320 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



mond, on an adjoining quaiter section, several of the varieties found 

 profitable in Air. McCune's orcliard have been veiy unsatisfactory. 

 Especially is this the case with the Winesap and White and Yellow 

 Bellflower, each of which has given satisfactory results with Mr. Mc- 

 Cune. 



It may be here stated that the orchard of the latter was planted in 

 1S46-7, consisting of some sixteen hundred trees, embracing near one 

 hundred varieties, about one-half of which may be said to have proved 

 nearly worthless. That of Mr. Hammond, near by, was planted in part 

 in i8c;o, and now^ consists of over twenty-three hundred trees, with about 

 one hundred varieties — all of which, with the exception of some twenty 

 sorts, have proved nearly worthless. It is proper to remark generally, 

 that each quarter section, and each locality on each quarter section, has its 

 peculiar characteristics, which seem to suit the habits of one or other of 

 these varieties better than others. Of one thing further the committee feel 

 assured — that an orchard of the most hardy and productive varieties must 

 be cultivated with care and judgment, to insure success. Aside from the 

 depredations of insects which must be combated, we may as well look 

 for repeated large crops of wheat and corn ft-om the same ground, with- 

 out restoring its fertility by proper manuring, as to look for repeated 

 large crops of apples without restoring the loss sustained. This 

 remark is especially true of orchards which have passed their twentieth 

 year, when the period of decay with many varieties may be said to have 

 set in. 



PEACHES. 



With regard to successful peach culture, the committee will say that 

 no commercial orchard has yet been brought into bearing in our vicinity; 

 but from the success attending small orchards, we feel authorized to say 

 that, on the bluffs of the Mississippi at least, there seems to have been 

 reasonable encouragement for the future pursuit of this branch of fruit 

 culture. Mr. B. G. Grover, on the bluff' immediately near the river, from 

 an acre of peach orchard, all seedlings, marketed this year one hundred 

 and eighty bushels in Keokuk, at an average price of one dollar and fifty 

 cents per bushel. The same ground contained, scattered among the peach 

 trees, eight Rawles' Janet apple trees, from which were marketed sixteen 

 bushels of apples. The peach orchard is ten years old from the seed — 

 has had no cultivation for four years, and is now well set in clover. The 

 custom of planting peach trees alternately witli apple trees has been tried 

 by some, but has been generally abandoned or condemned, as not proving 

 a success. 



PEARS. 



There are so far, no orchards of pears planted for commercial pur- 

 poses, which have yet come into bearing. That of Mr. Louis Stracke, 

 consisting of some thirteen hundred trees, mostly dwarfs, is in a ffour- 

 ishing state of growth, but has not yet borne aci"op. Mr. Stracke says, fur- 

 ther, that whenever a tree dies, he follows Dr. Hull's advice, and replaces 



