312 ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Radishes are almost as staple an article as lettuce, and no one variety 

 has been so much planted as the Long Scarlet Short-top. When completely 

 grown long, as this name indicates, with short tops, they are beautiful to 

 look at, and much to be desired. 



A new competitor for favor has reached us the last two or three 

 years, and Wood's early frame radish bids fair to supply a want for a 

 first-rate, quick-maturing radish under glass. 



While these crops have been coming in, your cabbage and tomato 

 plants have been started at the right time, and of all varieties of cabbage 

 you put in, you have not neglected for earliest the Early Jersey Wakefield, 

 and for second early, the " Fottler's Improved Drumhead," or some other 

 good and well-tried variety. It is too late now, to make a success, to sow 

 the seed for the earliest. As to tomatoes, whatever early variety you try, 

 do not neglect Trophy for main crop. Though not so fine and large as 

 this variety, the Tilden is the earliest of the large tomatoes. Several new 

 aspirants to favor are out, and may be tried. The Canada Victor, or the 

 Conqueror, may prove to be what we want. For the early home market,. 

 Hathaway's Excelsior is one of the best, round and smooth ; it ripens up 

 thoroughly, and is of excellent flavor. 



Cucumbers, to be early, are started and grown under glass. For 

 this purpose, the white spine stands almost without a rival. The New 

 Jersey hybrid is larger, not quite so early, does well, and bears enormous 

 crops. To have all of these to perfection, get the purest and best seed to 

 be found. The smaller price, as compared with quality of seed, is dearest 

 in the end ; therefore, spare no pains or expense to obtain the choicest. 

 In this direction, let me urge upon you to save your own seed carefully 

 and systematically ; select the earliest and best for yourself. Let no 

 flaming advertisements draw you from this purpose. Your reward is cer- 

 tain ; your seed will grow ; your plants will be true to name, and your 

 crops will pay. 



Follow these suggestions, and you will then always know what to 

 plant. 



MARCH MEETING. 



The March meeting of this Society was held at Crowe's Hall, in 

 Alton, on the 2d inst. 



CoL. FuLKERSON (of Jersey ville) inquired as to the best time to set 

 fruit trees. 



