ILLINOIS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 311 



pass oft' veiiilily. Turn in llic pigs and ponltry, and let the laud go to weeds. Mow the weeds in 

 June and Autrust, with the tnower. raise into small piies or windrows and burn, during warm sum- 

 mer evenings wlien the air is still, to attract and destroy the moths. Burn in tiu' same way all dead 

 brush, and every sort of rubbish abitnt ilie premises. Late in the fall, with a keen, hriglit plow, set 

 very shallow, turn over the surface of the soil, and In tlie spring harrow and roll, ready for 

 the mower. This should be done at least once in two years Keep a sharp look out for eggs, 

 moths, and insects. Spare the birds to hel)) you, tliey are your friends. Wash the trees in si)ring 

 and fall witli strong soapsuds, thickened with clay or other material, to form a coating to protect 

 the trunk and larger limbs from the sun, frost and insects; cut away dead limbs, and thin out the 

 tops; beyond this prune but little Never cease to watch tlie bugs, borers and caterpillars. Fight 

 them in every way: by lire, by cultivation, and by every known device. Here is the crisis in fruit 

 culture. Kemeraber that we liave more to fear from the insect and fungoi<l euennes which prey 

 upon our orchards, fields and gardens, than IVoni all the guns, swords and diplomacy of the " czar 

 and the infidel;" and unless we wage eternal and determined war against tlieiu, we shall be con- 

 quered. Of what avail are fruit conventions and fruit lists, if we only raise otir finest crops to fatten 

 our enemies? The war is upon us— the armies are in tlie field— tliere can be no truce ! Shall we, 

 whose fathers drove the Kritish lion from the laud: shall WFS, l)ef()re whose face the war whoop 

 of the Indian melts into extinction, and the wild beasts of the prairies and forests retire in dismay, 

 cower before the pigmy foes of our trees and fruits? 



Thus far we have g;iined a few victories, perhaps, but the Imgs have gained many. How their bug 

 generals and iieetle captains must laugh, to see us turn pale at sight of a scab on the Wiiu'sap, and to 

 hear us talk of giving up Lherislie<l fruits, because they have in some way bei'U atllicted. Fellow 

 citizens, sueli timid warfare never concpiers. Our motto should be, '•millions f(U- defence, not a 

 cent for tribute;'" and the standing order of the day shouhi be, ' • Up, guards, and at them 1" 



REVISION OF FRUIT LIST— APPLES. 



It was decided that an expression as to the merits or demerits of a variety was much 

 better than to have a vote, whicli would not express tlic sentiments of all the mem- 

 bers; therefore no fruit list i.s recommended by the society. The list of varieties 

 called over is the list tidopted by the society at its last meeting, in Decatur. 



American Summer Pearmain. — Dunlap, Champaign — Of no v:ilue lor market. 



Dr. Hull, Alton — As a family apple has no superior; good for both family and mar- 

 ket in some localities. 



Holcomb, South Pass— What are we to underst:md by its being good for family use, 

 and not for market? 



Dr. Warder — It is an excellent apple; but people who buy apples are not yet edu- 

 cated up to a point where they are willing to pay a remunerative price for good apples. 

 Hence the distinction. Neither does the public appreciate good fruit. 



Bexoni — Dunlap has trees twelve years planted, but they do not bear well. Apple 

 tine, and promises well; would plant sparingly. 



Red June. — Iluggins, Macoupin Co. — Does not stand high with us, neither does it 

 bear so well as formerly. Scabs very badly; cultivation does not make the fruit 

 perfect. 



Dr. Hull — You can get rid of the lice that cause the scab at an expense of two cents 

 per tree. Sprinkle air-slacked lime over the trees, while the leaves are wet, just 

 before or after blooming: it might injuic the blossoms if put on while in bloom. 



Mr. Dunlap said tree grew very thick, and needed thinning; the fruit should also be 

 thinned out. 



Duchess of Oldenberg. — McLain, Charleston — Gives good satisfaction. Has 

 noticed that the bai'k sometimes cracks, similar to the Rambo. Has trees four years 

 in bearing, from Ellwanger & Barry; good judges said they were genuine. 



