122 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



" I am not prepared to recommend this plan, though in our attempt to improve the 

 quality of our fruit we may have sacrificed the hardiness of the tree to some extent. 



" The small fruits, as Blackberries, Strawberries, Currants, etc., generally do well 

 here, but they require care to make them profitable. The native Blackberries, which 

 used to be so plenty in this county, are almost extinct, having retired before the march 

 of cultivation, but to give place to much better varieties. 



"R. G. ANDREWS. 

 " News P. O." 



MACOUPIN COUNTY. 



" Macoupin has had a hard time the past season — speaking after the manner oi 

 fruit men ; still Macoupin is not dead, nor yet asleep, and in the future as in the past, 

 will be known by her ' fruits.' No Peaches, no crop of Cherries, no Plums, Apples not 

 a fourth of a crop, taking the county over ; and yet, we find some orchards bearing a 

 full or nearly full crop. Our trees generally showed a full bloom, but owing, as we 

 think, in part to cold rains and frost during the period of inflorescence, the fruit did not 

 set well ; the dry and hot summer of last year we think was highly unfavorable to our 

 trees, leaving many of them in a weakened condition. The excessive cold of last winter 

 injured, as we believe, many trees, some of which have died, while others are in a sickly 

 condition. Yet the most of our Apple trees have made a fair growth this year, are well 

 set with blossom buds, and if Providence smiles, we shall have a good crop in 1874. 

 Late bloomers, as the Janet, we find bore a full crop generally ; though our apples were 

 badly stung by the plum curculio and the plum gouger, rendering them very imperfect, 

 and to a large extent unfit for market. These have been generally made into cider, and 

 at Woodburn far more good cider has been made than usual, while at Brighton, Mr. 

 Hilliard makes about one-third his usual quantity, and some cider mills there have done 

 nothing. I am making about four hundred barrels for myself and neighbors. Bunker 

 Hill is also making some cider. 



" We find those orchards that have been for years pastured with hogs giving the 

 best crops of fruit, and most free from insects. As these curculios that trouble us this 

 year do not increase rapidly when compelled to drop their eggs in the Apple, we expect 

 our crop of Apples next season will be free from their marks, especially should we have 

 a crop of Plums, Peaches and Cherries, which they greatly prefer to use — Nature teach- 

 ing them that these fruits make a congenial home for the young Turk and gouger, while 

 their eggs do not, when dropped in the Apple, generally come to maturity. Our trees 

 of all kinds have made a moderate growth, and we believe, having had a rest this year, 

 will, with good care, produce a fair crop of fair fruit next year, and that growers will 

 realize fair profits from the same. 



" Grapes were also a failure, but the vines are in good condition. 



" Our exhibition of fruits at our county fair was good for the season. Some who 

 attended ours, state that it was equal in this respect to that of the State fair. 



" We have several green-houses at different points in the county, all of which have 

 done a good business this season, showing that while our people feel in common with 

 the people of the State and country at large the ' hard times,' yet they have a love for 

 the beautiful, and regard flowers as essential to make a pleasant, beautiful home. 



" Our people are yearly being educated horticulturally, as is evidenced by the bet- 

 ter kept orchards, and increased knowledge of fruits and fruit culture ; the improvement 

 of our door yards in neat appearance ; the planting of trees in the streets and after care 

 of them ; and may we not add in the interest taken annually in the doings of our State 

 Horticultural Society, as is evidenced by the large list of annual members from this 

 county. 



" Trusting in the Good Ruler over all things, we look forward, and over into the 

 year 1874 with faith, and believe the good time is just there, and that we who go forward 

 perseveringly will, with intelligent culture, overcome our insect enemies, and may rea- 

 sonably expect paying crops of the luscious and health-giving fruits. 



"WooDBURX." JONA. HUGGINS." 



