92 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



to all engaged in the trade. Let us endeavor to raise the standard of our 

 profession by growing better stock, giving value received in each instance, 

 proving all things, holding fast that which is good, not deserting old 

 varieties, but rather improving them; stick close to our business and our 

 business will stick close to us. 



J. S. Johnson stated that Mrs. Mitchell, of Warsaw, who is a mem- 

 ber of the Committee on Floriculture, was prevented from attendance by 

 affliction in her family. He thought she had a paper prepared, and if so 

 would forward it for publication. 



Dr. Humphrey. — Mrs. Tryon, of Galesburg, another member of the 

 committee, expected, but a few days since, to be here and read a paper. 



The President. — Have any of the ladies present any thoughts or 

 suggestions to give us relating to flowers ? 



Mrs. Jones (of Indiana). — Mr. President, I cannot make a speech, 

 neithef will I attempt one, but will simply say for the benefit of the 

 essayist who has so much trouble with the mealy-bug, that if he will use 

 dilute liquid ammonia, sprinkling it over the plant, I think he will have 

 no more trouble from that source. 



REPORT UPON STRAWBERRIES— By O. B. Galusha. 



Mr. Galusha, from the Committee on Strawberries — their Culture 

 and Varieties, being asked by the President for his report, responded as 

 follows : 



Mr. President and Fellow Members : 



I am again asked to report the experiences and observations of the 

 past year upon Strawberries; and I can truly say that to report all the 

 facts observed would require tenfold more space and time than can be 

 allowed to the topic. 



I will therefore endeavor to give the leading and more significant 

 facts observed, not so much in the hope of imparting positive knowledge, 

 as to give hints to enable you to arrive at conclusions for yourselves. 

 The interest awakened in strawberry culture some thirty years since has 

 steadily increased until at present the strawberry may be claimed as the 

 second fruit in importance in this State, if not in our whole country. 

 Whether, however, this fruit stands next to the apple or whether the 

 peach intervenes cannot be positively known, since the peach is grown 

 only in the southern half of the State and the crop is nearly all shipped; 

 whereas, the strawberry succeeds as well at the north as at the south, and 

 it is safe to say that one-third of the farmers of the State raise and con- 

 sume this delicious fruit. 



I would class the leading fruits grown and consumed as fruit, in this 

 State, in the following order: (i) apples; (2) strawberries; (3) peaches; 



