22 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



By the* 30th these circulars had been so generally returned that 

 I was able to compile and publish the following summary: 



Secketary's Office, 

 Illinois State Horticultural SociETy, 



Waksaav, August 30th, 1886. 

 Report of the condition of fruit and fruit trees, compiled from answers 

 received to nearly 300 circulars sent out August 10th, 188(5 : 



ACREAGE or ORCHARDS. 



In reply to the question, " Has the acreage of orchards increased or de- 

 creased in the last ten years?" Northern Illinois reports a decrease of 27 

 per cent.; Central, 23 per cent.; and Southern an increase of 35 per cent. 



CONDITION OF TREES. 



Northern Illinois reports 22 per cent, of the apple trees that were alive 

 andihealthy three years ago as being now in a vigorous condition; Central, 

 43 per cent.; and Southern, 75 per cent. 



PER CENT. OF DEAD AND DYING TREES. 



Northern Illinois reports 20 per cent, of the trees that were reported as 

 being in a fair condition one year ago as now dead or dying; Central, 12 

 per cent.; and Southern, 10 per cent. 



DROUTH. 



In all sections of the State the drouth has injured fruit trees and 

 caused the fruit to drop prematurely. 



APPLE TREES PLANTED. 



The Northern and Central districts report 10 per cent, less planting 

 than ordinary years; the Southern district, an increase of 12 per cent. 



LOSS OF SPRING PLANTING. 



The Northern district reports the loss of spring plantmg as 30 per 

 cent.; the Central, 21 per cent.; and the Southern, 13 per cent. 



LOCATION OF ORCHARDS. 



In Northern Illinois 72 per cent, of the correspondents recommend dry, 

 rolling land, and 28 per cent, flat and moist. In ('entral Illinois 76 per 

 cent, recommend dry and rolling, and 24 per cent, flat and moist. The 

 Southern district recommends 48 per cent, dry and rolling and 52 per cent. 

 flat and moist. Nearly all who favor flat, moist land, speak of the impor- 

 tance of drainage. 



BARNYARD MANURE. 



The State is practically unanimous in the opinion that barnyard ma- 

 nure, or fertilizers or mulch of any kind, may be used with advantage in 

 the orchard. 



