TRANSACTIONS OF CHAMPAIGN CO. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 275 



Other peculiarities must be studied. They will not be all learned in one 

 season, but by careful watching and taking notes a fund of useful infor- 

 mation may soon be obtained. 



Another source from which to draw a liberal supply of flowers is the 

 herbaceous plants. These require but little care after once planting. 

 They are best set back in the borders, however, leaving the beds on the 

 lawn free for annuals and bedding plants. 



To complete the picture, it only requires a good display of bedding 

 plants. These are often kept overwinter and planted out in May. Young 

 plants may be propagated by cuttings in the fall and spring months, and 

 with the successful ones enough will be obtained to fill several beds. If, 

 however, the stock should fail, a variety of plants can be obtained for a 

 few dollars that will add greatly to the pleasure of the garden. I have 

 now merely sketched the most prominent features that go to make up 

 ornamental horticulture. If, by so doing, I have awakened a desire among 

 the members for a more intimate knowledge of the beauties that may be 

 gathered around them, and are to be had from a bountiful Maker for a 

 little care, I shall consider myself well repaid. 



After the reading of the essay, the members of the Society were 

 entertained with several pieces of music by Mr. and Mrs. W. Maltby and 

 Misses Howell and Palmer. 



As usual, the Society was invited to partake of a bountiful repast, 

 prepared by the host and hostess, to which all did ample justice ; after 

 which the Society adjourned, subject to the call of the Executive Com- 

 mittee. 



SHELTER-BELTS. 



THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF SHELTER-BELTS TO ORCHARDS.* 

 [An essay read before the Horticultural Society at Champaign, by Hon. W. C. Flagg, of Alton.] 



In endeavoring to give some ideas on the topic that has been assigned 

 me, I labor under the disadvantage of not having had the experience of 

 Mr. Phinney, Mr. Dunlap, and others, who, having planted vast orchards 

 and shelter-belts on these broad, wind-swept prairies, have had an expe- 

 rience tliat I have not. But, perhaps, for the same reason, I may be able 

 to weigh the somewhat scanty evidence we have with less prejudice, and 

 possibly to show that different circumstances require quite different prac- 

 tices. 



The principles of horticulture being the laws of nature, in part, are 

 immutable ; but the practices of horticulture, or obedience to these laws, 



■"•This essay, though written prior to 1875, ^'^^ been forwarded for publication. 

 — Editor. 



