STATE MORTIULTURAL SOCIETY. 29 



continual rain, and apples were exceedinsfly scabby. It can not be dis- 

 guised that tlicre is less buoyancy in horticultural and fruit-growing 

 interest tlian formerly. We have hitherto directed our energies mainly 

 with reference to dollars and cents. If we expect to keep up a living 

 interest, we must turn our attention more to higher culture in rural taste 

 and homestead decoration." 



D. B. Wier, of Marshall Count\', writes as follows : "VVe had no rain 

 here from earlv in May until the 7th of August to amount to anything — 

 the hottest summer ever known by the oldest inhabitant. These two 

 combined resulted in cutting our crop of strawberries, raspberries, and 

 blackberries very short indeed. Still where they were well cared for by 

 thorough cultivation early in the season, they gave a fair return ; and, 

 owing to scarcity, high prices were obtained, and average returns were 

 received for the partial crop. 



"The past season shows that we should not put our dependence on too 

 few varieties of any fruit. Some of the most noted of them failed this 

 season, while others not generally recommended proved productive and 

 profitable. Thus the Wilson strawberry was an entire failui'e in this 

 neighborhood, while McAvoy's Extra Red, Early Scarlet, Iowa, Jenny 

 Lind, Fillmore, &c., were quite productive. The black raspberries did 

 not stand the intense heat so well as the yellow and red. Gooseberries, 

 currants, and cherries produced very light crops. The grape crop, when 

 the vines had good treatment, was very large and the fruit very fine. 

 All varieties did well. But on heavy soils the wood did not ripen well, 

 owing to excessive wet since the rains began. Here, along the banks of 

 the Illinois, we can still grow the Catawaba and Isabella, with perhaps 

 as good success as they were ever grown anywhere; and we lind that if 

 we understand their wants and supply them, they are the most 

 profitable varieties to grow for the main crop. The Concord is perfect, 

 and can be grown in unlimited quantities, but its season is too short. 

 All varieties do well here, except lona, Israella, Adirondac, Allen's 

 Hybrid, and a few varieties of less note; and it may be the failure of 

 these so far has been owing to worthless plants in the start. 



" Pears. — Though the crop was light, the fruit, as a rule, was very 

 fine as to size and quality, though some varieties that are usually very 

 line were this year quite astringent, the trees remaining in perfect health 

 throughout the season. 



" Our Apple crop has been immense, but generally poor in quality, 

 though those orchards that were thoroughly cultivated and little troubled 

 W'ith insects gave the finest fruit I have ever seen. Nearly all our early 

 and mid-winter apples were ripe at or before gathering time, which 

 resulted in great loss. But some of the late growing and keeping varie- 

 ties, such as Rawles,Jannet, Willow, Limber Twig, and a part of the Ben 

 Davis, show promise of keeping their allotted time. Where orchards 

 were in grass, and especially where pastured, the fruit all fell oflf and the 

 trees have suflcred severely." 



B. L. T. Bourland, of Peoria County, reports: "It is not apparent 

 that the county is making much progress in Horticulture. Our vine- 



