21 6 TKANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



found in the Honey locust, not the thorny kind, but the smooth one; 

 the shade is not heavy, and grass will grow well up to the tree, and the 

 timber it produces resists decay wonderfully; in short, it is very valuable 

 for very many purposes. The tree also is very long-lived, and besides is 

 very tenacious of life if injured. A wound of the severest nature seldom 

 kills it, but almost always heals up rapidly. 



Mr. Murtfeldt. — The President of the United States in his last 

 message recommends a greater appropriation for the purpose of sustaining 

 forestry, and also that a department be created in that interest. This 

 Society should resolve that Dr. Warder be placed at the head of this 

 department, if it is created. 



Mr. Ridings. — Honey locust is a good tree to grow, and does not 

 injure but a small space around it. 1 have never discovered that Black 

 walnuts did any injury either. Some trees near my house have been planted 

 twenty-three years, and we have plenty of nuts from them. There is one 

 quite serious objection to the Honey locust, and that is, it makes too 

 much seed, and in the fall the ground is often entirely covered with the 

 pods for quite a large space around. 



DONATION OF FRUIT— AN INTERRUPTION. 



Dr. Humphrey made the following motion : 



Mr. President^ — I move that the apples that are not taken away 

 from the Fruit-exhibition room be donated to Dr. Hewitt for the pupils 

 of the State University. — Carried. 



DISCUSSION RESUMED. 



Dr. Schrceder. — What varieties of trees are recommended ? 



Mr. Fell. — ist. White willow; 2d, Black walnut, as it will ultimately 

 make the most valuable tree ; it succeeds as well in Iowa as here. We 

 have planted a good many varieties, and White willow has done the best; 

 larch requires more moisture than is furnished in extreme drouths; White 

 maple does not succeed — it soon dies ; Box-elder does well, also Cotton- 

 wood, but we don't plant it. 



In reply to questions, Mr. Fell said: Our American people don't 

 know the value of the White willow as Europeans do. When the wood 

 is seasoned it will last as long as oak ; when the trees are cut down they 

 will grow up quickly again from the stumps. White and Green ash do 

 well, and the timber is valuable ; elms do not succeed well. 



The evergreens which have succeeded there are arbor vitse and 

 Scotch pine; the Norway spruce has not done well. 



