STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 173 



This, although sometimes dearly bought, results profitably in a 

 long run, if pro{)erly headed, no matter what the bottom figures may 

 indicate. Although it adds vastly to our gratification when the 

 figures indicate a pretty good balance on the right side, for I take 

 it for granted that but few of us spend our time in hard labor just 

 for the fun of the thing. 



The great question then comes up; "What are the results of 

 the season's operations? how much cash have we received?" 



Geuerally speaking, we nuiy say that the fruit crop through 

 Central Illinois has been one of great abundance. 



The show of blossoms in the spring was wonderful. Every 

 tree and shrub, whose nature it is to bear either fruit or flower, 

 seemed to exert themselves to see Avhat they could do in that 

 line, and such a magnificent sight as they presented is seldom seen. 

 But with the dropping of the blossoms came the inevitable cold 

 storm and wind, and took the lion's share, but still there 

 was plenty left. Then, among the apples, came the Codling Moth 

 and took his share, which, as usual, was a large one, and still there 

 was enough left. Then came a series of wind and hailstorms at in- 

 tervals, which so reduced the crop that when })icking time came 

 there were not many to pick. It seeujs rather curious that a section 

 of country so celebrated for its agricultural products as Central Illi- 

 nois should be obliged to depend on other sections of the country for 

 our winter apples, but such seems to be the case. We are either 

 too far north or else we are too far south, as both conspire to feed 

 us on their apples. 



But I anticipate that this problem will be solved when that 

 other and greater question is ])ermanently settled: "What shall 

 we i)lant in order to be reasonably certain of a good {)roductive 

 orchard?" Hundreds are asking that question to-day, and are wait- 

 ing for an answer. 



Most of the old standard kinds have gone back on them, and 

 the new kinds they are disposed to handle with care, and they are 

 standing with open mouths awaiting an answer. I have visited a 

 few orchards this fall, and have noted those that seem to succeed 

 best in this latitude. One, a few miles south-east of Urbana, which 

 once contained forty acres, embracing most of the standard varieties 

 of twenty-five years of age. Now all there is left of that once 

 valuable orchard are the Rawles' Janet, Willow Twig, a few Limber 

 Twig, Jonathan and Gilpin. These all have good crops, especially 

 Willow and Janet, and very free from worms.' 



I might here mention that there was a heavy wind-break of soft 

 maple, running north aiul south through this orchard. The two 

 rows next the wiiul-break, on the east, were Willow Twig, and the 

 owner told me that they had never borne a crop of fruit worth men- 

 tioning, Avhile those more exposed never failed of a fair crop every 

 year. I might mention that these trees were set too near the wind- 



