ILLINOIS HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 187 



At this point the society adjourned to meet at the call of Presi- 

 dent and Secretary. 



Most of the old folks went home in the evening at the usual 

 hour, but the young people stayed for a moonlight picnic and general 

 merry making, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all until the 

 eleventh hour. 



When all took up their homeward way 



By the light of the waning moon, 

 Eegretful that so bright a day 



Should have passed away so soon. 



SEPTEMBER MEETING. 



The Alton-Southern Illinois Horticultural Society held a basket 

 picnic at the residence of James Davis, near Godfrey, on Saturday, 

 September 8th. 



It was one of those perfect days that usually smile upon the 

 meetings of our Society, and the attendance was large. The fruit 

 display was excellent, and — but we are anticipating the reports of 

 the Awarding Committees. 



Mr. E. A. Riehl opened the discussion on Orchards with the 

 following paper : 



REPORT ON ORCHARDS. 



The year 1888 will long be remembered as one of great fruitful- 

 ness. The winter left the buds uninjured — the peach, partly, ex- 

 cepted, — and no frosts destroyed them in the spring, and abundant 

 rains through the summer carried the fruit to a size and perfection 

 seldom seen before. The scarcity of fruit last year and before, so 

 reduced the fruit-destroying insects that fruit of all kinds is more 

 free from insect injury than common. 



The plum crop has been the largest and best I have ever known, 

 and the same can be said of the pear. Prices, of course, have been 

 lower than usual, but yet, where properly handled, the crops have 

 been profitable. Now is a good time to discuss varieties of plums. 

 I grow none, so will let otfters give their experience concerning this 

 fruit. 



Of pears, I have found Howell, as in year^ past, the most profit- 

 able. It is larger and better than the Bartlett, and later, which is 

 an objection. The tree is a fine grower, very productive and with 



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