56 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



Mr. Ellsworth. — Would Mr. Douglass recommend taking up 

 evergreens from three to four feet high, from nurseries and planting in 

 August ? 



Air. Douglass. — I would not advise shipping, or moving consider- 

 able distances at this time ; but they may safely be moved short distances. 

 When planting such trees at this time, I would fill the holes nearly full 

 of water, so as to have all the earth about the roots saturated, and settle 

 the dirt into all the crevices among the roots. The best time to trans- 

 plant evergreens coincides with the best time to plant deciduous trees, 

 which is early in spring. Then, I say, -plant^ if possible, early in spring, 

 though the trees will live, if planted later. 



Mr. Periam, being absent, sent the following remarks to the Secre- 

 retary : 



"One of the most pressing needs of the West is trees for wind-breaks 

 and timber, and yet our forests are being decimated from year to year 

 without proper means being used to replace them. Enough has already 

 been done, however, by individuals in difterent portions of the West to 

 ■prove that timber may be grown with a profit to the cultivator, over and 

 above its value as shelter to crops and stock. This fact alone should 

 ofler sufficient inducement to every prairie farmer to undertake its culture, 

 so far, at least, as will inclose his farm, or principal fields. Among ever- 

 greens, the Norway spruce, white pine, arbor- vi tie, and red cedar, are 

 the best for this purpose. The^ ground should be prepared in the fall. 

 A strip about four rods wide should be plowed as deeply as possible, to 

 let it have the action of the winter frosts. As soon in the spring as the 

 soil is light and friable, it should be harrowed thoroughly; and if lumpy, 

 the lumps should be crushed. Do not plant large trees." 



At five o'clock, the Society took a recess until seven. 



TUESDAY EVENING. 



The Society re-assembled at seven o'clock, and was called to order by 

 President Flagg. 



The regular order of business for the evening was announced, and 

 Dr. J. A. Warder, of Ohio, was called upon for his promised essay, 

 which he read as follows : 



VARIATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS IN FRUIT. 



To the Illinois Horticultural Society: 



Fellow Workers : — You have asked me to contribute my small 

 share toward the feast you have promised the horticulturists who attend 

 your winter meeting. 



My friends, those of you who have been in a habit of being present 

 at these gatherings must have already become aware that since his first 

 visit to your prairies — twenty years ago — your friend from Ohio has been 

 coming among you, whenever he could do so, for the avowed purpose 



