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counties, the proportion drilled ranges from one-half to nine-tenths, many others 
running from one-twentieth up to one-half, while only a few counties report 
“none drilled.” Harvesting commences by the middle of June in the southern 
counties, running through July and into August for the spring-sown crop. Of 
the mode of culture a correspondent writes : 
The best farmers prepare their ground in the fall, ploughing deep; then, when sprmg 
opens sow broadcast, (from one and one-half to two bushels to the acre, ) ploughing in with 
double shovel. After the wheat comes up they roll with a heavy roller. Some have adopted 
the plan of cross-harrowing after the wheat comes up, and then in a few days use the roller. 
The result has generally justified the expense. 
Another correspondent says : 
The amount of cultivation is but little. All is sown on fall ploughing, or on land upon 
which a crop of corn was raised the year before, the harrow only being used. Some, how- 
ever, go through the corn rows with the sulky cultivator and cross with the harrow. None 
sown on spring ploughing. ‘ 
Our Winnebago reporter writes as follows : 
We plough our stubble land in the fall, stir the surface before sowing in the spring with a 
cultivator, sow broadcast and thoroughly harrow. The roller is coming into general use for 
wheat and other small grains. 
6. White clover, June or blue grass, crab grass, common prairie, and on the 
low grounds red-top and brown-edge, are the natural grasses, while timothy, 
red clover, herdsgrass, and Kentucky blue grass form the cultivated pastures. 
When the prairie is tramped and eaten out by a long course of pasturage the 
June or blue grass succeeds it, and with white clover drives out timothy and 
red clover in a few years. Our McDonough correspondent writes : 
Prairie grass is the only indigenous grass of value. So soon as this is pastured or tramped 
it readily yields to blue grass and white clover. Red clover succeeds well here by sowing, 
and timothy is one of our best crops, yielding on common meadows one and one-half ton 
per acre, which by mowing is easily increased to two and one-half and even three tons per 
acre. No crop here is so much improved by manure. 
Fulton county claims to have raised (according to the census of 1860) about 
one-fifth of all the clover seed gathered in the State, or as much as 25 average 
counties, showing, says our reporter, ‘‘ what we are doing to keep up our land, 
though not so much as we should do for profitable farming.” 
Stock does well upon pastures about seven months of the year on an average 
for the State, but somewhat longer in good cultivated pastures or in the more 
southern counties, where cattle will frequently subsist the whole year without 
feeding. When cattle are pastured upon the range the expense is trifling 
beyond the cost of herdsmen, and the highest estimate of cost of pasture is 
$1 75 per month in Jersey county, other counties ranging from that price down 
to “cost of boy to watch the herd.” 
7. Most of the fruits suited to the latitude of the several counties of the 
State are successfully grown, especially in southern and central Illinois, where 
the culture is made a specialty by many. 
Our reporter in Union, one of the extreme southern counties, writes as 
follows : 
A ridge of highlands, known as the ‘“‘ grand chain,”’ passes through this county from east 
to west, and is admirably adapted to the culture of fruit. During the past ten years fruit 
trees have been extensively planted and many large peach orchards are now in full bearing. 
Pears, peaches, and apples do well; also strawberries, raspberries, and gooseberries. Plums 
and cherries have not been successful. In 1866 there had been planted 300,000 trees and 
200 acres of berries, and at the present time there are undoubtedly 500,000 trees and 400 
acres in berries. So great is the yield that five car loads (8,000 quarts to the car) of berries 
were shipped in a single day, and 15 car loads (250 bushels to the car) of peaches daily dur- 
ing the past season. An average yield of strawberries with all kinds of cultivation (includ- 
ing no cultivation at all) has been 50 bushels per acre, with a net return of $4 per bushel. 
Peaches, though considerably affected with rot, have made as good return per acre. Pears 
pay better, but the orchards in bearing are.yet small. Early apples have done even better. 
Late apples are now attracting much attention and new varieties are being introduced. 
