338 



TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



several other varieties, the names of which w^ere not known. These trees 

 were mostly set on the south side of the timber bordering the Vermillion 

 river, and are still alive and apparently healthy. 



In 1837, Curtis and Sons, of Edgar Co., came through this county 

 south of the river, with a covered wagon loaded with trees, drawn by 

 oxen. These trees were from two and a half to four feet in height. 

 That wagon contained, what are now the old orchards in the southern 

 part of this county, and traces of them can be found from the extreme 

 west to east limits of the county. The varieties were largely Milam and 

 and Rawles' Janet, with several varieties not known to farmers; some 

 good, others not. In winter of 1855-56, the Milams were mostly killed, 

 though many still survive, but are feeble from the injuries then received. 

 They have proved very productive and profitable. 



Mr. Hoag set several hundred trees on river bottom opposite Mar- 

 seilles, about 1845. The varieties were principally Yellow Bellflower, 

 Rawles' Janet, Rambo, R. I. Greening, Tolman's Sweet, Domine, and 

 others ; trees apparently healthy and productive, but have, of late years, suf- 

 fered much from neglect. Samuel R. Lewis, in 1844, set 50 trees of 

 Large Romanite and Yellow Bellflower — nearly all killed in winter of 

 1855-56. In 1S56 he set an orchard of lOo trees, Hubbells, Winesap, R. 

 Janet, etc., all doing well ; the Hubbells are remarkably productive, 

 and are what he considers the finest apple he has any knowledge of. The 

 above orchard is on the south bluft'of river, south of timber belt. 



Geo. H. Rugg set an orchard 1852, south of Illinois river, on what 

 was originally timber bordering the prairie. The trees (200) were obtained 

 near Toledo. Varieties: Baldwin, Esopus Spitzenburg, Belmont, Yel- 

 low Bellflower, Rox. Russet, R. I. Greening, Rambo, Mayflower, Au- 

 tumn Strawberry, Fallen walder, Sweet June, Winesap, and many others. 

 He has had ths most decided successes with the apple called the May- 

 flower, considering its qualities as a good grower, healthiness of tree 

 and its productiveness. 



The fruit is about the size and color of the Domine, but not quite as 

 flat; better flavored but not quite as late a keeper. Russets and Green- 

 ings nearly all killed in winter of 1855-56. He has since added to his 

 orchard 300 to 400 trees, all of leading varieties, which have done well. 

 The premises upon which these orchards stand, passed out of his posses- 

 sion four or five years ago, since which time they have been very much 

 neglected, and now appear very much in want of spade, scraper, and 

 pruning knife. O. O. Wakefield, in 1852, set an orchard of 200 trees, 

 principally Domine, Yellow Bellflower, Winesap, Willow Twig, and 

 Jonathan. This orchard has done well; is situated on a prairie knoll; 

 no protection. His Yellow Bellflower proving very unproductive, he had 

 them grafted with Domine, which now yield very large annual crops of 

 fine fruit; the other varieties are quite productive, especially Willow 

 Twig. 



D. S. Ebersol has 200 trees set in 1854. Varieties: Baldwin, Rambo, 

 Yellow Bellflower, Harpei-'s Sweeting, Dutch Mignonne, Pennock, Gil- 

 pin, Rawles' Janet, Early Joe, Early Harvest, Red Astrachan, and others. 



