TRANSACTIONS OF NORTHERN ILL. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 291 



A paper was also read from Mr. O. V. Peiffer, of Wisconsin, but not 

 forwarded for publication. 



A communication from Mr. James G. Soulard was read by the Sec- 

 retary, giving the history of the Soulard crab, christened by the Jo 

 Daviess County Horticultural Society as "Soulard Hybrid American 

 Crab." 



It originated in a wild crab thicket, near an apple orchard, twelve 

 miles from St. Louis, Missouri. He — Mr. Soulard — introduced it over 

 thirty years ago, and had cultivated it ever since. Several attempts had 

 been made to raise seedlings from its seeds, but they did not do well. He 

 had tried this variety as a stock upon which to graft other varieties, but 

 after a few years fruiting, the sorts worked upon it had died. He thinks 

 that its larger size than the common wild crab, "its lessened acerbity, 

 decreased aroma, the texture of its flesh and fewness of its seeds, indicate 

 strongly that it is a hybrid." He claims that "it makes the best, 

 strongest, clearest cider of any api)le, either .\merican or Siberian, within 

 his knowledge." The tree is productive, and the fruit yields three gal- 

 lons of juice to the bushel ; and this Gallized to six gallons, by use of 

 sugar and water, has sold at seventy cents per gallon at one year old. He 

 writes that the fruit may be shaken from the tree, and kept in a cellar as 

 safely as Irish potatoes, until spring; that the fruit is good for culinary 

 purposes — ^jams, jellies, etc. ; that the tree is as hardy as an oak ; and, on 

 the whole, a valuable tree to plant in the extreme northern part of the 

 State. 



This article, coming from an intelligent fruit-grower, over seventy- 

 five years of age, called out considerable discussion. Several members 

 present were acquainted with this tree and fruit, and with the e.xception 

 of Mr. McAfee, thought it a variety of the American crab, and not a 

 hybrid. 



Mr. McWhorter said he had known wild crabs as large as this 

 variety; had seen some growing wild in the crab thickets, bearing fruit 

 oi light color, and with a blush upon one side. 



Mr. McAfee was inclined to the opinion, for the reasons given in 

 the paper, that it is a hybrid, and of some value for the North. 



Mr. McWhorter presented the following 



REl'ORr (JI>' COMMITTEE ON PRESIDENT'S .\DDRESS. 



Your Committee on President's .Vddress concur in the general spirit 

 of the address, and feel assured that the good sense and ability manifested 

 in it is fully appreciated by this Society. 



We heartily concur in the earnest recommendations on the subject of 

 timber culture. We feel it to be the duty of this Society to continue to 

 urge this important question upon public attention. We have thousands 



