1862. 



THE ILLINOIS FAKMER. 



17 



In the evening. Dr. Hoy, of Eacine, delivered 

 a discursive address on the sapsucker, wood- 

 pecker, and insects, by injuries to fruit trees. 



The Dr. came well prepared with specimens 

 of birds, insects, and sections of wood to illus- 

 trate his subject. Among all the birds of this 

 section, there were but two that he held as 

 avowed enemies, and which he treated on all 

 occasions, and these were the Cedar Bird and 

 the small Woodpecker, known of all fruit grow- 

 ers as the Sapsucker. This latter gentleman he 

 held in no good esteem, and would recommend 

 an indiscriminate warfare upon him. This bird 

 should not be confounded with the Nut Hatch, a 

 similar bird, who has the habit of alighting on 

 the trees with his head down ; nor should be 

 confounded with two woodpeckers herewith pre- 

 sented, both of which are our good friends. The 

 Sapsucker, both male and female, have red heads, 

 but the male has a more brilliant crown. Some 

 naturalists contend that this bird is an insect- 

 eater, though he may occasionally take up a 

 beetle, his food is the liher and cumbiuvi bark of 



trees, and his 

 Sapsucker. 



drink the sap, hence his name, 



ITS HABITS. 



The Sapsucker is a migratory bird, and arrives 

 in Racine, Wisconsin, about the 15th day of April, 

 not varying more than five days. On his arrival 

 he attacks the sugar maple, pine, spruce and 

 silver poplar ; but the sugar maple is the favor- 

 ite at this time. He also attacks thrifty growing 

 frmt trees. The damage to be guarded against 

 at tnis time more particularly is to the poplars 

 and maples. At this time they come in flocks, 

 more especially along the lake shore, and the 

 whole army of boys with cross boys, shot guns, 

 stones and clubs, and wage a war of destruction 

 against them ; but it is doubtful which does the 

 most damage to the trees — the birds or the boys. 

 About the last of June they return to the deep 

 wood to breed, from which they make daily fo- 

 rays to the orchards and gardens, doing more or 

 lees damage. After the breeding season is over, 

 the old birds, with their broods, return to the 

 fields, orchards and gardens of the farmers and 

 others, and go quietly to work to destroy thou- 

 sands of valuable fruit, shade and ornamental 

 trees. Returning with the new recruits, they 

 attack the apple, the pear and the mountain ash 

 with a vigor that, unless they are killed at the 

 outset, an immense number of valuable trees 

 will be killed or seriously injured. This bird 

 goes at his work of destruction quietly, and with 

 an insolence that is worthy of him. He cannot 

 be driven off like other birds, but to stop his 

 depredation, must be destroyed, ana fine shot, 

 that would not penetrate the tree, is the proper 

 material to be used. 



While in the deep forest he lives on the iron- 

 wood and lynn, mainly, as these trees furnish 

 sap and an abundance of cambrium and liber. 

 Yet they prefer the smooth, thrifty trunks of 

 fruit trees, as is proved by thoir daily visits to 

 the orchards. 



The last of October they leave for the south, 

 and we see nothing more of them until April. 

 —2 



Dr. H. reapeated his recommendation to destroy 

 them on every occasion. 



The remainder of Dr. Hoy's lecture was very 

 interesting, but our space will not permit of fur- 

 ther notice. It is to be printed. 



Among the apples on exhibition was the Perry 

 Russet, of Wisconsin, or rather of the Buffalo 

 Nursery, of B. Hodge. This variety has proved 

 one of the most productive and hardy of winter 

 apples cultivated in Wisconsin. Mr. Hanford, 

 Mr. Willy, and others, spoke highly of it. It is 

 the same fruit known in the north part of this 

 State under the name of Winter Russet, Chesbro' 

 Russet, Poughkeepsie Russet, and Golden Rus- 

 set. We have cultivated and sent it out under 

 the name of Winter Russet, having received it 

 from Mr. Hodge under some half dozen different 

 names, which, we believe, was his practice with 

 all valuable sorts. The tree is hardy with us, a 

 good grower, with a round, symmetrical head, 

 bears good crops alternate years. The fruit is 

 large and fair. 



The Bagsby Russet sent to the convention by Mrs . 

 Lieut. J. M. Hunter, of Ashley. The specimens 

 was small on account of the drouth, but were 

 pronounced by several members one of the best 

 quality. It is little known. Mr. H. has called 

 the attention of members to this fruit on one or 

 two occasions. It may prove a uew seedling, 

 and valuable to that part of the State. 



THIRE DAT. 



The first business in order was the grape, a 

 subject of deep interest to most of the members, 

 and they entored at once into the merits ef the 

 case. The first one proposed to be added to the 

 general list was the 



DELAVAKB. 



At Raeice it had proved hardy, though like all 

 other grapes, is improved by laying on the ground 

 through the winter, with slight covering, and. is 

 only moderately vigorous. The first year the 

 growth is slow, but after that does better. A 

 large number of members participated. The re- 

 sult showed that in some places the growth is 

 slow, and in others good ; that some plants, from 

 some unexplained cause, failed to grow, while 

 others in the same soil did well. It was pro- 

 nounced by several as caprioious, but the supe- 

 rior quality of the fruit carried it triumphant, 

 and it was added to the list by a close vote. 



THE CLINTOK 



Found many friends for its abundant crop of 



