ILLINOIS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 253 



Mr. Tyler jNlcWhorter, from the Committee ou the Geology of Soils, read a report 

 on tlie soils of Mercer county. In that county the lacrustrine deposits occupied several 

 narrow belts of what we now call modified drift, and the drift proper. These soils are 

 liable to washing, and we lose more or less of the surface by its being washed into our 

 streams. Hence we must plant deeper, and give surface protection. He would 

 mulch old orchards with grass or weeds, cut them before they mature, and by all means 

 avoid an open exposed surface. 



ON THE GEOLOGY OF SOILS IN KELATIOX TO FRUIT-CULTUEE . BY TYLER M'WHOETEB. 



Beiu^ iissofiated on tlie Committee on tlie Ueolojry of Soils witli my aljle friend, Mr. Sbaw, of 

 Mt. Carroll, ou whom you may rely for a more general report, 1 will limit myself to a few briet 

 remarks on the surface soils of uiy own special locality, with relation to fruit-tfrowing. 



With the exception of the loess or lacustrine formation of our river bluft's, we liave only the deep 

 surface covering of drift spread over tlie old carbouiferous formations. 



The loess deposits being limited to the line of our bluffs, aud often to very narrow elevations, 

 constitute but a very inconsiderable portion of our surface soil. But these soils, being rich In cal- 

 careous nuitters, possess iu a high degree the essential elements for fruit-growing. Hence, under 

 proper management, these blufflands may be profitably used for orchards and vineyards. 



Tlie idea that people generally associate with the term drift, depends much on their geographical 

 locality. In the Atlantic States, it Is merely scattering boulders, and beds of sand, gravel, and 

 coarse material, strewn haji-hazard over the country. AVith us, it is a deep superficial covering, 

 consisting mostly of finely ground material; the upper stratum being nearly a homogeneous char- 

 acter of brown clay of great agricultural value. 



At the late meeting of the State Horticultural Society at Ottawa, we were favored with an able 

 discourse from Mr. Shaw on the agencies by which this compound of former rocks was comminuted, 

 aud transported from more northern regions, and spread over our State. 



Prior to the drift period, tlie old surface had been exposed to atmospheric action through long 

 geological ages, and had become worn and cut into water-courses on a very extensive scale. Since 

 the drift, those old walerworu valleys becauie inland lakes of fresh water. Subseiiueutly, these 

 lakes became drained into the condition of our preseut rivers. Hence our principal streams are 

 now flowing in the valleys of older watercourses. 



JIucli of what was the drift fuopeb, has been displaced liy tlie action of w.^ter, aud now exists 

 ■ou secondary bottoms iu the form of modifikd drift; also much has been carried away by our 

 present streams. Hence it often occurs that on our broken points of laud the brown clays that, 

 properly forms the upper stratum of the drift, has been removed, and we meet with the admixture 

 of gravel of the lower stratas. 



While mucli of the dkift i-kopeu has been thus worn and transported away by our streams, the 

 surface has lieen greatly enriched by vegetable matter. 



The prominent characteristics of the brown clays that usually constitute our sub-soil is, a combin- 

 ation of mineral elements of great value to agriculture; and a susceptibility of being easily washed 

 and cut up by the action of water. And the point I wish here to impress, is, that in tlie peculiarities, 

 our sub-soil is so very distinct from wliat occurs in the Atlantic States, that it becomes important 

 for us to adoijt (piite a different mode of practice, especially that of deeper planting. 1. Because 

 the mineral strength of our sub-soil is inviting to deeper roots. 2. Our soil, being susceptible to 

 deeper atmospheric influence, is more favorable for deeper planting. 3. So great is the suscejiti- 

 bility of our soil to the washing process, that with all our care to the contrary, much of our surface 

 soil is removed from all our undulating grounds before orchard trees or vineyards attain age, bring- 

 ing old roots to surface exposure, i. Having usually less snow than in the Eastern States, the roots 

 of trees reiiuire deeper earth protection. 



From the circumstance of our soil being so easily washed, arises the importance of surface pro- 

 tection. All cultivated grminds, especially vineyard and nursery grounds, should have some surface 

 protection during winter— the most excessive washing being usually at the breaking up of winter. 

 When thorough cultivation is continued until midsumnicr, a cheap and valuable surface protection 

 is secured by sowing oats thickly on the grounds in August. By this means we not only efi'ect 

 protection against the washing process, but we also protect the roots of plants ami young trees 

 against the severity of winter. In spring, when cultivation is resumed, the thin nudcliing of oats 

 is no serious obstacle. And what is of decided importance, the ground is remarkably loose and 

 mellow— very difTereut from grounds that have been left naked during winter, and beat down by 

 winter and spring rains, J plowing up iu a lumpy condition. On steep descents, if old straw is 



