608 BOATJD OF AGKICULTUrE. 



(G) 111 your oiiiuinii, w]i;il: is needed to boltor couditious iu your dis- 

 trict ? 



We received replies from seven correspondents np to the evening of 

 the IJtb. 



W. F. DeVilbiss, Fort Wayne, Allen county, reports: 



1. General conditions, of recent years, have improved. Yet most 

 farmers haul apples to market in bags or in open wagon beds. 



2. Most farmers have apple orchards, but few fruit gardens. Both 

 are cared for as the ordinary farmer does this work. 



3. There are six or seven who make fruit growing a specialty: Henry 

 Tilbury, Fort Wayne; Israel Luther, R. R. 4, Fort Wayne: James Sheri- 

 dan, Fort Wayne; Samuel Kinsey, Harlan; James Baxter, R. R. 3, Fort 

 AVayne; AV. F. DeVilbiss, R. R. 4. Fort Wayne. Yes, it is a profitable 

 investment. Suitable land can be purchased for from $75 to $100 per 

 acre. 



4 and 5. Very little. The Civic Improvement Society, of Fort Wayne, 

 and the Home Makers' Association of Allen County are working along 

 these lines. 



G. More public spirited men and women. 



H. M. Widney, St. Joe, Dekalb county, reports as follows: 



1. About holding our own. 



2. Think there is a decrease in farm orchards. Not properly cared 

 for. Cause— Neglect and lack of interest. But few new plantings. 



3. Yes. Howard Northrup, J. D. Leighty and H. M. Widney, all of 

 St. Joe. Cherries and apiiles are profitable, but peaches and plums a 

 failure.' Price of orchard land, $4;" to $100 per acre. 



4. Some; not near what it should be. 



5. One FaVmers' Club at St. Joe. Also, our county organization in 

 snpjiort of Farmers' Institutes. Farmers' Club: II. M. Widney, Presi- 

 dent, St. Joe; R. Wyatt, Secretary, Auburn. Dekalb County Farmers' 

 Institute: President, H. M." Widney, St. Joe; Secretai-y, M. S. Delving, 

 Sedan. No horticultural society. 



0. A rousing horticultural society. We are debating the feasibility 

 of this matter now. 



A. G. Lodewick, of Auburn, Dekalb county, makes the following 

 report: 



1. There is a decadence in horticulfure in this county. 



2. No. No. Neglect. Very little. 



3. I know of no commercial orchards in full bearinj*. I consider 

 apples and cherries profitable. From $50 to $100, depending on location. 



4. Some imiirovement. 



f). There is no horticultural society in the county. 



