STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 33 



He writes that Pear trees in the county are nearly all killed ; and 

 that the Apple trees planted out last spring are dead or in a dying 

 condition. 



Raspberries were a good crop — he regards Davison's Thornless as the 

 hardiest. 



Orchards protected by even three or four rows of maple trees have 

 suffered less than those on the prairie without any protection. 



He recommends Concord Grape, and Doolittle, McCormick, and 

 Davison's Raspberries. 



M. B. Spafford, of Dixon, Lee county, contributes the following: 



"The Cherry Crop was very near a failure in Lee county. There are a few 

 orchards of Early Richmonds in the county and these have done well until this year; 

 but owing to excessive bearing for two years previous, did not bear much this year, 

 though making a good growth. They seem in good condition to bring a crop next year. 

 There are plenty of Morello trees, but they have borne little this year, and many of 

 them have died. The May Duke, Belle Magnifique, Gov. Shannon and Gov. Wood, 

 have usually done well with me, and are valuable varieties. 



" The Apple Crop of Lee county, this year, has been one-fifth or one-sixth of a full 

 crop. 



" The Miami and Doolittle Raspberries have produced tolerably well — say about 

 two-thirds of a crop, and, in some instances, a full crop. Very few other varieties of 

 tins fruit are grown here. 



" The Strawberry has done veiy well this year, although not cultivated as much as 

 formerly here. The Wilson is the best market berry. 



" Small fruits are not raised here as much as they ought to be. I suppose the reason 

 is that the great mass of farmers think more of hog and com ; or it may be, that if a 

 variety of fruits were cultivated it would make some brain work at home, and that too 

 many of our farmers are opposed to, rather preferring the town for study. 



" The Grape has yielded a fair crop of very well matured fruit, and, with all small 

 fruits, has brought good prices. The Concord is the principal grape raised here, being 

 well adapted to our soil and climate, and yields a good must, often as rich as 94° by 

 Oesoheles scales. The Clinton, when the true variety is obtained, is a moderate grower, 

 great bearer, and a fine flavored grape, if left on the vine until frosty nights. It will 

 then make the heaviest must of any variety, and is undoubtedly our l)est wine grape here. 



" 'The efiect of the past winter upon shrubs and vines.' " 



" This subject is of vast importance to us as horticulturists, and should receive our 

 closest investigations. 



" Johnson says in ' How Plants Grow,' that the offices of the root are threefold : 



" 1st. To fix the plant in the earth and maintain it, in most cases, in an upright 

 position. 



" 2d. To absorb nutriment from the soil for the growth of the entire plant. 



" 3d. In case of many plants, especially of those whose tenure of life extends 

 through several years or many years, to serve as a storehouse for the future use of the 

 plant. 



" If the soil in which the roots are placed becomes too dry to perform its natural 

 functions in the formation of gasses, the roots cannot perform theirs, and we have the 

 cause of the diseased condition in the tree. Or, in other words, if the soil is so dry that 

 the tree remains dormant the latter part of the growing season of the year, the fruit buds 

 suffer in development as much as the tree in its annual growth, and both enter the 

 dormant, or cold season of rest in a condition unfavorable, and hence in the sj^ring 

 we say that it is winter-killed. 



" It must not be supposed that a tree remains jK-rfectly dormant through the winter. 

 Many nurseiymen have seen trees that were heelcd-in in the fall, make six inches of 

 fibrous root-growth before being lifted in the spring. 

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