1862. 



THE ILLINOIS FARMER 



121 



The Illinois Farmer. 



BAILHACHE & BAKER PUBUSHEES 



M. L, DUNLAP, EDITOR. 



SPRINGFIELD, APRIL, 1862. 



Editor's Table. 



April, with its weepiog skies and busy plows 

 is of deep interest to the farmers of this State. 

 Since early in March the seedsman has been busy 

 in some parts of the state or othei, either in get- 

 ting re:idy to sow or sowing. Early in the 

 month we were in Egjpt, and found everything 

 unusually dormant ; the buds just begining to 

 swell. Five years ago, on the same sixth day of 

 the month, the ruddy ends of the peach blossoms 

 were just peering forth ; but now, it will be two 

 if not three weeks before they will be in the 

 same forward condition. Later in the season it 

 was pronounced two weeks behind time, as a long 

 cold spell had taken possession of the rest of 

 March and part of April, holding the buds in this 

 bo-peep attitude and not allowing the flowers to 

 expand until April. We like these seasons that 

 take a late start ; it argues well of a vigorous, 

 onward progress when the signal notes of spring 

 are sent forth. These spasmodic eflforts of an 

 early spring are not to our liking. Give us 

 winter, with its band of frost, and then spring 

 with its vernal flora and song birds ; no lingering 

 of winterin the lap of spring, or spring attempt- 

 ing to invade the domain of winter. 



Tueser's Cultivator. — We learn from a hand- 

 bill issued by Ellis & Shields, of Jacksonville, 

 Edward Y. £no, agent, that this cultlTator is 

 about to appear in a new dress " by experienced 

 workmen and none but the best material used." 

 This will again place this valuable cultivator in 

 favor, wl.icli bad workmanship and material had 

 put in the background. We have seen no plan 



for a two horse cultivator that pleases us so well 

 as this, and we now hope its course will be up« 

 ward and onward. 



To all market gardeners and large nurserymen, 

 we would particularly commend it. For cotton 

 it cannot otherwise than prove valuable, working 

 as it does so close to the row, for weeds cannot 

 escape itsseaiching teeth. Last year we worked 

 over sixty acres of corn, beans and other small 

 crops, all of which was done in a manner superior 

 to any other implement that we have used or 

 seen. Our protest was the bad make of the im- 

 plement, wanting durability, and it will be a 

 pleasure to us to certify that this defect is cured. 



Hardy Apple Trees. — Editor Illinois Farmer : 

 Can you send me six low headed apple trees of 

 goodvarities, that are hardy in northern Illinois, 

 or say in this county? I have little faith in 

 frees in this part of the state, but wish to try a 

 few, hoping that with proper attention, they will 

 at least give a small return of fruit. 



Geo C Wood. 



Chelsea, Will Co. III. 



Had Mr. Wood read the Farmer the past year, 

 he would not have asked the above question, but 

 have been satisfied that such hardy varieties 

 exist, but for his own and the benefit of new sub- 

 scribers, we will name several varieties that we 

 have known to be perfectly hardy, and reliable 

 in Cook county on the open praine since 1846, a 

 period of sixteen years, and embracing one of 

 the hardest winters for the apple known to that 

 venerable person the " oldest inhabitant." We 

 hope this will stiffen up the faith of not only Mr. 

 Wood but numerous others whose weak faith has 

 deprived their families of this health giving food. 

 To all such we say, go or send to the nearest 

 nursery and before the end of this month, have 

 the trees set out, not less than fifty for an eighty 

 acre farm, more if you can. First in the list 

 stands the Keswick Codlin, which always bears, 

 and is used for cooking from the first of July to 

 the end of September. A dozen trees should be 

 planted on every farm. Early Pennock, for eat- 

 ing, is not so productive but always hardy ; ripe 

 the last of August. Red Astrachan, bears alter- 

 nate years, the first of August. Summer Queen, 

 heavy crop in odd years. For fall, Snow Apple, 

 Late Golden Sweet, Ramsdell's Sweet. Thislastis 

 the most valuable and never fails of a good crop, 

 the fruit large, showy and desirable. For winter. 

 Flushing Spitzenburg, Stannard, Winter Russet 

 and Winter Bough (sweet.) The above are old 

 personal friends that we know to be always right, 

 at the same time we could name several others 



