8 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



It will lie observed that tlie outlook for loiim'-lived and fruitful 

 apple trees in Northern Illinois is not at present very tiatteriny. 

 With the single exception of the Dnchess of ()ldenl)urg, there seems 

 to be none that are hardy and productive under all the conditions of 

 our latitude. It is true that some varieties do well in certain locali- 

 ties for a few years, when premature decay is sure to overtake them. 

 And whether the cause of this universal decline can be attriljuted to 

 unfavoral)le electrical conditions, to extremes of temperature, to ex- 

 tremes of moisture and drouth, or to Avant of inherent vigor in the 

 varieties at present propagated, or simply to a want of adaptation to 

 the rigors of our climate, are questions that none of the experts in 

 pomological science can at present agree upon. It would seem that 

 conditions are slightly more favorable on high clay bluffs for grow- 

 ing apples, even without timber Ijelts for protection, than on ordinary 

 upland, unless well underdrained, but the difference is hardly percep- 

 tible. In view of the fact that the apple is the most valuable fruit 

 of the north temperate zone, I have thought this Society might do 

 well, in order to stimulate investigation, to offer prizes for the best 

 treatise, or essay, on the cause and cure of the decline of the apple-tree 

 in the Northwest. 1 am fully satisfied that a careful, intelligent, 

 scientitic investigation, and experiment, would lead to results of vast 

 importance to horticulture: but whether the coming apple is to be an 

 importation from Eastern Russia, Northern (jermany, or is to be 

 developed from seedlings, or crosses from some of our native or 

 present varieties, is a problem the future alone can solve: but it is 

 coming, and he that is instrumental in bringing it forth will the 

 divine Pomona gladly conduct to the "^Elysian Fields," when the 

 angel of death shall have closed his mortal career, and his very name 

 become a benediction to posterity. 



Respectfully submitted. 



0. W. BARNARD, 

 McDthcr of the Ad-Jiifcrini CoDninffcc. 



The other member of this committee. Arthur Bryant, Jr., not 

 being present, the Secretary announced that he had received, since the 

 opening of the session, a letter from Mr. Bryant enclosing his report, 

 which could be read if so desired, but Mr. Bryant would be here 

 soon, pi'obably before 4 o'clock. The reading of the re])ort was de- 

 ferred until Mr. Bryant should arrive. 



FARMER'S HORTICULTURE. 



Report upon was called for by the President, but the gentlemen 

 composing this committee, Hon. Wm. S. Hawker, Kankakee, and H. 

 M. Dunlap, Savoy, were absent, and no re])ort had been received. 



