ILLINOIS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 227 



Mr. Lahee's is one of the nicest of the many beautiful homes 

 of Upper Alton. The large grounds are studded with shade 

 trees of many varieties, and intersected by fine gravel drives. 

 Wherever one turns, the eye meets some pleasant sight. 



Mr. Lahee has one of the finest and best arranged vegetable 

 gardens that I have ever seen. It consists of raised beds in 

 squares of about 10 by 16 feet. Between the beds are paths run- 

 ning in every direction so that one may work and walk about 

 in the garden without stepping on anything. The squares are 

 bordered with blue grass sod. On north side of garden are sev- 

 eral terraces of grapes circling in the shape of a half moon. 



Meeting called to order at 12:30. 



ORCHARDS. 

 Mr. Davis — We shall have a few poor apples. Market now is 

 very poor for good apples, and cider apples it does not pay to 

 handle. The cider establishments in Alton are paying seven 

 cents per bushel. 



Col. Miles — Has a lot of poor apples that are falling very bad- 

 ly. Has turned the hogs into orchard; thinks this the best mar- 

 ket he can get. 



Mr. Armstrong — When is the best time to set out young peach 

 trees? 



Mr. Davis — About the first of November, just before the 

 ground freezes up, is the best time. It may also be done in 

 the spring, but fall planting is the best as the ground is always 

 in better condition, and will pack well around the roots during 

 the winter. 



Mr. Pearson — When may winter apples be picked to keep 

 well? I have some nice Winesapsthat are full now, but at pres- 

 ent rate of falling they will be all on the ground by Oct. 1. 



Mr. Riehl — I think apples might be picked now and would keep 

 all right, but ought to be left on until Oct. 1. Apples that are 

 falling now will not keep well. I want also to say here that 

 I have grown about every variety of quince that has been sent 

 out and have found nothing so good as the old Orange, provided 

 you can get it true. The season is about past now and we have 

 had part of a crop of peaches. Would it not be well now for 

 us to consider what varieties have paid us best? 



