STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 1 1 .J 



that in it we see one of the great apples of the future. The fruit is the 

 size of the well-known Ben Davis, and of the same keeping qualities. This 

 apple is very different in character from any of our well-known late-keep- 

 ing apples, they being nearly every one of a m'lkl sub-acid flavor, while 

 the Wythe is very juicy, with a brisk sub-acid flavor, making it a most ex- 

 cellent culinary fruit, and its acidity will make it very refreshing, health- 

 ful and desirable as an eating apple in the early spring, when the human 

 system is in such great need of tlie healthful fruit acids. Your committee 

 would recommend this apple for general dissemination. 



Two apples presented by H. C. Graves, of Sandwich, Illinois, sup- 

 posed to be seedlings, may prove of value. 



The Grimes' Golden shown are very large and fine specimens of that 

 variety. Its ripeness at this time indicates that it will not prove to be the 

 long keeper that it has been claimed to be. This is a fine apple in qual- 

 ity, the tree an abundant bearer, but unfortunately the fruit <z// drops from 

 the trees before gathering time. 



The exhibition of winter apples by the Warsaw Horticultural Society 

 is very fine, and well worthy of the national reputation of this region for 

 the growing of fine fruits. There were many very fine specimens of our 

 well-known leading winter sorts, but the committee could not find out the 

 names of the exhibitors. 



Pears. — Although the past ten years have been very destructive to 

 pear trees in this State, and the past season has been a very poor one in 

 which to grow good pears, we find on the tables some very fine specimens 

 of winter pears. Notably, those presented by D. F. Kinney, of Rock 

 Island, who shows Josephine de Amiline, though not of extra size, well 

 ripened and of excellent flavor. Also, very fine winter Nelis, Beurre 

 Easter and Beurre d'Anjou. 



We find on the tables a pear sent here through the Prairie Farmer, 

 by Mr. L. Adams, of Peoria county, accompanied by the following state- 

 ment : 



" The tree is thirty-five years old. The seed was planted by A. Wilkinson. Said 

 tree, this year, bore forty bushels, which mostly sold at three dollars per bushel. It last 

 year bore thirty bushels, mostly sold at four dollars per bushel, making the tree, in the 

 last two years, worth ^^240. If there is any other pear tree in Illinois, or any other place, 

 that beats this, let us hear from the owner. The tree has proved itself to be as hardy as 

 an oak. The great beauty of this pear is that it keeps until sjiring, the same as a %\ inter 

 apple, and will have a great commercial value in it. I have owned my farm for the last 

 twelve years, and have had a fair crop each year. Persons not believing my statements 

 are invited to call and see my tree in bearing. Dknis Nelson." 



This tree has been known by the chairman of your committee for the 

 past four seasons ; he has seen the fruit, and knows that the facts as given 

 above, at least during this period, are substantially true ; and as this tree was 

 grown from the seed where it stands, on the average prairie soil of your 

 State, we can see no reason why it may not do as well all over the central 

 part of our State at least. The young trees propagated from it have proven 

 entirely hardy and good growers. It is proposed to name it Wilkinson's 

 Winter, after the planter of the seed. The committee find the specimens 

 of large size, fine golden color, and very good in quality, 

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