STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 19 



tion tables. These varieties have l)y twenty years' cultivation been 

 jtroved to be hardy, reasonably productive, good in ([uality, and ad- 

 mirably ada})ted to the family orchard. 



It is very desirable that a canvass be made of these seedlings 

 that have proved to be hardy, productive and fair in quality, and 

 when this is done, as it must and will be in the near future, we shall 

 be astonished at the result. About sixty years ago, a resident of 

 Kentucky concluded to emigrate to Illinois, and among his household 

 goods was a wooden churn, in which he packed a half-dozen seedling 

 apple trees. These trees were planted in the virgin soil of the Prairie 

 State, and in due time bore fruit — one in particular producing an 

 apple of rare beauty and keeping qualities, which was propagated by 

 local nurserymen, and soon became popular in that neighborhood, 

 but for thirty-five years was unknown twenty-five miles from home. 

 This was the well-known, much-lauded and much-abused Ben Davis. 

 I have little doubt but there are seedlings now growing in Illinois 

 that will in time ))ecome as popular as the Ben Davis in its palmiest 

 <lays. This is the legitimate work of an Experimental Station; but 

 until we have such a station, the State Horticultural Society must 

 be responsible for it. And here, again, the ad interim committee can 

 make themselves exceedingly useful. 



Our last volume was placed in the hands of the reader about the 

 first of April, which was some two weeks earlier than the two pre- 

 vious volumes were distributed; but I think the next volume can be 

 ])ul)lished a month earlier. 



The house that published our last book will agree — if the con- 

 tract is awarded them — to publish the forthcoming volume in about 

 thirty days, if the proof is read in their office. If the proceedings 

 of the District and Local Societies are promptly placed in the hands 

 of the Secretary the copy can be ready for the printer by the first of 

 February and the book completed and distributed by the 10th of 

 March. This I consider a question of importance, as planters desire 

 to profit by the record of the past season's work. 



By direction of the Executive Board, on the 10th of August, I 

 .sent the following circular of inquiry to correspondents in every 

 County in the State: 



Secretary's Office. 

 Illinois State Horticultural Society, 

 Warsaw, August 10th, 1886. 

 Dear Sir : A year ago circulars were sent out from this oftice, asking 

 information relative to the condition of fruit trees, the cause of jthe death 

 of so large a number, tlie best location for orchards, etc., etc. Much valua- 

 ble information was obtained from the replies received to these circulars 

 which will be preserved in the horticultural history of the State. But since 

 tiiat time we have passed through a winter of unusual cold, and a drouth 



