14 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



But few Plum trees are planted in this district, on account of the depredations of 

 tlie Curculio. The Lombard and'tlie Miner are about the only ones which intelligent 

 cultivators care to plant. 



The list of Cherries has been gradually reduced here until only two varieties — the 

 Early May ("Richmond") and EngUsh Morello— are planted to any extent. These 

 varieties arc hardy and very productive on all soils. A few persons, however, are 

 found in every neighborhood who still adhere to the old Black Morello, despite its 

 suckers, on account of the fruit being so good lor pies, and when canned or dried in 

 sugar. 



A few years since the Early May was grafted almost exclusively on Morello suckers; 

 but these are everywhere such inveterate sprouters that planters are now discarding 

 them and planting trees on the Mahaleb stock. Trees thus worked prove hardy, do 

 not sprout, and bear plentifully in a few years from the planting. The Cherry crop 

 was quite good here the past season. 



More attention is being paid, in each succeeding year, to growing small fruits 

 for family use, and to some extent for market. The varieties which give the most 

 uniform satisfaction are: Red Dutch, Cherry and White Grape Currants; Houghton's 

 and American Seedling Gooseberries ; Kittatinny Blackberry ; Miami and Philadelphia 

 Raspberries ; (Clark Raspberry, is highly prized by those who grow it) ; and Wilson's 

 Albany Strawberry. 



This district has been somewhat infected with the epidemic Grape femr, which, 

 however, has not proved fatal exceptin low grounds, or those belowthe "high water 

 mark" of the flood of 1869. In all such situations the Concord, Ives, Hartford 

 and Clinton succeed well. 



It is with pleasure that I am able to report an increasing desire among farmers and 

 others to render their homes more pleasant by planting near them evergreens and 

 other trees and shrubs. A few also are found in almost every towTiship who have- 

 begun the work of planting evergreens for screens, and deciduous trees lor timber. 



Let us hope that many will soon imitate their examples. 



Respectfully sixbmitted, O. B. GALUSHA. 



7th District. — Mi'. Pierson^ who was announced not present. 

 8th District. — Mr. Francis, who submitted a written report. 



Through the blessing of a kind Providence I have a far more favorable report to 

 make of the fruit crop in the Eighth District, than last year. In Sangamon county 

 the Strawberry crop was very good; Currants and Gooseberries were also abundant; 

 Lawton Blackberries bore weU, but a portion of the canes being slightly injured by 

 the winter, some of the berries were deficient in flavor. Pears '.vere a good crop,, 

 but little blight among the trees. The Peach crop was a failure. The Apple crop 

 was very good, though some varieties were quite scabby; among these were the 

 Wine-sap, Bell-flower, and Striped Pearmain. About one-third of the winter 

 apples were frozen on the trees in October ; quite a proportion of these apples were 

 made into cider. Insects, injurious to the apple, were uncommonly scarce this year. 

 The Canker-worm seemed to have entirely disappeared; the Codling Moth was not 

 troublesome; the Curculios were all alive this year. I have noticed but one class of 

 Apples (the Siberian Crab,) affected by them. A large proportion of the Morello 



