334 



TRANSACTIONS OF THE CENTRAL 



R. F. Pope, Kinmundy, Ills. : Stark, smooth and fine. 



L. C. Francis, Springfield, Ills : Jewett's Fine Bed. 



P. Voris, jMattoon, Ills.: Fallawater (fine), Baldwin (good), Roxbury Russet, Fall Pippin, 

 Peck's Pleasant; also one winter pear. 



By S. Edwards, Mendota, Ills. : Specimens of Stark, from Ohio ; Minkler and Soulard Crab, from 

 Galena. Mr. Edwards also presented scions of the Stark, Forbiana Willow, and Long-bunched 

 Holland Currant, for distribution. 



Mr. Piatt, of Chicago: Specimens of Nickajack, and several varieties of Pears, from California. 



A. L. Hay, Jacksonville, Ills.: Seedling of 1820, said to be unusally productive; resembles Maid- 

 en's Blusli; verj' good and haudsome. Recommended. 



H. W. Davis. Decatur: Rome Beauty, Pennock, Northern Spy, Vandevere Pippin, Green Pippin, 

 Janet, W. Swaar, E. Spitzenberg, Smith's Cider, Jonathan. Grindstone, English Russet, English 

 Golden Russet, Roman Stem, White Winter Pearmain, Pryor's Red, Limber Twig, Willow, Yellow 

 Bellflower, Gilpin, Perry Russet, Baldwin, Fallawater, Rhode Island Greening, Hays' Wine, Lane 

 Red Streak. 



There were other lots, without names of owners or varieties. 



J. A. WARDER, -) 



M. C. McLAIM, I Committee. 



H. W. DAVIS, J 



The President was directed to present the fruit on exhibition to Mr. T. E. Woods, 

 of the Mattoon Journal. 



USEFUL AND ORNAMENTAL TREES. 



No one subject, of a temporal nature, is of more value to the people of our prairie region than 

 forest planting. Having originally but a limited supply, but a small part of our territory fully devel- 

 oped for cultivation, obtaining a large portion of our timber from sister States— whose thinking men 

 are earnestly endeavoring to arrest the devaslation now being made with their forests, which they 

 are satisfied will be gone in twenty-five lo fifty years— it behooves us at once to secure legislative 

 action for the encouragement of forest planting. Being recently at Springfield, I found in the Con- 

 stitutional Convention sixty lawyers, less than a dozen farmers, not one horticulturist. 



It seems to be the peculiar mission of our societies to present tor consideration of the members 

 some action to make it imperative upon our legislators to pass laws having for their aim aid to this 

 important industry. This was the view taken by the Northern Illinois Society, at their meeting at 

 Dixon last week, full particulars of which will be given by your worthy Secretary, Mr. H. J. Dunlap, 

 whom we were glad to welcome to a part in our deliberations. A committee of seven were appointed, 

 and Mr. Arthur Bryant, Sen., selected as a delegate to present the subject for consideration to the 

 oommittee on agriculture in the convention, who assured me of favorable action upon anything 

 which the wisdom of our society might suggest. 



We need and confidently expect your cordial co-operation in this important work. By addressing 

 a report of the action of your society to Hon. Mr. "Wells, chairman ot committee on agriculture of 

 constitutional convention at Springfield, it will be a great aid in securing the desired result. Argu- 

 ment, to convince our people of the urgent necessity of immediate attention to this object, seems 

 superfluous. 



Your lists of varieties can be made better bj' your old residents than by one living in a different 

 latitude. White Pine, European Larch, Oaks, Black "Walnut and "White Willow are leading varieties 

 recommended here. For ornament, evergreens are most largely planted : AVhite and Norway Spruce, 

 Red, White and Austrian Pine. Balsam Fir, Hemlock, Irish and Swedish Juniper, are all desirable. 

 Of the newer or more rare varieties, Cembrian Pine, Picea Nordmanniana. Douglas Spruce (when 

 brought directly from the forests of Colorado), Nootka Sound Cypress, Picea Pichta, are hardy and 

 desirable. For a street tree, the White Elm is taking the lead, where there is plenty of room. Mag- 

 nolia Acuminata and the Tulip Tree, or Yellow Poplar, are very satisfactory. 



A few cuttings of the Forbiana Willow, very valuable for tying corn shocks and any bundle; a few 

 cuttings of Long-bunched Holland Currant, a very late variety; scions of Stark from H. P. McMas- 

 ters' bearing orchard, at Leonardsburg, Delaware county, Ohio, and a few specimen apples from 

 there, are all I can now send. 



Wishing your society a pleasant and profitable meeting, enjoining upon all to work in their tem- 

 poral and spiritual fields while the day lasts, I remain, in haste. 



Very cordially yours, SAMUEL EDWARDS. 



