28 



reason exists why it should not continue to be so for all time 

 to come. 



The orchardist of Illinois is not dependent upon some water 

 company for success. While his trees are small, crops of corn, 

 potatoes, berries, and vegetables may be grown in the same 

 ground without detriment to the trees. So soon, however, as 

 the trees begin to require nourishment for the ripening of 

 fruit, all intelligent orchardists cease trying to grow two crops 

 at once, but instead feed the tree, or should do so, to enable it 

 to maintain a healthy condition by means of which it only can 

 continue to be of value. 



There is here no place for indulging in a panegyric over 

 certain varieties; there are a few favorites for market that are 

 common to all of Illinois, others which suit one locality and not 

 the other, all of which are more or less profitable, but whose 

 value to the planter must be determined by the experience of 

 men who have tried them in the different sections of the State. 

 It has, however, been uniformly found that Ben Davis, Wine- 

 sap, and Rome Beauty are everywhere successful, and that in 

 some localities other varieties are equal favorites. In planting 

 orchards in Southern Illinois hardiness of tree cuts no figure, 

 for never in the history of the section has there been so low a 

 temperature as to injure a tree. 



Much attention is now being given to the growth of Jap- 

 anese plums and persimmons, and no reason exists why the 

 English walnut may not be grown to perfection. 



SOUTHERN ILLINOIS 



also has another advantage, for it contains within its borders 

 abundant and cheap material for the making of barrels, boxes, 

 crates, and baskets in which to ship its fruit. This is an im- 

 portant factor, for all dealers know that fruit in new, clean 

 packages sells for a better price than an equally good quality 

 packed in dirty or second-hand packages. 



The attention of commercial orchardists has of late years 

 been turned to the south half of the State as a desirable point 

 for the planting of 



