ILLINOIS IIORTICULTtfRAL SOCIETY. 285 



subject. He spoke of the rapidity with which forest trees grow, as an argument in 

 favor of trcu planting. He saw in Kansas this year black walnut eight feet high, throe 

 years from the seed. He urged following Nature's teaching by planting close, so that 

 the trees might grow erect, and thus let Nature do her own pruning. Strips or belts 

 of timber were needed on prairie farms, not only evergreen trees, but deciduous trees 

 also. Experience is teaching us that forest trees Avill pay outside of the protection 

 which they attbrd. He was glad to see the interest manifested by the Society in tne 

 subject of planting forests, and hoped the subject would be agitated by this Society 

 and all local societies , till these vast prairies are encircled by belts of evergreens and 

 deciduous trees. 



Judge Knapp gave an address on Climatology. He seemed to be quite at home, and 

 gave his ideas'in clear and forcible language. He strongly recommended the study of 

 this science. 



At 10 o'clock the motion was made to adjoiu'n. Carried. 



THIRD DAY— MORNING SESSION. 



The proceedings were opened with prayer by Mr. Smiley Shepherd, of Hennepin, 



Fruit lists were taken up. Suel Foster remarked that our fruit lists are too large 

 already, and need cutting down. Twelve varieties were all that could be recom^ 

 mended for Northern Iowa. 



Dr. Warder said that varieties of fi'uit that did well 20 years ago begin to fail now. 

 What is the matter? Kansas exhibits beautiful fruit to-day. So did Illinois 10 years 

 ago. lie thinks cliange of climate is not the cause. 



The subject of timber trees was again called up this morning, and took a vride range 

 of discussion. 



Mr. McAfee presented his lignarium, consisting of 120 varieties of Stephenson 

 county wood, to Dr. Warder, but Dr. Warder declined to accept it unless he could 

 donate it to the Industrial University in the name of the giver, to which consent was 

 given. 



Mr. Edwards said that he considered this donation of more value than any ])ook in 

 the library; and as a trustee, returned thanks in the name of the State. 



Mr. Dunlap, another trustee, expressed his pleasure in accepting the gift. Here, 

 from a society like this, will come our botanical and horticultural professors. 



AGENCIES OPERATING INJURIOUSLY TO SUCCESSFUL FRUIT GROWING. 



Three minute speeches were the order of the day. 



This was an interesting topic, and one on which all the speakers could tell something 

 that they knew, hence three minutes was ample time. Mr. Bliss had lost largely by 

 following the light of the East. Messrs. Foster, McWhorter, Ellsworth and others 

 would test all varieties, and hold f\ist to the few best. Mr. Wier had found a new 

 order of pruning, that he would some day flash upon the world. Dr. Warder stated 

 an immense falling off in the fruit crop of Ohio. The cause is no doubt due to the 

 increase of injurious insects. 



