252 ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



what a falling off, my countrymen," of the apples 1 Aside from the Ben 

 Davis, which is reported half a crop, one-tenth of a yield only is 

 anticipated. 



It was stated that the root-killing has prevailed on peach trees 

 extensively. 



Mr. Calkins, just returned from Nebraska, presented a bottle of 

 the destructive grasshoppers, alive, and longing for liberty. They were 

 examined with much interest by all. There were several admonitions : 

 " don't let them out .^" Indeed, they looked guilty. 



Mr. Walker presented a communication from the State Ento- 

 mologist, on the subject of injurious insects, which elicited some 

 discussion. 



Messrs. Walker, Piggott and Calkins were appointed a committee 

 to represent the conditions of insects in this locality, and report to the 

 State Entomologist. There were other interesting questions before the 

 meeting, of which the limits assigned prevent notice. 



Potato-bugs are scarce in comparison t6 last year, and chinch-bugs 

 are also less numerous. 



The thanks of the Society were voted to Mrs. Willis and daughter 

 for the sumptuous entertainment given, consisting of a great variety of 

 the good things of this life, mingled with unfeigned hospitality? Lastly 

 came the good wine and cider, which, as at the marriage in Cana of 

 Galilee, was saved to the last. Its quality was unsurpassed. 



JULY MEETING. 



At the July meeting, held at the house of Messrs. Dadant & Son, 

 extensive bee-keepers near Hamilton, President Hammond was in the 

 chair. 



Apples of last year's growth and samples of Early Harvests were on 

 the tables, presented by Capt. Hathaway ; samples of McCormick Rasp- 

 berries also, by Mr. Dennis. 



Mr. Gregg was on the books for an essay, which he read, confining 

 himself mostly to the subject of small fruits. He said he had grown some 

 very small, as his neighbors could testify. He spoke of raspberries and 

 strawberries as paying crops; that the labor incident to corn culture was 

 all that was required to attain a yield of one hundred bushels to the acre 

 at the second year's growth. 



