1861. 



THE ILLINOIS FAEMEE. 



19 



Meeting of the State Horticultural Society. 



On Tuesday, the 18th inst , the State Horti- 

 cultural Society met at Bloominffton. It was not 

 our good fortune to be present, previous business 

 eneragements preveoling. It was the first meet- 

 ing of the kind in the State since the N. W. F. Asso- 

 ociationmet in Chicago that we have not attended, 

 and in wJiich we have not taken an active part ; 

 but if we were not present in body, we were in 

 gpiiit, and we shali, therefore, though at a Lvte 

 day, give the readers of the Tribune a synopsis 

 of the proceedings, taken from the Fantagraph. 

 and a day with Dr. Warder, who made us a c^ll 

 on his way home. 



The proceedings are to be published in pam- 

 phlet form, but as only a thousand copies arje or- 

 dered, we feel more at liberty to give the leading 

 features in advance. 



In consequence of the short and imperfect no- 

 tice, the meeting w&s a small one in point of 

 numbers, but containing some of our very best 

 pomological talent. 



FARM TRfiES — THE COTTON-WOOD. 



Mr. C. R. Overman recommended the Cotton- 

 wood among the deciduous trees, as valuable for 

 its rapid growth and ease of propagation, it 

 growing rea'iily from cuttings. It is tras that 

 flies and worms infest it, but not to an injurious 

 extent. It makes good fire wood and rails, which 

 proved durable. Several others concurred, but 

 would not recommend for ornamental purposes. 

 It was good for orchard protection and narrow 

 timber belts. 



GOLDEN WILLOW. 



Mr. Phoenix called attention to the value of the 

 Golden Willow, (b.) It was of rapid growth, 

 valuable for both posts and r-iils, also desirable 

 for its great beauty. Mr. Overman said it had 

 one drawback ; it is infested with an ugly aphis 

 thatxolonizes ia great numbers on its shoots, and 

 drops upon the grass, making it unpleasant to 

 be about the trees. Mr. Whitney has eight hun- 

 dred of these trees in one field. It makes a supe- 

 rior charcoal, and is also good for fuel — can 

 hedge with it on wet land by driving stout 

 stakes of it five feet long, about fifteen inches 

 apart, and a foot deep. 



SILTEH POPLAR. 



The main objection to this beautiful and rapid 

 growing tree, was its habit of sending up suckers. 

 in a blue grass turf that is not disturbed, it is 

 not troublesome. At the read side, where the 

 ground is well tramped, it loses the propensity 

 to sprout, and it was recommen'^ed for this situ 

 ation. 



THE MAPLES. 



The silver leafed, the common sift, and the 

 sugar maple were all considered valuable. Mr. 

 Overman thinks the maple tha most valuable of 

 trees ; they must grow more and more popular. 

 They are eminently useful for shade, for turni- 

 ture, for fuel, for coal, or for beauty. The ma- 

 ples as a class, and especially the soft maples 

 (c.) are very desirable. 



A motion to recommend the maples as a class, 

 and especially the silver leaf maple?, for all puri 



poses of grove and ornamental trees, was agreed 

 to. 



THE CATALPA. 



Mr. Hugg'ns suggested the Catalpa as a valu- 

 able tree for Central Illinois. Agreed to. 



THE ELM. 



The White Elm, Red Elm and Corky White 

 Elm were discussed and recommended. Several 

 persons considered the Red Elm the most valua- 

 ble for railroad ties. 



The tulip tree, linden and black and sweet 

 gum, were agreed to for the central and south- 

 era part of the State. 



AMERICAN CHESTNUT. 



Mr. Phcenix said that it was in demand and 

 that it was of easy culture. Mr. Edwards had 

 found it hardy. Mr. Galusha had found it diffi- 

 cult to transplant. Gov. Wood has at Quincy, 

 trees of three generations of Illinois growth. It 

 was recommended for further trial, (d) 



EVERGREENS. 



The White Pine was recommended for Central 

 and Northern Illinois. 



AUSTRIAN AND SCOTCH PINES. 



Dr. Kennicott said they did well in all parts of 

 the State. Mr. Galusha would as soon trans- 

 plant them as apple trees; the only trouble is 

 that the roots must be kept moist ; water thor« 

 oughly at planting, if the soil is dry, never afier- 

 wards, then mulch thoroughly. Dr. Kennicott 

 transplanted eight hundred last spring and lost 

 none ; ho- puddles them both at digging and set- 

 ting. Mr. Shaw said evergreens shoul 1 not be 

 shipped in October. Fall planting of evergreens 

 was condemned. These pines were recommended 

 for general cultnre. 



NORWAY SPRUCE. 



Mr. Galusha moved to recommend the Norway 

 Spruce as the best evergreen. Agreed to. 



BALSAM FIR. 



All agreed that it was a fine tree when young, 

 but would not bear age, losing its lower branches. 

 A great variety of opinion "Ras expressed -in rela- 

 tion to the value of this tree ; it was recommend- 

 ed for the northern part of the State. 



RED CEDAR. 



This tree was recommended for extensive cul» 

 tivation for lawn screens. 



AMERICAN ARBORVITiE 



Was recimmended for screens and ornamental 

 hedges ; and the 



EUROPEAN LARCH 



For ornamental purposes. 



6TRAWBERE,IES. 



A running debate was had on Strawberries, 

 without coming to any definite conclusions. 

 Every member appeared to have his favorite. 

 The upshot of the matter is, that Wilson's Alba- 

 ny will continue to be planted, for its large yield, 

 and, if too sour, will be sweetened. McAvoy's 

 Superior, Longwoith's Prolific, and Extra Red 

 will continue to please, in spite of the new brol:- 

 dignags. 



