SOCIETY OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS. 293 



prices and profits catch the early gardener. True, some things 

 require a succession of plantings through the season, but it is 

 true, and most of us are learning the fact, that potatoes are no 

 longer a success in this locality unless put into the soil early. I 

 have found the tin-can irrigation a good one. This consists in a 

 small puncture in the can filled with water, set in the hill or by the 

 plant, being filled two or three times a week. Besides the 

 leakage, the water draws the night dews 



One of the best luxuries which so many amateurs leave for the 

 professional to raise, is celery. It is of easy culture, and may be 

 grown in hills successfully, the same as potatoes, the golden 

 self-bleaching being the best variety, only the plants must go 

 into the ground early. 



Sweet bell-peppers should be more grown. They are one of 

 the finest fall table relishes we have. 



Every vegetable garden should have a bed of mints, summer 

 savory, thyme, sweet marjorum, sage, &c, which add so much to 

 the seasoning and excellence of well cooked food. For the eni- 

 belishment of tables and garnishing dishes, nothing surpasses the 

 crinkled leaves of parsley. I have found great pleasure in raising 

 water cress, egg plants and many other novelties. 



One of the greatest mistakes which many make is in using poor 

 seed. I always plant the largest and best varieties. Potato 

 tubers I divide in four pieces, cutting them lengthwise. The first 

 that ripens should be saved for seed. The earliest and largest 

 radishes should be marked; the finest stalks of lettuce saved; the 

 finest pumpkins; the same of all kinds of melons. These should 

 be of the first. In fact, that which is first is strongest and best 

 in the vegetable kingdom, as well as in the animal. In this age 

 we depend too much on the seed-grower, and are losing in conse- 

 quence. 



It may not be out of place for me to say that we should take 

 courage. We have been passing through a crisis as all countries 

 do, but I apprehend a change in the near future climate, and shall 

 be disappointed if peaches and other fruits do not succeed. I do 

 not like to prophesy, but facts tell. About eight years ago I read 

 a well authenticated article, that in the history of the world every 

 eighty years there were seven years of disasters, storms, earth- 

 quakes, cyclones, floods and other disturbances. Every close ob- 

 server will remember that the last seven years has brought to them 

 scenes which they have not heard of in any previous history of 

 their lives. Last summer was almost a peifect season. The 

 most goutv grumbler cannot complain of the past winter. Be 

 encouraged; let us begin anew; plant trees, dig, hoe, spade, plan 

 and work, as though Illinois was a young Dakota just admitted. 



Before closing I want to give a picture of a garden cultivated 

 nearly fifty years ago : Looking, as I now do through infantile 

 •eyes into the long ago, a veritable garden of Eden. Drawing the 



