20 TKANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



of great severity, probably killing many of the trees injured by previous 

 cold winters that otherwise would have recovered. If so, it is important 

 that the facts be known. 



"We find a general opinion among fruit men that the prospect and con- 

 dition of the present crop have been over-estimated, and that the per cent, 

 of marketable fruit will be much less than is generally expected. Please 

 give the questions bearing on this point (11 and 12) your careful attention. 



It was not the intention of the Secretary, when he began the prepara- 

 tion of this circular, to cover so much ground, but he has been requested 

 by members of the Executive Board and other prominent members of the 

 Society to include all these questions. It has therefore grown to its pres- 

 ent proportions. 



You are earnestly requested to give it your careful attention, and reply 

 to each query as far as possible. When the fruit referred to is not grown 

 in your county this character "x" may be used, but where you have not 

 sufficient data for an intelligent estimate, the space may be left blank. As 

 soon as the circulars are returned to the Secretary, which should not be 

 later than August l7th, a summary will be compiled and printed, and a copy 

 mailed to you, as a small return for the information you have so kindly 

 furnished. Very truly yours, 



A. C. HAMMOND, Secretary. 



(These questions refer to your county.) 



1. Has the acreage of apple orchard increased or decreased in the last ten 



years '? What per cent ? 



2. What per cent, of apple trees of all ages, planted in orchard, that were 



alive and healthy three years ago are now in a vigorous condition ? 



3. What per cent, of trees reported a year ago as being in a good or fair 



condition are now dead or dying? 



4. What has been the effect of the late drouth on apple trees? 



5. Was the number of apple trees planted last spring more or less than 



ordinary years? 



6. What is the per cent, of loss of the spring planting? 



7. With the experience of another year before you, what location would 



you recommend for orchards? Dry, rolling or flat and moist? 



8. Has barn-yard manure or other fertilizer been used in the orchard, and 



with what success? 



9. Has clover or rye been used as a green manure, and with what success ? 



10. 'Have the Russian apples been planted in your county ? If so, do they 



promise to be more valuable than our native sorts? 



11. What per cent, of an average apple crop will your county produce? 

 . 12. What per cent, of the crop will be of a marketable quality ? 



18. Have you noticed a scarcity of codling moth ? If so, what per cent, less 



than usual ? 

 14. What varieties are most productive? 



