12 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



planted, pruned and cultivated, with high hopes of receiving his re- 

 ward. The sun rose higher in the heavens and poured down his hot 

 rays, the refreshing rains that were our due delayed and came not, 

 th« earth became scorched, vegetation ceased to grow, insects multi- 

 plied and destroyed our crops, and the year that opened with so much 

 promise, closed one of the most disastrous and unprofitable seasons 

 that the fruit growers have experienced for many years. Yet things 

 are not as bad as they seem. The prospects for the coming year are 

 promising, and the failures of the past year may prove blessings in 

 disguise. The scarcity of fruits has no doubt reduced the insects 

 that prey upon them, and future crops will be more free from their 

 attacks. Prices for our products had become very low, so low that 

 but little profit came to the grower. The general scarcity the past 

 season has sent prices way up, and the probability is that future crops 

 will bring better prices than in the past. 



The fruit grower is no worse off than others. The farmer, the 

 merchant and the manufacturer all complain of small profits. If we 

 are not getting rich we have at least a good living (if not it is our 

 own fault). No house rent to pay, plenty of fuel to keep warm, an 

 abundance of fruit and vegetables, our own milk, butter and eggs, 

 pleasant homes surrounded with ornamental trees, shrul)s and flow- 

 ers. How many poor mortals are without these, and would think 

 themselves rich if they had what we enjoy. Let us not be discour- 

 aged — the time will surely come when the winters will be milder, 

 and timely rains will refresh our growing crops, when we will reap 

 good crops and receive fair prices. 



But whatever our financial success may be, we have at least the 

 satisfaction of knowing that our boys and girls are being reared in 

 the pure and intelligent atmosphere prevailing in horticultural 

 homes, and will grow up to be young men and women as happy and 

 healthy, physically, mentally and morally, as can be found in this 

 broad land. 



On motion, the President's Address was referred to the Commit- 

 tee on Secretary's Report. 



The following reports on Orchards were now read: 



ORCHAKDS. 



BY H. M. DUNLAP, SAVOT. 



The status of our old apple orchards remains about the same. 

 Most of the trees are dead, many in a badly damaged condition and 

 rapidly dying, while but few remain in health. It is, therefore, only 

 a question of a very few years when they will cease to interest us, 

 and will have performed their last duty in the family stove. 



We may, therefore, turn our attention to the 



