TRANSACTIONS OF WARSAW HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 33 1 



And it was not until about the year 181S that grafted fruit began to be introduced into 

 the State of Illinois. But even then and almost up to the present time orchards have 

 been planted at the risk of many sad mistakes, as to what to plant and how to cultivate 

 or manage. More than one thousand varieties of the apple alone have been tested and 

 found worthless, or nearly so, and still further investigation is necessary before we are 

 able to say how many other varieties must be discarded before we arrive at a definite 

 conclusion as to what we shall plant in the future orchard. 



Since the organization of the Warsaw Horticultural Society the increase in the 

 planting of orchards has been truly wonderful in the vicinity, while the increased culti- 

 vation of small-fruits and flowers has been even more marked ; and although we have 

 met with many, very many losses and discouragements, still the love of the good, and 

 the admiration of the beautiful, is so great that sooner or later we must overcome all. 

 We cannot afford to turn back ; the future orchard must needs be planted. Then, what 

 shall we plant ? This depends to a great extent upon our location and business. If a 

 general farmer, your orchard may be less in extent, and different in the varieties you 

 cultivate, from that of one whose chief business is that of an orchardist. Again, if you 

 are near a great market for fruit, you can afford to plant more of early or perishable 

 kinds than you could if distant from any large market. 



Our best early apples are Red Astrachan, Early Harvest, Summer Pearmain, 

 Benoni, William's Favorite and Golden Sweet. Our best fall apples are Maiden's 

 Blush, Rambo, Mother. and Bailey Sweet. Our best winter apples are Ben Davis, 

 Janet, Jonathan, Red Canada, Wythe, Grimes' Golden, Kentucky Sweet and Broadwell. 

 This will give you a good succession of apples, and of kinds that are known to grow 

 with a good degree of success in this region. 



Our future orchard should contain also pears, peaches, cherries, grapes, and all the 

 small-fruits which are found to succeed in our locality, so that we may be able to eat of 

 all the good things which Nature has placed within our grasp. Then the future orchard 

 should be selected with special care as to kind and quality of tree ; should be planted 

 with equal care as to style and distance; should receive thorough cultivation and 

 training until the trees become established and formed. 



In planting or in pruning I would have neither low heads nor narrow rows. I would 

 give apple-trees four or five feet of body before heading, and plant not less than thirty 

 feet apart in the rows. Then I would play the "Yankee" more, that is ask questions, 

 find out what others have learned in the business, and then 1 would profit by their 

 experience. 



MARCH MEETING. 



The March meeting was held March 19th, 1879, i" Warsaw, Mr. 

 C. N. Dennis, of Hamilton, acting as Secretary pro tern. This was one 

 of the best meetings ever held by the Society ; the room was filled with 

 the most extensive farmers and fruit growers of Hancock county, and 

 each individual seemed to come with something of interest for such an 

 occasion. Specimens of fruits in their season were numerous and in fair 

 condition. Cider of excellent quality, made from the Virginia crab, was 

 on exhibition by Mr. Geo. O. Hilton, of Lee county, Iowa. Each 

 member of the Society was treated to a volume of the National Report 

 on Agriculture, and also a volume of the State Report on Agriculture. 



Letters were read from Hon. Sam'l Douglas, V.-P. 111. State Board 

 of Agriculture, and also from F. G. Wilson, of Sangamon county. Mr. 

 Wilson said he read our reports with deepest interest ; that the information 

 gained from the Warsaw Society was a benefit to the entire State. Mr. 

 Wilson again called attention to his theory of ringing the apple-tree; 



