. The two former have discontinued the bush The winter of 1855-6 was noted for the wholesale destruction of fruit trees. It was estimated that one-half of the bearing apple trees in Bureau County were destroyed or rendered nearly worthless. Most of the pear, plum, peach, quince and cherry trees ' irellos excepted) likewise perished. This, for some years, greatly discouraged the planting of fruit tree-. There are in Bureau County no orchards of considerable size which have been planted more than ten or fifteen years. The largest are those of Verry Aldrich, Arthur Bryant, Mr-. P. Mo-, ley, .]. [■,. Calefand Mustin Greenman. The only pear orchard worthy of notice, is that of John II. Bryant, planted thirteen years since. A great part of this has been destroyed the pasl season by fire Might. ( If early apples those principally cultivated are the Early Harvest, Red Astrachan and Early Pennock— the latter has hitherto been planted more than any other. Trees of this variety, however, appear to become unproductive from age Booner than most others. Maiden's Blush i> highly esteemed. The Snow apple takes precedence of all other fall apples as a hardy, profitable and enduring variety. The Rambo is popular and productive, although less hardy. Has- kell Bwei t and Rumsdell's Sweet are two of the best fall sweet apples. The varieties of winter apples be I established in the favor of cultivation, are the Jonathan, Willow Twig and Domine. The Ben Davis has not been cultivated long enough to te t it- endurance, but already shows Bigns of deterioration on some of the older trees. Rawles' Janet, so much esteemed in the South, is here considered neither excellent nor profitable. It Is feared that the Wlnesap, on rich prairie -oil, will disap- point tie tations of cultivators. Sweet Vandevere and Broadwell are two of the best winter sweet ap] ARTHUR BRYANT. 302 TRANSACTIONS OF THE .ILLINOIS CLINTON COUNTY. In compliance with your request, I will do the best I can to furnish you the history you desire : the first orchards planted in this county, from the best information I have been able to obtain, was Henry Spencer, of Sugar Creek, (date not given) of grafted fruit, 100 trees, 40 Rambo, 30 large Romanites, and 30 small Romanites. Nathan McCracken and Daniel Simons, of Sugar Creek, planted (seedling) orchards, in 1817 and 1818. Daniel White planted an orchard of grafted fruit on Sugar Creek, 1S22 ; the trees were obtained of John Smith, of Bond county. John and James Burnside, of Irishtown, planted orchards in 1819; the trees were got of Smith, of Bond county. Levin Madder, of the Ridge, planted an orchard in 1819, (seedling.) James and Jona- than Sharp, of the Ridge, planted grafted fruit trees in 1821, got trees from Smith, of Bond county. Edward Cole and Gideon Burton, near Coles Creek, east side of the Kaskaskia river, in 1821 and '22. A. Hughson, set out the first nursery and Aineyard in 1858, (his P. O., Collins' Station.) Henry Deitzell, of Carlyle, put out ten acres of vineyard, 1S62, and this year he made 4,000 gallons of wine. In 1S66, John Betz, near Centralia put out 10 acres vineyard. A. Blum, it II 5 ii ii V. Betz, ii il 5 (i it Capt. N. K. Nolesman, C( ti 5 u strawberries Frank Smith (1 il 3 it G. P. Dodge, u II 3 ii John Betz, it il 7 u M. B. Wilson, tt it o ii J. W. Skipworth, (< II 4 a B. Pullen, (1 l< 4 tt W. Wade, ti II 4 tt M. Wooly ii it 10 a Frank Smith, il II 10 a raspberries. J. P. Dodge, II II 3 II it John Betz, (i it 3 ti ti The principal part of the above several fruits were planted in 18G6, and the most of our best farmers cultivate the small fruits for family use, and some of them cultivate flowers, but I do not know of but one or two flower gardens where the flowers are kept and cultivated for sale ; one of them, Mr. E. Richards', was planted about 1863, (near Carlyle.) But I have just learned that there is a Floral Garden, kept by one, J. Gall, near Centralia. Pears, Quinces, Apricot, red, white and black Currant, red Antwerp Raspberries. The old Morello, and the small red May Cherries and the Downing May. A large vari- ety are cultivated successfully with us. The Catawba grapes are recommended as the best grape for general purposes. There are comparatively but few of any other kind in the county. The Bartlett Pears are pre- ferred and the best with us. The red Antwerp Raspberry does well with us, and pays. O. B. NICHOLS. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 303 EDWARDS COUNTY. Tour favor of Nov. Hth, was duly received, and I have been making some enquiries among our oldest citizens in regard to your question. The first orchard planted In this county, as near as I can learn, -was planted in the western pari of the count; by a Mr. Anderson ; it was planted in 1819 or '20, and was composed wholly of seedling trees ; the next orchard planted in the county was set in Is-".', by Daniel Orange, Esq., a very enterprising and successful horticulturist; the trees he planted were large and removed with care, and commenced bearing in two years after they were set out ; this orchard, which was the fust one to produce fruit in this county, is still in good bearing order, and many of the original trees bear large crops of fruit ; the first trees set out by Mr. Orange were, the Ben Davis Large Romanite, Yellow Bcllefleur, Newtown Pippin, Rambo, Sops of Wine, and some varieties whose names we could not ascertain ; two of them are very excellent apples, one of them is a rather large Hat apple, color dark wine, nearly black, and covered with bloom like a plum ; flesh, yellow, sometimes tinged with red ; very tender and line llavored, keeps till February. The other is a large, red striped apple, covered with small, white Bpeeks ; the Mesh is yellow, and the flavor very superior to any sweet apple we have ever tasted ; it is called here the Wiley Sweet, but this is a local name. In 1823, or ,-2t, Mr. Pell brought from New York, a large number of fruit trees of vari- ous kinds, from which sprang many good orchards. Soon after this, Sydney Spring, Est}., commenced a nursery in this county ; he wras an experienced nurseryman from Aberdeen, Scotland, and to him we are indebted for many of our best fruits ; he, how- ever, was not sufficiently patronized to justify him iu continuing it. In about the year 1S40, Mr. James Johnson planted a small nursery ; he succeeded very well until 1858, when he died. In lv."o, your correspondent started a nursery and imported many varieties of choice fruits from the Ea>t, some of which arc well adapted to the latitude. In 1859 {?) Mr. Josiah Dawes, commenced the nursery business, near Albion, and has met with good success. The varieties of apples best suited to this locality, are, for Summer: — Early Har- vest, Red Astrachan, American Summer Pcarmain, Summer Queen, and Golden Sweel ; For Autumn;— Fall Pippin, Si. Lawrence, Maiden's Blush, Ramho, Porter and Dutch Ifignonne; For Winter, ; — Eawle's Janet,* Neverfail, Ben Davis, Rome Beauty, Winesap, Baldwin, Wiley Sweet (local), Ladies Sweet, Cooper's Market, Limbcrtwig, Yellow Bellclleur, Pottlnger; there are several new varieties that promise welL Pears — Bartlett, Madeline, Doyenne d Etc, Ott, Louise Bonne dc Jersey, Onondaga, Belle Lucrative, St. Ghislain, Seckcl, Stevens' Genesee. Peaches — Old Mixon Free, Crawford'* Early, Crawford's Late, Early York, Smock Free, Stump the World, Jaque's Rareripe. Plums — do not succeed here on account of the ravages of the curculio. Grapes— Catawba, babella, Delaware, Clinton, Concord, Hartford Prolific. Currants — Red and White Mutch, Cherry, Grape. Gooseberry and Houghton's Seedling; most other kinds mildew. * Bawle's Janet and Never&Q are claimed by some to be identical. This is an error, as I can easily demonstrate. 304 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Blackberries — Lawton, Col. Wilder (white), Orange Crystal (white), Albion (pink), Dr. Warder (pink). Raspberries, Strawberries, Etc., — all succeed well here. No county in the State is better adapted to the growing of fruit than Edwards coun- ty ; the high ridges dividing the two Wabash rivers never fail in producing fine crops of Peaches, and the land in the county generally, is unsurpassed for the growth of the apple, pear, grape, and indeed all other fruits that succeed anywhere in this latitude. Many large orchards are being planted, in anticipation of the speedy completion of two railroads through the county ; the difficulty of getting fruit to market has heretofore prevented the planting of large orchards, but the present prospect is giving an impetus to this branch of Horticulture, which promises to increase until this shall be known as oue of the principal fruit growing counties of Illinois. Respectfully Tours, JOHN B. ORANGE. EFFINGHAM COUNTY. Sih : — You desire me to furnish a sketch of the Horticultural history of this county ; most willingly would I comply with your request, could I gather together the necessary material, out of- which to prepare a brief article on the subject; but, like a great many other counties contiguous to this, anything akin to systematic horticulture has, until very recently, never been practiced in this section of the State. The first settlers here, were chiefly from the South — from Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Virginia — and it appears that many of these early adventurers brought with them apple tree " cions," taken from the roots oi bearing trees. Most of these "sprouts" were trans- planted on timbered land, as in those days it was universally believed the prairies were worthless, as regarded agricultural purposes. Not many of these earlier orchards are now to be found, nearly all of the trees having, in one way and another been destroyed. But, it is proper to remark, that in all instances which have fallen under my observation the apple tree seems to do best here, both as to the health of the tree itself, and the quality of the fruit, grown upon forest land. These early settlers, also introduced the peach here, and I have observed that those trees occupying the highest and most exposed localities, have proved the longest lived. I think it a fact well settled, as respects this locality, that the peach flourishes best upon our very highest open prairie, the fruit buds being much less liable to be destroyed by the winter frosts, and the tree proving unquestionably of greater longevity. Nor do I believe that artificial tim- ber belts and wind breaks would prove the least protective to peach orchards thus situated. Among the most profitable if not the best apple introduced into this section, at an early date, was the true Limbcrtwig. It has proven to be a healthy, desirable tree, a very sure bearer, and the fruit keeps well, does to cook, and by those who " know no better," is esteemed a good apple. On account of some of its qualities, I am decidedly in favor of retaining it in the list for Southern Illinois. And here I am tempted to make a statement, in relation to seedlings produced from this apple, which I think is without a parallel. There is an elderly gentleman, in this neighborhood, a farmer, and a man of unimpeachable veracity, who, perhaps, twelve or fifteen years ago, planted a small quantity of seed obtianed entirely from the Tiinbertwig. From these seeds he now has STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 305 i young orchard In bearing, and among nil those trees, thirty or forty, I should suppose, he hits ii.it, i iiciiivc, ;i single npple thnt deserves the name of worthless; but, on the contrary, a large majority of them are good, with several, which competent judges would pronounce very good. Among them are several fair summer apples; some two • i' three (all varieties, which, 1 esteem In quality equal to the justly celebrated Kambo; iii i n • of our enthusiastic young cultivators, to repeat this experiment? As far as my personal observation is concerned, I would say that the Ben Davis is the mosl profitable apple ever Introduced in:<> this county. Of its quality and objectionable characteristic*, I say nothing. The Rome Beauty is another variety which promisee good results; and the same may be said of the Tulpehocken. But the Borer and Cod- ling Sfoth are deadly enemies to the apple orchardist, especially to trees upon the prairie. Elijah Hemy, qow deceased, was on" of the earliest nurserymen of this county. From his nursery, located near this village, for the last twelve or fourteen years, bun- ds of trees have been annually procured and transplanted throughoul the regions round about, and are now beginning to bring forth fruit. He cultivated the most of the leading varieties of the apple, found in this section of the State, and was the means of doinir immense good in our community. The Early May Cherry is beginning to be tolerably extensively cultivated here. Thus far it has prov ■'! quite successful, and bids fair to be largely grown. Last year the Brsl regular vineyard, of this county, carhe into bearing and yielded, both then, and the present season, satisfactory results. The Concord is the only variety ' hat has thus far hail a fail- trial, and of this variety several thousand vines nre just com- inginto bearing. Of strawberries, the writer set the first plantation in the spring of ., and although the plants have not been properly managed, they have proved rea- sonably remunerative. Several other persons are now giving the strawberry some atten- tion, and it is probable that within a few years quite an area will be planted to this fruit. The Wilson is the variety cultivated. The blackberry and raspberry are also receiving Bome attention as market fruits, but as yet I cannot give an opinion as to the success which may attend their cultivation. Thus, I have given y.,u, certainly not just what you desired, but a hasty, running sketch of the rise and pi ogress of horticulture in this county. I have no doubt, but that the time i- near at band when fruit culture in this county, will have come to be a lucrative and leading business, from which a more prosperous condition of our citizens will In- insured than that Which now surrounds them. The climate, t he soil, and trans- porting facilities, all conspire to encourage those undertaking the business, to hope for favorable results. Nevertheless, only those who will cultivate Industriously and thor- oughly, can reasonably hope for satisfactory success. Very respectfully, WM. MATTHEWS. 21 306 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS JEFFERSON COUNTY. Sir: — Having been a resident of this county for more than fifty years, I have some knowledge of its first settlements and the first orchards ; the first apple trees were from seeds brought from Wilson Co., Tenuessee, in the Fall of 1820, by Thomas A. Wright, and delivered to me and planted three miles west of Mt. Vernon on low, rich land. Near the same time, Jas. Johnson, Lewis Johnson and Win. Maxey, procured a few cions from Tennessee, and from these other sprouts were taken and set on several farms in the neighborhood ; some of the fruit was of superior quality in appearance and flavor, and some very indifferent. A great many of these trees are sturdy yet, and bearing annual crops ; the seedlings live longest. A few years after, a small nursery was started three miles south, and other varieties procured, but this was soon abandoned. About 1835, John S. Galbraith introduced top-grafting, which changed quite a number of the old stocks ; he commenced a nursery about same time, which he increased from time to time up to his death ; supplying his neighbors with the best selections of Apples. Pears, Peaches, and Cherries ; and at this time our county is well supplied with all the choice varieties for Summer, Fall, and Winter; Belleflowei don't bear well unless top- grafted ; Baldwin falls badly. Native peaches on high ground are almost a sure erop — budded not oftener than once in three years aDd often five ; some hardy kinds do better. I drop these facts to you at the request of Mr. Galbraith. Anything else in regard to the statistics of this county will be freely given. Yours Truly, F. R. SATTERFIELD. LAKE COUNTY. Mr. Douglas handed me, a few days ago your letter of request. I have but little time or I would write you out a full, and lenghty answer to your questions. I have just got out my catalogues and probably you can find something in it that will be of service to you. I have tried to grow for over twenty years the dwarf Pear on the Quince, Peaches, Apricots, and Quinces, but have failed and at last have given it up. I find but few places in the county, that they can do anything with them, and those are sheltered from the cold winds of our winters. The Standard pear will stand our climate and soil well, and the only pear that is worth setting out in this county. See catalogue for kinds, etc., that do well. The Transcendent crab does admirably well in this county. The oldest orchards were planted about twenty years ago on black soil, between Wheeling, Cook county, and Libertyville, this county, near the Des Plain river, and are nearly all killed out. Apples — Most of the old New England fruits are not hardy enough for this climate ; such as Sweet Bough, Rhode Island Greening, Baldwin, Swaar, Esopus Spitzenburgh, Fall Pippin. But the following list I have found after twenty year's experience to be the most hardy and productive grown in the West : Northern Spy, Snow Apple, Rawle's Janet, Winter Wine, Jonathan, King Apple, Smokehouse Greening, Red Spit- zenburgh, Striped Seek-no-further, Yellow Bellflower, Tollman's Winter Sweet, Beauty of the West, Red Romanite, Milam, Smith's Cider, English Russet, Limbertwig, Van- dervere, Ben Davis, Porter, Maiden Blush, Queen Ann or Lowell, Sweet Russet, Red STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 307 A -trachan, Twenty Ounce Pippin, Bailey Sweet, Duchess of Oldenburg, Barret, K — wick Codlln, Etc. Peaks— Plant no dwarfs on Quince, for the Quince will not stand onr climate. They kill at the collar, at the top of the ground, and if you plant deeper to avoid that, as some recommend, they root-rot unless you subsoil deep and dry ; for the fine roots of the Quince thrive best near the surface of rich, moist earth. Select western grown standards, two or three years from graft; such as Flemish Beauty, Louis Bonne de Jersey, White 1) tyenne, and other hardy varieties. Chbb&IBS — The Early Richmond and May Duke an: about the only varieties which will pay to plant. The following, it will not pay to plant, or at least until each prairie farm r lias set out a hundred or so evergreens, or other suitable trees for wind-breaks : Quince, Plum, Peach, Apricots and Nectarines. Of the Oral) Apple varieties, all are hardy and productive. The Transcendent takes the lead, followed closely by the il\ slop and Large Yellow. The Flemish Beauty appears in the list of Pears to occupy about tho same position for fruitfulncss and hardiness as the Early Richmond Cherry does in the list of Cherries, and the Concord in Grapes, and Wilson Albany Seedling Strawberry does in the list of Strawberries. The best land in this county for fruit is the high timbered land, that can be under- drained thoroughly. Hoping that it is not too late, I remain, Yours Truly, THOS. II. PAYNE. LOGAN COUNTY. I owe you an apology for not replying to your letter. I have been so busy, that I for- got to attend to it sooner. I do not know that I could have given you any information that would have been of use to you. Our apple crop was quite light this year, and the fruit wormy and imperfect. The pear and peach crop pretty good. Plums all spoiled by the Curcnlio. Cherry crop rather light. Small fruits about average crop. Peaches rotted pretty badly on the trees. Nectarines all rotted on the trees. The Codling Moth, apple and peach Borers, and the Curculio, are about the only ene- mies we have to contend with in fruit culture here. The Caterpillar is a little trouble- som but is easily destroyed. The Bark Louse has not put in an appearance here yet. The injury done to fruit by birds is probably more than counterbalanced by their services in destroying insects — and by their music and pleasant company. We have no serious diseases among our fruit trees except the pear blight, and it does not seem to affect all varieties alike, some varieties 6eem to be very little affected by it. We find pear culture quite profitable, provided the ri^ht varieties are planted. Our people seem to be taking a greater interest in fruit culture than formerly ; the country is settling up so rapidly that it creates a great demand for trees, and since the close of the war, an unusual interest has been manifested in horticulture ; the number of trees planted each year has been on the increa.-e lor several years. Respectfully yours, C. S. CAPPS. 308 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS MASON COUNTY Continued ill health for the past five months, has prevented me from giving- due atten- tion to the revision of the fruit list, &c, furnished me from your office. I will simply suggest the following additions to the lists of deciduous trees, shrubbery, herbaceous plants and flowers. Deciduous Trees, Cottonwood, Lombardy Poplar, and Buckeye. In ornamental shrubbery, I would add, Sumach (Rhus,) Red bud, the three varieties of Elder (viz., sambucus Canadensis, variegatum, and cutteau,) Rhus cotinas, Cerasus Japonica, English Hawthorn, Highbush Cranberry, Spiroa Douglasii, Spirea prunifolia, Calacarpa purpurea, Red wax drop, Scotch Broom (genisto,) White flowering Lilac, Fra- grant Syringa, Lantana, Lantana viburnum, Indigo shrub (amorpha futicasa,) Weigelia amabilis, Alosia citriadora, Oleander. To vines and creepers, I would add, the Rose vine or Arbor rosa (calystegia pubescens,) Queen of Prairie, Baltimore Belle and Eglantine roses, English Ivy, Madeira vine, Mul. tiflora roses, dark red and pink, Variegated leaved Japan Honeysuckle (lonicera aura reticulatus) Yellow Myrtle (moneywort,) Scarlet Trumpet creeper, Jasimine, Cypress vine, and Cobea scandens. To the flower list the additions might be legion, so profuse has Flora been with her gifts. But I would not add Lilium auratum, which though a splendid flower becomes sadly "demoralized" after its second, and often its first years growth in this climate, as far as my knowledge extends. But all the other Japan Lilies (excepting, perhaps, the Longifolium alba,) Day lily, Tiger lily, Lemon lily, Corn lily, Spider lily, Blackberry lily, Lily of the Valley (convalaria,) Old White lilly (lilium candid um,) Star flowers, Snowdrop, Crocus, Scilla Siberica, the whole Iris family, Grape and Feathered Hyacinths, Achilia toementosa, A. rosea, A. millefolia, Tigrida pavonia, T. Conchiflora, Amarillis or Jacobean lilly, Sweet Scented Violets, Euglish Polyanthus, Mountain Daisies, the entire set of Aquilegias, Delphinium formosum,.Dianthus, and many hundreds of annuals bi-ennials and perennials which cannot be here named, might with advantage be added to the list. I would advise the classification of the shrubbery and flower list in some systematic form that the hardy and tender annual and bi-ennial, herbaceous and climb- ers, shrubbery and bulbs, be not classed promiscuously with tuberous rooted or bedding plants, hardy or greenhouse plants in the same lists. A separate and well selected list of annuals, might also be desirable, naming their season of planting and flowering. As the work of a Horticultural society is missionary to some extent, in educating the tastes of the people, this is the more necessary. A large portion of the people will plant tulips, hyacinths and crocuses in the spring, and wonder " why in the world " they do not do better, or plant annuals so early in the cold, wet soil that the seeds rot with wet and cold, instead of growing as they would under more congenial circumstances. They then curse the seedsman from whom they bought their seed, for selling an inferior article, and send to another for a new supply informing him how rascally they have been dealt with by No. 1, gets a new supply, and by this time the season has so far advanced that the second lot will manage to grow, and seedsman No. 1 bears the blame and loses his customer, and his customer's influence. All the additions suggested, and nearly all of the ornamental shrubbery and flowers in the list received from your office, I have had in cultivation for a great.or or less num- STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 30'.) ber of years, and consequently, I speak from my own personal experiene.', for this locality and Boil, which Is nol the best In the world for hardy bulbs; but for shrubbery, summer bulbs and annuals it i.s very superior. Our soil being extremely siliceous in its composition, it lias a peculiar deathlike coldness In winter, unknown In more loamy or clayey soils, which often is death indeed to bulbs, and biennials, such as Foxglove (digi talis) Mullen pink, Canterbury Hells, and Satin-leaf or honesty. A continued enriching of the soil by composts and manures, and planting deeper than in heavier soils, and covering the surface with stalks or mulch after it is frozen to prevent its thawing and freezing frequently, during our very changeable winters, and excellent results may be obtained with hardy bulbs and biennials. In protecting all plants and trees for winter, I would not give any protection till the frost lias made some progress, and then the quantity can be iuerea-ed to insure holding the frost through the entire winter and till such time in spring that all danger of late re freezing, and hard frosts, and cold nights are past, and the plant can grow with- out check, or aught to hinder; audi tind that most plants after being treated in this way ; roduce finer flowers than if allowed to bave their own way, or lake their chances. These remarks apply to that class of early flowering plants whose stems or flower buds are so easily injured, when a warm spring sun induces them to push forward too soon, as often occurs with Dieletra spectabillis, &c. Truly yours, J. COCHRANE. MADISON COUNTY. The oldest fruit trees in the county of Madison, are probably two pear trees on the farm of Samuel Squires in the American Bottom on Section 6 of Township :',, north ran^e '.) west, near Nameoki Station on the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railway. This farm was one of the old "claims," founded on the grant of a donation of four hundred acres to each of tho-e who were heads of families in the county, at or la-fore the treaty with England in 178:5. The original claimant was (lenient Drury, and the heirs of Samuel Worley the actual persons to whom the granl was confirmed, as may be seen in the report of the commissioners dated December 31, 180!), and printed in vol- ume H. of the American Slate- Papers. Probably a settlement was made here by some adventurous Creole not much prior to 17S3. Then- u ere no American settlements much before the year 1800. At any rate here are two pear trees known by their present owner for 68 years, and estimated by him to be between 70 and 80 years of age. The fruit of one tree is small and worthless, that of the other resembles the Bartlett In outline and color, ripens in August, is very good in quality, and quite productive. The trees stand in an open held, and though Bhowing signs of heavy fruiting, Beem hearty and hale at ever, and stand a perpetual encouragement to discouraged pear growers." [.Journal of Eorticulture, Vol. l, page 860]. M. C. GlUham, on Section ;» of Township i, '•», has another pear tree nol many years younger of probably similar origin. Samuel Judy, Who settled in "Goshen" about the year IKOO on claim 888 insertion 3'2 and 88 of Township 4 north range, 8 west and :s and 4 of '■'>, B, planted an orchard of seedling apple trees about 1802or 18i>:;. A few of tie said to be still living. An orchard nearly as old I believe was planted on claim 603 near Collinsville, by Peter Casterline or his BUCcessors. These were in bearing over 60 years ago. Hon. George olO TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Churchill of Troy, mentions in a letter to the Alton Horticultural Society, still other old orchards, but does not give any dates. " One on Section 12, Township 3, north range 8 west, formerly owned, and probably planted by the late Robert Seybold — now owned by F. Kohler; another on Section 4 township 3 north range 7 west, formerly owned by Titus Graggnow owned by John C. Rigging. Another, on Section 18, township 3, north range 7 west, formerly owned by the late Robert McMahan, Esq. Another in township 3 north range 9 west, near the site of the old mill, consecutively known as Robb's, Wilt's and Hertzog's." I know of few grafted trees being planted before 1820. A tree of the Lady apple was planted in 1819 on the farm afterwards owned by D. A. Lanterman in Section 19 of township 5 north range 8. He found peaches on the place, including a large white cling. Solomon Prewitt set out in 1820 about 40 trees grown from the seed of a yellow apple brought up from the French settlements below, and hawked about the thinly peopled country. Six or eight of these trees produced very good fruit. Robert Collet and Emanuel J. West planted orchards of grafted apples, about the year 1820 in Sections 6 and 7 of townships 5 and 8 ; but as they did not remain in the State, and their farms were committed to the tender mercies of tenants, few of the trees sur- vive to this day. These trees of Mr. Collet, and probably those of Mr. West, were from Burlington, New Jersey, and comprised some choice varieties among which were Lady apples. Gershom Flagg in the spring of 1822, planted an orchard of 300 seedling trees on his farm on Section 3, of township 5, 8, and in the autumn of the same year, about 200 grafted trees, comprising Kirkbridge White, Rambo, Pryor's Red, Pennock, Wine or Pennsylvania Red Streak, Newtown Pippin, Rawle's Janet, Hoope's Winter Pearmain, Red Pippin, Milam, Blackburn, and Maryland Red Streak. These were from the nur- sery of John Smith of Greenville, Bond county. Of this nursery, I add the account given by J. M. Smith ; Gardener's Monthly, Vol. 3, p. 172. " The first nursery for the growth and sale of fruit trees, as far as I have been able to ascertain, was commenced in this county (Bond) in the year 1818 by my father, John Smith. He planted seeds in the fall of that year, and I believe brought some apple seedlings and scions from Kentucky, which he grafted that winter. He obtained the stock of his nursery, of one George Heikes, an emigrant from Pennsylvania to Ken- tucky, and the varieties of apples grown and planted for many years were some twenty of the older Pennsylvania apples. Among these stand prominent the Pennock — here called Big Romanite, Rambo, Newtown Pippin, Pryor's Red, Old Winter Pearmain (called here "Hoop's), Pennsylvania Red Streak, Rawle's Janet, Romanite, Limbertwig, etc., etc. Of this orchard, which I now own, a part of the grafted trees only, remain ; the seedling trees having been grubbed up as not bringing forth good fruit. The Pryor's Red, Newtown Pippin, Kirkridge White and Pennock, endure the best. Masson, a French Swiss, who came to this county not far from 1820, started a small nursery on the farm of Mr. Taleon, on Section 22 of township 5, 8, whence he removed to the farm of Mr. Collet, about 1825, and thence to the farm now owned by Thomas Jones in Section 8, of the same township in 1832. The " Western Ploughboy," an agri- cultural paper published at Edwardsville, during the year 1831, contains an advertise- ment of the nursery stock of Collet and Masson, which, as the oldest document of the kind in the State, so far as I know, I copy at length : STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 311 ■ in 'West era Ploughboy,' November 24, L881. " COLLET & MASSON'S LIST OF TREES. Apple Trees 12}£ c each; 111.60 per 100, and $100 per 1000. Pennsylvania Red Streak (Wine), Red Colville, Qaston, Carondlet, Da Bruil — [tlat, dark red, early winter apple, very good]; Dens Reeollettes, Belle Flower, Russets, Non- pareil, Newtown Pippin, Pound Pippin, Fall Pippin, Flat Red, Rallstone'a Jannett Rawles1 Janet], Jenetting, Small Romanite [Gilpin], Large Romanite | Pennock], Winter Pearmain, Hoop's Pearmain, Green Pippin [Newtown?], Rambo, Red Rassett [Pryor's Red], Early Nonsuch, Seek no further, MuTisburgh Pippin, Ramshorn, Hubbardstown Nonsuch, Pine Pearmain, Vermont Queening, Barret Russott, Flat Russett, Early Sweet, Porter Apple, Rhode Island Greening, Buckingham, Vandervere, Lady, or Pomme D1 Appie, Pruil Apple, Fall Apple. Besides a variety of others. l'i \ks. — At iiT1 cents each: Brown Butter, Grey Butter, White Butter, Doyenne Buerre, Summer Bergamot, Autumn Bcrgamot or Cra6sou, Winter Bergamot, Sugar Pear, Seckle Pear, Winter Pear, Rousillet, Belle Pear, Early Sweet, Prairie du Pont Pear. Besides a variety of others. I'i.miik-. — At I*1-, cents each: Twenty different kinds comprising a complete suc- cession from July 10th, till first of November: [a very desirable succession.] Also a variety of Nectarines, Apricots and Plums, at 50 cents each. Qi lnces. —Two varieties. Currants. — Black, Red and Missouri. Black Locust, Locust Vine, Honey Suckle, Althea, Lilac. Roses, a great variety Red Raspberries, Evergreen .Myrtle, together with many others, too numerous to mention." "In 1820 or '30, Mr. Charles Howard obtained some peach seed from a Mr. Tichenal, which he planted on block 1 in Alton. Of the trees which grew from them he trans- planted one to hi- farm near Greenwood, and afterwards to his present farm, where it is still (1866), a living, fruit-bearing tree." (Madison County Gazetteer, p. 262.) Dr. B. F. Long, in a paper read before the Alton Horticultural Society, says, that in is:;i, when he became a citizen of the State, "there was nol an engrafted apple or pear tree ol improved fruit within the limits of township 5 - !), 0 - 10, (i - !), and 6 - 10, except a small orchard in the latter, upon the land now owned by Dr. E. S. Hull, and but one small orchard of Improved peaches of not more than fifteen trees, which wen- brought from another Mate. In the Spring of l^:v.', I received some clons from Mr. Smith'.-* orchard, of Bond county, of the Large and small Romanite apples which were then con- sidered as No. 1 fruit. These were inserted In trees on my premises In Upper Alton, which was the flrsi work of engrafting done in this vicinity. In the summer"! the same year, I commenced the budding of peach trees, which was a novel operation to the Inhabitants of the land." The Paradise a p pi I- has been since my earliest remembrance, 1885, cultivated In this county as a curiosity, for ornament and even for use. It was I presume Introduced by the French settlers ; previous to the introduction of the Early Harvest it was one of our earliest apples, and although insipid and often hitter, was used and sold for want of better. The common red curranl was grown in considerable quantity, and wine made of Its fruit by Gershom Plagg over thirty years ago, or say 1S;>.">. 312 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS The common Morello cherry has been the principal cherry grown in this county and dates back, certainly forty years, but the date of its introduction I do not know. A cherry similar to the Late Kentish has also been in the county for a long time, but is more rare. Dwarf pears are said to have been planted first by Dr. Frederick Humbert, of Upper Alton about 1839. The only native evergreen tree is the Red Cedar which fringes the Mississippi bluffs, and very rarely is found, isolated, inland. Geo. B. Arnold bought some Norway Spruces, &c, from the East about 1836 or 1837. Mrs. Paddock residing in township five, range eight, has a White Pine planted in 1838, and a Norway Spruce of Mr. Arnold's importa- tion, set in 1839. Robert de Bow planted others on his grounds in Upper Alton, now owned by Mr. Homeyer, and still others may be found at Mr. Arnold's former residence, now owned by Mr. Hoffmeister. The first point in the county at which grape growing was carried on in vineyards was I believe Highland. Caspar Kcepfii who came from Switzerland in 1831, brought the European grape which as usual failed. " In 1843, Joseph and Solomon Koepfli brought the first Catawba grape vines from Cincinnati, and in 1847, they made the first Highland wine, which was of excellent quality. Five acres were now set out by them with Catawba grapes, and the years 1850, 1853, 1857, 1861 and 1863 were as to quantity and quality good wine seasons." There are now many vineyards, covering many acres in the vicinty of Highland. In 1847, Dr. E. S. Hull came to the county and settled on section 15, of township 6, range 10 ; Dr. Hull introduced a large number of fruits, comprising many varieties of the rarer fruits, such as pears and plums. In 1853, the Alton Horticultural Society was organized. Among its original members, whom I know to have exerted an active influence in introducing and cultivating good fruits were John Atwood, M. G. Atwood, A. S. Barry, George Booth, S. R. Dolbee, E. S. Hull, B. K. Hart, Charles Howard, Frederick Humbert, Elias Hibbard, J. F. Hoffmeister, B. F. Long, H. G. McPike, Jas. E. Starr, Thos. G. Starr, and H. S. Spaulding, most of whom are still engaged in fruit growing. At Collinsville, Luke Townsend planted a large orchard of budded peach trees nearly twenty years since. His trees were procured from New Jersey or Delaware. Among the varieties he introduced was Troth's Early, since become a favorite market peach in the county, and southward, where it was introduced (at Makanda), by Messrs. Iladley and Harkleroad, citizens of this county. James Coombs, and others have also made large plantations of the Miami raspberry at Collinsville ; the number of acres there in cultivation must be now nearly or quite one hundred. Lyman Baid, of Troy, has been very successful in the cultivation of the Quince, and has found it, I am informed, quite profitable. The Quince generally is successful in this county, but has never been much cultivated. Julius A. Barnsback, of Troy, has succeeded finely with the dwarf pear by mulching very heavily with straw. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 313 MERCER COUNTY. A proper response to your request for a sketch of the Horticultural history of Mercer county can only he given at a sacrifice of some personal delicacy on the part of the writer The first settlement of t lii -^ county commenced about forty years ago. Favorite loca- tions were chosen under the genial shelter of groves of timber. But the bottom lands along th M --: sippi Ul nil's seined the most attractive to early settlers. At that time, doubts were entertained by many, whether the high prairies would ever become settled, owing to the j of timber. About thirty-five years ago a very small nursery of apple trees was planted on the farm of Brady U'illit.-. under the Bluff. This little nursery of a fourth of an acre, was a branch enterprise from an early Quaker settlement of Indiana. It was never continued beyond th i first crop of trees, but it was the origin of a few of the oldest orchards of thi- county. Subsequently the Overmans, who have since c retributed so largely to the horticultu- ral interest of our State, brought several Loads of apple trees into this comity from Fulton county, with wagons, a distance of sixty miles. The Overmans, being also of Quaker des 'ent. It is worthy of note, that over a considerable portion of our western country the first introduction of fruit culture, was due to the Quakers. It is also inter- esting, in reviewing our present lists of apples, to find over one-third of our select lists were included in the lists of the early Quakers. When the writer first came to this county in 1845, comparatively little had been done in orchard planting. The first thing deemed necessary by one who had. set out to pay homage to Pomona, was to visit the older nurseries of the State. Under some difficul- ties in mod is ol travel, a visit was made to Curtis of Edgar Co., Harkness of Peoria Co., Overmans Of Fulton Co., and others. Pome-Roy nursery was started on a hi^h prairie situation, and it is proper to add that not among the least of the difficulties experienced by the proprietor, was that of very limited means, a collection of varieties was procured firom various parts of the United States, with an ambition to test their adaptation to our soil and climate as fast as possi- ble in a specimen orchard. A peculiar enchantment hung about those unknown varie- ties described in tie The peculiarities of growth was noted with much interest in the nursery. From these observations Synonyms and discrepancies began to appear in our collect! in of Apples, for example, we had Vandervere, Newtown Spltzenberg, Ox Eye, and several other names in om- Lid. that, from growth in the nursery was dis- covered to be nil t/f s'ime. .Many such discrepancies were detected before trees were of a saleable .-]/.<■. Such were some of the difficulties experienced by our horticulturists many ye I' .Hi ■ Roy nursery being inland from any public conveyance, was only conducted with the views of supplying borne demand; and thickly the farmers' wagons crowded about the nursery in setting time. The limits of the nursery at no time exceeded six- teen acres. The cold winter of '66 left behind it the blackness of death, and much dis- couragement with nurserymen and planter-. Pome-Roy nursery was allowed to decline, and forawhil — be it -aid to the discredit of the proprietor — the trade was nearly surrendered to the t Oder mercies of itinerant tree peddlers. Concerning the frauds and • > 14 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS disappointment that attended this system of trade, let it not be written in the Horticul- tural history of Mercer county. Orchard planting for market has been carried to considerable extent along the line of the Bluff*. The western slope and also the high broken grounds on the bluffs being used for that object. While the bluff and timber lands are mainly chosen for market orchards; it is difficult to say that such orchards have yielded much better returns-, through a succession of years, than the high prairie situations. The old specimen orchards of the Pome-Roy place, in profitable returns, have on an average, not fallen behind those planted expressly for profit in the most favored situations. Among the older orchards may be mentioned those of William Willits, Alexander Davis, D. J. Noble, John Glancey, D. F. Noble, Milton Willits and Wm. B. Crapnell of the west end of the county, and Wm. Terry and James Terry in the eastern part of the county. Then there are many younger orchards of considerable extent that have scarce attained to a profitable age. At present the greater portion of the apples raised in this county, find market in Iowa ; but a considerable portion are also shipped to Minnesota. The Aledo nursery succeeded to the Pome-Roy nursery, hut it has been heretofore conducted under some difficulties, and with the increased impulses in tree planting has, in fruit trees scarcely been equal to the demand of the situation. But the supply of evergreens has developed marked results in the enlivened aspect of homestead embel- lishments. With no favorable facilities for transportation to large towns, there has seemed little inducement in Mercer county, for the culture of the small fruits for market. Grape cul- tivation has not received due attention ; having scarcely in any instance been extended l>eyond private gardens for family use. It is notable that while Mercer county, is so much behind in small fruits, the exhibition of apples at our County Fairs nearly equal, and the present season, greatly surpassed that of the State Fair. Pome-Roy, Nov. 24, 1868. T. McWHORTER. ST. CLAIR COUNTY. In reply to your circular and letter of request for statistical information, in regard to the first cultivation of orchards and vineyards, in this county. I am only able to render you a partial and imperfect account. I took the liberty to publish your circular, which you find here annexed : Horticultural Statistics. — Messrs. Editors : — Will you please publish the follow- ing letter, which explains itself: Office Corresponding Secretary, ) Illinois State Horticultural Society. > Alton, III., Nov. 12, 1868. ) George 0. Eisenmayer, Ifascoutah : Dear Sir : — Will you please furnish me during the next month, a sketch of the horti- cultural history of your county tor publication in the next volume of our transactions, or make some one else do so ? The originators and dates of early orchards, nurseries, &c, the varieties found most enduring and best, and any other facts old or new that you may deem pertinent, I would be glad to get. • Truly yours, W. C. FLAGG, Secretary. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. •• I •"> Mr. Flagg is deserving ureal credit for his devotion to the cause of Horticulture and Agriculture, as well as all other movements of progress and reform. I would take it as an especial favor if the old patriarchs of the count] would answer these questions In their several Localities. Lei us have full statistics in tlii- very important enterprise, before you pass away. Will no1 all our county papers publish the Bame? It is hoped that Colonel Jarrot will rive this matter his especial attention, Bince the flrsl pear or- chard was planted near Cahokia. W ill Mr. John Griffing please Bend us a statement of Esq. Mason's orchard and nursery business, as I believe he had the first extensive nurs- ery in this county? Those of yon who planted the Bret vineyard, and made the tirst — himI bo well appreciated — good' Catawba wine in this county, arc expected to rive a full description of the same. Very respectfully yours, ' GEO. C. EISENMAYER. M \- 01 rui, Nov. 80, 1868. But have receive 1 no information from any person whatever, neither through the press, ,,,,]■ through the mail. I am, however, able to rive you the following account, as related to me by Judge Win. Snyder, of the city of Belleville : Monsieur Girardin, a native of France, planted the lir-t pear orchard of very fine fruit, which he broughl from his native country ahout the year 1730, at his farm near Prairie l)u Pont, one mile south of Cahokia ; said trees or some of them arc still healthy and bearing tine fruit every year, some arc as large as three to four feet in diameter. During the high water, in 1S44, a great deal of the fruit was gathered hy persons in canoes, and carried in that way to market, the whole bottom being covered with water, from live to seven feet. Those trees were never injured by high floods. Young orchards, or low t ipped trees are always killed by floods, if the water is high enough to cover the leaves, otherwise they are not injured. Monsieur Girardin was a gentleman of hiirh culture, a man of large mind, and a great mechanical genius, he constructed a clock, similar to the "Wonder Clock" of Strass- burg, in France ; on account of hi> superior intelligence, he was looked up to by his Ignorant and illiterate neighbors, as a magician, and in commerce with the devil, at least as a man whom they could neither read, understand, nor comprehend. He laid metallic water pipes from Palling Springs on the bluff, one and a half mile to his farm, which fur- nished him tine, sunt, healthy water, for ornamental as well as practical purposes. That whole bottom opposite St. Louis, ia now and has been for the last fifteen years covered with apple, pear and peach orchards, the trees appear to me very healthy, and 1 believe are remunerative to their owners. Mr. John H. Dennis informed me, that he came to this county in 1818 ; and that Major Win. <<. Brown, living two mile, southeast of Mascoutah, had the first seedling apples that he -aw. One Mr. Abel Fike also had a few trees in bearing at that time. Rev. Samuel Mltchel, set out an orchard five miles southeast of Belleville. Judge Moore and Risdon Moore, four miles east of Belleville, and the Alexanders, near Shiloh, all planted orchards that year, as well as a good many other settlers throughout the county. Mr. Risdon Moore raised the flrsi red June apple in 1*'30, said apple was, and is yet, a popu- lar apple in this county ; it has of late years been superseded by the •■ Early Harvi In 1828, Mr. Dennis brought the first cions of " Pryor's Red," commonly known as '•Big Hill," to this county. The name "Big Hill" was derived from tin: fact that Luke Pryor lived on a big hill, on James river, Virginia, thai apple which is such a favorite throughout the country, was known in Virginia by that name only. About the year 1820, Mr. John H. Gay brought the tu-t grafted apple trees to this county, and planted them two mile- cast of Belleville, on hi- thousand acre farm, which Orchard is yet partly in a bearing condition, and he (what is not generally the ease with °16 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS old settlers) still the owner of the hind. About the same time, Mr. Samuel Ogle planted a large orchard, and grafted the trees with fine fruit, (sent to him from Delaware) five miles wesi of Belleville, his was a choice selection of fruit ; he has, perhaps, made more money out of his orchard than any other man in this county. There were some orchards in the Lemen settlement, in the northern part of Ridge Prairie. In justice to the old pioneer settlers, I must state that most of them planted orchards, all over the county. About fifteen or eighteen years ago, some Ohio men brought a great many very fine apple grafts to this county. I wish I could give you their names, as I consider them public benefactors; they grafted the old orchards; they only asked to be paid for what grew or did well by the following year, by which honest liberality on their part, they overcame the predjudice so common at that day against peddling Yankees. About thirty or thirty-five years ago, one Mr. James Mason, a very good farmer and a very intelligent man, commenced the nursery business on his farm, five miles south of Maseoutah, and raised a great many valuable trees, which he always sold as fast as they bore transplanting; he was in reality a public benefactor. The writer of this bought several hundred of his trees in 1844-45 which were true to name, and grew well, and com- prised the following list : Red June, Early Harvest, Ram bo, Big Hill, Big and Little Romanite, Jennettings, Grindstone, Pennsylvania Red Streak, Shiloh Pippin and a few others. There are to-day hundreds of good orchards, in this and the adjoining counties, for which their owners are indebted, for the intelligence, honesty and industry of James Mason. He died last summer, having received a paralytic stroke about two years ago, previous lo his death, he could neither walk, talk, nor write. His fine farm will be sold to strangers, and his good name and deeds will soon be forgotten, while hundreds will enjoy the luxury of eating his fine apples, and drinking good cider, without thinking of the original propagator. Within the last twenty years, the county has been dotted over with fine orchards, with all the various new varieties. Some new good apples have been added to the list that have originated in this county. A serious impediment to orcharding now and for a few years back, seems to be a disease known as the Bitter Rot, which are little black spots of dry rot all over the apple, which makes it almost useless, except for hog feed. Let us hope that some one will be able to shed some light on this most important subject. From my past observations, I think that the average life of apple orchards is from twenty-five to thirty years. Peaches were, until within fifteen years, mainly raised from seedlings in fence corners, being considered unworthy to occupy any other portion of the farm. About that time, or a few years previous, Joseph Ogle planted a small orchard of budded fruit off, of which he sold in one year — six or seven years ago — over four thousand dollars worth of fruit. Of late years peach orchards have not more than paid expenses. The laigest now in this county is owned by the undersigned, covering nearly forty acres, being planted 20x30 feet, with an apple tree between 40x40 feet. Benjamin Davis has the best peach orchard in this county, which is on one of the highest hills on Turkeyhill, three miles southeast of Belleville. Josephina and Col. Englemann, Philip and James Scott and others, about Shiloh, as well as Major Lemen, north of O'Fallon, all have fine peach orchards. All the varieties of small fruits have been introduced in this county several years ago, but are only cultivated by amateurs, and but little is marketed. STATE II KTI.TLTUKAL SOCIETY. 317 Pear*.— Dwarf and Standard treea have been largely planted, and a little very fine fruit is raised; but little ever will reach the mark''!, as our hard clay .subsoil will not admit of the roots to ftp down to where they can find continual moisture; hence our pear ir tort-lived, and never remunerative to the planter. The writer of this planted several hundred pear trees a few years ago, which blighted bo badly last year that they blighted all hopes of ever having pears for the table or for market. ffrapet. — Grapes abound in our forests, and Borne varieties even attain a certain de- gree ot perfection, especially in certain favorable seasons. Good tame Catawba grapes have been raised, and good wine made therefrom since A. D. 1843. Theodore Bilgard, - -..■! vVesl Belleville, was the first man, if I am rightly informed, who planted the first Catawba. His vineyard of abouf five acres has of late been grubbed up, not pay - - usee of cultivation on account of leaf-blight and graperot. Ludwig Huff, near Wesl Belleville, planted a small vineyard, A. D. 1S4«J, which i- the hot Catawba vine- yard in this county. It bore more or less every year, and is a good vineyard yet. His wine always had a high reputation ; he cultivated it on the German principle as near as possible, sin.-.- thena great many Catawba vineyards were planted by Theodore Hil- gardtjr., Theodore Bngelman, Ool. Adolf. Bngelman, Louis Winter and CoL Heckerand Others. All of them now and then make some very line wine, but in general I do not think their vineyards paid more than expenses. It is safe to say they never were remunerative. of late years the Concord, Norton'.-. Virginia, Clinton, Hartford Prolific, and some fifty, mostly worthless varieties, have been introduced, and the first named are now on a lanre scale cultivated by the following and other parties: Conrad Eisenmayer, Col. Becker and Jacob Leisa, at Summerfleld — each from ten to fourteen acres; Eisenmayer and Bro. Theodore Engelmann, George Leibrock, George Nestel and Adam Enirg, at Mas coutab — each from live to ten acres; Hammel «& Kreider, Dr. S. Bergerand Prof. Blair— each from five to ten acres, in Lebanon; Theodore Dauth, at Belleville, and Louis Winter, on Dutchhill — four to live aero. Th :se vineyards have all proved very valuable, and all the parties are extending then* acreage as Ear as] know. .More than 2 »,000 gallons of wine are in the hands of the above named parties. \ •, -,•;. i lly, GEORGE C. EISENMAYER. VERMILLION COUNTY. I am sorry that I have been m, long making out the accompanying history, etc. 1 have di laved, in order to see more of the " oldest inhabitants." I have h.en a resident here sin - - bul my business has been to Btay at home' at work, and not to ride around ami observe. There arc: doubtless, in our county, those who conld have fur- ed a better history. Those who have better opportunities of collecting facts of early history. Would be glad to be al the meeting, if but to enter my protesl against the Introduction ol that bout apple, fche Duchess, into general cultivation. I have trees of it in my nursery ten to twelve years old, that I sell bul slowly, nol bo much because they are too Large, but because I cannot, in conscience recommend the fruit; yel I see the tree.- advertised at extra prices, as something very valuable. The first orchards planted in Vermillion county were mostly of Beedllng fruit, many 318 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS of the trees from western Indiana. The earliest permanent settlers immigrated here about the year 1823, and the elder Curtis, of Edgar Co., furnished trees to some as early as 1825. Milam was a leading variety, and though the tree is a little tender, is still a popular apple here. The winter of 1830-1, was severely cold, much snow on unfrozen ground. Turnips left in the " patches," wintered in good order ; but fruit trees though well ripened by a dry late fall, were mostly winter-killed. This discouraged farmers from planting trees for a while ; but those who did plant soon had flourishing orchards, and the roots of winter-killed trees threw up young shoots that became bearing trees and orchards ; flourished until the winter of 1855-6, when another severely cold winter, with deep snow on unfrozen ground, killed many fine trees, and all except the Crabs and their 60iir Russian relative,? — the Duchess of Oldenburgh — were more or less injured. The winter of 1848-9 did considerable injury to young nursery stock. Apricots (except the Black) were killed outright, and Peach trees considerably injured. NURSERIES. John Canaday started a small nursery one mile south east of Georgetown, about the year 1826. Apple and pear trees propagated by budding seedlings at standard height. This nursery supplied many orchards with good, cultivated fruit until 1843, when Cana- day died, and the stock was sold by the row at public sale ; purchasers appointing a day to meet, dig and swap trees, thus obtaining variety. In 1854, James Rees and William Dallou started a nursery of apple trees near Ridge Farm. In 1856 commenced adding a general assortment of large and small fruits, evergreens and some other ornamentals. This nursery never exceeded four acres in extent, but has done much towards introducing fine fruits ; also, evergreens and various ornamental shrubs and plants into this part of our State. Grape vines of forty varie- ties are under cultivation, not all in bearing yet. But the introduction of this luscious fruit into general cultivation here is a slow business. In 1863, Aaron Plumley, of Ohio, started a nursery at Danville. Fruit trees, small fruits, evergreens and other ornamentals. Plumley returned to Ohio in 1864, and W. W. R. Woodbury became proprietor. Woodbury had other more important business on hand, and the land becoming valuable as town property, the entire nursery proper has been disposed of. A valuable greenhouse is still left up. No other nurseries worthy of note have been started in this county. CAUSE OF THE WINTER-KILLING OF TREES. The roots of the trees being in the warm, unfrozen ground under the snow, when the body of the tree is not frozen, the sap rises ; then sudden, hard freezing bursts the tis- sues of the wood, causing the injury or even the death, of the tree. The injury being in proportion to the expansive force exerted, and that expansive force iu proportion to the amount of water (sap) in the tree and the intensity of freezing. Sugijestion. — Trees are tender or hardy, in proportion to the porosity or firmness of their wood. In other words, in proportion to the amount of water their pores will hold. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 319 REMEDY FOR THE WINTER-KILLING OF TREES. When a deep snow Calls on unfrozen ground, Immediately remove the snow from around the trees, and allow the ground t, with Beedling trees brought from Tennessee. After standing about twenty year-, a part of this orchard was top-grafted ; these grafted trees lost vigor, and began to grow old sooner than the others. Some of the seedlings were very fair apples and late keepers ; many of the trees are yet in bearing. Mr. Carter's orchard site is rolling prairie, good B il. Nathan Davis, also planted seedling apple trees at same time, but did not afterward top-graft ; was successful, had much good fruit. Dempsey Kennedy, in like manner, planted in 1825, but on flat land. His trees were lc-s vigorous and shorter lived. A few years later (I did not learn the exact yean, Samuel V. Henry planted an apple orchard of root-grafted trees, from the nursery of one Smith, near Greenville in Bond county. Mr. Carter thinks these trees have not been quite as productive a- his own, but have done very well. The principal varieties were Rambo, Horse ami Romanite— largi and small. Others of the early settlers planted apple orchards, about the time of these named, or some time after, in different parts of the comity; among them, I have the names of Col. John Phillips, Esq., Lawyer; Win. Ayres, Thos. S. M -e, and Win. II. Bradsby. Many of these old orchards are still bearing. he were grown abundantly by the early settlers from seed brought from Georgia, the mosl distinct variety rem< mbered was Heath cling. Budding was not practiced. Quince- and Tears were s-ldom met with until some twenty years later (1845), and were then brought from near Louisville, Ky. — very few to be found anion-' the old pioneers. In 1848, Darius Greenup and Mr. Carter planted Grape vines in and mar NashviUe, the county .-eat. The varieties were Catawba, and Isabella; many of these vines are -till vigorous and productive. They have had some rot, bul it has not been very si rious. As to cherries, the common old Morcllo is everywhere met with, of late years insects and birds have been troublesome. I am informed there were no nurseries in the county at the early times I have Bpoki n of; about 1848, Robinson Logan established one, of apples chiefly. At present there are two, one at A-l.l \ in the eastern part Of the county, and one at Elkton in the weste n. Of course the planting of fruit trees has steadily followed the opening of new farms and the ( stahlishmenl of new homes. As a general rule, however, the objeel has been to supply home wants. The completion of the III. < entral K. K., opened B route to mar- 320 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS ket for surplus fruits, and stimulated the planting of commercial orchards near its line. Within the last ten or twelve years, probably not less than twelve hundred acres of land have been planted with fruit trees and grape vines, in the vicinity of the four stations on that road, within the limits of this county, viz. — Du Bois, Ashley, Rich- view and Irvington. In addition to this, no little attention lias been given to small fruits and early vegetables. The larger orchards of recent planting are mainly of peach, although almost all kinds of fruit which are known to succeed here, or of which there are probabilities of success, have been planted. A small portion, however, of the orchards lately established, are in full bearing. So far as they have fruited, a reasonable degree of success has been met with. Longer time will be needed to determine whether the expectations of planters will be realized. Very truly yours, Richview, Jan. 5, 1869. G. WILGUS. WHITESIDE COUNTY. The history of Horticulture in this county is deserving of more attention than I can in these few lines give. So few dates have been preserved of the early attempts at fruit raising that much of its early history is already lost. A large number of the early fruit trees found growing here, previous to 1840, were such as were raised from seed, brought by the pioneers on their first settlement in the county. The planting of seed took place soon after the close of the Black Hawk war. Of these early planters, I call to mind Mr. Norton, U. B. Youns;, Joel Harvey, S. M. Coe, Luther Wetherby, and W. Cantrol. To show the cost and labor to get fruit trees here, at this early day, I would say that Jesse Scott brought his from Ohio, in a boat of his own construction, and planted them in June, 1839. An unfortunate spot was selected for the orchard, and they were mostly lost in the spring of 1813, by the great flood, which occurred in Rock river, at that time. Of these early planted trees, but few now remain. The causes of their early failure are various, and the lessons they impart, should not be lost by those that expect to make fruit raising a success. One of the prominent causes of failure then, as now, was planting on low, wet and undrained land, destitute even of sood, natural drainage. Another fruitful cause of failure, has been planting tender varieties. Tender here is, however, a relative term. These so-called tender varieties were mostly killed, at the snow-line, in the winter of 1843-43, and but once, do I recollect, have all parts of the tree of these tender varieties been killed, and that was in the winter of 185.5-56. Many trees are lost during our very cold winters from a lack of care in pruning while young. A well balanced head where no large forks or limbs arc suffered to grow, such a tree has many chances for long life over such as have received little or no care. The scale insect has been another cause of failure, for it came here with our trees, and if it has not killed many, it has no less been a silent and fatal enemy. The first nurseries were planted, in this county, by Harry Burlingame and L. S. Pen- nington. The trees were in part grafted, in the winter of 1840-41. At least one half of these were lost by the very hard winter of 1842^13. Owing to the great loss sustained and the dark day which this hard winter threw over fruit raising — Mr. Burlingame sold STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 32 1 his interest to L. S. Pennington. This interest was never a joint one. The only knowl- edge to conduct a business of this kind, at that early time, was gained from books. I have watched with some care and no little interest, in various parts of the state whether the rharacter of the soil and underlying rocks have exerted any marked effect in the growth of our trees, or in the quality of the fruit. In this county (Whitesides) our soil mostly rests on the Niagara group, or on the Cincinnati shale. M. ROCK. WILL COUNTY. The first orchard planted within the present bounds of Will county, was planted by Joseph Shoemaker, in the spring of 1835. The trees, 100 in number were purchased by him, of James and Wallace Sigerson, who had a small nursery four miles south-west from Crawfordsville, Montgomery Co. Ind., and were hauled in a wagon, a distance of 160 miles, and planted eight miles south-west of Joliet, at what is now called Reed's Grove ; were planted on the south side of the grove adjoining the timber ; composed of Black and White Walnut, different kinds of Oak, Hickory, Elm, Red and White, Hard Maple, etc.; on a piece of ground descending to the north, a small ravine running east, and west, making a complete surface drain. Soil, black loam, clayey subsoil. Mr. Shoemaker's list of varieties (made by James Sigerson), are as follows : Vandevere Pippin, Rhode Island Greening, Esopus Spitzenburgh, Rawle's Janet, Small Roraanite, Large Romanite, Green Newtown Pippin, Yellow Newtown Pippin, White Bellellowcr, W. W. Pearmain, Red Pearmain, Winesap, French Pippin, M. Blush, Rambo, Mammoth Pippin, Fall Queen, Early Harvest, Early Bough, C. R. June. Num- ber of each — 10 Janets, 3 French Pippin, 2 Mammoth, 5 each of remaining varieties. About one half of the original number are still living and thrifty, bearing good crops. For the past twenty years (except the two past seasons) the varieties which have all died, are French Pippin, Mammoth Pippin, Fall Queen and Early Bough ; about equal number of the remaining varieties have died. No one variety that are all now living. Green and Yellow Newtown Pippin never having borne but little, the tree appears healthy. W. W. Pearmain, scabs badly ; Spitzenberg, Rhode Island Greening, very vigorous, particularly the latter. Win. Shoemaker says that the Vandevere Pippin, Rhode Island Greening and Spitzenberg are the three best varieties in orchard, and have produced him more apples than any six of the others. Contrary to the experience of most of the fruit growers and horticulturists of the north — at least the 0th District — I measured several trees in this old orchard that are 20 to 22 inches in diameter (two feet from the ground); the Vandevere Pippin and Rhode Island Greening lining the largest. As there is some difference of opinion among horticulturists, in regard to the different modes practiced in propagating, I will give the modus operandi a- practiced in those days of the Siirorsons: The seed was sown in Spring ami cultivated one season, taken up the following spring and planted out in nursery rows four feet apart ami twelve inches in row ; cultivated one season, ami the next spring cut off at the erou a and cleft grafted ; those that did not gTOW, generally threw up a thrifty sprout which was hudded the following August. Some Were allowed to grow for a year or so, ami budded in the top. Some of the trees in Mr. Shoemaker's orchard are budded about live or six feet from the ground where the top is formed. 9.9 322 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS The next year after Mr. S. set his orchard (1836) the Messrs. Rowley ? Capt. Scipon, Phillip and Seth Scott, set out small orchards two or three miles east of Joliet, mostly seedlings, but afterwards grafted in top with better varieties. In spring of '37, Messrs. Fruga, Miller, Gouger and Kelly, procured trees from near Danville, 111., and set out small orchards ; the varieties are about the same as Shoemaker's, and the results about the same. In 1835, when Mr. Shoemaker was bringing his trees home from the Wabash, he stayed all night with Mr. John Fragin (deceased this fall) who lived six miles south-east from Wilmington, who cut off of Mr. S.'s trees some cions and grafted them into the wild crab, a grove of which stood near Mr. F.'s house, a large number of which are still liv- ing. Some of the trees, (Esopus Spitzenberg, Winesap, and our Yellow N. T. Pippin), look healthy, and bids fair to remain so for some time to come. A part of those grafted on the crab, out-grew the stock and the trees blew up by the roots. Others that are good yet, were put upon a different variety of the crab. Would remark here that in the valley of the Kankakee, there are two varieties of the wild crab ; one is very scrubby, and slow growth, while the other is very thrifty, and very hard to distinguish from the common apples, and bears a large, fine fruit, while the other bears a very small, gnarley fruit. 1 would like to have the editors of the Prairie Farmer come to see those old apple trees growing on the wild crab. Some time ago they answered an enquiry from an Iowa or Wisconsin correspondent — "Would the apple grow on wild crab ? " their answer was " No." I am of the opinion that many of our tender varieties would do well grafted (say, two foot from ground) on the wild crab ; an experiment I intend try- ing. I have not been able to answer the last part of your enquiry, viz. : — the early history of the Nurseries in our county ; shall try to do so as soon as I can obtain the necessary information. Wilmington, Dec. 15, 1868. W. T. NELSON. LETTER FROM IOWA. Dear Sir: — I have been much interested in reading the report of your discussions on fruits, at the late meeting of the State Horticultural Society. Permit me to remark on the fruits reported on, as follows : Yellow Belleflower. — Quite worthless here, except on poor, flat, White Oak land, where I have seen it bear heavy crops the seventh year, and continue to bear ; on poor, dry, White Oak hillsides it is as worthless as on prairie. When the gopher root prunes severely, it holds its fruit well, even on prairie, for you know it always blooms profusely. Permit me to suggest severe root pruning to obtain fair crops of this fine apple. I have not practiced this root pruning myself; will the coming spring. Again as to grafting old trees — I have always failed in making a good tree, when I did not root prune thoroughly at the time of grafting — would not go more than eight feet from an old tree and go down with the spade two and a half feet. Then you may STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 223 cut back the top shoot without injury to the tree. In this climate, old trees are ruined by i"'inu' cut in slmrt, for grafting without this pruning. As to plan of grafting — Instead of catting off large limbs and splitting them, I cut back to a small limb Inclining the saw to 45 degrees, and putting a coat of wax over the wound, and grafting on to the small limb, pinching the top from the graft when six or eight Inches long. This will cause the graft to harden and throw out laterals, and will Dot blow oil' as they often do when unchecked. I throw out these suggestions, as I presume you will do a large amount of top graft- ing in your experimental grounds, and if I throw out a single idea that will aid you, it will pay you to read it. Gilpin. — A very poor apple here, but one of the most profitable, and I think it des- tined to maintain its position. What other apple will bear so well, keep so well, and bear transporting long distances equal to it? Lowell. — You add to the list for the north — the tree is too tender and it blights Moines, Iowa, Jan. 27, 18G9. 324 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS CRITICISMS ON THE LISTS OF 1867. Office Corresponding Secretary, ) Illinois State Horticultural Societt, > Alton, Ills., Oct. 1, 1868. ) Bear Sir, — Will you please examine the tables of Fruits, Vegetables, Trees, Shrubs, Climbing and Trailing Plants, Roses and Flowers recommended by the Illinois State Horticultural Society for 1867, and make such corrections in the way of striking out or adding, such varieties as your experience or observation has made you acquainted with in your part of the State. Verbal corrections can be made on the margins of the list, and more extended remarks written on one side of note paper of about this size, attached to the list. I would ask your special attention to the lists other than fruit lists, which have here- tofore been neglected, and need a thorough revision. Please forward the result of your examination as soon as possible. If you can get other persons or Local Societies to make a similar examination and criticism, and send me their views, I shall be very much obliged. Truly yours, W. C. Flagg, Secretary. Answers were sent, I. By R. Douglas, Waukegan, Lake County. II. " D. C. Scofield, Elgin, Kane County. III. " J. T. Little, Dixon, Lee County. IV. " John Boans, Geneseo, Henry County. V. " W. T. Nelson, Wilmington, Will County. VI. " Tyler McWhorter, Millersburg, Mercer County. VII. " B. L. T. Bourland, Peoria, Peoria County. VIII. " A. C. Hammond, Warsaw, Hancock County. IX. " C. S. Capps, Mt. Pulaski, Logan County. X. " E. Daggy, Tuscola, Donglass County. XI. " M. C. McLain, Charleston, Coles County. XII. " J. Huggins, Woodburn, Macoupin County. XIII. " A. A. Hilliard, Brighton, Macoupin County. XIV. " E. A. Riehl, Alton, Madison County. XV. " E. S. Hull, Alton, Madison County. XVI. " J. M. Hunter, Ashley, Washington County. XVLT. " James H. Crain, Mound City, Pulaski County. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. I. By Robert Douglas, Lake Co. In glandng over the list of Trees, etc., recommended by the above Society, I see the European Larch marked recommended by individuals, and American Larch recommended by the Society. I think the European, and not the American, was recommended l>y the Society. Qinko la marked tender on the list. I have four or five specimens of several years standing ; they have all proved quite hardy, (only for ornament.) Tulip Tree, Cucum- ber Magnolia, European and American Mountain A6h, are all hardy and ornamental. Norway Maple is beautiful, and holds its foliage much later than any American Maple. II. By D. C. Scofield, Kane Co. apples. Baldwin — Tender, shy bearer, unworthy cultivation. Bellflower — Tree vigorous, hardy, yet generally unproductive; unworthy cultivation. Yellow Bough (Sweet Bough) — Will not endure this climate. Lady Apple and Ladies' Sweeting — Nearly total failures. Limber Twig — Tender and worthless here. Newtown Pippin — Entire failure. Pommc Grise — Tree hardy, good grower, yet apples too small for use, and quite im- perfect ; unworthy. Esopus Spitzenburg — Tree tender ; fruit small and sparse. Winter Winesap — Tree remarkably vigorous and healthy, yet very unproductive, and fruit small. CHERRIES. The Heart and Bigarreau Cherries are here a total failure. The whole family of Mor- ello do finely here — the Early Richmond on Morello stock first best. PLUMS. Failure on prairie soil ; succeeds only in a few localities, on timber lands. RASPBERRIES. Red and Hudson River Antwerps, tender and valueless. VARIETIES OF APPLES NOT ENUMERATED IN THE LIST. 1st. Tart Bough — On prairie soil the tree is a remarkably strong grower, hardy, with a large spreading head, and abundant bearer ; fruit large, greenish yellow, tart, tender, and ripens immediately after the Sweet Bough. '2d. Garbage. — On prairie soil the tree is a strong and rapid grower; v<-ry hardy, early and abundant bearer; fruit medium, sweet and excellent, and is a successive ripener, being a week earlier than Early Harvest, and abundantly supplies tin place I Sweet Bough. These two varieties are cultivated in the nurseries at Syracuse, N. Y., formerly known as Thorpe & Smith's, and are too valuable to be lost. PEARS. I would not strike one from the list of pears ; not one of the whole family U proof 326 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS against the blight. The Buffum, Flemish Beauty, Seckel and Tyson are among those least liable to be injured with blight ; yet these have been cut down and utterly destroyed with that pestilence. I would therefore plant every good pear, so as by all means to save some. QUINCES here are a total failure, as difficult to raise in this and more northern latitudes west of Lake Michigan as the Orange. PEACHES have their favorite locations more southwardly, except protected by large bodies of water, as in the lee of great lakes, yet occasionally a year when a straggling peach tree is full of fruit — even here — and a few should be set in every fruit garden. III. By J. T. Little, Lee Co. APPLES. Autumnal Sweet Swaar — tender. Baldwin — tender, discarded. Belmont — not valuable. Bellcflower, yellow — unproductive. Bullocks Pippin — tender. Dyer or Pomme Royal — ought to be better known. Early Strawberry — small. Early Harvest — tender, unproductive, discarded. Fall Pippin— " ■ " " Fall Wine— " " tt Farneuse — very profitable. Fall Swaar of the West — profitable. Gravenstein — tender. Hawley — fine. Hawthornden — profitable. Hocking — a little tender. Jonathan — profitable. Kirkbridge White — small. Large Yellow Bough — unproductive. Lady Apple — worthless, Lowell — fine. Mav of Myers — valuable. Minkler — profitable. Newtown Pippin — unprofitable. Northern Sweet — profitable, No. 1 trees* Paradise Winter Sweet — fine. Pennock — not cultivated. Pomme Grise — too small. Pryor's Red — unprofitable. Rambo — tender. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 327 Ramsdell'B Sweet — profitable. Rawle'e Janet — profitable. Rhode Island Greening — not profitable. Roman Stem — good bearer. Smith's Cider — profitable. Smokehouse — profitable. Sops of Wine — dry, very profitable. Spitzenberg, Esopus — tender. Summer Queen — valueless. Summer Rose — [Small, bears well. Bwaar — not profitable. Talman's Sweeting — has not borne well. Wagener — tender. fleld Seek no further — does well. White Pippin — does well. White Winter Pearmain — spots. Willow Twig — profitable. Yellow Ingestrie — too small. PEARS. Belle Lucrative — No. 1. Flemish Beauty — No. 1. CHERRIES. Early Richmond — all others have failed. GRAPES. Catawba — tender. Clinton — productive. Concord — most reliable. Delaware — feeble. Diana — fine. Hertford Prolific — does well. Northern Muscadine — does well. CURRANTS. Gondoin White — No. 1 fruit. RASPBERRIES. American Improved (Doolittle) — profitable. American White — profitable. Antwerp Red of Hudson River — tender, discarded. Catawi.-wa — worthless, discarded. Ohiu Everbearing — worthless. Orange — tender. Purple Cane — profitable. BLACKBERRIES. New Rochelle or Lawton— tender. 328 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS STRAWBERBIES. Austin or Shaker — no value. Downer's Prolific — no value. Hovey's Seedling — unproductive. Large Early Scarlet — unproductive. McAvoy's Superior — does well. Necked Pine — run out. Russell's Prolific — does well. Triomphe de Gand — of no value. Wilson's Albany — most reliable. TREES. Ailanthus — discarded. Catalpa — tender. Cypress — tender. Ginko — tender. Laburnum — tender. Magnolia, (cucumber) — hardy. Magnolia, Chinese — tender. Willow, weeping — tender. Juniper, Swedish — tender. ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. Althea — tender. Currant, Gordon's — tender. Deutzias — tender. Quince, Japan — rather tender. Tamarix — tender. Box, Dwarf — tender, Mahonia — tender. Passion Flower — tender. Wistaria, Chinese — tender. IV. By John Boans, Henry Co. My criticisms are founded on health, fruitfulness, hardiness and saleable qualities Russets are not profitable ; have not tried the Perry Russet. Those marked on trial, we like well ; but shall top graft Porter, so that it will stand alone. I am afraid we shall have to discard White Winter Pearmain, fruit scabby generally. Wagener, trunk ten- der, shall top graft it. The Pears, we criticize, have borne here a number of years. Cherries also. Of Grapes, Catawba generally does well ; the others as marked. Grapes, I think, as sure of crop as corn. Currants, Gooseberries, and Raspberries as tested by me. Also other small fruits. Deciduous and Evergreen trees, as proved here. Shrubs and Creepers as tested. We have more on trial. Roses as tested by me ; we have many more on trial. I dislike the mixed way in which they are classified. Page 283 on Flowers, we should make quite a number of classes ; as it is we cannot criticise much, but did what little we thought possible. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 329 APPLES. American Summer Pearmain — hardy. Astrakhan, Red — shy. Autumnal Strawberry — good. Ben Davis — always fair fruit. Carolina Red June — good bearer. Domine — good bearer. Early Harvest — tender. Early Pennock — right. English Golden Russet — unprofitable. Fameuse — right. Fulton — riicht. Gilpin — right. Keswick Codling — right. King, of Tompkins county — healthy tree. Maidens's Blush — right. Milam — fair here. Northern Spy — right. Rambo — right. Rawle's Janet — right. Summer Queen — on sandy soils. Swaar — right. Sweet Vandevere — right. Talman's Sweeting — right. Wagener — top grafted. Wes-tfield Seek-no-further — right. White Winter Pearmain — 6cabby. Wine Sap — right. Willow Twig — right. Yellow Siberian Crab — right. PEARS. Bartlett — standard. Beurre d' Anjou — dwarf. Doyenne d' Ete — right. Doyenne, White — discarded. Duchess d' Angoulcmc — dwarf. Flemish Beauty — standard. Howell — right. Louise Bonne de Jersey — dwarf. Seckel — right. Tyson — standard, extra here. Winter Nelis — right. Quinces — tender. CHERRIES. Belle Magniflque — top grafted, good bearer. Early Richmond — right. n 30 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS English Morello — right. May Duke — discarded. Morello, Common — does well. Reiue Hortense — no fruit, discarded. PLUMS. German Prune — right. Lombard — right. GRAPES. Adirondac — worthless. Clinton — right. Concord — best. Hartford Prolific — right. Iona — I like it for family use. Roger's No. 4 — right. Roger's No. 15 — right. Rebecca — for family use. CURRANTS. Black Naples — right. Cherry — don't pay, discarded. Red Dutch — right. White Dutch — right. White Grape — right. GOOSEBERRIES. American Seedling — discarded. Houghton's Seedling — right. RASPBERRIES. American Black — discarded. American Improved (Doolittle) — right. Antwerp Red — discarded. Antwerp Red of Hudson river — discarded. Catawissa — with right pruning, recommended for family use. Orange — covered, recommended for market and family. Very fruitful. Purple Cane — no fruit with me. Imperial — if protected, bushes are covered with large fruit. Dorchester — worthless. Lawton — worthless. BLACKBERRIES. STRAWBERRIES. Agriculturist — tender. Austin or Shaker — poor. Downer's Prolific — best. Green Prolific — best. Hovey's Seedling — good. Longworth's Prolific — worthless ; discarded. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 331 McAvoy's Superior — best. Prolific— tender. Triompbe de Gaud — teuder. Wilson's Albany — best. Amelauchier, or Dwarf Jane Berry — is very fruitful here. NUT TREES. Black Walnut— right. Butternut — right. Chestnut, American — would recommend it. Hickory, Sbell-bark— rigbt VEGETABLES. Asparagus, Giant — profitable. , Large Smooth Blood — best. Carrot, Long Orange — best. Corn, Stowell's Evergreen — best. Onion, Top — best here. Parsnip, Large Hollow Crown — best. Pea, Daniel O'Rourke — best. Radish, Long Scarlet, Short top — best. Rhubarb, Victoria — best. Sage — profitable. Squash, Summer ; Yellow Bush, Scalloped — best. " Winter, Hubbard — best. Sweet Potato, Nansemond — best. Tomato, Large Round Smooth — best. " Tilden — best. Turnip, Purple Top, sharp leaved — best. DECIDUOUS TREES. Ash, Weeping — fine. A-li, Mountain — European docs well. Birch, White — right. Chestnut — right. Dogwood, Red-twigged — tine. Elm, American — right. " 81ippery — right. Hickory, Shell-bark — ri^ht. Larch, American — right. " European — right. Linden, American — right. Locust, Honey— right. " Yellow — discarded. Maple, Ash leaved — right. White — right. " Sugar — right. 332 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS Oak, Overcup — right. '« Red — right. " White — right. Osage Orange — right. Poplar, Canadian, (Yellow Cottonwood) ; Poplar, Cottonwood ; Poplar, Lombardy — would rather grow something better than the last three. Walnut, Black — right. " White— " EVERGREENS. Arbor Vitae, American ; Arbor Vitae, Siberian ; Cedar, Red ; Fir, Balsam — all do well. Fir, Silver — tender. Hemlock — don't do well. Pine, Austrian — right. " Scotch — right. " White— " Spruce Fir, Norway — right. " " White — superb. ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. Acacia, Rose — hardy. Almond, Dwarf, pink and white — hardy. The White Flowering Almond is a far prettier shrub than the pink, perfectly hardy, and one mass of snow white blossoms when in bloom. Barberry — hardy. Calycanthus — tender, covered in winter, it then blooms well. Currant, Missouri — hardy. ' " Gordon's — tender. " Yellow, flowering — hardy. Deutzia — hardy. Lilac, Persian, purple — best. « Privet — hardy, fine hedge plant. Purple Fringe — does well. Spiraeas — all do well. Strawberry Tree — hardy. Tree Paeony — does well. White Fringe — tender. Box, Dwarf— " Ampelopsis — right. Bignonia — right. Clematis — all right. Honeysuckle, Belgian — tender, does well covered. Honeysuckle, Scarlet Trumpet — hardy. " Yellow — hardy. Periwinkle, blue — hardy. Virginian Silk — cover. Wistarias' — jeover. Add the new Weigelia Groenweyii, red flower, distinct from rosea, and a more grand and superb bush, being when in bloom, one mass of flowers. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 333 ROSES. I cover all roses ; they bloom so much butter. Luxemburg — does well; also George the Fourth, Madame Plantier, Queen of the Prairies, and Baltimore Belle. Seven Bisters, Sydonie, Geo. Peabody, Prince Albert, Mrs. Bosanquet, Baronne Pro- vost, Caroline de Sansal, Dr. Arnold, General Jacqueminot, Giant of Battles, La Reine, L'Enfant du Mount Carmel, are all pronounced "fine." The folio wing will give extra satisfaction, Celine Forrester, and America (Noisettes) ; and Madame Laffay, Paeonie, Lion of Combats, M. C. Wood, Jules Margottin and Gen. W uhlngton (Hybrid Perpetuals). V. By W. T. Nelson, Will Co. APPLES. The fruit on the list I have erased such as are not profitable or hardy in my locality ; have retained some on the list, not for their good quality, but because of their hardiness and good bearing. There are other varieties doubtless on the list that arc hardy, and quality good, but I have retained none except those that have been tested in my local- ity, and have proved worthy of cultivation. PEARS. Have retained those on the list that are in bearing, and thus far have done well. No blight worth naming for past three or four years. QUINCES. Not hardy enough for our locality. PEACHES. We had an occasional tree of the budded variety bear this season. Cannot say ix^at would be the best variety, in consequence of our severe climate ; would be willing to take the entire list if we could grow them here. CHERRIES. Early May or Richmond, Late Richmond (local here) English Morello, May Duke, Common Morello, are entirely hardy, and bear well with us. I think many of the Sweet Cherries can be raised by grafting on Common Morello — say about a quarter of the top. PLUMS. Chickasaw stands the attacks of the Curculio best. Almost all the varieties placed on the li-t grow well ; and we would have but little trouble in raising plums if the Cur- culio could be kept off. GRAPES. Concord, Clinton, Delaware, Diana and Hartford Prolillc an- tin- kind-; in general cult- ure here. All do well and bear abundantly, Concord taking the lead. CURRANTS. Black N'a;>lcs, Cherry, Victoria, White Grape, White Dutch, Red Dutch. Red Dutch most profitable. 334 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS GOOSEBERRIES. American Seedling and Houghton's Seedling. American Seedling best bush. Hough- ton best and largest berry. RASPBERRIES. American Black, Doolittle, Miami, Purple Cane — most popular with us. BLACKBERRIES. Kittatinny the only one that has proved hardy with me. It has stood two winters without any appearance of being injured. Have the Missouri Mammoth on trial. STRAWBERRIES. Green Prolific, Hovey's Seedling and Wilson's Albany give satisfaction, especially the latter. The season has been very disastrous to apples and pears. Many of our trees bloomed very full, but after settiDg fruit all fell off. Did not appear to have vitality enough to mature the fruit ; frost did not injure it. Small fruits, moderate crop. Owing to the dry weather, from the middle of June to the first of September, our young trees made a very small growth. Have never seen the Early May Cherry show so many fruit buds. APPLES APPROVED. American Summer Pearmain, Astrachan Red, Antumnal Sweet Swaar, Autumnal Strawberry, Bailey Sweet, Bellefleur Yellow, Benoni, Ben Davis, Carolina Red June, Danver's Winter Sweet, Domine, Duchess of Oldenburg, Early Harvest, Early Pennock, Early Strawberry, English Golden Russet, Fall Pippin, Fall Wine, Fall Orange, Fameuse, Fulton, Fall Winesap, Fall Swaar of the West, Gilpin, Golden Sweeting, High-top Sweeting, Hocking, Hurlbut, Jonathan, Keswick Codling, Limber Twig, Lowell, Maid- en's Blush, Minkler, Milam, Pomme Grise, Perry Russet, Rambo, Rawle's Janet, Roman Stem, Rome Beauty, Smith's Cider, Smoke House, Sops of Wine, Swaar, Stripped Gilli- flower, Tolman's Sweetint productive, discarded. Jersey Sweeting — discarded. Jewell's Fine Red — discarded. Lad 3 ;ing — not productive, discarded. J. '.veil — discarded. Milam — discarded. Northern Spy — discarded. Ortley — scabs badly. Pennoek — discard) wn up, Red, Water and White Oaks, Osage Orange, Double Blossomed Peach, Persimmon, Cottonwood, Sycamore, Tulip tree, Black and white Walnuts, Goat, Osier, weeping, white and golden Willows, Arbor Vitic, American and Siberian; Red Cedar, Hemlock, Juniper, Austrian, Scotch and white Pines. ROSES LPPBOVED — Common Provence, Dwarf Burgundy, Common Moss, George the Fourth, Madame Plantier, Harrison's Yellow, Persian Yellow, Common Sweet Briar, Augnsta, Queen of the Prairies, Baltimore Belle, Lamarque, Sydonic, Imperatrice Eu- genie, George Pcabody, Prince Albert, Mrs. Bosanquet, Souvenir de la Malmaison, Queen, An bur de 8 m-al, Baronne de Prevost, Caroline de Sansal, La Mere de St. Louis, Gen. Jacqueminot, Giant of Battles, La Reine, Lord Raglan, Madame Rivers, Pius IX. XIV. E. A. Rieiil. APPLES. Recommended — Astrachan, Red (m), Ben Davis_(m), Carolina Red June (m), Early Earvesl (m), Gilpin (m), Large Fellow Bough (f), Lady Apple (f), Maiden's Blusb(mf), Pryor'a Red (f), Ram bo (f), Rawles' Janet (m f), Rome Beauty (m), Sops of Wiue (m), Winesap (m f ). Disoabdbd — Belleflenr, Yellow; Fall Pippin, 'Mewes' Virginia Crab, Jersey Black, Limbertwig, Pennock, Rhode Island Greening, Roxbury Russet, Spitzcnburg Esopus. PEARS. APPROVED— Bartlett, BufTum, Doyenne d' Etc, Duchcsscd' Angoiileme, Howell, Law- rence, Loui.-e Bonne de Jersey, Rosticzcr, Seckel, Vicar of Winkfleld, Winter Nells. Discarded — Madeleine. PEACHES. Approved — Columbia, Crawford's Early, Crawford's Late, George the Fourth, Heath Cling, Morris White (f), Smock, Troth's Early. Discarded — Early Tillotson, Early York, Hale's Early, Snow. 346 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS » Cherries Approved — Governor Wood, May Duke. Plums Approved — Chickasaw, Lombard. Apricots Approved — Breda. GRAPES. Approved — Concord, Norton's Virginia, Hartford Prolific. Discarded — Adirondac, Catawba, Clinton, Diana, Northern Muscadine. Maxatawney recommended for Family use. Gooseberries Recommended — Houghton. RASPBERRIES. Recommended — Doolittle, Philadelphia. Discarded — American Black, Red Antwerp, Ohio Everbearing, Orange. Blabkberries Recommended — Kittatinny . Strawberries Recommended — Longworth's Prolific, Russell's Prolific, Wiilson. Discarded— Austin, Downer's Prolific, French's Seedling, Hovey's Seedling, Jenny Lind, McAvoy's Extra Red, Triomphe de Gand. Nut Trees Recommended — Almond, Black Walnut, Butternut, Chestnut, Hickory, Shell Bark and Pecan. VEGETABLES. Recommended — Early Valentine, Fejee, Lima and Sieva Beans ; Bassano, Blood Tur- nip and Large Smooth Blood Beets ; Early Flat Dutch, Early York, Drumhead Savoy, Mascn and Premium Flat Dutch Cabbages ; Early Horn and Long Orange Carrots ; Bates' Extra Early, Forty Day and Stowell's Evergreen Corn ; Early Frame, Early Rus- sian and Long Green Turkey Cucumber ; Curled India, Curled Silesia and White Coss Lettuce; Nutmeg and Ward's Nectar Musk Melon ; Ice Cream and Mountain Sprout, Water Melon ; McLean's Advancer Pea ; Early Rose Potato. Discarded — Adam's Early Corn, White Japan Musk Melon, Black Spanish and Long Island Water Melon, Extra Early and May Peas, Early York, Gleason, English Fluke and Neshannock Potatoes ; Fejee, Large Yellow, Cook's Favorite and Tilden Tomato ; Flat, Strap-leaved, White Dutch and Yellow Aberdeen Turnip. Trees Discarded — Ailantus Catalpa, Arbor Vitoe. ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. Recommended — Kerna Japonica, Smoke Tree, Spirea Douglasii aud Reveriana. Discarded — Box Dwarf. XV. E. S. HULL. APPLES. Recommended — American Summer Pearmain (f), Astrachan Red (m f), Caroline Red June (m f ), Early Harvest (m f ), Fall Wine (f ), Gilpin (cider and baking), Jonathan (m f ), Keswick Codling (m), Large Yellow Bough (f), Maiden's Blush (m f), Newtown Pippin (m f c), Northern Spy (in f ), Ortley (f ), Primate (m), Pryor's Red (m f), Ramsdell's Sweet (f ), Winesap (m f ). PEARS. Recommended — Bartlctt (m), Belle Lucrative (m f), Beurre Bosc (ra f), Biurre d'An- STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 347 jou (m f), Bcurre Easter (m f, best winter), Bloodgood (m f), Glout Morceau (f, must bo root-pruned), Howell (m f), Louise Bonne de Jersey (m f), Seckel (0- PEACHES. Recommended — Bergen's Yellow 'm f), Crawford's Early (m), Crawford's Late (m f), Haines' Early (in f ), Hale's Early (in f), Heath Cling (in f ), La Grange (in f ), Large Early York (in f), Oldmixon Free (m f), Oldmixon Cling (in f ), Smock (m f ), Stump tlie World (iin, Ward's Late Free (m). Nectarines — Recommended — Elrugc, (in f, for canning and preserving). » CHERRIES. Belle dc Choiscy (f), Belle Magnifique (f), Bigarreau (vat), Black Tartarian (mf), Elk- horn (nif ), Elton (mf"), Governor Wood (f), Gridlcy (mf), Bigarreau (in and canning). Gridley, discarded by Amer. Pom. Society. Tree strong grower, retaining a vertical stem from which it branches horizontally ; ripens ten days later than Black Tartarian, fruit of the largest size, very firm, hangs late when it becomes very good, to best ; most profitable market sort. PLUMS. Coe's Late Red (f ), Coe's Golden Drop (mf), Columbia (m). This variety (Columbia) should be planted in every 6th or 8th row of a peach orchard. 1. Because the curculio beetle prefers the plum to the peach as a place of deposit for its eggs, and will assemble upon the plum trees and can theie be caught in great numbers by means of the Curculio catcher. 2. Because the Columbia being a very juicy plum floods with its juice any wound made in its surface, thereby generally killing the larvie of the curculio, should the insect succeed in depositing its eggs. [S. G. K., of Racine, Wis., in the Country Gentleman of April 1, 1860, controverts this last position. — Sec.] Domine Dull (m f), Imperial Gage (in f), Jefferson (mf best purple plum), Washing- ton (m). APRICOTS. Recommended — Breda (m f), very productive. Ilemskirke (m f), Moorpark (m f). GRAPES. . Recommended — Adriondac (f), Catawba (m f w), Concord (m f w), Creveling (f), Del- aware (in f w), Herbeinont (fw), Norton's Virginia (w), Rogers' No. 4 (in f). CURRANTS. Recommended — Cherry (m), Red Dutch (in f), White Dutch (m f)- GOOSEBERRIES. Recommended — Houghton (f). KASIT.KIIKJES. Recommended — Ohio Everbearing (f). BLACKBERRIES. Recommended — Lawton (m f)- 348 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS STRAWBERRIES. Recommended — Longworth's Prolific (m f), McAvory's Superior (f and near m), Wil- son's Albany (m). MISCELLANEOUS. Fruits Recommended — Persimmon. VEGETABLES. Recommended— Grant Asparagus (m f) ; China (f), Lima (m f) and Speckled Cranberry Bean ; Bassano (f) and Blood Turnip (f) beets ; Early York (f), Jersey Wakefield (m P and American Drumhead (f) cabbage ; Early Horn carrot (f) ; White Solid celery (m f) ; Stowell's Evergreen corn (m f) ; Early Cluster cucumber (f ) ; Long Purple Egg Plant (m f ) ; Curled Silesia lettuce (m f ) ; Green Citron musk melon (f ) ; Ice Cream (in f ) and Orange (m f) water melons ; Silver Skin onion (Q ; Daniel O'Rourke (f)and Extra Early (f) peas ; Eirly Goodrich (f ) and Neshanock (m f ) potatoes ; Long Scarlet Short top radish (f) ; Linmcus rhubarb (f) ; Summer Crook Neck squash ; Nansemond Sweet potato (f) ; Large Red (f ) and Tilden (m f ) tomato ; White Dutch turnip (f ). TREES. Recommended— Ailantus, stands smoke at Pittsburg ; Apple, Double Flowered Chi- nese ; Weeping and Mountain Ash ; Purpled Leaved Beach ; White Birch, Mahalcb and English Cherry, Chestnut, Deciduous Cypress, Red-twigged Dogwood, American and English Elms; Ginko ; Huckberry, Horse Chestnut, Kentucky Coffee Tree, Labar' num, American and European Larch, Blue Chinese Purple, Large-Leaved and Umbrella Tree Magnolias ; Ash Leaved, Black Sugar, Norway, White and Sugar Maple, Black Over- eup, White and Swamp Chestnut Oak, Osage Orange, Persimmon, Silver-Leaved Poplar, (stands smoke at Pittsburg) ; Balsam Poplar (ditto), Sweet Gum, Sycamore, Tulip Tree, Golden Willow, American and Siberian Arbor Vita?s, Red Cedar, Balsam and Silver Firs, Hemlock, Swedish Juniper, Irish Juniper (tender), Heavy Wooded Austrian, Norway ^ Scotch and White Pines, Black Norway, White and Red Spruce Firs. ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. Approved — Acacia — Rose, Almond— Dwarf, Althea, Barberry, Calycanthus, Crape Myrtle (tender) Missouri Currant, Rough-leaved Deutzia, Forsythia, Red Tartarian Honeysuckle, Dwarf Horse Chestnut, Common Purple Persian and Chinese Purple Lilac, Glancous Magnolia, ' Obovate Magnolia (tender), Purple Fringe, Japan Quince, Snowball, Spiraea — Callosa, Lance-leaved, Long-leaved and Plum-leaved; Strawberry Tree, Syringa, Tree Paeony, Rose Weigelia, White Fringe, Ampelopsis, Bignonia, Bitter Sweet, Native Clematis, Scarlet Trumpet Honeysuckle, American Ivy, Passion Flower, Chinese Wistaria. XVI. J. M. Hunter. APPLES. Recommended— Astrachan, Red ; Ben Davis, Carolina Red June, Early Harvest, Early Pennock, Fall Wine, Gilpin, Jonathan, Keswick Codling, Limbertwig, Lowell, STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 319 Maiden's Blush, May of Myers, Milam, Newtown Pippin, Ortley, Pryor's Red, Rambo, Rawle*' Janet, Roman Stem, Rome Beauty, Smith's Cider, Swaar, Vandevcrc Pippin (f) Wlnesap, Willow Twig, Wine Apple, Yellow Siberian Crab. PEARS. 'Mmexded — Bartlett, Belle Lucrative, Beurre d' Anjou, Beurrc Dicl, Buffuni, Doyenne d' Ete, Doyenne White, Duchess d' Angouleme, Flemish Beauty, Glout Mor- ceau. Howell, Louise Bonne de Jersey, Seckel, Vicar of Winkfleld. Quince— Orange. PEACHES Columbia, Crawford's Early, Crawford's Late, Heath Cling, Jacques Rareripe, La Grange, Large Early York, Oldmixon Cling, President, Smock, Stump the World, Troth's Early Red (best early), Ward's Late Free, Yellow Alberge, Yellow Rareripe. CHERRIES. Early Richmond, May Duke. GRAPES. Clinton, Concord, Groveling, Delaware, Hartford Prolific. CURRANTS. Red Dutch, White Dutch. GOOSEBERRIES. American Seedling, Houghton's Seedling. RASPBERRIES. Doolittle, Miami. BLACKBERRIES. Wilson's Early. STRAWBERRIES. Downer's Prolific (m), Green Prolific (f), La Constantc (f ), Longworth's Prolific (f ), McAvoy's, extra red, (f), Russell's Prolific (f), Wilson's Albany (m). VEGETABLES. Bassano and Blood Turnip Beets; Erfurt Cauliflower; Early Horn and Long Orange Carrot; White Dwarf Celery; Early Cluster and Early Frame Cucumber; Large Hoi low Crown Parsnip; Daniel O'Rourke Pea; Early Dykeman, Early Goodrich, and Har- rison Potato ; Long Scarlet Short Top and Scarlet Turnip Radish; Linnaeus Rhubarb; Yellow Hush Scalloped and Hubbard Squash; Bermuda Sweet Potato; Large Round Smooth Tomato ; Purple Top Strap-leaved Turnip. TREES. Catalpa, Cypress, Dogwood, Elm, Horse Chestnut, Judas Tree, Larch European and American; Ash leaved, White and Sugar Maple, Osage Orange, Silver Leaved Poplar, Sweet Gum, Tulip Tree, Arbor VTtss, American and Siberian, Red Cedar, Heml K|) liY THE ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY AT T11K Annual Meeting at Bunker Hill, December, "i8C8 X— Northern, C — Central, and 8— Southern Illinois. Recommendations of Fruits made by the Society are: m — market ; f — family ii.-c ; c — cider ; b — baking, and trial. Recommendations of Fruit made by i i u 1 i \ iduale are denoted by a rtar (*). Recommendations of Trees, etc., made by tbe Society are marked with a double star (**). Tliose made by individual - with one Btar I I. 2 APPENDIX. - -*- No. NAMES OF FRUIT. Districts. Place of Origin. PECULIARITIES N. C. f m ml * S. Tree. Shoots. 1 Apples. Amer. Summer Pearmain. . . Astrachan Red * m m m mf m America . . Russia New York. slow, large, i vigorous, upright, upright, vigorous, vigoro's.spread'g. thrifty. vigorous. spreading. ! vigoro's, spread'g large, spreading. vigorous, upright small, upright. vigoro's, spread'g vigorous, upright. vigorous, upright. slender, red'sh brwn 3 Autumnal Strawberry Autumnal Sweet Swaar. . . Baccolinus 4 diverging. S * K Bailey Sweet * * * f m raf f * z m f New York. Virginia . . N. Jersey. Kentucky Mass Ohio Virginia . . Baldwin * * mf * f f mf mf dark, brown, light olive. yellowish. rd'sh, brown slend r.br'n. Belmont " Hellefleur, Yellow in Ben Davis ii Benoni 12 Broadwell 1,1 Buckingham 14 Bullock's Pippin... IS Carbage * * mf * lfi Coles Quince Mass ? N Carolina 17 Carolina Red June . mf m vigorous, upright. spread'g, uprigb t. Is i ' loner Cram's Spice I'ullasaga 19 * * f * N Carolina 20 thrifty. thrifty. 21 22 Danver's Winter Swei 1 Davage * diverging. ":. Domine mf ml f f mf * * in f f N.York... Russia France New York vigorous, upright. med. r'nd-heaa'd. spreading. spreading, upright. 24 Duchess of Oldenburg Dyer orPomme Royal. . Early Harvest 25 "ii mf mf straig't p. o. '-'7 Early Pennock 28 Early Pound Royal 29 Early Strawberry m f * * f New York thrifty, upright, vigoro's spread'g. vigoro's spread'g. vigorous, large, slender, medium, vigorous. vigorous. vigorous. drooping, laree, vigorous. ;)0 English Golden Russet Fallawater m * f stout, dark. ;ti Peifn 32 I- all Pippin * f 33 Fall Wine... 34 Fall Jannetting Conn Illinois 35 i< all Orange mf raf mf diverg'g, red 3fi Fall Winesap f f 37 Fameuse 38 Father Abraham, of Illinois Fulton Virginia . . Illinois 39 mf c mf * trial. mf f m mf * 40 Fall Swaar of the West Gilpin 41 m mf * Virginia . . Conn Holstein.. Virginia. N. Jersey. New York Scotland.. Virginia . . vigoro's.spread'g. vig., r'ud-headed. vigoro's, spread'g. vigorous, large, spreading, round, vigorous, spreading, large, spreading, upright, thrifty, vigorous. 4' Golden Sweeting asc dg, vig. 43 Gravenstein . . 44 Grimes' Golden 45 Harrison * 4li Hawlev 47 Hawthorndeii Hewe's Virginia Crab * # * * * * f 4* sparse. 49 High-top Sweeting f * f 50 51 52 Hubbarclston Nonsuch... tturlbut f mf * vigorous, round-headed. 53 54 * 55 Jersey Black * f mf small, spreading. vig. rn'd-headed. slender.drooping. 5li Jersey Sweeting 57 68 Jonathan Jewett's Fine Red mf mf * New York N. Hamp.. Kentucky England . . lg' bi'n,sl'dr 59 mf trial. • 60 Keswick Codling mf mf vigorous, vigorous. medium, upright. thrifty. medium, upright. branch'g,dk bl King of Tompkins County.. ta # mf * * mf mf c raf * f strong. H3 New York France ?.. Kentucky (i4 mf * * m m mf mf f very dark. (i5 Large Striped Pearmain liK * vigorous,compact thrifty. slendr r'd-he'd'd vigoro's, spread'g light green. 07 (H mf mf for trial. Hi) N. Jersey. 70 71 New York N.Jersey. spr'dg.r'd-headed not large spread'g round-headed. thrifty .spreading. slender. large, spreading. large, upright. vigorous. large, spreading. 1 72 73 * f * mf a 74 Illinois ?.. New York 75 f * dark green, strag't.red'h 7ii Newtown Pippin a m f 77 Northern Spy 78 Vei mont . Georgia . . 79 * mf stout. a. for special localitii \1TKNJM: ... PLANT. Hardiness Productiveness. liarily. hardy, serrate t. nder. abundant, hai ,dark thin, long narrow . serrate. dark, pale. hardy. product productive, shy. productive, productive, ■ i ive. productive- productive, productive, not productive, productive. active. • pi oductlve. tender. productive. hardy. productive. .' laa£e, Long hardy nut ha short ii > ed crenate. '. ]> !'< Ill 1 1 >' 1 I \ B. productive, productive, productive. hai dj products e. productlvi . productive, productive, product Ive. hardy 1 nut productlvi ■ i \\ • •. i Luctlve. ■■; Ive. dark. productive. pi ...i' productive, productive, produi PEC1 LIARITIES or FRU1 I'. ii. Size. Shape, flavor. Color, Qual'y, I July. Auk, Sep S'pt.Oct. Dec.M'h Oct. Oct, .Ian Oct. .Dec 11..,-. Dec, dan duly, Ag Dei'. Oct.,Dec Nov, Dec Auk. dn'.'.d'lv ; .S'pt.Oct. Jan.Apl. Dec, Jan July, Ag Jan. 1'ob Nov.Dec S'pt.Dec S'pt.Oct Oct. in idium medium Large. small. large. Large. Large. Large. small. Large. small. medium medium large. round. Hat. r'nd, obg Hal. round, round. Hat. oblong. oblong. round. round. round. conical. conical. sl.b ..,',. I acid. miIi a i • i d . v Bweet, sun acid, sweet. sab arid, .-nil arid. acid. , i. id snli arid ->\ eet. sali arid. ^ti Lped, .ii Lped, blushed, yellow . ■ i Lped tripi d, • t riped. blushed. 1 1 [low, Btrlped, st i lped. blui b id oblong. Hat. sah acid, sub acid best, good. best. best. v. good K I. best. best good. best, best. best. best. large. Lai •■ - round, round. swei l. striped, striped, green. good. K 1. good, v. good Dec, Jan large. Hal. medium Hat. S'pt.Oct, medium round. July. medium Hai. Juiy.Ag. large. round. sub acid, sti Lped. :n id. striped. ci ..-id. yellow. arid, arid. Oct., Dei- May ,.1'ly n ,,\ ,Dec Sept. May. August, April. v--. S'pt Oct. .N 1 1 \ , .1 ;m J'ne.J'lj Sept. A.g.,S'pt, Nov.Dec Dec? Dei Ac .ii.i \l'-' . -Ian Dec? medium v. Large, medium I large, mi dium medium medium Larg small, large, large. small. i mall. mi dium Large. m. -ilium conical, round. conical. round. flat. conic. ..-■ I- . round. round. flat. Hat. round. round. round. flat acid. sub acid, sw eet '-' a iid, LI sub acid, acid, acid, sub acid acid. sub acid sub acid sw eet .- weet. acid. yellow, striped, i riped. russet. green, yellow, striped, blush 1 1 . blushed, blushed. .- 1 1 lped. Btriped. blushed. green, striped, j ellow . striped, g I, g i Kid '.' best, best good ? v. good best, good V best, good. good, good. \ , good be.' I. good. good '.' v. good best. conical. flat flat. round. round. flat round. round. flat sub acid. b acid. s wei t . acid, SWcet. sub acid. sub arid, sub acid. >. How. yellow. win; ), striped, J i -How , Btriped, yellow striped. g I. E I. good, best 7 g I, good. I I good, good. I I medium nc dium m.-dium large. round. sub acid, striped. flat sweet. striped, oblong. s- 1 1 b acid, striped, flat i Btriped, .I'm- N..\ , Jan| large July.Ag. Il.-c. Dec, Mb duly. Ag u l,,.\| I. * „S*pt. S'pt.Oct. \l,i\ ..I n n iv, Jan in i Dec. dan Mil, Mav Oct. dan. Sept. Mh.M i> v. small, large. final I. large. medium Large. in alum . mill. large. oblong. flat oblong, i mind. flat. conical. conic 1 1. round. flat i ound. c.uii, a ' cor Ii h. Hal i , .me i. conical. acid, sub arid, sub acid. sweet, acid, acid, sub arid. sweet, ot, rib , lib arid. sw eet weet. sub acid. yellow, striped. V ■ llnw . Btriped. bin b. d. si riped. j -Ib.w ■ hip. d. yellow. 'blushed, yellow. - J . Ib.w . yellow. yellow . stripe,!. good. v. good best, good. g I '•' good. v. good good. v. good good, best. I ■ g I. best. good. good, . [OOd best. good. good. No. 1 2 ■', 4 6 Ii 7 8 :i 10 II 12 13 I. 15 16 17 It) 111 ■>o 21 22 ■a •-'4 25 26 ■n ■ 29 :io 31 32 33 34 35 36 . 38 39 411 41 42 4:i 11 45 46 47 4S 411 50 51 52 63 ■ I 55 56 57 58 BO ..I 62 63 id 66 i,i. 61 69 7n 71 72 7:i ,' 75 76 77 7K 7li 4 APPENDIX. No. 80 xl 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 ») 90 ill 92 HI! 94 H.i 96 97 (IS 99 111!) 101 102 111;; 104 105 lOti 107 108 Urn Ho Hi 112 113 114 115 Hi; 117 118 119 120 121 122 12:: 124 125 126 127 128 1 *j ii 4 5 (1 7 8 il 10 11 12 13 14 15 Hi 17 18 l!l 20 1\ 22 2:1 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 :il NAMES OF FRUIT. Apples. Ortley Paradise Winter Sweet Feck's Fleasant. lvimock Porter - Pomme Gi-ise Primate Pryor's Red Perry Russet Rambo Ramsdell's Sweet Rawles' Janet Red Canada Red Russet — Rhode Island Greening Richard's Graft Roman Stem Roxbury Russet Rome Beauty Sangamon Red Streak Sine qua non Smith's Cider Smoke House Sops of Wine Spark's Late Spitzenburg, Esopus Stark Striped Gilliflower Striped Pippin Summer Queen Summer Rose Swaar Sweet Vandevere Tart Bough Tewkesbury Winter Blush Tolman's Sweeting Transcendant Crab Twenty Ounce Apple Vandevere Pippin Wagener Westfield Seek-no-further. . White Pippin White Winter Pearmain Wine Sap Willow Twig William's Favorite. Districts. N. mf mf mf mf mf Wine Apple Hays,orPa.R. 8, Yellow Ingstrie. Yellow Siberian Crab. . . Peaks. Bartlett Belle Lucrative Beurre Bosc Beurre Clairgeau Beurre d' Anjou Beurre Diel Beurre Easter Beurre Giftard Beurre Langelier Bloodgood Buffum Chaumontel Clapp's Favorite Dearborn's Seedling Doyenne Boussock I >oyenne a'Ete Doyenne White Duchess d' Angouleme. . Flemish Beauty Glout Morceau Howell Kirtland Lawrence Louise Bonne de Jersey. Madeleine Napoleon Onandaga Osband's Summer Rostiezer Seckel Sheldon trial m f mf mf mf mf mf mf mf mf mf mf mf mf mf mf mf mf mf mf mf mf mf mf mf C. mf f mf mf mf mf mf mf tr'l mf mf mf mf f mf m mf mf mf mf mf mf * mf mf f f mf mi- ni f f mf mf mf mf mf f f mf mf mf mf mf mf mf trial. mf mf m m mf mf mf mf mf mf' mf mf trial. mf f m mf mf mf mf mf mf f mf Place of Origin. N. Jersey. Perm R. Island. Penn Mass Virginia . . Penn Conn Virginia . N. Harnp. New York N. Jersey Mass Ohio New York Penn New York N. York ? N. Jersey. New York N. Jersey. R. Island. Conn Penn.?.... New York Conn PECULIARITIES Tree. large, upright, vigorous, upright spreading, large, spreading, slow. ascending, stocky, large, upright. upright, thrifty. upright. spreading. slender. vigorous. crooked. vigorous. moderate, robust, spreading thrifty. round-headed, vigorous. N. Jersey. Virginia . , Mass England . England. Belgium . Belgium .. France... France.. . Europe... Europe... New York R. Island. France.... Mass Mass Europe . . . Europe ... Europe . .. France . . . Europe . . . Europe . . . Conn Ohio New York. France.... Belgium .. New York. New York Europe,.. . Penn vigoro's, spread'g vigorous, upright, vigorous, upright. large, spreading, vigoro's, spread'g. vigoro's.spread'g. vigorous. vigorous, upright, vigoro's, spread'g round-headed, large, spreading, thrifty, upright, thrifty .spreading thrifty, upright. spreading,vigor's. vigorous, vigoro's spread'g slow, spreading, spreading, open. Shoots. dark, long. slender. slender. slight. slight, reddish. dark. slender. brownish. slender. stout, dark. stout, dark, slender, red. light green, slender. stout, stout, slender, long stout. stout, dark, slender. upright, vigorous. moderate,upright vigorous. moderate.upright pyramidal pyramidal. pyramidal. straggling. pyramidal. moderate grower erect, vigorous. vigorous, upright, upright, spread'g. moderate, upright, stocky, vigorous, vigorous, stocky, strong, upright, spreading, erect, regular, vigorous. vigorous, vigorous. vigorous,irregul'r small, r'd-headed vigorous. slender. stout, stout. very dark, dark, dark. slender. slender. yellowish. yellowish, gray, straggling. reddish. light green. large, irregular. reddish, yellow. slender. greenish. reddish brown. strong, erect. long, slender. dark purple. stout, long. diverging. slender. ascending. stout. dark brown. spreading, brown, strong, stout, yellowish. dark brown. erect, greenish. erect. yellow. yellowish. dark, large. short, stout. ascending. APPENDIX. 01 PLANT. Leaves. Producth tendi productive, productive, productive. sharp. hardy. hardy, hard] . productive, products e. productive, producth e, productive, productive. live. |.i oductive. productive. - • -:< 1 1 • tree. preen whitish. hardy, hard] . tender ; ir. hardy. wavy. dark. tender. productive, productive. (fray. tender'. healthy, hardy. productive, producth e. productive. hardy. productive. hardy. produotive. tender. productive. crenate. hardy. ■' in. i hardy. product ive. productive, product Ive. productive. •■• waved. hardy. productive, productive. serrate. small. hardy, hardy. tender. early bearer, productive, productive, producth •-. producth e. productive, productive, productive. produc lit i il UtITIES in i RUIT. - size, i Bhape. Flavor. No> .-Uili Dec.M'h I ii'c . Jan Dec. Peb Aim. net. Jan, M'li July.Ag. Dec, Feb Dec, Jan Oct.,Dec S'ptDec Peb, Mh Dec, i eb .1 llo.Ap'l Oct.,Dec S'pt.Oct Dec, Jan Nov, Jan Dec, Feb No\ ? July, Ag Dec. Jan I >.-t,\o\ . .1 Illy. Sep Dec, Jan Dec, Feb Winter. Sept. large. large. large. large. large. small. medium large. medium medio in mi dium mediu a medium large. large. medium medium large. large. large. medium medium large. medium medium medium large. large. oblong. round. round. flat. oblong. Bat. round. round. Bat. flat. oblong. conical. coi lc al. round. flat. flat. round. flat. flat. deal. conical. round. flat round, oblong, inlcal. acid. sol. acid. sub acid, acid. suli aeid. sub acid, suli acid. aeid. sub acid, a w > ■ ■ ■ t . sub acid sub aeid. Sub aeid, subacid. sub aeid, aeid. Bub acid, sub acid, sub acid, sub acid. sub aeid, sub aeid. aeid. Color. Qual'y. oblong. July, Sig medium conical. • I'ne. Ag. sinall. round. March, large. round. Dec. Jan large. flat. yellow. W bite. yellow. st i Iped. yellow. russet. yellow. russet. russet. striped strip id. striped. striped. ii glVI II striped. yellow . russet. striped, striped. \\ hit.-. striped, striped, si riped. yellow striped. \. sub aeid. aeid. sniped sub acid, striped striped, best. good. best. good .' v. good liest. best. best, v. good best. v. good \ . good bosi. '.' I. v. good best. \ . good good. good? good, good, good '.' good. best. best. good. good ? M'h, \pl. small. Dee, .lan medium folded, oblong. i ecu i oundlsh, narrow . hardy, hardy, hardy, hardy. hardy hardy, hardy. hardy. earl] bearer, earl] bearer, regular bearei constant tx not productive, regular bearer, pi oducth e. hears young. bears young. folded hardy. hardy. dilili hardy. h i\ j hard] young, producth e. productive, pi oductive. productive. serrated hardy, small. hardy. er ." flat blights. ■ tive. early hearer. proaui broad. hardy. hardy. productive, stive. not productive productive. Oct.,Dec large. I tee. large. N • ' \ , 1 1 • • i ■ i ; n ;e Dec. medium lice,. ian large. Dee. Ml dium Jan, m 'h medium hie.Ap'l large. July.Ag. medium Nuv.llee 1;, 8'pt,Oct. small. Ag.A S'i. A llg, Sep Ag., S'pt Sept. Oct, Nov 8pt.Oct? S'pt. .Oct Jan. Feb July, Ag Nov, I lee August. Se|it. Nov, Dec July, \g Aug. Ag-. S'pt July. s'pt. i). t. S'pt,Oct. Dec, Jan Sept. A- .S'pt, Nov,l S'pt. Oct July. S'pt, Oct July, Ag July, Ag Sept. Sept. ? sub acid. flat. acid. i. I. sweet, large, medium large, huge, large. large, large, medium medium medium i Mum large. large, small, large, small. medium v. large. large. large, small, medium large. medium medium large. medium small, small, medium conical. Hat. flat. conical. round. conical conical. round. round. flat. round. yellow . striped. blushed, yellow. aeid. striped. aeid. striped. sub acid, st i Iped. bud acid, striped, acid, white. sub aeid. yellow . acid. blushed sub aeid. striped. good, v. good best. v. good guild. g I, sub acid. acid acid : i i iped striped. J elluw . g I. g 1 '.' good, good, good, best. \ . d good. good. g I " ubt use conical, pyrifm. pyrifm. pyrifm. uhvate. hose. sh. p\ ril'm. tiirb'te. lobo\ ate. pyrifm. i obovate. ohm ate. obovate. oboi ate. nlil use. obovate. short. obovate, obovate, p] rii'm. pyrifm. pj rii "in. conic. ]i\ ril'm. obovate. p\ iiiiii. obovate. ronnd'sh sub acid, sweet, sweet. Vilnius. V . . . sweet. vinous, Bweet, sweet, SWeet. sweet. gwei t. SW eel BW eet SW eel . sweet. Bweet. sweel SW eel. BUb aeid, SWeet. sllh aeid. Bweet, SW III t w si l . yellow. green. russet. lil'.U 11. yellow, yellow , green. blushed. yellow, yellow i usset. yellow . blushed. yellow . yellow: . yellow yellow, yellow . yellow . yellow yellow, russet. yellow . blushed. green. gl e. ii. yellow, yellow . green, hi ow ii. v. good best. best, best. v. good v, good bei i. v. good v. g 1 v. good v. good v. good v. good best. v. good good, good. \ . good i i v. g 1 ■K - V. good v. good v. good - - -. si. 81 8t 89 !H 9] 92 lit ■ 96 91 98 ' mi lid 102 hi.; mi 105 10ti 1U7 lus III!. 1IH 111 112 113 lit 115 I hi 117 llf llii 120 121 122 123 124 125 12« 127 128 1 2 3 4 5 . 7 t '.I in II 12 I. 14 I Hi 17 is IS .'ii 21 >■• ■2:1 .'4 26 21 28 29 30 31 G APPENDIX. No, 32 33 34 35 36 37 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 IS 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 2H 30 31 32 33 34 35 3H 37 38 39 40 41 I NAMES OF FRUIT. Districts. N. C. -I- s. Place of Origin. PECULIARITIES Tree. Shouts. mf mf mf mf f mf 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1! 12 13 14 15 Ifi n \s 19 20 mf m mf rut- in f * mf mf Pears. Steven's Genesse ?Xson.v mf mf Urbaniste Vicar of Winkfield ." " "mf Waterloo ( Due de Brabant ?).... Winter Nelis mf Quinces. gra°ge. mf Portugal Peaches. Bergen's Yellow Cole's Early Red Columbia Coolidge's Favorite. ... " Crawford's Early. Crawford's Late Delaware White ? . . Druid Hill Early Tillotson Early York (Serrate). . . . ;Galbraith George the Fourth !.... mf mf Grosse Mignonne Hale's Early iHeath Cling " Honest John (Yellow). . . Jacque's Rareripe ; Kenrick's Heath j Lb Grange Large Early York mf| mf Lemon Clingstone Late Admirable , Morris White Mountain Rose, (Pullen). Oldmixon Free Oldmixon Cling Red Cheek Melocoton.... : Reeve's Favorite President Pollen's Seedling Smock's Freestone Snow Stump the World Susquehanna ? Switzerland Troth's Early Red Walter's Early Ward's Late Free White Imperia 1 Yellow Alberge Yellow Rareripe Nectarines. Boston Downton Early Violet EIruge mf Pitmaston's Orange mf Cherries. Belle de Choisey Belle Magnifique I Bigarreau or Graflion \ Black Eagle i Black Tartarian ICleveland Bigarreau, (K.)... [Elkhorn Early Purple Guigne Elton..... Early White Heart i Governor Wood Gridlev ' \ Kentis'h,E Richmond or May mf mf 'Late Kentish Late Duke May Duke Morello English mf n*i( ,*,• Morello, Common Napoleon Bigarreau Reine Hortense rj.r.Ms. " * * ' Chickasaw Coe's Late Bed ||. ..*... .*. u*r New York healthy. Penn , ! vigorous. Flanders. Europe... mf Belgium.. New York American, i healthv, slender straggling. gray. dark brown. slender. strong. slender. vigorous. i upright, thrifty. strong. m^ j Georgia ? Mass^-J darkpurp., N. Jersey. N. Jersey. ' Maryland!' New York Illinois New York France,. . . Ohio Maryland. Mass N. E N. Jersey. New York S.Carolina France i N. Jersey. New York slow growth moderate growth . diverging. vigorous. mildew. . . diverging. vigorous. vigorous. 1 t 3 4 H 10 II 12 13 14 15 it; n i* i» reniform. reniform. globo reniform. hardy. productive, productive. t lium large. round'sh sweet. red. best. medium large. round red. best, late. large. round. subacid, yellow. v. good medium large. round yellow. v. good medium huge. round. sweet. red. best. globose. globo globose. globose. glollOse. globose. reniform. reniform, reniform. reniform, globose. hard] . hardy, hardy, tender. modi r'te beat er \ er-, productive hardy. hard; . not productive, productive. tender. moder'te bearer productive. hardy. tender. products e. hardv. hardy. hardy. hardy. hard) . productive, productive. product j\ e. productive. \e,-\ productive hard) . hard] productive. moder'te b productive, productive. l.lte. medium medium medium late early. early. late. early. early. medium medium medium medium earls . earl) . late. early. medium early. .-.ill'. . late. II I] . medium q, earl) . earl] . medium earl] . late. \er\ late t alls verj h'< late late. late. large. oval. yellow, good. large. round. s\M-et. White, e. I, oblong red. y, good large. round. sweet. yellow. v. good small, large. i lium hum-. medium large. large, medium larg.-. medium large. medium large. v. large. large. large, large, medium huge, small. large, large, small, medium medium \ . I a I.e. led. round. subacid, round'sh sweet. round'sh red. round'sh white. round'sh sweet. ] .-How . round'sh yellow, round. round. round'sh round'sh round. round, round. heart. heart. I..-;-: 1 . heart, heart. heat t. heart, heart. heart, round, i ound. heart. heart, heart, h.-art. heart. -.1.1. .ii :. I sub aei.l. sub acid, l Ich, rich. SWeet . -Meet. sweet, Bweet, rich. s W . • . t . SWeet " SWeet . acid. acid. sub acid. acid. acid. aei.l. - w eet. sub acid. yellow, green, green. green. • elli.W . amber, r.-.l. yellow . black. black. led. black, black. \elloW . yellow . black. red. red. amber, black, dark ted black. m-How . red. v. good v. good v. good best? good. V. good good. best best, best. V. good v . good \ . good best. v. good best. v, good v. good best V - I. good, good. good, best. % . good v .good V. g I 23 24 25 ■Jh r. tt :di ::1 32 .14 :!.-. ■Mi ■■■■-, :w 38 4it 41 '< III 11 12 hi 14 is hi 17 I- 18 20 medium small. v.-r\ late medium round round'sh vinous. red, etc good pur. reit. v. good 8 APPENDIX. No. NAMES OF FRUIT. Districts. N, 3 4 5 6 7 8 » 10 11 11! 13 14 IS 16 17 18 19 20 4 5 6 7 8 9 111 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 13 20 21 22 23 8 9 10 inf mf Plums. ! Coe's Golden Drop i Columbia Damson Duane's Purple Domine Dull German Prune Green Gage j * Imperial Gage I mf Jefferson i (Knight's)L'rge Green Dry'g; * Lawrence Favorite Lombard mf McLaughlin Orleans, Smiths j Red Diaper •. I Reine Claude de Bavay... Washington Yellow Gage, (Princess).. . Apricots. Breda Early Golden , Hemskirke Large Early Moorpark i Peach Grapes. Adirondac Catawba ', Clinton ! mf | Concord ] mf iCreveling ' trial. Delaware f Diana < mf I Hartford Prolific j mf ; Herbemont J Iona Ives' Seedling : trial. Martha I Maxatawney I Northern Muscadine i » Norton's Virginia ' Rebecca ] # Roger's Hybrid, No. 1 ! No. 3 I , •• no. 4 | ; " No. 7 ' " No. 15 i , No. 22 | Rulander CURRANTS. Black Naples Cherry G ond 6i n White La Versaillaise Large Fruited Missouri Mav's Victoria Red Dutch Red Grape White Dutch White Grape GOOSEBERIUES, American Seedling Downing's Seedling Houghton's Seedling Mountain Seedling Woodward's Whitesmith... RASPBERP.IES. American Black Amer. Improved (Doolittle) American White | » 4 Antwerp, Red , r> Antwerp, Red of Hud. River. 6 Clark trial 7 Catawissa ! » s Imperial > 'i Miami or McCormick 10 Ohio Everbearing 11 'Orange 12 Philadelphia I ■; 1'urple Cane mf mf mf mf f mf mf f mf f C. mf mf mw mf f mf f mf tr'l f mf # mf mf mf inf ' mf mf f mf mf Place of Origin. England .. PECULIARITIES New York » I New York * I France ? .. mf i New York * i New York England .. mf New York New York mf Maine mf New York France?.. [France.... mf New York New York Tree. Shoots. moderately vig'rs smooth, glossy. I downy, stout. downy. growth slow, vigorous. . smooth, smooth. jlong, downy. . smooth. vigorous. vigorous. vigorous. slow growth vigorous. vigorous. spreading. . short, downy, smooth, brt.pur. smooth, straight, smooth, smooth. downy .vigorous smooth, short. mf * mf mf mf mw wine mf f f f m f trial, trial. Africa ? . . . New York England .. France.... England.. Piedmont. ■ New York N Carolina New York Mass Penn Ohio Mass Conn S.Carolina New York Ohio vigorous. wine trial. New York Virginia . . Mass . Mass . Mass . Mass . mf Italy . . . f mf mf mi- France. nit- New York Mass Penn England V Native I New York I Native | England' Penn mf Ohio mf Ohio . Penn vigorous. vigorous. very vigorous. strong. vigorous. not vigorous. vigorous. strong, very vigorous. vigorous vigorous. vigorous. showy, coarse. strong. strong. stocky. vigorous, moder. vigorous, vigorous, moder. vigorous. strong, slender. slender. erect. stocky. verv spreading, coarse.spreadiug. slender. spreading. upright. upright. strong, strong. stockv. erect. curved. curved, thorny. curved. erect. erect. curved. upright. i vigorous ; strong. \ strong. curved, strong. strong, curved, erect, en wed, APPENDIX. II OK PL \N I . Hardiness Productiveness. II I l I.I LRITIKS OF I Kill. Season. Size. Shape, i Flavor. ronnd. tender. hardy. productive. rut-. productive, product!! e. large bluish. productive, good bearei small. crimpled. large. hard] . hardy . rouudiBh very large, hardy, glossy. hardy. products e. productive. late. medium medium early. late, late. late? late, late, early, early. productive, productive, productive, medium medium late. early. early v. large, v, large, small. \. large, medium lai ge. Bmall. large, large, large. lai re. medium large, large. lar| e. large. I ir in oval, round. oval. oboval. lone. round, oval, oval, round. rmiiiil'sli round. round. oval. obovate. round, round, oval. Bweet, g I. sub acid sw( el Bweet. sw eet. sweet. sweet Mih in-ill. MIITl. sweet. s« eel . ( lolor. Qual'y. best. Velhiw . inn pie. g 1. purple. good, purple. good. purple. good. purple. good, green. best yellow. beet. yellow. best. green. v. good green. good. violet, good, yellow . v. good purple- best. purple, v. good \ ellow. v .good green. V. good yellow, v. good hard] . productive. hardy, hardy. productive, productive. large, downy. Mil. Ml.ll. downy. downy, downy, downy. early. v. early small. round'sh mildew >. mild \ ■ hardy. hardy. bard] . mildew v. not hard] . hardy. tender, mildew s. products e. product h e. productive, productive. medium v. early, medium medium earlv. late, early earlj . early, medium medium large. v. large. ■sh 'si I productive, productive. d..w U] . hardy. productive. :::::::::::: . v'y hardy, hard] . hard] . hardy. hard] . productive. he'rl Bh'pil earl] . early. earlv. late earl] . early. medium round large. round small. round large. round medium round small. round medium round targe. round small. round medium round medium round round'i round'! round. round'sh rich. sweet, sweet, harsh. sweet . sweet. sweet. sweet, sweel, Bweet, sweet, SWeet. orange, orange, yellow . orange, orange, orange. black. red. black, black, black. red. red. black, black. red. black. best. v. good best. v. good best. best. v. good lieM. \. good v. good best. best. v. good good. best. beet, .-. I. earlv. late. medium small led. .'.mill '.' black, v. good round. harsh. late. early. earl] . large. oval. sweet. amber. v. good round. sweet. red. large. oval. sweet. black. early. earlv. large, small. round, round. sweet. amber, black. best, best. large. product i1. e. productive, productivi . late. v large sweet. black, g I, ge. round, acid, dark. v. good large. round. sub acid, whitish, v. good No. s (I 10 II 12 13 It IS 111 17 Is 19 '.'11 1 ■-' 3 4 r> 6 1 2 :i 4 ft I. 7 s !! Ill II 12 13 14 15 hi 17 is l!l 20 21 22 23 I IS i. 7 H (I |u in -'1111111 productive. productive, medium. not productive. medium productive 1 light. hardy. hardy. shining gr. hardy. hardy ... mildews. productive. producfl\ e. productive. in oductt! e. producti^ e. large medium large. large. small. medium small. hardy. tender. i. Ililei . productive. i arh . medium productive. iineuium large, moderate bearer large, large. productive, largi round. round, round. round. i oiiod. oval. round. oval. round, round. oval. oval. i I, conical. acid. sub add, sweet. sweet, sw eet si. eet ■ SW eet. sweet, sweet Bweet . sweet, Bweet. sweet. bright. \ dark red best, dark red v. good \\. White \ Vl. White best. purple, red. blow II. pale red. \ I. W bite black. black, yellow, red. red. good, best. v. good I best. good, good, good, \ . good mil productive round. pui pie. good. H 'I III II 12 13 hard] . thick. tender. Ii.n rlj . h:il il\ . products e. lati . very productive late, productive. .. .. active eai l\ . \. large, Bweel brown, good, sweet. black. good, large. conical. Bweet, orange, best, medium round. Bubacld. dark red good, medium round'sh sweet. red. v. good 10 APPENDIX. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 No. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 lti 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 NAMES OF FRUIT. Districts. N. S. Blackberries. Crystal White Dorchester j * Kittatinny * New Rochelleor Lawton j Wilson's Early * Strawberries. Agriculturist | „ Austin or Shaker | » Downer's Prolific | » Fillmore i » French's Seedling j » Green Prolific | trial. Hovey 's Seedling : „ Jenny Liud La Constante I Large Early Scarlet. tr'l i mf mf Place of Origin. PECULIARITIES tr'l I trial. Lougworth's Prolific McAvoy's Extra Red Mc Avoy's Superior Monitor Necked Pine Russell's Prolific Triomphe de Gaud Wilson's Albanv Miscellaneous Fruits. Barberry Buffalo Berry Cranberry Elderberry Fig, Brown Turkey Huckleberry, High Bush Dwarf Blueberry Medlar Mulberry, Black Mulberry, Red Downing's Everbearing Papaw Persimmon Service Nut Trees. Almond, Hard Shell Beech, American Black Walnut • Butternut Chestnut, American Chinquapin English Wal nut Filbert ! Hazel.... Hickory, Shellbark Pecan f trial. Illinois Mass N. Jersey. New York N, Jersey. N. Jersey. New York: Kentucky. Tree. Shoots. vigorous. strong, vigorous, erect? strong, vigorous. strong. round'sh N. Jersey. N. Jersey. Mass Mass vigorous. Ohio. trial. Ohio. Ohio mf mf mf small, vigorous. I vigorous. New York Belgium .. New York Europe Native | strong. not vigorous. shrub. 12-18 feet. Asia . ' Native . . . . ! . Native . . . . I . Europe . Persia Native New York Native Native , Native Mauri tani. Native Native Native Native j Native ..,! Persia Europe.. Native . . Native . . Native . 20 feet. 4-10 feet, 1-3 feet. 25-30 feet. 12-15 feet. 40-60 feet. 15-20 feet. 20-60 feet. 10-30 feet. 211-30 50-80 60-80 30-50 80-90 6-20 40-80 20 4-8 80-90 80-00 feet, feet, feet, feet. feet, feet, feet, feet, feet, feet, feet. \PPENDIX. 11 OF VI. W IS. Leaves. Hardiness Productiveness Beason. PKl'l 1.IAK1 HK.s OF 1- II I I T. Flavor Size. Shape. narrow. tender 1 broad oral hardy, ovatt . hardy. tender. moder'te bean i productive. productive. early, early. late. \. early. Urge. i . large. oval, conical, round, oval. BW I-. I. Bweet. s« aet. Color. Qual'y. white. v. good black. v .good black. v. good black. v. good black. v. good No. large, d. g. hardy, large, p. g. hard] . hardy. productive, productive, prolific. earl] . v. large, conical, sweet, large. round'sh acid, medium round'sh acid. crimson, good. Bcarlet. good, scarlet, good. 8 il In 11 12 lit 14 IS 16 n 18 i 2 3 4 5 6 7 x (* 10 11 12 13 II I •1 :t 4 5 6 7 K H 111 II in dlum large, tlik. hardy. productive, productive. early, early. hardy. . nol productive productive, productive. v. early. late. v. early productive. large. . . large, large, medium large. medium large, large. Large. very productive early. Urge. large, cor v. large. v large, very productive large. conical, sweet. round, acid, conical. sub arid conical. sub acid conical round round'sh bud acid oblate, arid. round'sh bw< et, scarlet, good. Bcarlet. good? crimson, good. crimson, v. good crimson, v. good scarlet, v. good crimson, v, good scarlet, good, crimson, v. good acid. round. sweet. Irreg'Iar mild, conical, acid. light red v. good crimson, good, crimson, v. good! . rimson. good. obovate. oblong oblong. productive. hardy, hardy, hard] . productive. late, small. early aut small. ..." small. oval. Obl'g oblong. oval. he'rl sh'] d large, sm. large, sm. hardiest 7 very productive oblong, round. V, acid. acid. scarlet, scarlet. good V good. tender. productive. b adi r. moderate. tender hardy. productive. large, small. earl] . late. early. large ....." medium medium late. large, late. small, early pyrifr'm round, round, round. oblong, oblong, oblong- oblong. round. sweet. sue, I. sweet, siih acid. sweet. BUb acid. V. sweet v. sweet. brown. black. blue, black." black. maroon. green. yellow . best, best. good, best. good, \ . good good, v. good grey, gre'n ha i green hardy. hardy. hardy. hardy. productive. oblong. oblong, gloss tender. small. acum'te sweet, v. small large. round. rich. Large. oblong, rich. small sweet. v. small v. sweet. ovate serrate. oblong. hardy, hard] . tender'. . round. . oblate. . olive-sh V. good good. good. good. v. good good. good. good. flood, •est. best. 12 APPENDIX. VEGETABLES. Asparagus— Giant Getcher's Mammoth Artichoke — Green Glo^e Jerusalem Basil, Botanical species. Asparagus officinalis Oynara scolymus Helianthus tuberosus Balm /.'■ -a — China Early Valentine Fejee Speckled Crowder White Dwarf Lima London Horticultural Red Speckled Valentine Sieva Speckled Cranberry Beet — Bassano Blood Turnip Large Smooth Blood Sugar Borecole or Kale Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts - Cauliflower — Early Erfurt Early Paris Halt Early Cabbage— Early — Early Flat Hutch Early York Early Winningstadt Jersey Wakefield Cabbage — Late — American Drumhead; Drumhead Savoy * Mason Premium Flat Dutch Cardoon .■ Carrot, Early Horn Long Orange I 'herwril Celery — White Solid ' wi riac Phaseolus nanus Phaseolus vulgaris . Beta vulgaris Beta cicla . Brassica oleracea . Brassica oleracea . Brassica oleracea . Brassica oleracea Brassica oleracea. Brassica oleracea Cynara cardunculus I laucus carota Ohosrophyllum bulbosum Apium graveolens Allium Schocus prasum Fedia olitoria Lepidium sativum Nasturtium officinale Brassica. oleracea Zea Mays Cucumis sativus Chives Corn Salad Cress Cress Water Cblewort Corn — Adams Early Bates Early Early Sugar Forty Day Mammoth Sugar Stowell's Evergreen Tuscarora Cucumber — Early ''luster Early Prime Early Russian Long Green Turkey Egg 1 '/ant — Long Purple Endive Garlic Horse Radish Kold Rabi Leek Lettuce, CurlecLIndia ( Juried oilesia Ice Head <>ak Leaf Royal Cabbage * White Coss.... # Marjoram Origanum Majorana Melon. Musi,- '. Cucumis meio Green Citron , | # Nutmeg J # * While Japan | | # Ward'sNectar j * fellow C antelope # Mel<„i. Water — Black Spanish ' # Ice Cream # Loiij; Island m .Mountain Sprout * * Mini , Mentha viridis Solatium melongena (lichorium eudivia Allium sativum Nasturtium armoracia Brassica oleracea Allium porrum Lactuca sativa Citrullus vulgaris I RNPTX. 13 \ I.' 1ETABLES Cox< LUDED. N. Botanical Species. .... M:ut \ nia [iroboscldeH White '. Sinapisalba . ^ Sinapis nigra Htuliroom iigaricns campeBtris \ • trtium TropsBolum majua Abelnioschus esculeul u- Onwn Allium cepa <'li,Vr , I We thersneld, large red * Yellow Dan vers, ■■.. Parsley Apiuni petrosellnum Parsnip Pastinaca sativa rnsey * Large Hollow Crown | * * Sugar. Pta- ■ ■ Pisum .sativum . Early Sorts Daniel < t'Rourke Extra Early * .May > McLean's Advancer Tom Thumb * /.■ i irieties Champion of England * .Mis- -i Marrow&1 -* Eugenie Pepper Capsicum annum Cayenne * Sweet Mountain * * ■ '. Solanum tuberosum Early White Sprout * Buckeye Early Dykeman Earl} l;...-,: .,. K;ir!i York * rly Goodrich % < lleason ,* ish Fluke * \t -inii i k j Peach Blow * Shaker Russet * Prince Albert '.,. Pumpkin — Fellow Field. * , Cheese ,,. Cashew * u Long Scarlet Short Top , * * Rose * trlet Turnip * Late "'' Rlii-um Rhaponticum Linnsus t Victoria * , Sam * * » Salvia officinalis ."/ Tragopogon porrifoliua i Scorzonera Hiapanica x.i Kale Crambe maratima . < lueurbita pepo Raphanus satri us Allium ascolonicum Kiiiim". aceti sa Spinacia oleracea Cucurbita pepo Shall ' Spinach Boston Marro v Summer Crook Neck * « Busk i] * Hill eh „ Hubbard , American Turban, , ,. \ getable Marrow + , • Potato— Bermuda Lmpomasa batatas Brazilian , -' tuond 0 Lycopersicum esculentum Fejee „ » Keye'sE P • 1 1 1 i t • , Large Red Large Round, Smooth Large Yellow « The Cook's Favorite Tilden * # Tiirni'i -Purple Top Strap leaved * , Brasslca campestrbt Flal Strap Leaved * White Dutch * » Yellow Aberdeen * Ruin Hiujii 14 APPENDIX. No. 1 2 O *J 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 NAME OF TREES, District. IN. #* !** * ' * •I* • ** * ** Deciduous Treks. Ailanthus Apple — Double Flowered.... Cherry Crab Ash— Blue Black English White Weeping Mountain American. " European. Prickley Beech — American Purple leaved Birch— White Sweet Black Black American White.. Catalpa Cherry — Mahaleb English Bird Wild Chestnut Cypress — Deciduous Dor/wood — American Red. twigged.. Elm — American English Slippery „ ^ Winged Ginko tender Hackberry L Herculus Club L % Hickory — Shellbark ## M Bitternut L ... Pecan .'. Pignut L Thick Shellbark.. . * .... Horse Chestnut — British .j Ironwood # ^ Judas Tree or lied Bud L % June Berry .... \ Kentucky' Coffee Tree L * Laburnum tender Larch — American European Linden — American Locust — Honey Yellow Magnolia — Blue (Cucumber) % Chinese tender Chinese purple.. Large, Flowered Large Leaved Umbrella Tree .... * Maple— Ash Leaved IM ** Black Sugar i# English .... * Norway White ** *t Sugar ** M Mulberry — Ked * ,. Downing's Everb'g Oak— Black 4 * Valonia? Overcup L* ## Turkey Red ** $.■. ** ** ** Botanical Species. A ilanthus glanduli isus Pyrus spectabilis Pyrus baccata Pyrus "coronaria Fra sin's quadrangul'ta sambucit'olia Fraxinus excelsior Fraxinus Americana Fraxinus excel, pend. Pyrtis Americana Tree. Shape. irregular I round-headed round-headed round-headed |Hight I feet. 60 20-30 10-20 < 15-20 70 SO-90 si>reading round spread's, pend't 100 weeping ... round-headed |25 spreading spivad'girreg'lr spreading spreading spreading spread'girreg'lr pyramidal 20-25 30-60 40-70 20-25 90 25-30 20-25 40-Hii 60-80 130 45 spread'g dro'p'g spreading spreading conical spreading upright spreading spreading spreading spreading 100 60-70 40-50 upright spreading upright V 60 t20 25 60 -SO 60 130 40-60 Zanthoxy'm Americ'ml upright 25 Fagus l'erruginea | [spreading loo Fagus sylvatica purp'ra spreading Betula alba ; spreading Betula lenta I | Betula nigra ' Betula populit'ola Catalpa bignonoidea Cerasus Mahaleb Cerasus padus Cerasus serotina Castanea vesca Taxodium distichum Cornus Florida Cornus sanguinea Ulmus Americana Dlmus campestris Ulmus l'ulva Ulmus alata Salisburia Cetis crassifolia Aralia spinosa Carya alba amara olivseformis glabra sulcata Aesculus hippocastum Ostrya Virginica Cerc'is Canadensis Amelanchier Ganad'sis Gymnocladus Ganad'sis Cytisus laburnum Larix Americana Larix Europoea Tilia Americana Gleditschia triacanthus Robinia pseud, acacia Magnolia, acuminata conspicua con. purpurea grandiliora macrophylla tripetala Negundo aceroides Acer nigrum campestris Acer platanoides spn ading < lasycarpuni spreai ling Baccharinum round Moras rubra ; spreading Morns alba multicaulis spreading Quercus tinctoria spreading aegilops macrocrapa irregular 125 cerris pyramidal 70-80 rubra spreading 60-90 .10-60 30-50 30 10-30 60 conical 20-50 conical S0-100 round 110 spread'g, pend't 50-75 spreading 60 so 15-20 :::::::::::::::::::::::: 7" l5-::o 30 20-40 30-70 60-70 50 70 15-25 80-90 •i:\i>ix. L5 1 . 'i.i \> i Flom i:k>. Fruit. Color. Season. I'm-. Bummer. Autumn. Size. Color. Season. i iolor. small ^'lr.-lli^ll fi ruber ornament ornament lighl green .1 veil I reen white early scarlet late deep purple fuel Bh&de w bite white white white j ellow late early pods black black black pale green medium ornament dark ','reen small yellow medium nuts, timber Ughl green dark green lake red small white red light green -l 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 loo 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 l:; 14 35 n; 17 IS 19 2(1 21 22 23 24 * #* * ** Water White Swamp Chestnut Osage Orange Peach — Double-blossomed Persimmon \ .'. Poplar 4fe*— (Silver Leaved)... ; stre't* American Aspen .... * Balsam .... * Uan'di'n^el.cot.)!** ** Cottonwood %% Lombardy * Sassafras L Sweet Gum .... Sycamore L Tulip Tree * Walnut— Black ** White ** Willow — Goat or Beveridge Osier L Weeping * tender White ** #* Golden ## # Forbes * EVERGREENS. Arbor Vitie — American *# *# Siberian ** ** Cedar— Red ** ** Fir — Balsam * Silver tendr* Hemlock #* ** Juniper — Swedish ** * Irish ** Pine — Heavy-wooded ** Austrian ** Corsican •••■ NorwajT '#* Scotch" ** Swiss Stone — White >** Spruce Fir — Black * Norway ** White' #* Rod •■* * Ornamental Shrubs. Acacia — Rose * * Almond — Dwarf * * Dwarf White ■■•• * A/tlica I tendr* Barberry * Purple Leaved — • * Calycanthus •••• * Grape Myrtle ••■• * Currant — Missouri * * Bloodv I— * Gordon's tendr* Yellow Flowering ... >t Deutzia — Crenate Leaved * Slender Branched... Rough Leaved , I loiible Flowering... Euonymus Forsythia * 'Honeysuckle— Red Tartarian tTpright White — Upright Yellow... Hop Tree •■•■ Horse Chestnut Dwarf. * Lilac — Common Purple '* * ** ## ■::-Z * * * *j **: #* ■■:- * * * palustris alba prinus palust's Madura aurantica Aniygdalus persica, &c Diospyros Yirginiana Populus alba tremuloides balsamifera Canadensis angulata dilatata Lauras sassafras Liquidamber atyracifla Platanus oecide'ntalis Liriodendron tulipifera Juglarjs nigra cinerea Salix eaprea viminalis Babylon ica alba" vitellina forbyania **' Thuja occidentals ** Siberica ** | Juniperas .Virginians * Picea balsamea * pectinata **. Abies Canadensis *j Juniper us Suevica ** Pinus ppnderosa ## Austriaca * re?inosa ** sylvestris * cembra *# strobus • ■•• Abies nigra *# excelsu *::-. alba * Robinia hispida * Aniygdalus nana * Hibiscus Syriacus * Berberris Canadensis * * 'Calycanthus floridua -■ Ribes Missouriensis sanquineum * Gordoni aureum ■■■ I teutzia crenata * gracilis * scabia Tree. Higlit Shape. feet. conical 00-80 spreading 70-100 spreading 90 [spreading 50-00 : i spreading LO-20 , j spreading 80 rounded 30-60 round 30 round 80 round 130 tastigate GO-SO round 70 ! round 130 ; i pyramidal 125 110 spreading 110 spreading 20-50 ' 30-50 30-60 30-5U conical, regular 40 conical 15-20 conical, comp'ct 40 conical 30-40 100 conical, irreg'l'r 70-80 conical 12-20 irregular no spreading 80 conical, irreg'l'r •so conical, regular 50 spread'g, conic'l 150 coi deal 70 conical,pendent 80-150 conical 50 spread'g, iri 'g'r upright, irr'g'lr ■ > upright, regular 8 5-6 G ::::::::::::::::::::::: 4 * Forsythia viridessima * Lonicera tartarica in ■••• Aesculus macrostasia * Syringa vulgaris erect, stout G- 15 APPENDIX. 17 I'i.i.' \t.\:. I'i.k\vi:i(s. Pbuit. ColOT. ' Summer. Autumn. Size. Color. Season. Color. Season. i : pale green above large bad ji sen dark green dark green deep green preen yellow i.ii. 1 green rally red yellow lair 1 reeu deep green deep green i _ een pale green rich green dark green red medium yellow early purple? late early late" deep brown late nuts doep green dull, dark bi Ighl green dark green lighl green bluish green dark pale green dark dark late early small row late \ iolel purple rich \ lolol pur. late rally late leep green red earl; . .lark green earlj . Cse. Xm. Bhade To .• 71 hedging '•■i ornament 7a fruit, ornam't 74 shade 76 ornament 76 medicine 77 7S « l 71) ornament BO ornament .si ornament 82 Bhade 83 ornamenl 84 timber 86 iruit, ornam't s<; ornament 87 osiers 88 ornamenl 89 timber !>0 osier 91 osier fl2 timber 93 ornament :il timber li.-. ornament 96 ornamenl 97 ornament 98 ornament 99 100 ornament 101 timber 102 ornamenl tor, irnamenl mi ornamenl 10a irnamenl 106 timber 107 lumber 108 Lumber 10!l lurabi r 110 1 11 1 irnamenl ■> '1 4 •; 7 s !l 10 11 12 i:: 1 1 IB Id 17 Is 19 -a 81 22 "I! •M 18 APPENDIX. Xo NAME OF SHRUBS. District. Botanical Species. X. c. 25 26 27 28 29 3D 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 4fi 47 4K 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 5C 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 7K 7!) 80 81 82 Persian l* " # Chinese Pui'i le .... # Magnolia— Glaucous .... * Obovate * Priret * # Punus Trilobata * Purple Fringe * * Qutmce— Japan * * Crimson •••• * Blush * Snowball ■ * # Snowberry—(St. Peter's Wort)... * * Spircea — Callosa * * Alba V— * Apufolia ■••• * Douglassi -■•• * Reevesiana ■•■• * Globose * * Lance Leaved # Long Leaved # * Plum Leaved # Strawberry Tree ,f % Syringa * # 'l'amdrix .„. % \Tree Paony.. # Viburnum — Lantana Leaved.. % Weigelia — Rose * * White Fringe tendr* ] Box Dwarf— [ Evergreen) * Mahonia -(Evergreen) tendr^ Sarin — (Evergreen) * Climbing, TkailingPlakts. \Ampelopsis * t * iBiannnia Tendrilled Bitter Sweet .... Clematis — Xative L Double Azure? ... Grandiflora? ... White Honeysuckle Belgian L Bracypodium J (Canadian * Chinese * Dutch Monthly * Evergreen, White Scarlet Trumpet * Tartarian ; Yellow * , Ivy American * j Passion Flower * u _ Periwinkle — Blue White ... Virginian Silk Weigelia Wistaria— American Chinese Shrubby Persica Magnolia, glauca obovata Ligustrum vulgare Chionanthus Pyrus Japonica I'vrus Japonica alba Viburnum opuluni Hypericum Spiraea callosa Tree. Shape, erect, slender IHight feet. 3-G 15 8 sprtading LO-12 ! 6 spreading Spiraea lanceolata longifola jirunifolia f p. Euonymus Philadelphia coronaris Tamarix * i i *.i * Virburnum lantanoides WeigeMia rosea Chionanthus Virginica Buxus sutfructicosa Mahonia aquifolia Juniperus sabina Ampelopsis quinquefa 'J'ecoma radicans Bignonia capreolata Celastrus scandens Clematis Virginians spreading upright spreading spreading spreading climber climber climber climber climber . ! Oaprifolium Cissus hederaeea Passiflora incarnata Vinca herbaceous trailing Periploca graeca } Wistaria fruteacens sinensis 10 50 20-80 30-50 15 26 30-40 20 vigorous 25 climbing, short1 UTEXDIX. 19 1 •'•>[. lAi.l:. Im ■■■\\ i B8. Fin IT. * nlor. Use. N sminiHT. Autumn. Size. Color. Si Color. Season. ■ iaik green purple earl; rM purple ea 1 j white late shining ■ 2X white black 29 •fl bc crims'n early dark white '■}- 1" 4-; white early 4", ...... . pink lato white earlj large .115 *v green .' crimson large greenish late »carlet late • lark blue late ornamen t 58 69 so white late •range til .. f.2 .. 04 .. 65 ; .....|67 89 ;n 71 ; 72 ::; it ipriixlit green .!■■.. 1 76 77 •lack 78 79 KO >ale i>Im<- e'ly, I'te Si 20 Al'1'EXDIX. No. NAMES OF ROSKS. Summer. 1 Common Provence 2 Dwarf Burgundy 3 Common Moss 4 Luxemburg 5 White Bath 6 Madame Hardy 7 George the Fourth 8 Madame Plantier 9 Coup d' Hebe 10 Harrison's Yellow 11 iPersian Yellow 12 Common Sweet Briar 13 Bennett's Seedling 14 Dundee Rambler 15 Augusta 16 Queen of the Prairies 17 Baltimore Belle 18 President 1!) Seven Sisters , Autumnal. 20 Bougere 21 iDevoniensis 22 . Gloire de Dijon 23 Homer 24 Caroline 25 Odorata 26 America 27 Celine Forrestier , 28 Aurora 29 Lamarque 30 Sydonie :;t Portland Blanche 32 Appoline 33 Imperatrice Eugenie 34 George Peabody 35 Joseph Gordon 36 Prince Albert 37 Mrs. Bosanquet 38 Sir Joseph Paxton 39 Souvenir de la Malmaison.... 40 Hermosa 41 Queen 42 Madame Deprer 43 Paul Joseph 44 Adam Ferses.- 45 Aurora 46 Arthur de Sansal 47 Baronne Prevost 4* Caroline de Sansal 49 Dr. Arnal 50 La Mere de St. Louis .■51 Dr. Arnold 52 Gen. Jacqueminot 53 Gen. Merlin 54 Gen. Scott 55 Gen. Washington 56 Giant of Battles 57 Jules Margattin 58 La Reine 59 L'Enfant du .Mount Carinel. 60 Lion of Combats (.1 Lord Raglan 62 Madame Laffav 63 M. C Wood....! 64 Madame Kivers 05 Mrs Elliott 66 Pseonie r.7 Pius IX CS Rothschilds N. C. I * S. Class. Color. Provence Provence Moss Damask Hybrid China Hybrid China light rose * * * * * * * & * * * Austrian Briar Sweet Briar Ayrshire A restore pale rose deep crimson white white bright crimson white [rose yellow yellow white white Prairie Prairie 'white deep pink Tea Scented i Tea Scented [ Tea JScented jTea Scented Tea Scented Tea Scented bronze pale yellow huff and salmon bright rose Tea Scented Noisette Damask Perpetual Konrbon Bourbon Bourbon j Bourbon Bourbon Bourbon Bourbon 'Bourbon creamy white rose salmon white bright pink rose, tinged lilac purplish crimson rosy lilac crimson scarlet flesh bright rose flesh color Hybrid Perpetual Hybrid Perpetual Hybrid Perpetual Hybrid Perpetual light rose clear flesh Hybrid Perpetual deep rose Hybrid Perpetual waxy flesh Hybrid Perpetual crimson Hybrid I'erpetual Hybrid Perpetual .crimson scarlet Hybrid Perpetual rose crimson Hybrid Perpetual Hybrid Perpetual white .jdeep rose \iti:\m\. 21 NAMES OF FLOWERS. Botanical Names Color. Fritillaria Imp'rials l lahlia variabilis Aconitum # Aconitum Amaranth „ ** ». Amaranthus Anei Aster . . < Shrysanthemum < 'niwii i mperial *'\ press Vine DaA/ia— Augustus Bongler Annua Cli Jessie l. ii. > s. Douglas Marc Antony P.iti ]|.> Queen Mab . Queen ol Bea , Frank Smith * Bannaid # Dr.Bozes » Richard i.'obden * -Mauve ^ Duke of Wellington » . Dandy * Emperor'de Maroc „ John Keynes . lit. Blanc * Rembrandt William Dodds « Dais) Bellis Dielytra ** mif M Dielytra spectabilis; pink Geranium (Crane's bill) Gladiolus scarlet crimson scarlet, white edge bright scarlet tine dark mauve shade orange scarlet blush crimson & mauve dark velvet & white ruse and buff jnire white Bcarlel and h bite yellow Hollyhock Hyacinth II \ drangea iri> Flower de Luce) Larkspur Sherry Lance Leaved Golden • Carolina Fragrant Yellow Japan <»M White „ Tiger Narcissus ' '" ■ "hi I touble Rose Tree Double White Alba Grandiflora \ 1 1 1 .- 1 1 1 i I i -~ < Irandiflora. Double ( i nil-mi II niilni Hercules Blush Changeable .... ** •* #* ** ** #* #* #* ** ** »* ** ** ** ** Althea rosea Hyac'thus Ori'ntals Hydrangiahort'nsis 1 lis Delphini'm consi'da Lillium speciosum l:t rn-i till i ti iii auratum Carolinlum auratum? Japonicum tigntimi Narcissus Paeonia /■/„/. China P°PjW reriw Ink le Petunia Phlox Portularca Primrose Rose xtallow Tuberose Tulip \ i rbena \ lolel ^ ncca • ** »» ** •* •# •* ** • * • * «* • » ** *# ** * Diantbus plumarius Chlnensis Papaver Rhoeas Vlnca 1'et nnia nyctaq'lnfi' Phlox Drum idli »* Primula auricula 1 1 Ibiscus Polianthes Tulipa geanei lana *. ' \ lola •»!. .rata \ nr. a Mamentosa INDEX Adams County — Hort. History of. . . .297 Ad Interim Reports. . . . 15, 30, 115, 152, 190 North. Ills. Soc.208, 216, 26(1 Alton Horticultural Society 204 Andrews — Essay 110 Annual Meeting 1 Apples... 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 29, 98, 115, 116, 156, 204, 210, 214, 241, 275, 325 At 'Alton 158 " Aurora 156 " Centralia 158 " Lacon 157 " Peoria .150 " Princetown 150 " Rockwood 158 " VillaRidge 158 Culture of 275 Essays on 19, 121 Gathering and Keeping 29, 214 Hardy..." 110 List — Criticism of. .325, 320, 329, 333, 334, 330, 338, 343. 344, 345, 340, 348, 350 Lists — Northern Illinois 204 Revision of 23 Report — Tyler McWhorter 210 Root Aphis 17 Siberian 241 Tree Borer 21 Varieties of: Amor. Golden Russet. .159 Autumnal Strawberry. 95 Baccolinus Bailey's Sweet 27, 200 Baldwin 95 Baltimore 95 Bamhill's Summer 204 Belletleur Yellow.. .23, 95 Belmont 95 Ben Davis 157 Benoni 27 Black Gilliilower 156 Broad well 25 Buckingham 27, 95 Carbagc 205 Carolina Red June. . . 159 Chenango Strawberry. 158 Cram's Spice 95 Danvcr's Winter Sweet, 150 Davage.. ..95, 190,150,159 Apples — Varieties of : Domihe .' . 25 Drap d'Or ....150 Duchess of Oldenburg. 25 Dyer 25 Early Harvest.. ..150, 159 Early May 158 Early Pennock. .,...*. .156 English Golden Russet, 150 Fall Pippin 159 Fall Wine 25 Fameuse 150 Fall Swaar 200 Fall Winesap 200 Gilpin 25 Green Pippin 150 Grimes' Golden 28*95 Harrison 95, 150 Haskell's Sweet 156 Hoop's 150 Horse Apple 1 58 Jonathan 156 Kentucky 205 King of Tompkins Co 27,95 Large Striped Pearmain.... 28, 95, 90 Ladies Sweeting 150 Lawyer .95, 90 Limber Twig 25 Lowell 25 Maiden's Blush. . .150, 200 Michael Henry Pippin. 28 Minkler 95,156 Missouri Superior. . .95, 90 Missouri Sup'r Class. 95, 90 Mother 25 Newtown Pippin. .25, 156 Nickajack. .20, 95, 158, 159 Northern Spy 25, 150 Ortley *. 95, 156 Parke's Keeper 95 Peck's Pleasant.... 95, 206 Pennock 95 Pittsb'h Pippin . .95, 90, 156 Porter 20, 158 Rambo 20 Rawle's Janet. . .20, 95, 159 Red Canada 95 lied Winter Pearmain . . 23 1 N D K X 23 Apples — Varieties of: Richard's Graft 305 Roman Stem . .28, 156, 157 Roxbury Russet 156 Scarlel 8w eet 95, 96 bhockley 169 Sigler'a Pound 95, 96 Smith's Cider 159 Sups ut' Wine 158 Soulard Crab 308 Spark's Late 96, I.v.i Spitzenburg Esopus.37, L56 Stark 37, 95 Sweet Pippin 95 Ten-ill's Late. .. .95, 96, 159 Tetofsky 304 Tolman e Sweeting 156 Transcend an I Crab 27 Turner's Green Virginia Greening. . ; . . 159 Warfield 305 Westfield Seek-no-fur- ther 95 White Pippin 27, 156 White Winter Pearmain 27 \\ hitney'8 Russet. . .156, 0 Willow Twig 27, 157 Wine A j > ] » 1 l* 95 Yellow Siberian Crab.. 207 APPBOPR] I.TION8 185 Apricot List —Criticisms 346, :;I7 Ariiciiic-p.lt ore - Reporl a on 2:;.">, 2 12 I'cakkk, Prof. Win. M.— Essay 139 Baldwin, Elmer -Essays lol, 220 Hark Louse 12. 227 Birds 34, 13J, 394 Bitter Root 57 Blackberries.. 14. 18, 109, 112. 114, 113, 358, 359,337,330,335.339,347,349 Criticisms of Lists. 337, 880, 335, 389, 347,349 Discussion of 114 Essay cm 100 Varieties of Crystal White 113 Eittatinny 112,358 Missouri Mammoth, . 1 13,359 New Ruchelle or Lawton,! 13 Wilson's Early 118 Blight ..16, 17, 36, 56 Borer, Apple 21 Peach 378 Botanical Survey 124 Brown, A. M. Address 8 Bryant, A. Benr. — Report 335, 800 Bureau County - Horr. History 300 ( lentralia— Fruit Grower's Association. 272 Chbrrtrs 10, LS, 14, 16, ::::, 166, 220 At Alton 165 ■■ Central in 165 " I. aeon 165 '• Princeton L651 E«eay on B8 Lists— -Criticisms on.. 825. 827. 829, :::;:;. 887, 839, 841, 844, 847 May L98 stocks 10, 16, 88, 68, 198 1 IHERRIES — Varieties Belle dc ( Ihoisey 165 Black Tartarian 165 Elton L65 Governor Wood 165 Gsidley 165 Kentish Early Richmond of Early May' 165 Late Richmond 220 .May Duke L65 Morello, Euglis'.i 165 Morello, Qommon 165 Clarkb, J. W.— Essay by 120 Clean Culture is Climatology — Essay on 189 Climbing Plants — Criticisms on List of 328, 833,886, 342, 848, 359 Clinton County — Hurt. History 302 Cochrane, J. W. — Report 9 Colorado Bug 13 Committee on Correspondence XI Executive — Meeting of.. .XI V Fruits — Report 94 President's Add ress- Report. 151 Proprietary Rights 151 Special X 189 Standing X 1ST North. Ills. Soe. ..361 Wines — Report 117 Constitution I V North. Ills. Soc. amended. .256 Contents Ill Cook County — Horticultural History.. 1(1 Crain, J. H. — E»say 19 Criticisms of Lists, lst',7 314 ( Iryptogamous Diseases 35 Curculio 12, 164, 264 Essay 2t>4 Currants 14 Borer 359 Criticisms of List. .827, 330. 838, 889, 341,844, 347,349 Essay 85 Worm 15 Cut Worm 12 D Legates from other Societies 49 Diseases — Cryptogamoue 35 Douglas County— Hurt. Society 278 Drainage 86, 90 Dwight 18, 10 Dun lap, M. L. — Reports 97, 190 Earle, Parker— Essay 90 Edwards County — liort. History 808 Edwards, Samuel — Essay 85 Effingham Count] Hurt, History 304 Election — Annual 125 Emery, II. D. — Report 115 Bngelmann. Theodore — Essay 75 Entomologist 5 American 121 Entomology Reports on i**i, 227 K\ ergreens — Discussion 104 in Orchards 101 Fair 149 Free Membership 7 final Resolutions 1*5 24 INDEX. Fires against Frost 6 Flagg, W. C. — Report Ad-Interim 152 Secretary's Report 7 Flowers — Essays on 132, 136 Forest Treasury, A 197 Foster, Suel — Essays 224, 225 Francis, L C. — Essay ♦. 69 Frail Canning 170 Committee — Report 95 Grower's Association, Centralia..278 List — Alton Hort. Society 271 Centralia Fruit Grower's Association 278 Onarga Hort. Society 283 Lists — Criticisms of 324 Packages — Report on 97 Raising, Northern Illinois 233 Transportation 224 Trees — Diseases of 220 Fruits, etc. — Tables of 351 Fuel —Production 248 Fungi 35,*37, 42, 50, 55 Galu&ha, O. B. — Report 15 GOOSEBERRIES 10, 14 List — Criticism of. .330, 334. 335, 339, 341, 345, 347, 849 Grafts, root in Stock 123 Grapes • 10, 13, 14, 18, 40 At Alton 166 " Aurora' 166 " Centralia 168 " Lacon 166 " Makaiula 168 " Pana 168. ". Princeto \vn , . 166 " Quincy 166 " Villa Ridge 160 Exhibited 96' Experience 184. 201, Northern Illinois 260 Propagat ion of 260 Report on — to Warsaw Society 285 Grape growing 115 List — Criticisms of 327, 330, 333, 336, 337, &39, 341, 344. 346, 347, 349 Nomenclature 189 Revision of 83 Rot 41 Essay on 78 Vine Lock 188 Varieties of: Anna 175 Blood's Black 168 Blue Baden 168 Cataw ba 167 Clinton S3 Creveling 83, 166 Cuyahoga 174 Cyhthiana 168 Delaware.. 160, 174,200 Diana 84 Eumelan 39, 174 Hartford Prolific. ..167 llerbemont .84, 16S, 175 Iona 167 Ives' Seed's-. 84, 169, 174 Grape Growing — Varieties of : Martha 39,85, 174 Maxatawney 175 Mottled...." 176 Norton's Virginia. .167 Rogers Hybrids.. 40, 175 No. 1..84, 168 No. 4 100 No. 15 106 Rulander 84, 167 Salem 40, 174 Taylor 167 Union Village 167 Grundy County Horticultural Society. .283 Hedges 116 Holcomb, T. A. E. — Report 179 Mrs. T. A. E. — Essay 136 Home Adornment 291 Hopper, J. V. — Essay (58 HoRTicuivrrKAL History — Cook Co.. 10 and Correspondence 297 Adams County 297 Bureau " 300 Clinton " 302 Edwards " 303 Effingham" 304 Jefferson " 306 Lake " 306 Logan " 307 Mason " 308 Madison " 309 Mercer " 313 St. Clair " 314 Vermillion" 317 Washington" 319 Whitesides" 320 Will " 321 Iowa 322 Laws — V. Societies, Local 203 Alton 264 Centralia 272 Douglas County 278 Grundy County 283 Northern Illinois 203 Onarga 283 Warsaw 285 Horticulture — Errors in 225 in Industrial University 147, 189 Horticulturist, State 106 Hotbeds 192 Huggins, Jon. — Essay 60 Treasurer's Report 7 Hull, E. S. — Essay on Cureulio. 204 Reports 30, 97 Mrs. E. S. — Essay 132 Industrial University 6, 19, 147, 171 Insect Depredations 154 Insects 182, 211, 227, 264, 294 Invitations from other Societies 108 Iowa Letter 322 Jefferson County Horticultural History 306 Koch, L. — Essay 78 Lake County Horticulture .306 Laws — Horticultural — V. Logan County Horticulture 307 Long, B. F. — Essays 21, 1S3 INDEX. 25 Lou Heads 32, 122 Lukens, W. E.— Essay 233 McAfee, II. H.— Essay 197 Report 242 McWhorter, Tyler — Essay 121 Ill-ports '2i is, 318 Mahaleb Stocks 16, 33 Madison < lounty Horticultural History 309 Mason County Horticulture 303 May Beetle ..' .• 12 Meeting Executive Committee — XIV. Place of next 125 Melon — Alton Large Nutmeg ~ Members, 1869— XII. Northern Illinois Society.... 263 Mercer ( lounty Horticultural History. .313 Meteorology 139, 154, 209 Minnesota— Notes in 238 Miscellaneous Fruits 335, 340, 345, 34s Morello Stock 16, S3, 193 v ctarine— List, Criticisms of 389, :;4T New State House 187 Nut Tire- List— Criticisms on 331, 335 Officers, 1869— IX. Northern Illinois Society 25(5 Onarga Horticultural Society 283 ( Orchards — Location of 236 Ridging Ground for 120 Ornamental Planting 283 Peach 11, 31, 116 Borer 65, 273 Culture 60, 64, 186 Essays on 58, 62, 66 Lists— Criticism of 3215, 333, 334, 337, 33!), 341, 344, 345,847, 349 Location of Orchards 63 Planting CO Preparation of Soil 63 Pruning 61, Peach — Varieties : Piquet's Late 158 President 162 Reeve's Favorite 162 Sal way 168 Smock's Free 162 Snow 161 Stump-the-world 162 Susquehanna ? 162 Troth's Early Led 161 V:ui Zandt's Super!) 1(51 Ward's Late Free 162 White Imperial 161 Yellow Rareripe 161 1'kvks 10, 96, 115, 160, 161, IBS. L64, 216 Blight 41 Criticisms of List . .325, 327, 3211, 333, 334, 33S, 343, 3,44, 345, 846, 3411 List — Northern Illinois 220 Varieties of: Bartlett 160 Belle Lucrative 160 Dnchcsse d'Aniiouleme. ,160 Onondaga HM) Seckel 160 Pettingill, J. A.— Address 1 Plums 9, 166 Chickasaw 22 Criticisms of List.. 325, 1330, 333, 3:; I, 389, 346, 347 Cultivation 71 Diseases 71 Essay 69 Insects 71 Planting 70 Propagation 69 Varieties to Plant 70 Varieties: Chickasaw 72. 166 Miner's Seedling H'>i> Wild Goose 166 Plumb, J. C — Essay 236 Pierson, W. P. — Essay 86 I'omologieal Rules. . VI II President's Address— Report on 151 Proprietary Rights — Report on . .151 Pruning 122, 212 Pullen, I'.. — Essay 62 Quinob 326 Raspberry 10,14, 98, 169,256 List — Criticisms on... 325, 327, 380,834.335,388,339,341,344. 346, 846, 847, 34'.i Report on 15fi Varieties : Clarke 258 Miami 169 Philadelphia 263 Read, J. L. — Address 278 Redisricting State 180 Reports Ad-Interim. ...15, 80, 115, 152, 190 Entomological : Secretary 7 Treasurer 7 Vice Presidents : 1st District '.» • 4th District '.is 26 INDEX. Reports — Vice-Presidents : Oth District 13 7th District 18 8th District 29 11th District 100 13th District 179 Resolutions of Respect 341 Ridiring Ground for Orchards 120 Roots 30 Root Blight 17 Pruning 36 Rot 37, 18(5 Roses — Criticisms of List. . .333, 336, 341, 343, 345, 350 St. Clair County — Hort. History 314 St. Josephs 195 Shearman, J. S. — Notes of , 338 Shimer, Henry — Essay 227 Shortening in 33 Shrubs, Ornamental 259 Shrubs — Ornamental — Criticism of Lists .... 328, 332, 336, 343, 346, 348, 350 Silver Maple Borer 15 Standing Committees X State Horticulturist 106, 188 Stereoscopic Views of Yellows 151 Strawberries 193 At Pittsburgh 40 " Aurora 169, 192 " Centralia 170 Northern Illinois 256 List — Criticisms of 328, 330, 334, 336, 338, 339, 344, 345, 346, 348, 349 Revised 136 Varieties : French's Seedling 126 Strawberries — Varieties : Green Prolific 126 Large Early Scarlet 126 Longworth's Prolific 136 McAvoy's Extra Red ....136 Nicanor 126 Russell's Prolific 256 Testing Committee 179 Tice, John II., on Fungi 50 Timber Culture — Resolution on 260 Time for Cutting 1S3 Transportation 66 Trees 127, 198, 203, 335, 343 Criticisms of List.. 338, 331, 335, 340, 342, 345, 348, 349 Report of Committee on 202 Turner, Prof. J. B. — Essay 41 Underdraining 86, 90, 93 Vasey, Geo. — Essay 137 Vegetable Lists — Criticism of 335, 340, 341, 346, 348, 349 Vermillion County Horticultural Hist. .317 V. Presidents' Rep'ts. .9, 13, 39, 98, 100, 179 Vine Culture .385 Warder, J. A. — Letter 241 Warsaw Horticultural Society 285 Washington County Hort'l Hi.-torv 319 Whitesidcs " " " ....320 Will " " " 321 Wier, D. B. — Essay 109 Reports 216, 256 Wines' — Alcoholic Strength of 39 Committee on — Report 177 Essays on 75, 178, 285 Woods — Manufacturing 249 Wright, P. R. — Essay 58 Yellows 31, 164 New York Botanical Garden Library 3 5185 00267 4719 mm |ji » 1 V \ ml 33 31 ' ' ,' ' f 1 1 1 1 J \ 1 J'-'' ! | . hmHH 1 ■ H ' ; }