12Q TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



which I am not familiar, has caused the death of many bearing trees ; 

 the tree seems to be on the decline, and upon examination, the bark 

 around the tree at the collar is found to be dead, while the roots and 

 toj)S are apparently uninjured. Many trees are now struggling for ex- 

 istence, from the effects of damage sustained during the winter of 

 eighteen seventy and eighteen seventy-one, indicated at the the time 

 by the bursting of the bark, etc. Time has seemed to develope fully 

 the injury sustained. The bitter or bleak rot has made its appearane 

 in our orchards, and spreads with great rapidity ; I stopped its progress 

 in my own by picking off the affected fruit. So far as observed, it has 

 uniformly made its appearance on the White Bellflower variety. The 

 next in order seemed to be Willow Twig and Gilpin. 



It is gratifying to be able to state that the apple has suffered less 

 from insect depredations than for some years past. Summ-er and fall 

 varieties are not profitable to raise here, except for home use and for 

 hogs. All things considered, the present season should encourage the 

 apple grower. 



What has been said of the apple crop, may also be said of the Peach, 

 as to quantity and quality. Prices obtained for the fruit were probably 

 more satisfactory than for any of the larger fruits. 



There seems to be no escape however from the Pear blight ; many 

 trees have suffered, and the disease is certainly not very choice as to 

 varieties. 



Very little that is gratifying can be said of the Peach crop. Had 

 the fruit been uniformly good, it is believed that the supply was in ex- 

 cess of the demand ; for fully one-third in this section was left to care for 

 itself. Orchards were generally in good condition — better than usual — 

 but over-bearing, together with excess of drouth, could have but one re- 

 sult. Much discouragement is met with on the part of the growers, and 

 grave doubts expressed in regard to the future. It Avas observed that 

 peaches raised in timbered sections of the district, were much finer than 

 those grown on the prairie ; this result is an exception. The Curculio 

 was found to be so scarce that bugging was generally dispensed with ; 

 the result no doubt of the entire failure of the crop last year. 



The Wild Goose Plum bids fair to become a valuable addition to 

 our collection of fruits that succeed here ; so far as seen or heard from, 

 the fruit raised Avas very fine, and free from insect injury; the trees come 

 into bearing early ; it should receive more attention from fruit growers. 

 Aside from this, no success has attended the cultivation of the plum in 

 this district so far as I learn. The Early May or Richmond Cherry 

 produced a fine fruit and was disposed of at good prices. The finer sorts 

 are byt little cultivated. The trees do not withstand our climate. 



Small fruits were a light crop, but profitable to the producer on 

 account of high prices obtained. The canes of Blackberries and Rasp- 

 berries were badly damaged by the heat and drouth of eighteen seventy- 

 one — the injury being observed in the fall ; we must however except the 

 Kittatinny variety which escaped uninjured. This latter promised a fair 



