STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 183 



THE THIRTEEN YEAR LOCUST, (Cicada tredecim,m\vy.) 



Has made its regular appearance during the past summer, in rather more than two- 

 thirds <if tlif counties in tin; southern district, but no ease lias come to my knowledge of 

 any great damage done by that insect during this visit. 



In closing this somewhat rambling report, I beg leave to call the attention of the 



Society to the fact that this report is novel, in one respect — it is made by one who can 



not claim any acquaintance with Entomology, as a science, and who, therefore, hopes 



that it may convince the Society of the necessity of inaugurating some method by which 



a more general knowledge of the subject may be effected. 



Respectfully submitted, 



THOS. A. E. HOLCOMB. 

 Cobdbn, III., Dec. 15, 1868. 



The two papers following were handed in by the gentlemen who 

 wrote them, and referred for publication. 



TIME FOR CUTTING TIMBER, ETC. 



The best time for cutting timber for posts, etc., has been a question of interest with 

 u- for a long time; and from many trials extending through a period of more than thirty 

 years, I have come to the conclusion that the tree should be cut at the season of its most 

 vigorous growth. 



During the progress of some of my early experiments in this State, an old resident 

 friend, whose occupation was that of a wagon-maker and who also had made several tri- 

 als, called my attention to two white oak trees which lay upon the ground mar together, 

 one of which was cut in the month of July, and the other in December following. The 

 first was in perfect shape, and nearly sound except the small limbs, but denuded of its 

 bark ; the other had fallen to pieces by decay. In making posts, the timber should be 

 cut down at the time here suggested, and split as early as convenient, laid up from the 

 ground, cross-piled, and covered over if possible, to season, and then let them season 

 two years before using. The setting of posts should also be done in the best manner, and 

 always put the top end into the ground. I shall not attempt a reason for this, hut the 

 fact that many experiments prove that they last longer. Posts in this vicinity set two 

 and a half feel in the ground, for live feet high fencing, will continue to stand erect, 

 except upon very wet land. The earth should he well tramped around them, till the 

 hole Is tilled to within six inches of the surface of the ground — when tin- posts are all 

 set — apply a canting of coal tar extending from the bottom of the open space to six 

 Inches or more above the ground; the tar should be as near boiling as practicable, and 

 can he applied with a small corn broom, The good office of the tar is to prevent water 

 from penetrating the |><>-K ami ants and worms from burrowing in the collar of It. 



This being done pile and tramp in the balance of the earth. 



Charing posts will not pay unless they are thoroughly Beasoned. It is worse than time 

 and labor thrown away. I would advise not to do it at all. The hearts of the old white 

 oaks of the ridges and large .sized post oak- make t he he- 1 posts. Large limbs last longer 

 than the body of the same tree, except the heart portions Of it. 



