394 TEANSACTIONS OF THE KANKAKEE 



iug belts of timber of any kind are a damage or benefit to an 

 orchard. A good many seem to think that protection is a damage. 

 Mr, Knox thinks that unprotected trees do the best. 



0. W. Barnard said he planted an apple orchard many years 

 ago, and a protection belt of black walnut. All the apple trees near 

 the walnut belt are dead; those on the east side are the worst. 



F. I. Mann confirmed the idea and cited an orchard on his 

 brother's place that was protected by a black walnut screen — the 

 apple trees near it were dead. 



Wm. Cooper — The orchards in my immediate neighborhood are 

 rather poor. My own orchard has done better than for several years 

 before. I have harvested not less than 800 bushels of very fair 

 apples and free from worms. The Bellfiowers have done better with 

 me this year than ever. The Duchess, Roman Stem and Snow have 

 done well. My orchard was pastured pretty close, rather closer than 

 I like. Mr. Cooper was asked about his brother's orchard, that has 

 usually borne abundant crops. He replied that there was no apples 

 there this year. Mr. Cooper further stated that the orchards in 

 Kansas and some parts of Missouri looked better this year than last, 

 and he had observed that to be the case in Nebraska and Iowa. In 

 regard to grapes: My vineyard is quite young. I have some two 

 hundred vines, and they bore an enormous crop this year, and of the 

 very best quality. 



F. I. Mann said he had more apples this year than for several 

 years past, and of very good quality. 



Mr. Cunningham, in presenting his report on vegetables, etc., 

 said it was rarely that we have had such a crop of rye and oats as 

 this year. The corn crop was somewhat affected by the drouth. My 

 grapes, Concords, were especially fine and very sweet. 



Mr. President: If it was not for the information and possible 

 benefit to other horticultural organizations throughout the State, 

 through publication, it would seem a useless expenditure of time re- 

 porting to our own Society nothing more than it is supposable all of 

 its members know of the general condition of everything that per- 

 tains to horticulture in our district. But, Mr. President, since you 

 urge me to tell you something you already know, I will begin by 

 saying, first: That the potato crop throughout this region will fall 

 fully fifty per cent, compared with 1884 and 1885. Some localities 



