STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 23 



wood, the field, the lawn — everywhere ; and he that kills one for mere sport, or from 

 blind prejudice, Lb a dangerous man in the community. 



What can man do among insects, with his own hands? But little, as I have shown in 

 my address bi fore you, last year. Nature's method tor controlling noxious insects, is 

 almost beyond the aid of man, except by Indirect interference. If every farmer should 

 keep in his employ an entomologist whose whole time would be devoted to the study o f 

 in- < ; S, and in devising and executing means for the extermination of the injurious ones, 

 the concentrated efforts of all this army of entomologists might possibly fail to be as 

 effectual, as the work now silently performed by birds, in the great Valley of the Missis- 

 sippi. 



.Mt. CArroll, III., Feb. 4, 1869. 



[This paper was not read, but referred to the publishing committee.] 



Mr. Walsh, State Entomologist, said it was a fallacy to suppose 

 the imported bark louse was kept in subjection by cultivation of the 

 tre<>. 



The best remedy he had found was an application of one part of 

 domestic soap to six parts of water, to be made when the insect 

 first hatches, it is sure death to every one touched. They hatch 

 according to the season from the 20th of May to the 5th of June. 

 Considerable discussion followed regarding the condition of trees 

 when attacked, varying very much with different individuals. 



CAN FRUIT BE RAISED TO PROFIT IN NORTHERN 



ILLINOIS. 



By W. E. Lukexs. 



If this question can be truthfully answered in the negative, then we arc in an unfor- 

 tunate predicament. All our plans for increasing the area of fruit culture, all our 

 endeavors to create a deeper interest in the subject, will bring loss and not gain to all 

 concerned. All our horticultural societies will have spent their forces for no profitable 

 return. For we may rest assured that the American people will not prosecute a busi- 

 ness after it is demonstrated to be less profitable than some other occupation immedi- 

 ately within their reach. 



In determining this question, it would not be fair to rely upon the agregate of facts 

 within our reach. Many mistakes in varieties, in planting, and in after culture are 

 incident to first attempts in a new country. Moreover the settlers coming from a wide 

 range of latitude in the Eastern, Middle, and Southern states, brought with them their 

 peculiar notions and prejudices, as to varieties and modes of culture. As a conse- 



