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have borne fruit for tliree or four years past. Some old Eastern favorites hare 

 not proved equal to their character East; while others only second rate there, 

 have produced fruit of surpassing beaxity and excellence. Some varieties from 

 the South which are unknown East, have been of the latter character. The 

 Rhode Island Greening, Roxbury Russet, and Newtown Pippin, are among 

 those which have not given satisfaction. While the Rambo, Yellow Belleflower, 

 White Belleflower, and Wine Apple, ai-e among those which appear to have 

 improved by emigi'ation. 



The writer has become convinced, from six years almost exclusive attention to 

 growing trees, and studying our soil and climate with reference to the subject, 

 that from the centre of Illinois to 44 or 45 degrees latitude in Wisconsin, we 

 have as fine a region for profitable orcharding as can be found anywhere. In 

 central Illinois trees grow faster and produce higher-colored specimens than 

 here ; but the crop is more liable to be cut off entirely from spring frosts than 

 in our latitude. While they can grow some larger specimens than we can, ours 

 of the same varieties will keep the longest, which will give us the advantage in 

 supplying the Southern markets with long keepers ; and, at the same time, our 

 proximity to the Northern pineries and mines will give us the advantage of the 

 market in that quarter. Of the pear and cherry nothing very flattering can be 

 said at present. I have seen pears growing in this county for the past two 

 seasons, and some as fine specimens as are raised any whereof the same varieties; 

 but we have some serious drawbacks to contend with, only a limited number of 

 varieties have withstood our severest winters. While the " fire blight," the fatal 

 malady of the pear tree, has sent its premonitory symptoms (the leaf blight) 

 among us. The greatest difliculty seems to be with young trees in the nursery. 

 If we can manage to get up a good supply of the right size for transplanting 

 they will probably do well on our driest, lightest, and less clayey soils. I have 

 trees in sandy loam, with a pervious subsoil, which are very flourishing. Of cher- 

 ries, the Heart or sweet varieties, embracing the Heart and Biggareau classes, none 

 have borne fruit in our county, or in the State, within my knowledge, except in 

 a few instances, and those near the Lake shore. 



Further trials in poor soils, Avith neglected culLui'e, may meet with success. 

 The acid cherries, Duke and Morello. classes, embracing the common pie cher- 

 ries, do as well with us as could be wished. 



Plums are promising on our heaviest soils, with a compact subsoil, not too rich 

 nor too dry. Many varieties are tender with us ; but we have enough of known 

 hardy sorts, of good quality, to do us very well. I consider a clay soil, or clay 

 subsoil, indispensable for the plum. In the rich prairie soils of Illinois their cul- 

 ti;i'e is nearly abandoned. 



Will peaches do anything in Wisconsin ? is a question '->ften asked. They wili 



