34 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



In Hancock County the apple crop has been a very fair one. In 

 some orchards, particularly in the timber, the fruit was so badly punc- 

 tured by the codling moth that it all dropped in August and September, 

 while from others a good crop was gathered. Those orchards in w^hich 

 the fallen fruit was eaten by stock last season appear to be the most 

 exempt. We find, however, that we can not depend on the hogs and 

 sheep to keep them in check, as a great portion of the second brood 

 escapes from the fruit before it drops from the tree. I find they can 

 easily be trapped by placing a cloth band around the tree. It should be 

 removed as often as once in two weeks, and the larvae killed by scalding, 

 or some other process, and then replaced. With the exception of a few 

 such varieties as Winesap, Willow, and Little Romanite, our winter apples 

 all ripened prematurely, being in about the condition in November they 

 should be in March. The result has been that growers and dealers have 

 suflered great loss." 



Our peach crop was good, but the early varieties werebadly injured 

 by the curculio. 



There are several choice seedlings grown in the vicinity of Warsaw 

 fully equal to any of the budded varieties in quality, and much more 

 productive. They are being extensively planted. 



Pears were about an average crop, and brought remunerative prices. 

 The blight is yearly making sad havoc with our pear orchards, and 

 faint-hearted growers are becoming discouraged; but the man who per- 

 sistently plants and intelligently cultivates, and root-prunes will not fail 

 of his reward. 



Our grape crop was the largest and best ever grown in the county. 

 The Catawba, after several years bad behavior, is again taking the lead. 

 It has been perfectly free from disease, held its leaves well, and ripened 

 its enormous crop of fruit evenly. Mr. George B. Worthen, of Golden 

 Bluff Vineyard, gathered from his Catawba vines about three and a 

 half tons per acre, his Norton's Virginia producing three tons, and Con- 

 cord two and a half. This may be considered a fair representation of 

 the productiveness of these varieties. The must of all varieties was found 

 to be remarkably heavy, and a wine of superior quality must be the 

 result. We are confident that the vintage of 1870, from the hundred 

 vineyards that crown the river blufls from Nauvoo to Warsaw, will be 

 of such a character as will place Hancock County in the front rank, as 

 a wine growing locality. Vast quantities of grapes have been shipped 

 to distant markets, principally Chicago and St. Louis, but the middle 

 men have generally received the lion's share of the profits. Our gi'ape 

 growers are, however, greatly encouraged, and are satisfied that the 

 business will be a success. The general outlook may also be said to be 

 encouraging, as all our fruits have been reasonably remunerative, and 

 our trees and vines are in good condition for next year's crop. 



We find a very marked improvement in ornamental planting and 

 out-door home adornment. Many of our farmers are brushing up their 

 farms, removing the hog pens and stock yards from the front to the rear 

 of the house, planting hedges, groves, and belts of timber, ornamenting 



