• > 



14 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



disappointment that attended this system of trade, let it not be written in the Horticul- 

 tural history of Mercer county. 



Orchard planting for market has been carried to considerable extent along the line of 

 the Bluff*. The western slope and also the high broken grounds on the bluffs being 

 used for that object. While the bluff and timber lands are mainly chosen for market 

 orchards; it is difficult to say that such orchards have yielded much better returns-, 

 through a succession of years, than the high prairie situations. The old specimen 

 orchards of the Pome-Roy place, in profitable returns, have on an average, not fallen 

 behind those planted expressly for profit in the most favored situations. 



Among the older orchards may be mentioned those of William Willits, Alexander 

 Davis, D. J. Noble, John Glancey, D. F. Noble, Milton Willits and Wm. B. Crapnell of the 

 west end of the county, and Wm. Terry and James Terry in the eastern part of the 

 county. Then there are many younger orchards of considerable extent that have 

 scarce attained to a profitable age. At present the greater portion of the apples raised 

 in this county, find market in Iowa ; but a considerable portion are also shipped to 

 Minnesota. 



The Aledo nursery succeeded to the Pome-Roy nursery, hut it has been heretofore 

 conducted under some difficulties, and with the increased impulses in tree planting has, 

 in fruit trees scarcely been equal to the demand of the situation. But the supply of 

 evergreens has developed marked results in the enlivened aspect of homestead embel- 

 lishments. 



With no favorable facilities for transportation to large towns, there has seemed little 

 inducement in Mercer county, for the culture of the small fruits for market. Grape cul- 

 tivation has not received due attention ; having scarcely in any instance been extended 

 l>eyond private gardens for family use. It is notable that while Mercer county, is so 

 much behind in small fruits, the exhibition of apples at our County Fairs nearly equal, 

 and the present season, greatly surpassed that of the State Fair. 



Pome-Roy, Nov. 24, 1868. T. McWHORTER. 



ST. CLAIR COUNTY. 



In reply to your circular and letter of request for statistical information, in regard to 

 the first cultivation of orchards and vineyards, in this county. I am only able to render 

 you a partial and imperfect account. I took the liberty to publish your circular, which 

 you find here annexed : 



Horticultural Statistics. — Messrs. Editors : — Will you please publish the follow- 

 ing letter, which explains itself: 



Office Corresponding Secretary, ) 

 Illinois State Horticultural Society. > 

 Alton, III., Nov. 12, 1868. ) 

 George 0. Eisenmayer, Ifascoutah : 



Dear Sir : — Will you please furnish me during the next month, a sketch of the horti- 

 cultural history of your county tor publication in the next volume of our transactions, 

 or make some one else do so ? 



The originators and dates of early orchards, nurseries, &c, the varieties found most 

 enduring and best, and any other facts old or new that you may deem pertinent, I would 

 be glad to get. • Truly yours, 



W. C. FLAGG, Secretary. 



