12 TRANSACTIONS OF THE FLLINOIS 



" The five years, from 1870 to 1874, inclusive, have in this section been seasons of 

 excessive drought — the drought or want of moisture increasing in intensity each suc- 

 ceeding year of the series ; so that in 1874 garden vegetables of all kinds were almost 

 a total failure. Small fruits, except in locations very favorable for a supply of mois- 

 ture, were also a failure or very inferior in quality. 



" The Apple crop was much reduced in quantity, but much more in quality. 

 Wheat and oats, from maturing early in the season, suffered less than corn, which was 

 less than half a crop. Potatoes were nearly a total failure. 



"The season of 1875, except being rather cool, has been a very favorable one, 

 with sufficient rain, without an excess. Had not the subsoil, which had become almost 

 deprived of moisture for several feet in depth, rapidly absorbed the copious rains, the 

 amount would have been excessive ; but as it was, we had enough without a surfeit, and 

 this season has been an unusually productive one — perhaps the most so of any in the 

 experience of the oldest farmers.. Even old exhausted fields, which have been cropped 

 for forty years without manure or renovating crops, have produced about as generously 

 as when the virgin soil was first turned. We have the heaviest crop of corn ever 

 known. 



" The fruit crop was a failure. The drought prevented the formation of fruit buds, 

 and many fruit trees died outright for want of moisture ; but those which have survived 

 have made a healthy growth, and wear a fresh and healthful, garb that is refreshing to 

 look at. Now, why should this year be more productive than any other ? My opinion 

 is that the preceding years of drought have enriched the soil by Jhe deposit from the 

 atmosphere of nitre, potash, and probably other ingredients from the great and produc- 

 tive laboratory of nature. 



" I have often remarked, during my experieiice of forty years in Illinois farming, 

 that a season of drought was better than a generous coat of manure on all our cultivated 

 land. Doubtless summer fallowing, which exposes the soil to the dry summer atmos- 

 phere, owes its success to this cause. 



" This is a woild of compensation. The losses of an untoward season are com- 

 pensated by the yield of another, or by the permanent enrichment of the soil. 



" How best to utilize such enrichment, to fix it permanently in the soil, and to keep 

 up its productive powers to the maximum, should be the study of the intelligent farmer. 

 We can not change the seasons, but we can learn to make the best use of that which 

 Providence sends." 



Mr. S. G. MiNKLER, of Oswego, Kendall county, writes: 



" The Apple crop has been light this year, though the fruit is of a most excellent 

 quality, there being less codling-moth and scab than for several years ; in fact less 

 insects of all kinds which prey upon trees and fruits. 



" There were no cherries or small fruits here, to speak of. The price of apples has 

 been and is good, the first quality now selling at one dollar and a quarter per bushel. 

 The prospect is good for a fruitful year in 1876. 



" The injury done to orchards by the droughts and hard winters has been immense, 

 and it is probable that they will never fully recover, though many trees are putting out 

 healthy shoots, which will form new tops, and thus prolong their lives for many years." 



In conclusion, I would suggest that a sufficient number of forms be 

 prmted, embodying the points wished, for transmission to correspondents 

 who may be selected to observe and note the various data required. If 

 this was generally accomplished a mass of interesting information might 

 therefrom be collected, and from which comparisons could be drawn of 

 exceeding benefit to the interests of horticulture. 



All oi' which is respectfully submitted. 



JONATHAN PERIAM. 



