STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 30'.) 



ber of years, and consequently, I speak from my own personal experiene.', for this 

 locality and Boil, which Is nol the best In the world for hardy bulbs; but for shrubbery, 

 summer bulbs and annuals it i.s very superior. Our soil being extremely siliceous in its 

 composition, it lias a peculiar deathlike coldness In winter, unknown In more loamy or 

 clayey soils, which often is death indeed to bulbs, and biennials, such as Foxglove (digi 

 talis) Mullen pink, Canterbury Hells, and Satin-leaf or honesty. A continued enriching 

 of the soil by composts and manures, and planting deeper than in heavier soils, and 

 covering the surface with stalks or mulch after it is frozen to prevent its thawing and 

 freezing frequently, during our very changeable winters, and excellent results may be 

 obtained with hardy bulbs and biennials. 



In protecting all plants and trees for winter, I would not give any protection till the 

 frost lias made some progress, and then the quantity can be iuerea-ed to insure holding 

 the frost through the entire winter and till such time in spring that all danger of late 

 re freezing, and hard frosts, and cold nights are past, and the plant can grow with- 

 out check, or aught to hinder; audi tind that most plants after being treated in this 

 way ; roduce finer flowers than if allowed to bave their own way, or lake their chances. 



These remarks apply to that class of early flowering plants whose stems or flower 

 buds are so easily injured, when a warm spring sun induces them to push forward too 

 soon, as often occurs with Dieletra spectabillis, &c. 



Truly yours, J. COCHRANE. 



MADISON COUNTY. 



The oldest fruit trees in the county of Madison, are probably two pear trees on the 

 farm of Samuel Squires in the American Bottom on Section 6 of Township :',, north 

 ran^e '.) west, near Nameoki Station on the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railway. 

 This farm was one of the old "claims," founded on the grant of a donation of four 

 hundred acres to each of tho-e who were heads of families in the county, at or la-fore 

 the treaty with England in 178:5. The original claimant was (lenient Drury, and the 

 heirs of Samuel Worley the actual persons to whom the granl was confirmed, as may 

 be seen in the report of the commissioners dated December 31, 180!), and printed in vol- 

 ume H. of the American Slate- Papers. Probably a settlement was made here by some 



adventurous Creole not much prior to 17S3. Then- u ere no American settlements much 

 before the year 1800. At any rate here are two pear trees known by their present owner 

 for 68 years, and estimated by him to be between 70 and 80 years of age. The fruit of 

 one tree is small and worthless, that of the other resembles the Bartlett In outline and 

 color, ripens in August, is very good in quality, and quite productive. The trees stand 

 in an open held, and though Bhowing signs of heavy fruiting, Beem hearty and hale at 

 ever, and stand a perpetual encouragement to discouraged pear growers." [.Journal of 

 Eorticulture, Vol. l, page 860]. M. C. GlUham, on Section ;» of Township i, '•», has 

 another pear tree nol many years younger of probably similar origin. 



Samuel Judy, Who settled in "Goshen" about the year IKOO on claim 888 insertion 

 3'2 and 88 of Township 4 north range, 8 west and :s and 4 of '■'>, B, planted an orchard of 

 seedling apple trees about 1802or 18i>:;. A few of tie said to be still living. 



An orchard nearly as old I believe was planted on claim 603 near Collinsville, by Peter 



Casterline or his BUCcessors. These were in bearing over 60 years ago. Hon. George 



