STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 1 1 



Samuel Edwards, of Mendota, LaSalle county, writes : 



"The Apple is our only orchard fruit extensively cultivated. A very large per 

 cent, of orchard trees were fatally injured by the severe winter of 1874-75, which had 

 l)een preceded by several years of comjiarative drouth; the damage is greatest in 

 orchards which had been closely pastured by hogs. 



" Will it pay to mulch for winter protection, with the precaution of l)anking with 

 dirt around the bodies of trees, to keep off mice? 



"The Borers are ruining many orchards. Trees need to be examined every fall 

 and spring for them, but are generally neglected. Any wash of alkali, tried by nie, ha^ 

 jiroved ineffectual to prevent deposit of eggs. How would it do to wrap trees with any 

 cheap material ? I am wrapping some trees with India floor matting to protect from 

 rabbits, and intend leaving it on to shut out the Beetle from laying eggs in the bark. 

 Canker-worms are reported to be in Lamoille, Bureau county. 



"The crop of Apples this year was large, and a great amount of cider was made — 

 generally kept for vinegar. Most orchardists in this region were of the opinion that 

 apples would continue to sell at low prices, and did not secure them as usual. Severe 

 frosts, about the middle of October, injured many. Winter apples \\ ere sold at from 

 twenty-five to forty cents per bushel ; now retail in Mendota at ^i.oo. Years since we 

 made it our practice to begin gathering winter apples the last half of September, leaving 

 those ripening late (as Rawles' Janet) until the last. The Stark apple promises to be 

 an early bearer. Verry Aldrich writes me that it is as good a keeper as Willow Twig 

 or Ben Davis, and a better apple than either. 



" Peaches are but little grown; gave a moderate amount of fruit. W. E. Chapin, 

 of LaSalle, has a seedling peach, proni unced by F. K. Phrenix and others, who have 

 tested it, to be very fine; it is unusually hardy in tree, and has borne well for the last 

 five years. 



" Lombard Plums bore heavily, but most of the fruit rotted before maturity. Miner 

 is beginning to bear, and promises well. 



" Stuall Fruits of all kinds were abundant, and, with the exception of Cherries, 

 Currants and Gooseberries, sell in our markets at remunerative prices. 



"Long-bunched Holland Currants were gathered plump ..nd fresh October 2d. 



" Green Prolific still proves one of our best Strazvberries. 



" Downing's Seedling is a very desirable Gooseberry. 



" Planting of Evergreens (for shelter) and ornamental trees and shrubs is gradually 

 on the increase. The season has been very favorable for growth of newly set trees and 



plants." 



Before closing, I wish to second the suggestion of Mr. Periam in his 

 report of last year, that a supply of printed forms or blanks be furnished 

 this committee, to be used in their correspondence for collecting the 

 information desired. I would further suggest that they be in the shape 

 of questions covering the subject ; and if each question is answered fully 

 ■we can then have a full report. I am of the opinion that this matter is 

 worthy the attention of this meeting. 



Respectfully -submitted. 



J. S. ROGERS. 

 Marengo, 111., December, 1876. 



