ILLINOIS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 201 



They thought one reason of the decline in fruit-growing here 

 was that the winters were colder than they used to be. 



Messrs. Jackson, Pearson, Riehl and others at this point ex- 

 changed experiences as to the honesty and reliability of nurserymen, 

 and while it was admitted that many of our grievances, such as get- 

 ting sorts untrue to name, were no doubt caused by errors, yet there 

 were some nurserymen of whom several members complained, and 

 such will not be favored with many orders from members of this 

 Society. One member stated that he once ordered a bill of goods 

 from a nurseryman near the town Palmyra, N. Y., and among other 

 things ordered a white Ann Arbor grape vine at a round price. 

 When the Imndle came, instead of the usual vine came a tag on 

 which was printed: "These are all the plants we have of this kind. 

 Plant in pot or box of rich earth, etc."; to this was attached a piece 

 of root about a fourth of an inch thick and two inches long. It 

 was planted as directed, and grew, but instead of the usual grape 

 vine it developed into a plant having cane, leaves and thorns like 

 the blackberry. What kind of grapes it will bear the future will 

 tell, but it is hardly likely that they will be white nor yet the bunches 

 very large. 



APRIL MEETING. 



The Alton-Southern Illinois Horticultural Society met April 3d, 

 at the Hotel Madison, Vice-President Browne in the chair. 



ORCHARDS. 



Mr. Davis reported pear trees full of buds and promising a good 

 crop. Sweet cherries full of live fruit buds. 



Mr. Hilliard said pears and cherries promised a full crop. 



Mr. Jackson thought the present cold weather favorable for 

 this year's fruit crop, as it was retarding the blooming, and when it 

 does turn warm it will be so late that there will be little danger of 

 damage by late frosts. 



SMALL FRUITS. 



Mr. Davis reported strawberry plants as looking better than for 

 years; thought the acreage about the same as last year, but some 

 patches poor, owing to neglect last year. Blackberries and rasp- 

 berries also in good condition. 



