10 



was a gardener and fruit grower, and that the other branches 

 of agriculture were practiced at a later date. 



Considering the fertility of our soil, the varied production 

 of vegetables, fruits, flowers, and grains, it has been thought 

 by some that the Garden of Eden was located somewhere 

 within our State; but since reading some of the florid descrip- 

 tions of other states and their claims to the location of the 

 first garden, we concede that the probabilities are against us, 

 provided the aforesaid claims are all true in fact. In this 

 sketch we propose, however, to leave out the fanciful and de- 

 vote ourselves to the practical, leaving to those who have lands 

 to sell, or towns to boom the pleasure as well as the profit (?) of 

 depicting an Arcadia whose realities come far short of filling 

 the pictured ideal. 



We admit at the outset that there are difficulties and dis- 

 appointments surrounding the growing of fruit, that an occa- 

 sional failure, like that of the present year, may intervene to 

 rob the horticulturist of anticipated profits; but who shall say 

 that the rest given the trees will not in the end be beneficial 

 to them, not only in prolonging their lives, but also to act as a 

 destroyer of noxious insects which damage the quality and de- 

 preciate the value of the apple, cherry, and pear in occasional 

 years of abundant yields? 



To all who are seeking for a new location we can confi- 

 dently say that they will receive a warm welcome from the 

 horticulturists of Illinois and will be given all the information 

 they ask, for as a rule selfishness is not a fault that obtains 

 among the men that engage in the development of that art 

 which "doth lend aid to nature. " The numerous horticultural 

 societies which abound afford ample opportunities for exchang- 

 ing experiences and information, and individuals are always 

 willing to let others profit by their experience. 



EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES. 



The fruit grower is always an intelligent man. The very 

 nature of his business tends to increase his desire for learning, 

 and causes him to study sciences which to the average mortal 

 are a sealed book. This being the case, he will not naturally 



