242 . TKANSACTIOJS^S OF THE ILLINOIS 



great liberality in the distribution of seed, buds, and scions, has done a vast deal to 

 huild up tlie Horticulture of this part of the State. 



In 1852 the Curtis Brothers planted specimen trees of a variety of evergreens in their 

 nursery grounds north of Paris, and began to import and propagate them for sale. 

 These specimens are from 25 to 38 feet in height; the tallest tree is a Balsam Fir, 38 feet 

 high and 37 inches in circumference : the largest one is a White Pine, 37 feet high, and 

 45 inches in girth. 



NURSERIES OF THIS COUNTY. 



Joseph Curtis commenced the nursery business here in 1818, and continued in it 

 until 1845. From 1835 to 1840 he received from the Indiana and Ohio nurseries, from 

 the east, and from various States of the Union, a very large collection of Apple, Pear, 

 Cherry, Peach, Plum and other fruits; many of which when put on trial here were 

 found to be possessed of far less value than where grown , from whence he obtained 

 them. 



Jas. Dudley planted a small nursery in 1820, and continued to propagate trees for 

 some three years, and sold out to Mr. Olmsted, who removed the entire stock to 

 Coles county. 



Ebenezer David commenced a nursery on Clay's prairie, in the northeast part of the 

 <;ounty, in 1833, and continued up to 1852. 



P. D. Elliott was also in the tree trade from about the year 1836 to 1853. 



D. S. and B. O. Curtis kept an extensive nursery from 1845 to 1855, when D. S. 

 Curtis withdrew from the business, and your correspondent continued in it until 1868. 



I know of but two nurseries at the i^resent time in this county: Wm. B. Caldwell^ 

 of Paris, has been engaged in the nursery business here for some nine years. He 

 cultivates a very select list of the leading and most valuable varieties of truit and 

 ornamental trees, shrubs and plants. He is also extensively engaged in the culture^ 

 keeping and sprouting of the Yellow Nansemond Sweet Potato. 



D. S. Curtis has returned to the loved avocation of his youth, and has for several 

 years been getting out a large stock of trees and hedge seed on the old home farm, 

 where our father commenced the nursery fifty -two years ago. He cultivates only the 

 best, hardy, most reliable varieties in both fruit and ornamentals. He has had large 

 experience in the tree trade, and acquaintance with varieties adapted to this climate, 

 and now has superior facilities for obtaining every new fruit for propagation as soon as 

 it is known to be of undisputed value. 



"With these nurseries to select from, I indulge the hope that the farmers and fruit 

 growers of eastern lUinois may at least have the privilege to plant largely of the best 

 quality ot home grown trees and plants. 



Time and space fails me to tell you of the more recent condition of our horticulture. 



Paris, Ihs. B. O. CURTIS. 



REPORT OF ELIJAH B.iCON. 



Bloomfield, Edgar Co., Ills., 30th of the 12th mouth, 1869. 

 In the fall of 1844 I brought from my Uttle nursery in Steuben county, New York, a 

 lot of very small grafts chiefly worked on roots, and set them on this, my present farm. 



