TRANSACTIONS OF WARSAW HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 243 



especially had a favorable influence upon its distribution. Some predicted 

 famines in future ages, unless the destruction of forests is arrested, or tree 

 planting engaged in. 



MARCH MEETING. 



The meeting for March was held in Warsaw, in the rooms of Col. 

 Marsh, on the 9th inst., J. L. Piggott, Esq., presiding. 



The usual papers of correspondence were laid on the table. The 

 diploma awarded the Society at the State Fair was presented by Dr. Hay, 

 Treasurer, neatly framed. 



About a dozen packages of seeds and grain from the Department of 

 Agriculture were laid before the meeting and subsequently distributed 

 among the members ; also the annual report of the State Board of Agri- 

 culture, and reports of the State University at Champaign ; seed cata- 

 logues and Other papers and reports were distributed. 



Apples of different varieties were laid on the table, by President 

 Hammond, and Messrs. Willis, McCune, Hathaway, Spitze and Dar- 

 nell. A new apple from Mr. Darnell promises to attract attention 

 from fruit growers. It is already suggested that this apple will find a 

 place at the head of the list for a market apple. A fine specimen of the 

 Fallawater, from Mr. Spitze, in sound condition, proved that this apple 

 keeps longer than has generally been accorded to it. Grapes — Ives Seed- 

 ling, from Dr. Lyons — very nice and in excellent condition. Wine and 

 cider by Mr. Willis and others. 



President Hammond was then called upon for an essay on Commer- 

 cial Fruits, and read the following before the meeting : 



COMMERCIAL FRUITS. 



There is no department in rural life in which there are so many un- 

 settled questions as in that of horticulture. Many of these questions 

 are of vital importance to our success in business, and we have earnestly 

 sought their solution, but as yet both the men of great scientific attain- 

 ment and vast practical knowledge have been unable to answer them. 



If I had been asked ten years ago to write an essay on this subject, I 

 should have felt that I was master of the subject, and considered it an 

 easy task. But during that time I have learned some valuable lessons. 

 Floods and droughts have visited us ; we have endured extremes of heat 

 and cold fearful to contemplate, and insects and diseases heretofore 

 unknown are now at home in our orchards. In addition to all these 



