310 ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



the gorgeous display of flowers, and their beautiful and- perfect arrange- 

 ment. The taller-growing varieties were put in the background, and so 

 in gradations to the lower-growing varieties, which were in the front, 

 making a perfect bank of flowers for miles in length, and kept in perfect 

 order. He said he never saw any thing like it. He was sure that if the 

 members of this Society could see what he saw it would stimulate them to 

 grow flowers, and it would show them how much can be done in even a 

 small door-yard. We are not yet fully educated in matters of ornamental 

 planting. 



Col. W. H. Fulkerson said that he saw the same thing in Fairmoimt 

 Park, in Philadelphia, and was affected in the same way that friend Starr 

 was at sight of Drexel Park. He did more. He took the names of the 

 different varieties, and bought seeds and plants, and went home and tried 

 to copy the park. The result was, the raggedest flower-bed you can 

 imagine. [Laughter.] He missed the arrangement, and the tall-growing 

 varieties and low-growing sorts were in confusion. 



Inquiry was made of the Secretary if he still grew the Alton Nutmeg 

 melon, and if it was the best variety. 



The response was, "Yes." We grow no other variety. It is large, 

 round, bears shipping well, and suits the Chicago market. We shipped 

 fifteen car loads this season, all sold in Chicago. 



Mr. Starr — We should attempt to grow only such crops as are suited 

 to our climate and soil. I have always contended for this in our State 

 and local societies. The North is trying to grow peaches. I tell them 

 to let peaches and sweet cherries, and such other fruits and vegetables as 

 are not suited to their location, alone. Take that which is adapted to 

 your soil and climate. We in this latitude should do the same. It is 

 better all around. 



Mr. Snedeker — It is usually difficult for us to grow the Hubbard 

 squash, but this year, on my farms in Nebraska township, I had remarkable 

 success. They grew like pumpkins. There was the climate and soil that 

 just suited them. 



A. A. HiLLiARD— I was in the State of Massachusetts this fall, and I 

 never saw such Hubbard squashes as they can grow there. If I had a 

 farm in that locality, I should turn my attention to growing Hubbard 

 squash, celery and cauliflower. I believe there is money in these vegetables 

 in that locality. They could be profitably shipped to St. Louis. 



James Starr — St. Louis is the very worst market in the world to sell 

 any thing that is really nice. I am willing to go upon the record as saying 

 that thing. When I was in the fruit business in St. Louis, we would 



