12 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



of the insect tribes, the forays of birds, and the irregular growth of 

 plants, have all to be taken into the account, and, as far as possible, to be 

 mitigated and amended. Thus Horticulture has become an important 

 part of rural labor, and one that requires special training and special 

 management in order to be most successful, and yet its subdivision may 

 be added to ordinary farming, as the orchard is part of the farm, though 

 the farm-orchard is not expected to furnish a large surplus for the demands 

 of the market. Then the small fruits may become a part of the business 

 of the market or suburban gardens, or even of the farms ; while flowers, 

 from the modest forget-me-not to the giant denizens of the forest, should 

 form a part of every rural home. 



To you is confided this important trust, and upon its faithful fulfill- 

 ment will depend much of the wealth, the pleasure, and the enjoyment of 

 the homes of the people of the State. 



DISCUSSION ON REPORT OF VICE-PRESIDENT FOR THE FIRST 



DISTRICT. 



Mr. Minkler — I could not let that report go as the expression of 

 the views of this society, in regard to non-sheltering and leaving all our 

 fruit trees exposed to the elements — to take care of themselves — for the 

 purpose of making them hardy. I cannot see the point. No doubt 

 those in close proximity and near to a row of trees may be injured, for 

 the reason that it will draw moisture from the roots ; but what is lost 

 there, in my view, is gained by further protection of the orchard inside 

 of that ; so that I think there is no loss, but gain, and I am sorry that 

 Mr. Woodard has set that forth, to have us abandon the idea of shelter- 

 ing our orchards. I want to see the whole country sheltered. I would 

 be glad to see evergreens planted on every line and cross fence, for the 

 protection of our crops, ameliorating our climate, and increasing the 

 beauty of our country. Tree planting is in its infancy. Forty years ago, 

 where there was not a tree or a leaf to be seen, now so much has been 

 planted in the northern part of this State that it looks as though it had 

 been a timber country from the beginning. Some of the timber has even 

 been taken to the saw-mill, that has been planted since I came here. To 

 say now that we don't want forests and shelter belts is not true, in my 

 opinion, and I want to enter my protest against it. 



Mr. Humphrey — Certain facts, during the last year, appear to have 

 been unprecedented ; we observe certain things in certain localities that 

 we have not observed before. Our reports must be taken in a general 

 sense, as applying to special localities. No doubt, as this gentleman 



