STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 77 



the most desirable apple of its season for shipping. The Jonathan, 

 for an earlier market, was generally and highly recommended by all 

 who had any experience with it. The Lawver and Huntsman on ex- 

 hibition were very fine and great favorites in some localities, but 

 they succeeded in only a few localities. 



^Ir. M. G. Condon, of Westport, Mo., reported using wire net- 

 ting, such as is used for door and window screens, to prevent rabbits 

 and mice from injuring apple trees. The price of such netting is 

 said to be one and one-half cents per square foot, and lasts many 

 years, requires no tying, and will spread with the growth of the 



tree. 



The Crescent was on every list of the three best strawberries for 

 general cultivation furnished by the members. Cumberland, Sharp- 

 less, Capt. Jack, Miner and Downing were the other favorites. 



The pajiers read were excellent and the discussions following 

 were prompt and interesting, which is, no doubt, owing to the fact 

 that most of the members are also members of local societies, of 

 which there are thirteen in active operation in the state. 



Tiie meetings were made pleasant with music and recitations at 

 fitting periods between the more practical papers. The attendance 

 of ladies was a notable feature, some of them taking part in the dis- 

 cussions and reading the papers they contributed. 



We have had an idea that we in Illinois were doing greater 

 things in the way of fruit-growing than was being done anywhere 

 else in the west. But such may not be the fact long, if it is now. 



We learned of many large enterprises in the way of fruit-grow- 

 ing on the western border, and one company claim to have forty 

 thousand (40,000) peach and twenty thousand (20,000) apple trees 

 planted in orchards in Howell County, near the Arkansas border, and 

 are planting more as fast as they can clear and prepare the land. 



The horticulturists of Missouri are an intelligent, Avide-awake 

 body of men, working with a will and harmony that is a pleasure to 

 see, and have a Goodman for secretary, and if we do not look sharp 

 will, in the near future, leave us in the rear. A pleasanter and more 

 profitable meeting it has never been our lot to attend. 



REPORT OF DELEGATE TO THE INDIANA STATE HORTI- 

 CULTURAL SOCIETY. 



HY .TABEZ WEBSTER. 



To the President of the Illinois State Horticultural Society: 



Your appointed delegate took the train on the morning of Dec. 

 7ih for Columbus, Ind., to attend, as recjuested, the twenty-sixth an- 

 nual meeting of the Indiana State Horticultural Society, arriving at 

 Columbus shortly after 5 P. m. Quite a number of horticulturists 

 being on the same train, I. with them, repaired to the St. Dennis 



