;[28 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



to be oppressive. Many have labored througlinut tlic season solely for the benefit of 

 transportation companies, with the odds against them at that ; for some, at the close of 

 the season have had to draw on their private purses to bring up arrearages. Facts like 

 these accord with another fact that a reduction of one-third in the rates could be made 

 in seasons like the past, with profits to the companies equal to, if not greater than that 

 on any other freight. Such a reduction \\cnild leave to the prtuluccr thousands of dol- 

 lars that he sorely stands in need of, stimulating at the same time to increased efificiencv 

 and thoroughness in his profession. This latter T unrlerstand to be the legitimate and 

 primary object f)f this Society — standing as it does — the representative head of Horti- 

 culture and horticultural interests in the State. Would it not then be proper for this 

 Society as such, to lend its influence and aid to correct this growing evil ? We know 

 not if there is any remedy out>ide of railroad companies themselves, but if there is none 

 we would like to know it. 



AH of which is respectfully submitted, 



B. PULLEN, 

 Vice President, ^th Distnct. 



DISCUSSION ON MR. PULLEN'S REPORT. 



Mr. Wier — I have a few words to say upon this report of Mr. Pul- 

 len's. He speaks of blight in the apple orchard and pear orchard. Now, 

 gentlemen, I have as large an orchard as there is in the West, and I have 

 no blight, and why.' I prune none. I consider pruning favors the blight, 

 and I wish to impress it upon the minds of gentlemen present that if 

 they never prune their trees they will not be likely to have blight in their 

 orchards. 



Mr. Flagg^ — T do not think that is so. I think there are so many 

 causes of blight that this Society should not lay down the law and say 

 just what it is that causes blight, for none of us have sufficient knowl- 

 edge to speak definitely. 



Mr. WiKR — 1 speak only of apple-tree blight. 



Mr. Flagg — I have known blight to come from various causes, and 

 I think we err in ascribing blight to one cause alone. 



Mr. Phenix — Please name some of these causes. 



Mr. Fi.agg — 1 do not deny that excessive pruning will cause blight ; 

 I think it will. I think also planting in soil excessively rich will cause 

 blight — or any other treatment that will prevent the full ripening of the 

 wood. Late rains and a warm fall exciting a second growth which can- 

 not ripen, is productive of blight. 



Mr Stewart. — I have noticed trees not pruned to blight, and trees 

 pruned with no blight. 



Mr. Wier — You cultivate your trees. 



Mr. Stewart — Yes, I do. Late cultivation caused blight — prun- 

 ing did not. • 



