120 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



Bpcck's should figure largely ; 1st. Because it is a species possessing greater hardiness and 

 vigor in our trying climate, than any other species or sub-species of the apple. 



2nd. It is thus rendered a practical necessity to an area of habitable territory, at least 

 one third as large as the whole area where the common apple can be depended upon. 



3d. Its social and commercial value to this vast region can not be computed in figures. 



4th. It has shown the highest possible tendency to improvement, having already given 

 ns varieties indispensible, even where the best sorts of the common apple are grown. 



5th. Its rapid improvement gives great promise of future advancement, and it should 

 receive the attention of fruit culturists from this consideration alone. 



C. Andrews. 



The Secretary also presented a paper on 



RIDGING THE GROUND AS A PREPARATION FOR 

 PLANTING ORCHARD TREES. 



By J. W. Clarke, Green Lake Co., Wis. 



A considerable proportion of the soils of Central Illinois is so disposed, that the sur- 

 face is capable of drainage, only at a comparatively slow rate. The prairie soils in the 

 eastern part of the center of the state, in fact, require special outlets to carry off the 

 surplus of surface water in seasons of considerable rainfall. And the timber soils be- 

 tween, and in the vicinty of Terre Haute and Alton and the Great Western and Missis- 

 sippi railroads have a retentive and somewhat compact soil. At least, this is the case to 

 a distance of some twenty miles east of Alton ; where though rolling in some places, the 

 land in others nearly level, and difficult of surface drainage. An example of this char- 

 acter is also found in the vicinity of Areola, and in the timber on the west of Douglas 

 and east side of Moultrie counties. Many of the apple orchards, though making a 

 thrifty growth of wood, are shy of bearing ; and the moss frequently found on the 

 bodies of the trees, sufficiently indicates the presence of too much water in proximity 

 with the roots. It must necessarily be a work of considerable time to Tile Drain the 

 large extent of retentive and slowly draining soils in this wide spreading central fruit 

 belt. Yet nothing is more certain than the present necessity by some means compara- 

 tively effective. 



Orchard grounds are, in these days, seldom cropped with wheat or other small grain. 

 It is therefore unnecessary to retain their soil in a level condition, as would be the case 

 were crops grown, requiring the use of the reaper in harvesting them. Neither is it true 

 that orchards need be level to admit of mowing, for but few orchards are seeded to grass 

 as a crop. 



Anticipating the foregoing, as some of the objections that may be assumed as against 

 it. I submit that ridging the ground to the extent of one and a half or two feet above 

 its ordinary level, before setting out trees upon it, would be attended with the following, 

 amongst other advantages, when the soil is devoted to producing fruit trees of any of 

 tin 1 species adapted to its climate. 



1. Ridging by one or two plowings, in the same direction, about doubles the depth of 

 feeding or surface mold. Affording facilities for the growth of lateral roots to a much 

 greater depth than would be available in the absence of ridges. 



