184 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



respect to soil. It is for these and other siinihir causes that roots annually 

 become more and more naked, until they, in connection with the branches, 

 require so much to sustain them that the fruit they produce, with tlie 

 exception of a few at the ends of the branches, becomes so small that, 

 to sell it at all, some growers keep up a succession of young trees from 

 which to get good sized specimens to cover the exposed parts of their 

 packages. 



There are so many other reasons why large roots, of which we have 

 spoken, become rootless, and branches branchless, that we shall not 

 attempt to enumerate them, but \\i\\ state some of the more prominent, 

 which operate most injuriously on young root growth, viz: larvae of 

 various insects feeding on the more tender and succulent parts, want of 

 cultivation in time of drouth, over fruiting, crowding the young top- 

 growth, so as to shade out numerous branches and leaves. But a more 

 ifruitful cause than all these is the severe top-pruning the trees often 

 receive in the summer. 



From the several requirements of the j^each, and we have named 

 only a part, it will be seen that its cultivation, to insure success, requires 

 a practice quite as varied as that of almost any other tree or plant. At 

 least sufficiently so to employ an active mind years to understand and 

 master all. 



E. S. Hull. 



Jonathan Periam, who had prepared a paper on Gardening, being 

 unable to attend the meeting, had forwarded his paper to the Secre- 

 tary to be read. 



ECONOMIC GARDENING. 



BY JONATHAN PERIAM. 



To attempt to cast any new light upon the subject of Gardening, I 

 am aware, would require the effort of one, who for years past had given 

 more practical attention to this branch of Horticulture than my other 

 duties have enabled me to do.* 



I shall, therefore, attempt, Mr. President, only some brief remarks relat- 

 ing to laying out a garden in a compact and economical form,inti-oducing 

 therein a plan for combining some floral effect, to supply a want that is 

 sometimes felt among farmers who feel that their means will not allo\\' 

 them to gratify their taste for flowers in any other way. At the same 

 time I am well aware, and all must admit, that the vegetable garden is 

 not the place for true floral effect. 



The importance of gardening, we all admit; its necessity, as a means 

 of greater enjoyment of the bounties with which Providence has blessed 

 us, all know. We also believe that the greater change of diet that it 

 will give will be conducive to increased health and longer life, enabling 



♦Note. — Mr. P. has, doubtless, had as successful an experience in this business, in former 

 years, as any person in the St-atc. — Editor. 



