144 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



District No. 11. — Eeport from Mr. Fletcher read. 



The Centralia Fruit-Growers' Association still hold their regular meetings, with the 

 interest and attendance reasonably sustained. Mr. B. Pullen was chosen President In 

 January last, and makes an efficient officer. 



THE FRUIT CROP 



For the summer of 1869, in our locality, should be considered a satisfactory one, taken 

 as a whole, and may be summed up as follows : 



APPLES 



Were abundant and of excellent quality. Much too large a proportion of our varieties 

 are fall apples, but a few years will remedy this, as the apple trees that are now- 

 planted are largely of those kinds known to be winter fruit. 



PEACHES 



Will have to be reported as a short crop. The yellow-fleshed peaches were nearly a 

 failure, excepting the Smock variety. The injury was caused by a severe snap or 

 two at the critical time. Hale's Early were pretty thoroughly used up by the curculio 

 and rot. Heath Cling and other late varieties gave a good crop . 



STRAWBERRIES 



Yielded bountifully, though parts of some patches were seriously injured by an insect 

 supposed by some to be a species of chinch-bug. Taking odor as a test, they have a 

 strong, pimgent reason for their opinion. The shipment of strawberiies from Cen- 

 traUa this season foot up to the grand total of 497,875 pounds, or nearly 249 tons, or 

 10,372 bushels, or 331,904 quarts. 



BLACKBERRIES AND RASPBERRIES 



Were as abundant as could be reasonably expected. Yery few blackberry vines have 

 been cultivated, but quite a number of acres will soon be planted. 



GRAPES 



Rotted considerably and were of not much account generally, except the Concord, 

 which had a fuU crop of fine fruit. 



THE UNION FAIR ASSOCIATION, 



comprising the counties of Clinton, Washington, Jefierson and Marion, held theu- first 

 exhibition at Centralia in October. The display of apples was said to be superior in 

 quantity and quality to that shown at the State fair. Of pears, grapes, quinces, late 

 peaches, etc., the show was creditable. Grain, vegetables and canned fruits were not 

 unworthy of the good company in which they were placed. Altogether it was a cred- 

 itable representation of the resources and capabilities of Southern Illinois, as well as 

 the enterprise of its citizens . The Association intend to make considerable additions 

 to the buildings during the present year, adding another amphitheater, fifty new 



