66 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



Insects were less injurious this season than usual, or rather, the 

 crop was too much for them. 



Tree planting has not been very successful for two years on account 

 of the drouth. The borers are not satisfied with the Silver Maple but 

 have attacked the 7\sh Leaf also. 



I have received reports from the four counties above named which 

 are only one fourth of the district exclusive of my own county. 



While I regret that so few correspondents reported, I am inclined to 

 the belief that they are a fair indication of the condition oi the whole 

 district and you are relieved from the great addition they would have 

 made to my report, which is already long enough. 



Very respectfully, 



E. Daggy. 

 DISCUSSION UPON APPLES. 



The President — The first branch upon this subject as laid down 

 in the programme is Nursery Culture. 



Mr. Daggy — While others are getting ready to speak, I wish to 

 say that most customers who come to our nurseries, choose trees by 

 their appearance above ground ; they want large trees. I think it is a 

 grand mistake, and sometimes a fatal mistake. These trees have not 

 been root-pruned, or transplanted, for we cannot afford to grow trees to 

 the size that is wanted, and give them the treatment that they should 

 receive. The roots of nursery trees are more important than the tops, 

 and the former should be increased rather than the latter. But we can't 

 get the people to take small trees. If you keep trees on hand, they should 

 be root-pruned ; which increases the numbers of small roots and at the 

 same time checks the growth of the tops, so they do not appear as thrifty, 

 and hence we can't get customers to take them. 



My attention was recently particularly called to this : a man who 

 is one of the best tree growers in the county, who knows but a few vari- 

 eties, but grows fine fruits, came to buy trees. I showed him my root- 

 pruned trees, but could not get his attention to them, until I had taken 

 them up and showed him their roots. 



But we can't afford to transplant large trees, and sell them at the 

 price demanded. I cannot afford it. I would like to hear from others 

 on this point. 



Dr. Humphrey — I would ask Mr. Daggy if he would not like to 

 have his customers go through his nursery and pick out all the big trees.' 



Mr. Daggy — Oh yes. I am always glad to see them do this. My 

 point is, we can't afford to grow trees four or five years old, and then 

 sell them at the sajne price as younger trees with equally large tops but 

 less roots. 



