84 



TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



this row commenced failing about ten years since, and continued to be- 

 come more and more sickly and stan-ed in appearance. One after another 

 has died until there is but a single live tree left in the row. The next 

 row, twenty two feet from this, does not now appear as vigorous as the 

 rest of the orchard. There is no noticeable difference in the soil or ele- 

 vation between this side and the other portions. No effort was made by 

 the owner to save the b'ees, the whole orchard having been seeded to 

 timothy for a number of years, but was cultivated until it came into 

 bearing. 



The instances of close protection mentioned can not be claimed to 

 affect the general rule that the shelter afforded by belts of timber or nat- 

 ural groves on the west, north, and southwest, at a sufficient distance 

 from an orchard so as not to damage it by its shade, confine the air too 

 closely, or rob the soil of sap that would othei"wise go to nourish its trees, 

 are always beneficial. It is often remarked that, in orchards which are 

 exposed upon the west sides, the same varieties in the middle of the 

 orchard produce more fruit than in the west row ; also, that the north- 

 eastern halves of trees in the west row usually produce more fruit than the 

 southwestern halves, owing to the greater prevalence of southwesterly 

 winds. 



Siberian Apples. — As there has been much written upon the value of new 

 varieties of Siberian apples, and some eft orts made in propagating them, 

 especially in the Rock River district, I visited this locality the last season 

 to learn what I could, by conversation with persons in the neighborhood 

 of the bearing trees, as well as those engaged in the propagation of young 

 stock from them; to see the trees, and to see and taste the fruit. I will 

 say nothing of the quality of these " winter varieties" of crab apples, as the 

 owner of the trees will doubtless have the fruit on exhibition at this 

 meeting, for the purpose of having it tested by the members of this 

 Society; and the report of the committee appointed to examine and 

 report upon the fruits on the tables, will be of fxr greater value than my 

 opinion. The trees appear to be all that could be desii'ed. Tlie " Ma- 

 rengo" especially is beautiful in form and of large size for a crab apple tree. 

 I did not learn anything while there to warrant me in recommending these 

 apples as market "fruits for this State. Since there is not much superior- 

 ity claimed for them over our other Siberian varieties, except in their 

 '''• keeping o^wdXi'ixQ.'a" and since the chief use of such fruits is and must 

 continue to be for jams, jellies, preserves, and pickles, the keeping quali- 

 ties are not as advantageous in them as in varieties suited to the kitchen 

 and table. For northern localities, where the more tender, cultivated 

 varieties can not be grown, they will doubtless be of value, and also, to 

 nurserymen and orchardists of our own State, to use as stocks for more 

 valuable varieties. As I before stated, there is much hope of benefits 

 from the use of such stocks, and also from the iutroductio/j of valuable 

 Russian vai'ieties. The Commissioner of Agriculture is entitled to the 

 gratitude of the members of this Society for the interest he has taken in 

 procuring and distributing cions of so many varieties of Russian apples. 

 Seedling Apples, — I have found several valuable seedling apples 



