234 ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



In July we had a minimum temperature ranging from 51° to 75°, and 

 a maximum from 69° to 100°. We had also five rainy days, and a total 

 rain-fall of 1.80 inches, with no more than forty per cent, of cloudiness. 

 There were thus twenty-six dry and very warm days. Excepting on two 

 days at the beginning of the month, the rain-fall was licked up before it 

 reached the roots of the plants. On these two days we had good, drench- 

 ing showers, that were the salvation of our gardens. 



In August we had a minimum temperature ranging from 51° to 72°, 

 and a maximum from 61° to 95°. We had also nine days of rain, most 

 of which were at the close of the month, and a heavy rain-fall on the 

 28th. The total rain-fall was seven inches. This was a good supply, 

 but it came too late to be of much use to our gardens or our fields. The 

 greater part of this month was dry and clear. 



September gave us a minimum temperature of from 40° to 66°, and 

 a maximum of from 60° to 89°. We had ten rairry days, and a total rain- 

 fall of eight inches, most of which came about the middle of the month. 

 We had besides about fifty per cent, of cloudiness. The soil was thus 

 thoroughly soaked during this month, and every thing that was growing 

 grew luxuriantly, especially weeds. Lawns and pastures were much helped 

 and the gardens were refreshed. 



Near the beginning of October we get our first autumn frost. On 

 this month we had four days of frost, beginning with the 12th and rang- 

 ing from 21° to 29°. Our maximum ranged from 80° to 32°. We had 

 six rainy days, but the total rain-fall amounted only to 1.27. In meadows 

 the dew froze as early as the 2d. The range was nearly 60°. In 1873 

 there was frost on the 6th, and we had fifteen days on which the tempera- 

 ture fell below freezing, and ranged from 18° to 31°. 



From these data we may draw some highly probable inferences to 

 guide us in our horticultural pursuits : 



1. That only the hardiest seeds and plants should be put into the 

 ground during any part of April. 



2. That not till the middle of May should our less hardy seeds be 

 sown, or our tender plants be set out. 



3. That we can do little or nothing either in the vegetable or the 

 flower garden without the use of hot-beds in spring and cold-beds in 

 autumn. 



4. That the raising of annuals is attended with difficulty and disap- 

 pointment, and only partial success will reward unremitting labor and care. 



5. That such bulbous plants as can be put into the ground in autumn, 

 and protected during the winter, or such as can be planted early in spring, 

 promise satisfaction ; and that these, along with some hardy perennials, 

 and the usual bedded plants, should form the staple of our horticulture. 



6. That we never can depend on the dews and rains from heaven 

 sufficiently to water our flowers and plants, but must have more or less 

 recourse to artificial irrigation. 



7. That ornamental shrubbery and grape-vines which can not stand 

 a temperature of — 25°, should not be planted at all, or carefully protected 

 during winter. 



