ILLINOIS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 309 



The Northern Spy Is reported by Mv. E. A. Hageinan, of Effingham county, thought to be less 

 troubled liy the l)orer than others. 



7. What varieties of grai)os are mostly planted? is answered by Concord in all cases l(ut one, that 

 being Mr. Hammond of Warsaw; then Delaware, Catawba, Ives, Isabella and Hartford I'roliUe. 

 Tlie vines are mostly reported as being subject to mildew, and dropping of leaves, and some rot. 

 Stakes and trellis botli are used. 



S. Have you any pear blight? is answered atlirmatively by all but one, it however being worse in 

 dill'erent places. Have you any theory as to its origin or cure ? is answered in many ways; but few of 

 our correspondents prescribe any cure except to dig up all trees affected and plant new ones in their 

 place. Mr. W. Stewart, of Quincy, says: I think the best preventative is thin, dry, well drained 

 soil, and little cultivation to secure slow growtli and early maturity of wood. Mr. Emory, of Fulton 

 county, reports ' ' plenty of theory but no cure. ' ' Professor Turner says, ' ' my general tlieories are 

 ])ublished, no cliange of mind about them." Mr. Hnggins, of Macoupin county, says, "wlien the 

 doctors disagree, wliat should I knowV" Mr. Hammond of Warsaw says, "I have had half a 

 dozen theories and abandoned them all. 



9. What varieties of cherries succeed best, and on wliat stock are they growing? is answered by 

 sixteen giving Early May or Richmond, tirst; second, common Morello, Englisli Morello and May 

 Duke. What stock are tliey mostly on ? is answered Morello by six, Mohaleb by four, Mazzard by 

 three, own roots by two; while some have reported all kinds as being successful. 



10. Do you think that bees injure or benelit the general fVnit crop? is answered affirmatively by 

 seven, otliers are in doubt as to the benelit. Trofessor Turner of Jacksonville says, "neither 

 particularly, no lack of help here for Insects to carry pollen. Plenty of laborers of all sizes, from 

 notliing up to tumble-bugs; all work cheap." 



11. Do you know of any person who has used tile drain, who is satisfied with the results? Professor 

 Turner says, "don't know any not satisfied." Mr. Kobinson of Tazewell county has used it and is 

 satisfied. Mr. McLain says, "I do, with gratifying results." Nearly all others report "no tile 

 used in this county excejjt for cellar drains." 



12. Have yon any knowledge of any new variety of tree, plant or vine, planted in your locality, 

 that is worthy of fin-tlier trial (give name and where obtained)? Mr. Francis reports tlie Sangamon 

 Red Streak as promising well. Mr. Capps, of Jit. Pulaski, reports Clapp's Favorite pear and Down- 

 ing's Seedling gooseberry. Prof. Turner, of Jacksonville, reports a "Red raspberry, twenty years 

 old, that I think good, if some one would take Iiold of it. I have also a seedling pear very early, 

 that is twenty years old, tliat I think very superior." Mr. D. F. Emory, of Canton, reports: "Have 

 the Mountain cherry described in tlie Patent Otlice Report for 1S65, page 207; no fruit yet. Mr. Wm. 

 Stewart, of Quiucy, lias found the Southern Cypress hardy on tlie prairie since 1853. Mr. Hammond, 

 of Warsaw, reports a new apple called Monte Bello, as having doiu; well in Hancock county for 

 some years. 



13. Have any new insects made their appearance during the past season, and have any common 

 insects appeared in unusual numliers? Jlr. Stewart, of Quincy— Not unless the scab on the apple 

 is the work of an insect, which is doubted here. Prof. Turner— "AsIc Pharaoli how it was once in 

 Eg^pt. I don't believe that a single fruit of any kind was produced on my place that was not bitten 

 or knotted by something." Mr. Cocliran reports " the only real scourge that has appeared the past 

 season has been the tree peddler, nine of wliich have made Havana their head(iuarters." Mr. 

 Huggins reports the aphis or plant louse in unusual numbers. Mr. Robinson, of Fremont, reports 

 "a caterpillar that eats the leaves of black walnuts." Mr. Hammond reports a new worm on apple 

 trees early in May, that was destructive. Tlie State Entomologist took it in charge, and he will 

 doubtless describe it. 



It was found to be impossible to raise sufficient funds to pay for publishing our last report in book 

 form, but it is hoped tliat the reports of this meeting will be published eitlier by tlie Society or in 

 connection with the State Society. 



Tlie Illinois Central and Indianapolis and St. Louis railroads have kindly consented to return our 

 members at reduced rates, showing that they at least appreciate our efforts to enlarge the production 

 of fruit in Central Illinois, the benefits of which will also assist to materially Increase the freight of 

 both these roads. It will lie seen by the reports that but little fruit (except berries) is shipped from 

 Central Illinois. It is not all consumed where it is grown, but it is sold on the trees anil carried 

 away in wagons a distance of from fil'ty to one hundred miles, mostly for family use. EiKjuiries 

 made of tliose who went to the Wabash counties for ajiples, tlie past fall, show that the average 

 price of good winter apples was fifty cents per bushel, on the tree. Tliis, taking into consideration 

 the large crop, is a little singular. Twelve or fourteen years ago apples sold in these same localities 

 at from ten to twenty-five cents per bushel, and were delivered a hundred miles by wagons for half 

 a dollar. Ten years ago our citizens said the apple business will be overdone. Yet with the many 

 hundreds of tiionsands of trees that have been planted since that time, the price has continued to 

 advance. I for one do not think that the price of apples, pears and cherries will ever full l)elow the 

 cost of production, wliicli sometimes does happen to the small fruit. 



