STATE HORTICXJLTDRAL SOCIETY. 203 



In an effort of this kind we may of course expect some disappoint- 

 ments, but we should also faithfully and fully expect that ultimate success 

 will most surely come. 



How few, comparatively speaking, ever stop to think what a little 

 effort has often done, and what a little effort may do again. You will 

 pardon me if I should refer to a few incidents of this kind which have 

 come under my own observation. 



The now celebrated "Ben Davis " apple was handed, some fifty-three 

 years ago, a small and ordinary seedling tree, as a present from Benjamin 

 Davis, then of the State of Kentucky, to his nephew, Mr. Ben Davis 

 Hill, late of Hancock county, when starting for the then wilderness of 

 Western Illinois. This tree was planted by Mr. Hill a few miles south of 

 the present city of Warsaw, 111., and from it thousands of trees of this most 

 hardy and productive variety of the apple have since been propagated. 



Our fine, large, crisp and juicy "Wythe" has a similar history. 

 Mrs. Samuel Chandler, when about to leave the old homestead in 

 Eastern Ohio, many years ago, took the precaution to carry with her a 

 few seeds of the Rawles' Janet ; these she afterward planted on one of 

 the prairies of Wythe township. A few trees were i)roduced, two of 

 which were presented to a relative and neighbor (the late Rodolphus 

 Chandler), one of which became the present popular Wythe apple-tree. 

 However, this excellent and valuable apple remained unnoticed in the 

 orchard for many years, until its real value was discovered by an eminent 

 member of this Society, (A. C. Hammond, Esq., of Warsaw,) who first 

 brought its good qualities into public notice. 



Again, a chance seedling came up in the wood-lot of the writer, 

 some ten years ago, and although it was known to be an apple-tree, it was 

 at first neglected, but finally Mr. A. H. Worthen, Jr., a neighbor, planted 

 it in his orchard and cared for it ; the result is that delicate-colored and 

 beautiful fruit, the "Worthen Winter Sweet." 



Further, it is believed that there are now standing many neglected 

 seedling trees, particularly in the western and southern portions of 

 Illinois, which are worthy of being looked up and more fully tested ; and 

 indeed it may be possible that the long-desired apple originated years 

 ago, and only needs looking up and disseminating ; the Salome may be 

 that apple. 



We have, in Hancock county, a number of promising seedling 

 apples now on trial. We have also originated and fully tested a number 

 of the finest and best seedling peaches in the State, among which is the 

 fine, large, yellow, early, hardy and productive "Felt's Rare-ripe;" the 

 "Yocum," a fine, large, late, yellow peach; also the "Porter," the 

 "Kay,'' and a number of others equally fine. 



Mr. Carrier, of the Warsaw Society, has a very promising new seed- 

 ling raspberry (most likely a hybrid), which was on exhibition at the 

 Society's June meeting; the specimens indicated a very prolific and 

 choice variety. 



A new seedling strawberry, the "Wright," originating in the same 

 locality, is now on trialj with fair prospects. 



