STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 3 1 



the wav of hcdji^c planting' and arboriculture. With the exception of a 

 few evergreens for ornamental planting, the Osage orange is the principal 

 hedge plant used. It is largely planted in our whole prairie region. 

 Many good hedges are seen, and many more that are an eye-sore to the 

 passer-by. We have had an average crop of fruit this season. Plums 

 were almost an entire failure, owing to curculio and excessive heat. 

 Insects have also damaged the apple crop, at least two thirds of the fruit 

 being stung; but what remained was of superior quality. Grapes 

 yielded well and made good wine. Even Catawaba forgot its sensitive 

 nature and matured a crop of superior fruit. Peaches brought a good 

 crop. Pears produced well, and brought fine fruit. In blooming time, 

 my pear trees were attacked by the cucumber beetle, and before I found 

 a proper remedy, they destroyed nearly all the blossoms. I tried lime, 

 sulphur, and whale oil soap, without any effect; but finally used a solu- 

 tion of carbolic acid, which had the desired effect. On our pear trees 

 the bark on the trunk frequently dies some two or three feet from the 

 gi"ound, and always on the south side. It would seem that this is caused 

 by the rays of the sun in cold weather. At any rate, I find that wrap- 

 ping the trunks with old cloth has so far prevented it." 



I am indebted to J. Cochrane, Esq., for the following interesting 

 sketch of ornamental and timber trees of Mason County: 



Ornamental and Timber Trees in Mason County. 



Gentlemen : Having in a former note given a history of some of the 

 early efforts at fruit growing in Mason conntv, as well as its present 

 progress, I herein send you a brief outlook at the Orna?nental and Tim- 

 ber Trees., which I regard of vital importance in our prairie country. 



The eastern and northeastern portionsof the county are almost destitute, 

 fuel being supplied by coal on the Chicago &. St. Louis Railroad, while 

 the west and tlie south-west are more generally supplied by the Illinois 

 river timber, and the bluffs of coal in Fulton county. Timber and lum- 

 ber for building pmposes are imported from the northern pineries, 

 amounting to many millions of feet per annum. 



While fruit trees and grapes have been planted by thousands, (about 

 ioo,cxx) of the latter in 1869) the planting of ornamental and timlier 

 trees has not engaged the attention of land owners. No more profitable 

 in\-estment could be made than g'rowing those trees which are noted for 

 rapidity of growth or durability; such as the American chestnut, box 

 elder, black walnut, white elm, and others which will be noted. 



The writer within the past fifteen years, has given the subject suffi- 

 cient attention to state from experience the varieties adapted to our soil; 

 those that have been introduced, and those to the "manor born;" though 

 in detailing my experience, the personal pronoun will be as much as 

 much as possible ignored. The following trees growing here native, are 

 more noticed for variety than quantity, viz. : soft or silver maple, box 

 elder, white birch, buckeye, hickory, (three varieties) pecan, ash, (three 

 varieties,) honey locust, Kentucky coffee-tiee, l)lack walnut, wild cherry, 

 sycamore, American aspen, Cottonwood, oak, (comprising white oak, 



