1861. 



THE ILLINOIS FAEMEK. 



323 



We think there are no grounds aiound the 

 city that could have stood the heavy rains 

 and maintained their popularity , even the 

 old United States Fair Ground was a mud 

 puddle but little better. The fact is, that 

 the whole country was drenched and uncom- 

 fortable. In ordinary times, the grounds at 

 Brighton would not have been so bad. 

 With a small expense, these grounds can be 

 made valuable. Our objection to them is, 

 mainly the distance, want of facilities, the 

 aroma from slaughter houses, etc., at Bridge- 

 port, 



To the officers is due much for their ef- 

 forts to modify the disaster, and we must 

 award them an untiring energy in standing 

 up under the accumulated load of misfor- 

 tunes. To President Van Epps we feel un- 

 der many obligations for his unwearied at- 

 tentions towards the members of the press. 

 The continued good nature of our Secretary 

 done much to put a sunshine on the mud 

 and water that, like a sea, stretched far on 

 either side. The Treasurer and his corps 

 of assistants had always a pleasant word for 

 the mud bedraggled visitors, and, on the 

 whole, we doubt if a better set of men can 

 be found who whould have stood the wear 

 and tear of the untoward elements and con- 

 current circumstances as did those of the 

 State Society during the late memorable 

 Fair. Instead of dealing in complaints, 

 and getting up a general growl that would 

 benefit no one, we are thankful that things 

 were no worse, knowing, as we do, that some 

 valuable lessons have been taught that will 

 prove of no small value at the next and 

 subsequent great industrial gatherings of 

 the State Agricultural Society. 



[For the Illinois Farmer."] 



Fruit Culture in Northern Illinois. 



-<••- 



J8@"If you do good, forget it j if evil, re- 

 member and repent of it. 



BY A. S. COE, OF PORT BTEON. 



'S@„ State's evidence — A wretch who is 

 pardoned for being meaner than his com- 

 rades. 



[The Fakm Committee was highly pleased with 

 the orchard of Mr. Coe, but in regard to the 

 premium awarded him it is not proper to speak 

 at this time. Mr. C. had prepared a series of 

 articles on fruit culture, which he was kind 

 enough to hand us, and we cheerfully place them 

 before our readers. — Ed.] 



It is now something more than a quarter of a 

 century since the pioneer built his first log cabin 

 in Northern Illinois, and yet fruit sells at most 

 extravagant prices. 



Is the cause to be found in the scil ? We nn- 

 hesitatingly answer no. We think the fact that 

 fruit grown in the region mentioned has never, 

 so far as we know, failed to bear off the prize 

 when exhibited in competition with that grown 

 in the same latitude in other States, ought to 

 settle the question in regard to the perfect adapt- 

 ation of the soil to fruit raising. We do not 

 hesitate to pronounce all naturally well drained 

 soil', in Northern Illinois, as well adapted to 

 fruit growing as any to be found in the Northern 

 States. 



The question that next demands our attention 

 is the one in regard to climate. Here, it must 

 be admitted, is oce of the real causes why some 

 kinds and varieties of fruit which we shall here- 

 after mention, cannot be successfully produced. 



It is well known to those who have emigrated 

 from nearly the same latitude east, that the sum- 

 mer and autumn months here are much warmer 

 than there, while the winter months here are 

 equally as cold, if not colder than east. 



[This is the main point after all — this growing 

 the tree in one zone, and practically wintering it 

 in another. Had we the constant snow covering 

 of the northern States, we would not feel this 

 difference so seriously. 



We must, therefore, resort to some artificial 

 mode to remedy the defect. Shelter of some 

 kind must be had, wheth.er by artificial belts, 

 close planting, and low heads, or otherwise. 

 A few varieties will stand almost any abuse by 

 the change oi weather, but not so of all. With 

 protection, we can grow the most tender varieties, 

 as instance the Baldwin in the border of Mr. 

 Dcuglas and the sheltered ground of Prof. Turner. 

 Scarcely a forest tree can brave our winters out 



