28 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



Salsify should receive more attention than has been given it ; it is 

 very little known by the mass of our people. 



Cauliflower and Broccoli, though generally deemed as choice, expen- 

 sive vegetables for the tables of the rich only, are, however, not difficult 

 of culture, and every family having a garden should grow them. 



It is in our gardens that we hope for instruction in the higher cul- 

 ture to be eventually practiced in our farming operations. We here see, 

 on a small scale, what we may be led to practice generally — the benefits 

 of frequent stirring the soil, special manures, irrigation, shelter, etc. 



Timber Culture is slowly gaining the attention of our people. 

 European Larch is the leading variety used. 



It is hoped that the work begun at the Industrial University will be 

 carried forward, demonstrating to pupils and our people, the varieties for 

 various soils, best modes of planting, culture, and the ultimate profits. 

 We 7niist awaken in the rising generation a perfect enthusiasm in this 

 work, for we all know that timber cannot be grown for the needs of the 

 prairie region, before our supply will be exhausted, at the present rate of 

 consumption. 



SAMUEL EDWARDS. 



Mr. Edwards has sent in letters from correspondents in his District, 

 of which the following are condensed copies : 



C. H. Keim, of Mount Carroll, Carroll county, writes : 



" I have endeavored to write out a report, but the effects of the past winter seem 

 so much of a mystery that I am unable to make it satisfactory to myself. 



" TJie Apple Crop of this year was very light, and the fruit generally inferior in 

 quality, probably owing to the unusual severity of the past winter. Many trees were 

 killed, even in old orchards, and of varieties heretofore deemed hardy, such as Winesap, 

 Red Romanite, and others of similar reputation ; while trees of varieties which we have 

 considered somewhat tender, as Maiden's Blush and Fall Wine, have passed through 

 the winter without apparent injury, and borne full crops of good fruit. Trees standing 

 in sod, closely planted, seem to have endured the winter with the least damage, while 

 cultivated orchards, thinly planted and without protection, are badly used up. 



" The Pear Crop was a failure, and many trees were killed. 



^^ Cherries suffered like the pears ; even Early Richmond trees, on the Mazzard stock, 

 were badly killed ; some also on the Mahaleb stock. 



'■'■Grapes were generally a light crop, though in a few instances bore well. Concoi'd 

 and Clinton, where protected through the winter, even with a few weeds, came out 

 well ; but where they had been cultivated well and left without protection over winter, 

 were badly damaged. 



^^Blackberries. — Lawton, Kittatinny and Wilson's Early all winter killed. 



"Raspberries varied from a full crop to the entire killing of the bushes. Doolittle, 

 Mammoth Cluster, Davison's Thornless and Philadelphia, are the varieties generally 

 cultivated. 



" The Stra7vberry Crop was very light. 



" A Natural Dwarf Apple Tree has been cultivated in this vicinity aljout thirty years, 

 which has never been injured by the winter, is a good bearer, fruit as large as a Willow 

 Twig, ripening about the same time as Early Harvest, and is a good dessert fruit. One 

 tree, twenty-three years otd, is about four feet high, and has bore two bushels of fruit in 

 a season. The trees have been propagated by suckers, which come into bearing in 

 four or five years after planting." 



■J^ 



