234 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



thinking mind. Pioneers in a great enterprise (Horticulture), new and 

 untried, is it not strange that their failures have been so few, and their 

 successes so great? 



It is with pleasure and with pride, that I read from year to year, of 

 the efforts made by the horticultural societies of Illinois, as well as by 

 many of the kindred associations of the West, in this field of labor, con- 

 tinued as they have been through so many successive years, and some, 

 with gi-eat failure and loss; yet the work ceases not, and the work- 

 men turn not back. Such perseverance can but result in improvements,, 

 lasting as they are beneficial. We are in many respects a fast people;, 

 our habits but little induce to-^ that patient toil and careful obsei-vatioa 

 necessary to secure such results. Yet much useful knowledge has been 

 gained since the settlement of our country. 



It is the experience of those that have lived here since 1840, and cul- 

 tivated the apple since that time, that they have lost a large number of 

 the varieties planted, from climatic changes, or they have proved worth- 

 less from their unproductiveness, or from the inferior character of the 

 fruit; and I regret to say that some sorts, which for years appeared to be 

 a success, have in the end failed. This has not only been the case with 

 the old varieties, but with a large number of the new (seedlings). 



These lessons should make us slow to introduce either old or new 

 varieties, except they first shall have passed unharmed through a cycle 

 of our years, which, as many claim embraces, as a rule, about fourteen 

 (14) years. We know that three such cycles or great climatic changes 

 have taken place since 1829; but it is to be hoped that hereafter these 

 changes may be greatly modified by the continued planting of trees, and 

 the general improvements that are constantly going on in the West. 

 We shall be mistaken, if this is not so. 



My own efforts have been to produce new varieties, adapted to our soil 

 and climate; and after experimenting with a large number for more than 

 twety (20) years, have, I regret to say, produced none equal to some of our 

 old standard varieties. For home purposes, and for the amateur, a larger list 

 can be indulged in ; but for shipping purposes, the list is as yet but a very 

 meager one. The many thousands of trees that are now everywhere 

 found as mere cumberers of the ground, are so many standing witnesses 

 of our inexperience. But that shield can not longer protect those that 

 raise for the market, nor those that plant orchards expecting to make 

 them remunerative. 



Our horticultural and agricultural societies should offer a high pre- 

 mium for a commercial apple of high merit — the tree as well as the 

 fruit, making up the conditions. 



Among the number that have best succeeded in this locality, I would 

 name the Red Astracan, Yellow June (or Kirkbridge White.'') Early White 

 (tender), Soulard, Early Nonsuch (or Early Nonpareil), Haas or Horse, 

 Fameuse or Snow, Rambo (tender), Early Pennock (tender), Domine 

 Gilpin, and Willow Twig. 



As a shipping or commercial variety, I have raised none that can 

 compare with the Willow Twig, and the experience of years but confirms 



