STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 73 



have found no very effectual method of destroying these insects ex- 

 cept by liand-])i(kin<j^, which is too slow. Sliould they be as preva- 

 lent another year as this season, shall try to contrive some way to 

 diminish their numbers. 



The small-fruit crop was a lio^ht one as far as we visited. Where 

 not hurt by the frosts in May, aiul the viiu^s were in healthy eoudi- 

 dition. there was a tine crop of well-matured Concord <i;rai)es. This 

 season the wood of Concord in this vicinity is stronger and better 

 rii)ened than for the last three years. We found some vines of Kl- 

 vira that had a good t-ro]) of well-matured fruit ou them. We think, 

 however, that this will be exceptional with this variety, as it will re- 

 quire a longer season to ripen than we usually have in this district. 



We visited several ])lantations of Snyder blackl)erry. All had 

 a light cro]) of fruit, not nearly as large as was expected when they 

 bloomed in the Sjh-ing. Tlip diU'erent localities and soils seemed to 

 be affected about alike. Usually there was a light growth of cane, 

 with not very well matured wood. The reverse seems to be true this 

 season, so that we hope for a better report another year. 



Strawberries were nearly a failure, owing to the frosts in A])ril 

 and May. Some varieties bore fair crops in special localities. a])])ai-- 

 eutly uuire owing to the special condition of ])lants and bloom avIkmi 

 the frosts occurred than to any other cause. One }>arty thought he 

 had saved his crop by leaving the covering on his plants late in the 

 Spring: another thought a similar treatment had been a disadvant- 

 age, as he uncovered his just before a freeze. 



The latter })art of November I visited the grounds (jf Messrs. 

 Douglas & Sons, of Waukegan. They have their usual heavy stock 

 of small evergreens and forest trees, though the supply of trans- 

 planted trees is not as large as it Inis been heretofore. Among other 

 hue things on their groumls was a Norway s])ruce hedge; that was 

 the tinest I have seen anywhere. Also fine specimens of the Doug- 

 las and Menzies s])ruce. They have originated some choice varieties 

 of evergreens, that will make their mnrk in the near future if we 

 are n(^t mistaken. Among them are a dwarf Ai'borvitie ( Little (tciu) 

 a pyramidal and golden Arborvitae, and a trailing golden Juniper; 

 all promising to be especially valuable in cemetery planting. 



The Messrs. Douglas are ])re])aring to plant a section of laiul 

 to forest trees of different varieties in Dakota, on the N(n"thern J Pa- 

 cific Railroad. These gentlemen have done much to prove that tim- 

 ber planting on a large scale can be a success and benuule ])rotital)le, 

 and we wisli them the best of success in their new venture in the 

 northwest. The planting of forest trees in Northern llliiu)is seems 

 at present to be almost at a standstill, being conhned to snnill shelter 

 l)elts and screens. We think that there will be ;i change in the nciir 

 future; that more of our j)rairie farmers will see the necessity and 

 convenience of shelter and useful timber on their farms close at 

 home. Respectfully submitted, 



A. JiRYANT, Jr. 



