30 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



DISCUSSION ON MR. EDWARD'S REPORT. 



Mr. Flagg — Mr. President. There are one or two points upon 

 which I would be glad to have more light, and which will be proper sub- 

 jects to discuss in this connection. One is in reference to the singular 

 fact that we have had, in many cases during the present year, superior 

 excellence in the growth of fruits and grain. There is in our apples, in 

 many cases, more coloring and size, as well as superior flavor. I have 

 noticed upon my own trees, especially the Red June, Benoni, Early Har- 

 ves*", and several other varieties — in fact, it is true of the majority of my 

 trees — that the fruit is of extra size, and superior quality. I have no- 

 ticed the same in some other productions ; for instance, that in our lo- 

 cality, the wheat was of superior quality, and corn is of better quality 

 than usual, generally, throughout the State. I have heard some say that 

 the drouth of last year produced this result, by storing up an unusual 

 amount of plant food, which has been, this season, appropriated — thus 

 effecting extra growth in tree and fruit — how is this .^ 



Another point. Will Mr. Edwards tell us what caused the fungous 

 growth upon his Willow apples, near the screen on the south side of his 

 orchard ? 



Mr. Edwards — I attribute it to too close confinement of the air in 

 hot, damp weather. This does not, however, militate against the value 

 of protection by timber belts, biit shows the results of a too close con- 

 finement — preventing a proper circulation. 



Mr. Flagg — I want to know, whether in planting again, you 

 would put a belt upon the south side of your orchard. 



Mr. Edwards — -I think I mighr, but I would take out a Christ- 

 mas tree, now and then, and so prevent excessive protection on the south. 



Dr. Humphrey — I have noticed this last year this effect of a too 

 dense shade and shelter on the south. We want protection, but we want 

 also, and must have, ventilation and sunlight, so that when the rains come, 

 the water will dry off. We must bear this in mind. Protection on the 

 north and west seems to be most desirable ; and is, perhaps, all-sufii- 

 cient. 



Voice — I would ask Mr. Edwards, what variety of evergreens he has 

 planted for shelter belts .-* 



Mr. Edwards — The one of which I am now speaking, is a row of 

 pines, planted ten feet apart. I have taken up some of them. 



