35^ TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



those very desirable, in consequence of appearance, texture of flesh, and 

 agreeableness of flavor; but among the new varieties there are many 

 with all these qualities combined in a rare degree. 



Although our people may confidently hope to make the growing of 

 winter varieties profitable for shipment to Southern markets on the Mis- 

 sissippi River, yet it is unquestionably true that the production of the 

 extremely early sorts must always preponderate in orchards near favoring 

 lines of transportation northward. This is made more apparent by not- 

 ing that all early varieties do well with us. The prevalence of readily 

 soluble elements in our soil, with warmth and mixture conjoined, bring 

 them to maturity, to meet the want of our northern neighbors, who are 

 in the main a fruit-consuming people. Add to this the fact that tlie im- 

 mense region north of us is filling up rapidly with population and wealth. 

 Those who contemplate planting trees here will have before them a 

 sketch of the obstacles already surmounted, together with those yet to be 

 met; a history of how progress thus far, has been made, and hints 

 of the rewards of future labors. 



HAMILTON COUNTY. 



BY HOSEA VISE. 



The first orchards, about fifteen in number, were planted in the years 

 1818 to 1S30, and consisted principally of seedling trees. Each orchard, 

 however, contained a few grafted trees, the varieties in which were 

 mainly the following : 



Summer and Fall Apples — Yellow June, and an apple called here 

 the " Bunch Apple," Horse Apple, Seek-no-further, and Winesap. 



The most durable Winter varieties are Green Geneting, Pearmain, 

 Limber Twig, New York Pippin, and Roman Stem. The Rambo 

 bears well for a few years, but soon dies. Orchards do best here on tim- 

 ber soil. Trees grow more thriftily, grow larger, and bear better crops. 



Grapes have not been cultivated to any considerable extent in the 

 county, though they prosper well where they have been tried. 



This county is well adapted to the culture of Peaches. There are 

 large localities here where they never fail, but the distance we are from 

 market renders the raising of peaches unprofitable, to sell in the fresh 

 state. When dried they bring remunerative prices. 



The small fruits do well here when properly attended to. 



There is probably no county in the State better adapted to fruit raising 

 than Hamilton County. At present it is nearly all dried before 

 marketing. 



Our markets are Du Quoin, Tamaroa, and Ashley; towns on the 

 Illinois Central Railroad, thirty-five to forty miles distant, 



WILLIAMSON COUNTY. 



BY WM. P. WHITE. 



The first few orchards planted in this county, from fifty to seventy-five 

 years ago, were seedlings, from apples grown in the States of Tennessee 



