86 



TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



that time, had any hope that those trees which were not "killed outright*' 

 would ever recover from the shock which their trunks and limbs had 

 sustained, for the heart-wood of all was blackened and discolored. While 

 many of these have succumbed and died from year to year, yet a major- 

 ity have continued to struggle on and have, fortunately outstripped the 

 then hopes of their owners. Let the possessors of all such trees recall 

 these facts and turn their attention to these veterans in the war against 

 fate, giving them such cultivation and stimulating food as their enfeebled 

 constitutions require, and they will doubtless live yet many yeai's, and 

 doubly repay for all the labor bestowed upon them. 



We may all encoui'age ourselves with the hope that the " like of 

 that winter" may never recur again. The orchards which have grown 

 from the seed since that memorable winter (except those grown after 

 " the Shanghai pattern" which I have described), are generally in as 

 flourishing condition as any reasonable person can ask. 



The apple crop of this year has been, as a whole, much larger than 

 ever before, and the consequent increased consumption of fruit will cre- 

 ate an increased demand in future. 



If we, as a Society, can persuade men by our examples as well as our 

 precepts, to properly select, plant, and cultivate their trees, using with 

 diligence the means discovered, and discovering for overcoming' insect 

 foes, we may hope that soon the supply of this health-giving fruit will be 

 such that all may have an abundance. 



Respecfully submitted, 



O. B. Galusha, 



Cotnmittee on Apple Orchards. 



Mr. W. H. Ragan, Secretary' of the Indiana State Horticultural 

 Society, stated that he had received cions of the Russian apples from 

 Commissioner Capron [Most that Mr. R. said was not dis- 

 tinctly heard by the Secretary. In fact, the construction of the hall 

 seemed to be very unfavorable for the purposes of discussion, it being 

 often times almost impossible to catch the words of the speakers.] 



Mr. Galusha, being asked to explain the offer of the Commissioner 

 of Agriculture, did so by saying, that upon seeing the telegram from 

 Washington that Mr. Capron had received a quantity — 400 varieties — of 

 cions of Russian apples for distribution among horticulturists of the 

 states, especially those of the West and Northwest, he immediately 

 wrote him soliciting a portion of the cions for distribution among the 

 members of this Society. He also asked the Hon. B. C. Cook, the 

 Representative in Congi'ess from his district, who was then on his way 

 to Washington, to call on Mr. Capron as soon as he arrived there, and 

 personally apply, in behalf of our Society, for some of these cions. Mr. 

 Cook complied with the request, and both he and Mr. Capron had 

 written letters, stating that a package had already been sent to the Hon. 

 W. C. Flagg, President of our Society, for the use and benefit of its 

 members. 



