STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 275 



is usual (so far as my observation goes), not "one in ten has ever brought 

 forth fruit. 



Ill the early planting of fruit trees, I have been unable to find that 

 any pears, quinces, cherries, or plums were planted, except the common 

 Morello cherry ; but of late years they have been extensively set out. 

 The first cherry ti'ees sold were, of course, from Rochester, and consisted 

 of Black Tartarian, May Duke, and others of tliose classes; but out of 

 many thousands, I doubt if one tree ever bore a full crop, or else did it 

 once, and died. The principal variety now planted is the Early May 

 (Richmond), of which hundreds of bushels are sent to the Chicago 

 market from this station annually. 



Pear culture is yet in its infancy, but there is no good reason why it 

 should not be as successful here as plsewhere. In the spring of 1865, the 

 writer planted the first acre of strawberries in the county for market. 

 The next season, Mr. G. M. Rice set out five acres, Piatt, Fuller, &. 

 Earle twenty, G. D. Wicks three, and several other parties smaller 

 quantities. From that beginning of one acre five years ago has sprung 

 up a large trade in this fruit, several thousand bushels being shipped from 

 the county every season. 



In raising other small fruits, not much is done, although the culture 

 of raspberries, blackberries, and grapes is extending, so that in two or 

 three years the products from the present plantations will begin to make 

 a perceptible impression on the markets. 



In mv conversations with the old settlers, I have often inquired if 

 seedlings appear to retain their vigor longer than grafted varieties, and 

 ha\e been told that out of a given number of trees by far the largest 

 number of seedlings give uj) the ghost first. 



It also appears strange that there should not be some old pear trees, 

 but I can not hear of one more than twenty years old. 



The first May cherries, of which 1 have any knowledge, were planted 

 fourteen years ago. They were on Mazzard, Mahaleb, and Morello 

 stocks. Those on Mazzard are years since dead and forgotten ; some of 

 the Mahalebs still lead a sickly existence, while of the five original 

 Morellos all are still alive, and bear good crops, although the annual 

 cuttings they received in their early days when cions were scarce has 

 sadly marred their beauty and thrifty look. 



Peaches were extensively gi'own, while the country was new, and 

 before railroads brought in the curculio; but the winters of 185c; -6 

 destroyed many trees, since which time, owing to the unfavorable 

 seasons and curculio, not enough of this fruit has been raised for home 



use. 



WOODFORD COUNTY. 



BY JOHN G. ZELLKK. 



Apples. — In 1834 Austin Crocker planted the first apple orchard in 

 the river bottom on section 35, Spring Jiay township. 



Charles Fielder commenced planting in 1826, on section 24 of 

 same township. Probably one-fifth of these trees are still alive and in 

 good bearing condition. 



