26 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



In my report I mentioned one orchard that had been used as a hog 

 pasture, and all the trees except one, where the snow had drifted in were 

 dead. There was no mulching — nothing to retain the moisture at the 

 roots — and they all died. There was one orchard on a northern slope 

 which was not injured, and in June or July, when I saw it, it had a good 

 crop of fruit, and looked healthy and vigorous. These are the causes of 

 the destruction of many of our orchard and nursery trees. I have exam- 

 ined them from the Mississippi to Lake Erie, and I find this same diffi- 

 culty prevails. 



A Member — What was the temperature of your farm ? 



Mr. Scofield — The lowest was 28° below zero. 



Mr. Flagg — Have you had any experience with the Golden Chinese 

 Arbor Vitge ? 



Mr. Scofield — I have not cultivated it here. 



The President then called for the 



REPORT OF VICE-PRESIDENT FOR SECOND DISTRICT. 



Mr. Edwards, Vice-President for the Second Horticultural District, 

 being absent, sent his report to the Secretary, who read as follows : 



Princeton, Bureau County, III., Dec. 5, 1873. 

 To O. B. Gahisha, Secretary State Horticultural Society. 



Dear Sir: — As it is impracticable for me to be present with report 

 in person, I transmit it by mail, with one dollar membership fee for 1874, 

 wishing the members of the Society a pleasant re-union, and progress in 

 practical knowledge. 



The lessons of the closing year have been numerous and novel. 



After our long experience in the culture of apples, it had been gener- 

 ally conceded by orchardists that pasturing rather closely with hogs was 

 the very best plan yet tried. 



In this vicinity, and so far as heard from in the fruit district repre- 

 sented by me, it is decided, from results of last winter, that we have as 

 yet found no mode of treatment more fatal to the apple tree. 



As to hardiness of varieties, we have formerly placed Ben Davis and 

 Red Romanite in the front rank. The past winter, in many instances, but 

 few varieties were injured more, while Maiden's Blush, Fall Wine and 

 Domine, among varieties heretofore regarded as a little tender, came 

 through in good order, and bore good crops for the season. 



The yield of apples generally was very meagre ; in a few instances 

 some varieties produced from one-half to a full crop. Cole's Quince, 

 Willow Twig and Rawles' Janet, in addition to varieties previously 

 named, bore well. In time of scarcity, as this year, it is found more 

 profitable to market most of those ordinarily used for cider ; second 



