358 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



Mr. Darnell— Had observedit at Riverside; it is found mostly among the Ravvles' 

 Janets, but some others are affected. 



Other members had noticed it in a few instances; but no one knew its cause or could 

 suggest a remedy. 



THE LESSOX OF THE SEASON. 



[Essay read before the Warsaw Horticultural Society, August 21, ISti'J,] 



Every season may be said to teach a new lesson to the cultivator of the soil— fruit-grower as well 

 as farmer. Let us consider what is the lesson taught by tlie season of 1SJ9; and, first, in what way 

 lias It been remarkable? Throughout tlie West it has been one of the wettest ever known. Rain- 

 rain, from early spring to midsum.iier, with but short intermission, liis been tlie rule, until the soil 

 has been soaked full, and surface-washed to a degree seldom known before. It is needless to say 

 that cultivation and the proper care of crops has been sini;)ly impossible. If crops have grown at 

 all, in many cases it lias been in contliet with weeds wliicli could not bj destroyed. 



Then what is the lesson tiuight us by this experience? It is written so that those wlio run may 

 r ead— D rain AGE . 



I think 110 one will differ with ine in this statement. It is a thing which we partially realized 

 before, but which the year 1839 has doubly demonstrated. I will briefly allude to a few of the reasons 

 for drainage. 



1. It renders the subsoil porous, aud allows the water to pass through it, leaving it in a tillable 

 condition long before lands undrained can be tilled at all . 



2. It presents to a large degree all surface washings. 



3. It prevents baking and hardening on exposure to sun after rains. 



Other valid reasons might be given, but these will suffice. To the question. What lauds need 

 underdraining? I would reiily, all, or nearly so; boggy soils need it to be rendered tillable at all. 

 Flat lands need it, in order that the superabundant water may pass off. Our bluff limestone lands 

 need it to give mellowness and moisture, and to prevent wasting away. I conceive of no soil that 

 would not be benefited by draining except those sandy or gravelly subsoils sometimes found in our 

 river bottoms. 



What would be called good drainage may vary as to the character of the soil. Some requires more, 

 some less. Our bluff lands in Hancock county can scarcely be drained too much; our flat prairie 

 farms will not soon be drained half enough. 



I have thus briefly hinted at what I conceive to be the lesson of lS(i9. I will add, that I believe a 

 dry season will teach the same lesson. Drainage is a panacea for excessive moisture; draining is a 

 i)aiiacea for drought. Complete and sufficient drainage will doubtless double the crops of many 

 farmers in Hancock county. 



But the cost. Aye, there's the rub ! It is a formidable item, whether we contemplate using tile 

 and doing the work in the most thorough manner, or whether we only design to cut ditches. One 

 tiling is certain, it is In the power of every one to begin. The owner of a flat prairie farm can this 

 year open a ditch througli it; next j'ear he can do more. The owner of a village acre can lay one 

 drain through it, next year add another, and so on. I .shall inform myself about cost, and give 

 result. 



September 20, 1869. 



The Ad Liitrim Committee of the Illinois State Horticultural Society, consisting 

 of Dr. Hull, of Alton; Samuel Edwards, of Lamoille, Bureau county; and Mr. 

 Cochran, of Cook county, made a visit to Warsaw to-day. 



President Hammond and other members took them in charge, on a tour of inspec- 

 tion aud obser\atioii to the orchards of Mr. Hammond, Ezekiel McCune, and others, 

 and the vineyards about the city. In the evening, by agreement, they met most of 

 our members at the residence of Dr. Hay, in town. President Hammond called the 

 meeting to order, and stated that tlie meeting was gotten up for the purpose of 

 having a talk from our distinguished visitors of the committee. 



Mr. Cochran responded in a somewhat discouraging account of the prospects of 

 fruit culture in the several sections of the State and in Missouri, which they have 

 visited. He thinks that in view of the increase of the insect tribes^ and the diseases 



