STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 127 



vield. but the drouth of the present season rendered the fruit almost 

 worthless. The l>a\vton and native sorts fared alike. 



The Crown-borer is increasing ra])idly, and threatens the destruction 

 of our Strawberry fields; the dry seasons, prevailing for two or three 

 years past, seem to favor their depredations, and they are evidently 

 making the most of their opportunities. But few if any of our planta- 

 tions can be said to be free from them, and ,i nuinlM r have been entirely 

 destroyed. Nothwithstanding all these drawbacks of seasons and 

 Crown-borers, a fair crop was raised, a good share of which was fine in 

 ■quality, and the net results to producer more satisfactory than any fruit 

 marketed during the year eighteen seventy-two. 



C.i i].es yielded abundantly, and were of superior quality. Heard 

 but little complaint of rot, mildew, or insect depredations. Prices rul- 

 ing low, a large proportion of the crop was manufactured into wine. 

 But one sentiment seems to prevail as to varieties; the Concord being 

 the standard. Many otjier varieties are more or less cultivated, but not 

 enough of reliability attaches to them to render them desirable to culti- 

 vate for market purposes. Mr. William Rickcords of Hamilton 

 Countv writes : 



" Our prospects for fruit in the spring were very flattertng. All trees were filled 

 with blossoms ; in April a species of blight affected the pear, apple, and quince — killing 

 many of the young branches ; rot has prevailed in a great number of our orchards 

 among the apples. Extreme drouth caused the fruit to be small, and in peaches very 

 many did not come to maturity— but fairly dried upon the trees ; so that on the whole 

 the crop is below the average. I ob.serv'ed the blight above mentioned in Missouri 

 orchards as far north as the Hannibal cV St. Joseph Railroad. I would much like to 

 see it accounted for, as I have inspected the injured branches but find no trace of in- 

 sects or other cause of damage. As yet we have no one in the business of growing 

 fruit for markets, so I am unable to give you a practical account of the capabilities of 

 our soil fortlie pioduclion of the finer sorts, but from my own observations and experi- 

 ence we can grow with the proper care as good fruit as any county in Southern Illinois. 

 Our soil is clay, ejisily worked, nicely rolling and well timbered. Our German popula- 

 tion raise fine'grapes for their own use, chiefly. As we have cheap lands and good 

 railroad facilities, we hope for a large immigration to cultivate our unoccupied lands and 

 cover them with orchards and grain." 



I will conclude this report remarking that the aggregated result of the fruit crop for 

 1872, financially considered, has not been a success ; the unprecedented drouth extend- 

 ing over a period of two years has affected injuriously, either directly or indirectly, the 

 rjuality of nearly all our fruits : peaches were small and inferior in flavor, indeed many 

 did not reach maturity. 



The value of the apples was reduced by too early maturity ; which in connection 

 with high winds at the time of gathering, caused many to fall, while many others had to 

 be disposed of too early to reali/;e the best prices. 



Pears dropped more than usual. The average of small fruits was reduced from the 

 same cause, and the crop otherwise affected by the smaller size of stools and plants, 

 thereby diminishing their yield. Of wood growth on our trees, while it may seem to be 

 an anomaly, yet it may be said that there seems to have been no lack, and present indi- 

 cations arc favorable for a good crop next year, ^^any in the district have converted 

 their orchards into hog pastures, and it is believed thai good results follow. The prac- 

 tice is growing in favor. 



The average culture is about medium. Much rliversity of opinion exisLs as to the 

 extent and kind of culture that should be practiced. Our people continue to be ex- 

 ercised about the charges for transportation, which under all the circumstances are felt 



