146 TEANSACTIONS OF THE ILLESOIS 



tion in regard to the matter. I have not made any report on the birds, 

 because I have discovered that heretofore the experience was so contra- 

 dictory that I did not know how to do it, except to go the same ground 

 over again. The only thing I would say is, that if we would pay as 

 much attention to keeping birds off the fruit as we do the curculio, we 

 would not only have the benefit of the buds during a certain season, 

 but we would save our fruit. 



ORNAMENTAL TREES^ ETC. 



Mr. Edwards submitted a report. 



La Moille, III., Dec. 14, 1869. 

 Hon. Tyler MeWhorter, President Illinois State Horticultural Society : 



Being one of the Committee on Useful and Ornamental Trees, I would offer a few 

 notes. 



For some years past I have noticed a diseased appearance of the foliage on one lot of 

 large Austrian Piues on my grounds. Presuming it to be the work of some minute 

 insect, specimens of the foliage were sent, in June last, to the lamented Prof. B. D. 

 Walsh, State Entomologist, who kindly came and made a thorough examination, 

 coming to the conclusion that it was a fungus attaching itself to the leaves. The rem- 

 edy proposed was the application of sulphur when the foliage is wet. I hope to be 

 able to report its efficiency, as the damage to foliage is very serious, and if not arrested 

 must apparently destroy the tree. 



The Scotch Pine, White Pine, Balsam Fir, Norway Spruce, Red Cedar and Arbor 

 Vitse, standing among and near the Austrian Piues, show no symptoms of being 

 affected. 



The Silver Maple has been A'ery largely planted throughout our State as a useful and 

 ornamental tree. Are we to suffer serious loss of them by injury done by the borer 

 which in many places is attacking them ? 



The Norway Spruce retains its place at the head of the list of evergreen trees to 

 plant for screens and shelter. It is being planted in many parts of our State as a hedge. 



White Pine will doubtless ever remain a leading tree for the uses to which it is now 

 applied in our State. Owing to the fact that its leading shoot is often lost in the ten- 

 der, growing state, it is deemed advisable to plant some rapid-gromng deciduous tree 

 around or interspersed through the timber lot as protection from this injury. 

 ■> Balsam Fii', in all localities in om* State where it has been my fortune to see it, 

 except in the grounds of Gov . Wood, of Quincy, proves one of our finest ornamental 

 evergreens to plant as specimens on the lawn. The prairie soil appears to be specially 

 adapted to the growth of this tree in perfection, enabling it to retain its beauty until 

 arrested by its decline, after maturity. The ragged appearance of old specimens, as 

 complained of in some parts of the country, is probably ovsing either to some defi- 

 ciency in the constituents of the soil or the shade of other trees. 



