290 TRANSACTIONS OF THE NORTHERN 



Resolved, That we are highly gratified in having so large an attendance of our 

 friends from Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, and New York, with their fruits and their 

 counsels. We thank them cordially and hope for an annual increase of their 

 numbers. 



Resolved, That the thanks of this Society are due, and hereby tendered.to the officers 

 of the Illinois Central, Chicago and Northwestern, Western Union, and Chicago, 

 Burlington and Ouincy Railroads, for reduction in return fares to our members. 



Resolved, That in the cordial reception, generous hospitality, and large attendance 

 of citizens at our sessions, in her model court house, affording the finest accommoda- 

 tions ever furnished our Society, Freeport has even outdone herself — coupled with 

 our heartfelt thanks, is the assurance that she will find the prediction true, " The liberal 

 soul shall be made fat." 



Resolved, That we do hereby acknowledge with heartfelt gratitude to Him who 

 rules over the Universe, and presi^.es in the counsels of men, that He has so manifestly 

 directed our deliberations ; and that we will ever commit to Him our cause and seek 

 His divine guidance and protection. S. Edwards, 



Chas. W. Richmond. 



On motion of S. Edwards, the following was unanimously adopted : 

 Resolved, That the Northern Illinois Horticultural Society tender special thanks 

 through the Recording Secretary, Robert Little, to the Board of Supervisors of 

 Stephenson county, for the use of their magnificent court room, during the present ses- 

 sion of our Society. No words of ours can properly express our thanks for their liber- 

 ality, and our appreciation of their energy and regard for the public welfare in provid- 

 ing this magnificent structure. 



On motion of Mr. Plumb, of Wisconsin, the following was adopted : 



Whereas, Certain parties have and are now vending certain recipes as specifics 

 for all noxious insects and diseases of fruit trees, in the foi-m of washes and innoculations. 



Resolved, That we do condemn all such, as not worthy of the attention of any 

 tree-grower, and we believe contrary to vegetable physiology. 



The following essays were referred to the Publishing Committee 



without reading, to be published with the Transactions : 



REPORT ON METEOROLOGY. 



BY DR. N. E. BALLOU, SANDWICH, ILL. 



Mr. President : 



A retrospect of the year would first of all lead us to acknowledge 

 the kindly dealings of the great Giver, in vouchsafing to us so many 

 blessings and mercies, in crowning the year with fruits and stores for 

 our comfort, happiness, and well-being. The conditions of these 

 health-giving bestowments are propitious seasons, and the exercise of 

 enlightened culture of the soil. 



From mother earth we draw all of our material sustenance, and 

 with favoring combinations of heat and moisture, sunshine and shower, 

 our hearts are gladdened with the rich clusters of the vine — the golden 

 fruitage of the apple and pear. 



But while we bend our energies in toil to secure the rich gifts of 

 Pomona, we are beset with vicissitudes of climate, which often sweep 

 away at a stroke the promised fruits of a season's toil. The changes 

 of climate, the oscillations of temperature which roll up and enter the 

 western borders of country in the form of atmospheric waves, are the 

 adverse agents of the horticulturist, and often deter him from engaging 

 more largely in the most delightful, as well as the most lucrative of 

 employments. ^ 



