STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 207 



A. H. Gaston. — I know orchards that would not fruit until left to 

 themselves and the orchard grew up thick with rag-weed, after which they 

 bore well. I have reason to believe that potatoes are a good crop to grow 

 in the orchard. 



Mr. Robison. — I believe that trees will do better in rag-weed than 

 in grass, although I don't know that I would recommend either; should 

 prefer to band the trees to make them bear ; banding makes larger leaves, 

 consequently larger fruit. Under no circumstances would I plant potatoes 

 in orchard, for in such case we would be obliged to cultivate too late, 

 thereby inducing late growth in the tree, which we should aim to avoid. 

 Plant corn in the orchard. 



Query No. 3. — What are the best two varieties of winter apples to 

 raise for commercial purposes in McLean or adjoining counties? 



Several Voices. — Ben Davis and Willow Twig. 



Mr. Wier. — Jonathan and Willow Twig. 



Mr. Gaston. — Stark is best in Peoria county. 



Mr. Wier said three-fourths of the crop of Stark apples were on the 

 ground before picking time. He would plant no more Starks. 



Mr. Gaston said Stark does well in Ohio, to which the Secretary 

 responded that when Stark was introduced into Illinois with such "a flour- 

 ish of trumpets " he asked Dr. Warder's advice about planting it largely, 

 and the Doctor said, " Better go a little slow on Stark." The Secretary 

 agreed with Mr. Wier that Jonathan and Willow Twig seem to be the 

 best two sorts of which trees can now be procured ; that too many Ben 

 Davis trees have been already planted. 



Mr. Robison stated that he had been informed by Dr. Warder that 

 Stark is not profitable in Ohio. Mr. Wier remarked that it requires a 

 cold soil. 



Query No. 4. — Can any member give us any information upon the 

 subject of sugar production from the Amber Cane, which is now agitating 

 the producers of sugar in the Valley of the Mississippi? 



(Signed) G. W. Minier. 



This query introduced a discussion of considerable interest, but failed 

 to bring out any important testimony or definite results of the enterprise. 



Mr. De Garmo had made syrup from Amber cane, but did not think 

 it quite equal to that made from the Liberian cane. He thought we will 

 have to learn how before good sugar can be made from it, and advised 

 moderation in its culture. 



Mr. Wier thought the Amber cane "boom" is principally manufac- 

 tured by parties who have a patent material to sell for making the syrup 



