STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 217 



up. I expected to hear a paper on that subject, showing the useless- 

 ness of tile draining. You cannot take it up when defective, in con- 

 sequence of the roots. 



EEPOETS OF COMMITTEES. 



Messrs. Wier and Edwards, from Committee on Testing New Varie- 

 ties, submitted reports as follows : 



Ottawa, His., December 15, 1869. 

 Hon. Tyler McWhorter, President Ills. State Hort. Soc: 



But little opportunity has been enjoyed )iy me for observation of the value of new 

 varieties of fruits, during the past year. 



The Kramer Strawberry with me, Iruited for the first time, is of small size; an 

 abundant bearer; of fair quality ; vine hardy. 



Michigan, a seedling originated by B. Hathaway, Little Prairie Ronde, Michigan, is 

 the only variety of fruit received for trial by me, in accordance with the solicitation 

 made in the Prairie Farmer, by the committee. The vines promise well. Jucunda, on 

 all soils, tried for years, is worthless. 



Miami Raspberry is considerably larger than Doolittle; a little later in ripening. 



Philadelphia bore abundantly of good fniit ; too soft for shipment. 



Clarke, of liner quality and less productive. 



Long Bunched Holland Currant is still thought desirable, as the latest variety in 

 ripening, and retaining its fruit and foliage until late in the season; it is thought by 

 some that it bids fair to succeed farther south than other varieties. 



Cuttings have been freely distributed by me at several of our horticultural meetings. 

 The first sent out must bear, in many localities , the coming season . 



The committee have had a strawberry presented in alcohol, and photographs of same 

 size as the fruit, bv Wm. B. Nefl', of Ottawa, which has been fruited three years. 

 Full notes of this variety are presented by Mr. D. B. Wier of this committee. The 

 testimony before us is such as to Avarrant us in recommending it for trial, by those who 

 are testing new varieties, with a probability of its becoming more valuable in our 

 State than those originated in foreign lands or distant points of oiu: own. 



Finley Pippin apple presented by Mr. Neft", is described in notes of Mr. "Weir; is of 

 fine quality. 



D. F. Kinney, of Rock Island, presents a seedling apple under name of Black Hawk. 

 Fruit of medium size; crisp; juicy; mild sub-acid flavor; form, very heavy; color, 

 red; keeps till May. Tree gives indications of being very hardy , making short joints 

 between buds; leaves hang very late. 



RespectfiiUy submitted. 



SAMUEL EDWARDS, 

 One of committee on testing new fruits . 



