STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. II 



respects. The humus of our prairies, moreover, seems to be not entirely 

 wholcsoine in its orijijinal constitution to tree, and probably to many 

 other growths. Our best soils, as a rule, are those of lighter color, on 

 which forest trees are growing, or will most readily grow. The situation 

 for all horticultural purposes should be as elevated as possible above the 

 suiTounding country, so as to avoid the late frosts of spring and the early 

 frosts of autumn; and that the winds m.ayhave access during the humid, 

 still he-, ts of early summer, which are detrimental to most liorticultural 

 giowth^. Of the advantages of protection, I am not yet confident; but 

 I presume upon the large prairies of Central and Northern Illinois it may 

 be of advantage. But it should be distinctly understood that the sum- 

 mer needs of the fruit tree and its fruits are plenty of air and sunshine. 

 How to rec<mcile the contradictory demands of summer and winter 

 weather is a difficult problem. Mr. Bragdon, of the Rural New Torker^ 

 suggested clumps instead of belts of trees. Professor Turner recom- 

 mends planting our hedges so as to enclose eighty acre tracts, whose 

 half mile length shall extend north and south, so that the west wind 

 would encounter a hedge every quarter of a mile. These are as good 

 sokitions of the difficulty as any I have met. 



2. Horticulture demands foresight. The question of a market for 

 one's products, of the varieties of fruit that will be profitable twenty 

 years hence, but that must be chosen and planted this year; of the future 

 efi'jct of a clump of trees, and the prospective value of a given kind for 

 lumber; these and many other points involving one's future prosperity 

 aiul success must all be forecast by one who would proceed wisely 

 and well. Lord Bacon said that "he who hath a wife and children 

 hath given hostages to fortune." Hardlv less is this the case with him 

 who plants an orchard, a vineyard, or a forest. 



3. Horticulture, in all or nearly all its branches, demands very deep 

 and thorough preparation of the soil for its best success. Shallow cul- 

 ture on most soils is to be deprecated in agriculture, much more so in 

 Horticulture, where the ground in some cases will not be replanted for 

 many years, and where, in any event, the expense of seeding and culture 

 per acre is much greater than in agriculture. But where deep prepara- 

 tion of ground is for any reason omitted, continuous stirring of the sui'- 

 face in clay soils, at least, has an excellent result, and probably for many 

 smaller plants is a good, if not sufficient substitute. Premising this 

 much, I will speak 



I. 



Of Useful Horticulture, 



where the main object is utility and profit: and under this, 



I. Of Fkuit Growing, the branch of Horticulture most attractive 

 to the masses of the people, and perhaps, as a rule, the most profitable. 



a. Orchard Fruits comprise the apple, pear, quince, peach, nec- 

 tarine, cherry, apricot, and occasionally other fruits growing on trees 

 planted in order in a separate plantation or field. Of these we must say, 

 in their favor, that once established they require comparatively little care 

 in their after culture, and in many cases yield their fruit year by year 



