326 TRANSACTIONS OF THE KANKAKEE 



June 16, 1883. To cash paid M. Barnard, premium on straw- 

 berries 3.00 



June 16, 1883. To cash paid W.H. Knox, premium on straw- 

 berries 1 , 00 



June 16, 1884. To cash paid M. J. Barnard, for premium on 



roses 2 . 00 



June 16, 1883. To cash paid Jane Barnard, for premium on 



violets 1 . 00 



June 16, 1883. To cash paid Susie Small, for premium on 



bouquet 1 . 00 



June 10, 1883. To cash paid J. K. Eagle, lumber .44 



June 16, 1883. Drayage 50 



June 10, 1883. To cash paid Livingston & Shaw, printing. . 9.. 50 



Oct. 28,1883. To cash paid entrance fee to Agricul. Fair. . 1.50 



Oct. 28, 1883. To cash paid Livingston & Shaw, printing . . 9.50 



Total $76.61 



Total Receipts $165.56 



Total Expenditures 76 . 61 



Dec. 1, 1883, remaining in Treasury $88.95 



MARY J. BARNARD, Treasurer. 



The regular essayist was then called: 



ROOT POWER. 



BY HENRY MORTIMER. 



Mr. President.! Ladies and Gentlemen : 



Again the time has arrived when, in accordance with previous 

 arrangements, I am expected to have an essay for our Society. As 

 nearly every horticultural subject has already been handled by abler 

 pens, with some hesitation I select the one at the head of this paper. 



In presenting the subject of root power I do not expect to 

 announce much that is original. If I merely succeed in calling a 

 more general attention to the subject than is usually given to it my 

 object will be accomplished. Leaving out aquatic, parasitic and air 

 plants, with many others of the fungus family not necessary to con- 

 sider, it is assumed that every tree, bush, bramble, vine, and weed 

 owes its existence to its roots in the soil. It follows, therefore, that 

 increasing healthy root growth increases healthy growth above 

 ground and that root pruning checks such growth. If, by examina- 

 tion, we ascertain the extent and direction of the roots of a plant, 

 and by experiment the best conditions for their profitable growth, 

 we are in possession of knowledge that enables us to assist nature in 

 her various operations. 



A fruit tree is something that we desire more from than mere 

 growth of wood and leaves. If it has only sufficient root power to 

 keep it alive and maintain a slow, sickly growth, it cannot produce 

 fruit. It is like a machine with just power enough to overcome the 



