STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 97 



two-thirds feet in height, fifty-eight and four-fiftlis feet to a limb, and 

 seventeen and one half feet in circumference. Five Burr Oaks showed an 

 average height of one hundred nineteen and one-fifth feet, forty-two and 

 two-fifths feet of trunk, and seventeen and one-half feet in circumference ; 

 whilst six \V''hite Oaks averaged one hundred forty-two feet in height, 

 forty-eight and one-third feet of trunk, and fourteen and three-fourths 

 feet in circumference. Four Cottonwoods measured one hundred forty- 

 two and one-half feet in height, sixty-one and two-thirds feet to a limb, 

 and fifteen and one-third feet in circumference; seven trees of the Sweet- 

 gum, the tallest tree in proportion to its girth, averaged one hundred 

 seventeen and three sevenths feet, sixty-two and one-half feet to a limb, 

 and eleven and seven-eights feet in circumference ; whilst the Sassafras, 

 one of the underf^rowths, measured seventy-one and two-thirds feet in 

 height, fifty-two and-onc half feet to a limb, and seven and two-thirds 

 feet in circumference. 



Such are the magnificent growths that our Prairie State contributes 

 to the sxlva of North America. The beautiful plains of the Rock River 

 Valley, the fair and fertile i)rairies of Central Illinois are fitly supple- 

 menied by the primeval forests of lower Egypt. 



DISCUSSION ON ORNAMENTAL AND FOREST TREES. 



Mr. Freeman — There is one variety of Persimmon which ripens 

 before frost, and four which seem to require frost to ripen them, as they 

 are not good till after frosts. 



In answer to a question, fie said that the one ripening early is the 

 best in (piality. 



Mr. Flagg — The early varieties of Persimmons will ripen before 

 the frost comes; but it has generally been supposed that the later sorts 

 required the frost to ripen them. 



Perhaps Arthur Bryant, Jr., can tell us something about this. 



Mr. Bryant Jr. — I have noticed that on the same tree, some of 

 the fruit is -good to eat before frost and some not till after frost. 



Mr. Flagg — Which are the best.' 



.Mr. Bryant — I don't know; they vary in different seasons; one 

 season, I remember, they did not get fit to eat at all. 



Mk. Brown spoke of two trees, found in .Southern Illinois, which 

 are not mentioned in Mr. Flagg's report; one the Southern Buckthorn 

 {Bttmdia /vt/m/^'O, the other the deciduous Holly, (//<'a- deciiiiuc) which 

 is very beautiful and showy. 



Mr. Scofielf) — I do not know that I understood Mr. Flagg rightly. 

 I understood him to say that the Conifers did not succeed well in the 

 northern and central portions of the State. ■ 8 



