220 ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



month was 65°. The snow-fall was ten inches, and the rain and melted 

 snow one inch. The mean barometer, corrected for temperature, was 

 29.289. 



For February, 1874, the corresponding items were : 26°. 40, 34°. 46, 

 18°. II, — 6°, 55°. Two days in which the thermometer was below zero. 

 The range was 61°. The snow-fall was eight inches, and the rain aitd 

 melted snow 1.58 inches. 



The February of 1873, although cold, was not so cold as thai of this 

 year. The mean thermometer was 20°. 32; the mean maximum 27°. 39; 

 the mean minimum 11°. 61. The highest was 44°, and the lowest — 15°. 

 The snow-fall was 7.30 inches; the rain and melted snow 1.80 inches. 



This has been the coldest February ever known in this region. 



It was agreed that the subject for consideration at the next meeting 

 should be, "The Preparing and Planting of Vegetable Gardens, includ- 

 ing Hot-beds and their Uses," the meeting to be held on the 6th of April, 

 at the house of Mr. D. Sanborn. • 



APRIL MEETING. 



This Society met on Thursday evening, April 6th, at the house of 

 Mr. D. Sanborn, Dr. Humphrey in the chair. 

 The subject for discussion was 



• 



THE PREPARING AND PLANTING OF VEGETABLE GARDENS, INCLUDING 



HOT -BEDS AND THEIR USES. 



Prof. Standish introduced the subject by stating that he felt 

 like a beginner every time he thought of the subject of planting 

 his garden. In discussing such a subject as this we must repeat our 

 past experiences. In the first place, the ground should be well culti- 

 vated, compost put on it in abundance, either in the spring or the past 

 season. Well rotted compost is not sufficiently prized in horticulture ; 

 our ground has a tendency to pack, which can only be prevented by the 

 use of compost and sand. He would not plow the ground, but use the 

 spading fork and pulverize thoroughly. He spoke of certain vegetables 

 he had tried : First, the Bush-beans ; the best of which are the Fejii, 

 which is early and good ; a little later and equally good are the Early 

 Valentine, Early Rachel, Dwarf White Wax, and the Black Wax. Of 

 Pole-beans, Giant Wax, and Large Lima are best; .the last can be used 



