22 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



trees, however, we need the cold winds from the north and west, in order 

 to preserve, so far as we can, their winter sleep undisturbed. In their 

 normal condition they should approach, so far as possible, the sleep 

 imposed upon many of the higher forms of life, as found in hibernating 

 animals. It is not so much the degree of cold which destroys the life of 

 plants as the sudden and frequent changes from heat to cold. 



One of the means by which we may protect our orchards is a judi- 

 cious system of mulching. This is especially called for in the protection 

 of all tender varieties. Another means of preservation is seeding to grass ; 

 and from my experience I would recommend clover for that purpose. 

 Both mulching and grass culture, however, attract and protect an enemy 

 almost as fatal as the cold itself. I refer to the field mouse — insignificant, 

 yet able to destroy many valuable trees. The careful orchardist will 

 remove any accumulations directly in contact with the tree which might 

 afford shelter for mice, and substitute, instead, earth or snow firmly com- 

 pressed. 



The orchard trees injured by the past winter, we find on a careful 

 examination, were either killed or injured at the collar, or earth line ; 

 this condition of things, in my recollection, has not occurred since the 

 cold winter of 1842-3, when, with this difference, they were then killed 

 at the snow line. 



There exists a peculiar feature of the winter of 1S72-3, in that many 

 trees heretofore considered hardy have suffered in common with the more 

 tender varieties ; I cannot account for this anomaly, except it be owing 

 to a reduced vitality from overbearing, the extreme drought, and badly 

 drained, unfavorable localities. I have not mentioned, in this connec- 

 tion, the very cold winter of 1855-6, which, in its injury to our trees, 

 had little regard to lines. 



We have much yet to learn respecting prairie orchards. How many 

 of us keenly feel the mistakes early made in our pioneer planting, when 

 the only knowledge gained was from books. That condition of things 

 no longer exists. No reasonable excuse, at this day, can be offered 

 either by the orchardist or nurseryman, for raising untried and unprofit- 

 able varieties. 



How few planted at an early day are found worthy of cultivation. 

 Some have promised well for a season, and yet, in the end, have failed in 

 some particular. The Carolina Red June has become, within a few 

 years, almost worthless in consequence of the scab ; the Fulton is too 

 tender and too shy a bearer to be profitable ; the Ortley is both tender 

 and scabby \ the Yellow Bellflower has become so shy in bearing that it 

 no longer pays as an orchard fruit. This is but a small list of the many 

 that have become almost cumberers of the ground. 



It pains me to see men bring forward so many new and untried 

 varieties, for I know too well how much labor and capital will be lost, 

 and how great will be the disappointment. No tree should be recom- 

 mended for general cultivation until it has passed at least through one or 

 more of our cold cycles or winters. I almost fear to give a list, however 

 small, for the number having the requisites to make them profitable 



