264 TRAJSfSACTIONS OF THE NORTHERN 



impression upon the vital force, and it tlie modification is capable of continuation by inheritance, it 

 amounts to a radical dian^'e of tlie character of tlie vital force of that phmt. Impressions upon the 

 vital force are more or less i)ermanent in their Icharacter, from the variejration of a sinf;le| leaf to the 

 establishment of a distinct variety or sub-species. Now by carefully consiilerin^' the laws of inher- 

 itance anil cicpartures therefrom, so far as known anionjr animal being^s, we lind that the most apparent 

 cause of new forms or new proportions, are strong mental impressions of the parents. This being 

 so, what is more reasonable than to suppose that the incidents or accidents which happen in the life 

 of the parent plant, at or before the tlowerinfr season, should so impress the vital principle of the 

 embryo as to i)roduce a new form, color or llavor. Let us suppose a case for illustration. A straw- 

 berry of a good variety is planted in a poor soil, and is compelled to nnderjio all the adverse influ- 

 ences possible without actually killing it. Then, wiieu inured to hardship, let it be brought to the 

 height of its capacity of growth and productiveness by a favorable soil, temperature, Ac. Now let 

 the seed of its best berries be planted in medium soil, and it seems to me that the new see<iling should 

 possess hardiness and vigor and productiveness. This, of course, is only theory. I ask no one to 

 take it as fact But of one point it may safely be said that absolutely all the probabilities are in its 

 favor, and that is, the principle that to impress the vital force of a plant, it is necessary to act upon 

 the i^arent and through it, uj^on the embryonic life of the oftspring. 



Principally because so little that is positive is known upon this subject, I have brought it before 

 you in hopes that every means of obtaining more definite knowledge may be exhausted before we 

 give up trying to know how to impress the life principle. 



In fact, every horticulturalist should constitute himself a committee of one, witli full power to 

 experiment upon his pet trees, shrubs or flowers, until he can tell ns more than we now kuow on 

 this subject. And if our Industrial University should organize a thorough course of experiments, 

 under the sniiervision of its very best professors, for the purpose of adding to the sum of knowledge 

 of vegetable physiology, it would, while doing a great work, only be doing just its duty in the 

 premises. 



The fruit list was up for discussion , some wishing to pass it entirely, while others 

 wished to have the old ground raked over. A fruit list of any Society is of l)ut little 

 value. Dr. Hull says it would ruin any man to follow any fruit list in any given 

 locality. 



Mr. Hallett, of Galena, wished for a preiiminent list of apples. 



Mr. Edwards offered a resolution that no change be made in the fruit list. 



Much time was here lost by discussing the apple list and attempting to get others 

 added. 



Mr. Budd called attention to the Haas apple, also known as the Soulard Grosse 

 Poramier, and Maryland Queen. All present agreed that it was large, showy, pro- 

 ductive, and hardy. 



Samuel Edwards read an instructive essay on timber planting and shelter belts, and 

 was followed by Suel Foster, of Iowa, with an essay on the subject of trees for our 

 prairies, with regard to commercial use. He argued that the growing of forest trees 

 would be one of the most profitable crops. He recommended close planting, say rows 

 five feet and ten feet in the row, each tree to occupy ten square feet. Soft maple and 

 black walnut he finds of the highest value. 



TIMBER SHELTER PLANTATIONS. 



A fact so patent to the eye of any one who visits our lovely prairies, as the one that timber idanting 

 is our greatest physical need, leaves no room for argument. Each of the twenty-seven years during 

 wliich Illinois has been my home serves to strengthen me in this faith. 



During the first half of my residence here the want, and latterly the enjoyment, of ettieient slielter 

 from the chilling blasts of winter has fully satisfied me of the home comforts to be derived from the 

 l)rotection attbrded l)y belts of evergreens. Pear trees were formerly tender with us; now, all the 

 varieties recommended for this part of the State succeed admirably ; are never injured by severest 

 winters. Heart cherries, tender without protection, pay the amateur well forcultui-e. Apples are 

 not blown oft" hy high winds as when unsheltered. It is confidently hoped that many of our excel- 

 lent varieties wlilch have been n little tender, give promise, with protection, to be profitably grown. 



