256 ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Prof. Standish moved that when the Society adjourn it be to meet 

 on the evening of April 2 2d instant, at the residence of Capt. Fuller. 

 Motion adopted. 



Mr. Beatty said that he noticed that morning the appearance of the 

 house-martin. This bird he considered a true harbinger of spring, there 

 being rarely any severe weather after its appearance. He spoke of the 

 peculiar habits of the bird, its sudden appearance and mysterious disap- 

 pearance. For twenty-two years its earliest coming has been the 5th of 

 April, its usual time being from the loth to the 15th of April. Those 

 who plant gardens by this monitor will seldom miss it. 



The English sparrow being incidentally mentioned, Mr. Beatty 

 thought the bird was destined to solve the "labor problem." A few 

 years will give the rising generation plenty of work in keeping the spar- 

 rows from our fields. 



Adjourned. 



MEETING OF APRIL TWENTY-SECOND. 



A meeting of the Galesburg Horticultural Society was held at the 

 residence of Capt. Fuller, on North street, Tuesday evening, April 2 2d. 



The minutes having been read, Dr. Humphrey explained in refer- 

 ence to the remark made by him "that he couldn't wait ten years to have 

 the space in his asparagus bed occupied." The Doctor stated that he 

 couldn't wait ten years because he desired to have the space covered in 

 less time. He agreed with Capt. Fuller that, if a person has an abun- 

 dance of ground, the plants should have plenty of room ; if, however, a 

 person has only a limited area the space must be economized. 



The minutes were then approved. 



Dr. Humphrey said Mr. Henry Sisson informed him that his asparagus 

 bed had shared the same fate as Col. Carr's, having been almost com- 

 pletely destroyed by the use of salt. 



The President called for the report of the Committee on Vegetables 

 appointed at the last meeting. 



Prof. Standish said he had prepared a report but had had no oppor- 

 tunity to consult with the other members of the committee sufficiently to 

 get their views, he therefore would present the report to the Society for 

 their consideration. He thought that our soil was suitable for the culti- 

 vation of all varieties of vegetables, and had given under each head a 

 simple mode of culture. The Professor thereupon read the report as 

 prepared by him. 



Dr. Humphrey, in the main, indorsed the report. He thought, per- 

 haps, there were too many varieties under some of the heads ; thought a 

 standard report should contain the fewest number of varieties possible 

 while including the best kinds, a multiplicity of varieties tending to con- 

 fuse persons unacquainted with the different qualities. Three varieties of 

 peas were plenty; Carter's First Crop, extra early; McLean's Little Gem, 

 early; and Champion of England, late; all planted at the same time will 



