STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 325 



leaves arc for the healing of the nations." In creating our earthly homes, 

 the nearer we make them approach our final one, the more perfect they 

 will he. 



CONCLUSION. ' 



In concluding this report for tlic year, the undersigned will only cite 

 the following as items of the most especial interest to the fruit grower in 

 this section of the State: 



I. The unprecedented grape crop, and the marked absence of its dis- 

 eases and insect enemies. 



3. The superior quality of the wine made. 



3. The unusual prevalence of the pear blight; seemingly attacking 

 all varieties, and trees in all conditions of growth and culture. 



4. The increase of many of the insect enemies, more especially the 

 Codling Moth, and in some instances, the peach Curculio. 



5. The increasing attention given to the planting and culture of small 

 fruits for market. 



Th. Gregg, Secretary. 



GALESBURG HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY— ITS ORGANIZATION AND 



ITS WORK. 



BY J. S. m'cLELLAND, SECRETARY. 



On the 25th of February, 1S69, a notice appeared in the Galcsburg 

 Free Press, calline a meetinsr of Horticulturists at the residence of Prof. 

 J. V. N. Standish, which meeting was held, according to the notice, and 

 preliminary steps taken toward forming a Horticultural Society, 



At an adjourned meeting, held IVIarch i ith, 1869, this Society was 

 fully organized by adopting a constitution and by-laws, and by the elec- 

 tion of officers. 



At a meeting held on the 16th of March, reports were read from the 

 different members of the Committee on Flower Seeds and Bedding 

 Plants. 



T. J. Hale gave his views on various flowers, which w'cre received 

 with great attention. He said the French and German standard Asters 

 are very desirable — the dwarfs unworthy of cultivation. Many of the 

 newer kinds of Balsams, especially the dwar.^s, are exceedingly hue, and 

 shoukl be largely grown. The Chinese and Japan Pinks are among the 

 finest of garden flowers; with a good assortment of these alone, you can 

 have a splendid flower garden from June until October. The double 

 Portulaca should be planted by all. Tlie auricula-flowered Sweet Wil- 

 liam has been greatly improved, and is now very fine. The double 

 Zinnia should be propagated under glass to secure the best results. The 

 Verbena we all grow, and know its beauties; some kinds will not bloom 

 well if allowed to root at the joints, others do better thus, only experience 

 can teach us how to treat them. The finest of all bedding plants is the 

 Zonale Geranium, and it should be extensively grown. He had a scarlet 

 one last year that was a perfect mass of brilliant flowers, from eight to 



