216. 



THE ILLINOIS FAEMEE. 



July 



Taxing of Nueseriks. — So long as growing 

 ss growing farm crops are exempt from taxation 

 it is a stretch of stupidity on the part of any as- 

 sessor to tax the nurseries. A crop of nursery 

 products is from one to four years in maturing 

 for market, and as legitimately come under the 

 head of growing crops, as do corn, wheat, chico- 

 ry, madder, or any other crop, which requires 

 from one to four years to mature. In both cases 

 they are personal property, and as such subject 

 to attachment and sale on a justice's execution. 

 The fixtures of a nursery, like other farm build- 

 ings, belong to the realty, such as green houses, 

 packing sheds, etc., while cuttings, plants and 

 young trees belong to the personal. W« learn 

 that the assessor of Bloomington has taxed the 

 nursery of F. K. Phinx, but we tru' t the board 

 of supervisors will see to it that it be stricken 

 from the list. 



First Annual Fair op the State Horticul- 

 TUKAt Society. — This fair will be held during 

 the time of the National Horse Fair and Me- 

 chanics' Institute, of Chicago, commencing Sep- 

 tember 9. The prospect for a large show is very 

 flattering, there being a lare crop of fruit in all 

 parts of the State which the liberal premiums 

 offered by the Society will be sure to bring to 

 the exhibition. Nearly all the railroads have 

 agreed to carry passengers at half fare, which, 

 added to the inducement of seeing three fairs at 

 the same time, will insure a large attendance 

 from the country. The Society have secured 

 Bryan Hall, the largest in the city. The exhi- 

 bition will be open day and evening. We shall 

 allude to this subject more at length in the Au- 

 gust number of the Farmer. Don't forget the 

 time — the second week of the National Horse 

 Show. 



Strawberries. — The season for this fruit is 

 now past and we can speak fully of the merits of 

 the varied varieties. 0. L. Willey, of Madison, 

 Wis., writes us in favor of Brighton Prime, Bos- 

 ton Prime and Eliza, as valuable early sorts, 

 while Walker's Seedling is a superb sort in sea- 

 son with the Wilson, and far better. 



In our own grounds. Early Scarlet, McAvoy's 

 Superior, Extra Red, Longworth's Prolific, Iowa, 

 and Neck Pine, have given us great satisfaction. 

 We have never liked the Willson for our own use, 

 it is a coarse acid fruit,and only fit to send a long 

 distance to market. It keeps well and will ripen 

 in the boxes, but for home use we cannot be pur- 

 suaded to cultivate it. 



Horticultural Societies and Farmers' Clubs 

 should be organized in every shool district in the 

 State. Several have already been started and 

 meet with encouraging success. Among the 

 most prominent is the Horticultural Society at 

 Rockford, of which we receive a weekly report 

 through the Register. They oflfer premiums for 

 fruit and flowers, and also hold regular discu8« 

 sions. A similar society was started at South 

 Pass recently, but with what success we have 

 not heard. 



Harvesting. — At this writing — June 28 — ^har- 

 vesting has not yet commenced north of Macou- 

 pin and Effingham counties. Our rye will be 

 ready by the second or third and winter wheat 

 by the sixth of July. From all parts south we 

 hear of a bountiful wheat crop, and should the 

 grain not be injured north by the fly and rust, 

 we shall look for a large yield there. 



Hard Shell Almond. — Nearly every one sup- 

 poses this to be a tropical nut, but like other 

 fruits it has been acclimated north, and will bear 

 a crop of nuts wherever the peach bears. It 

 resembles the peach, both tree and fruit, and is 

 often taken for a peach by persons seeing the 

 trees. 



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Perpetual Roses. — Should have the seed balls 

 cut off as soon as done blooming, and kept well 

 watered to insure a steady supply of flowers. 

 Now is the time to bud them, if you have any 

 old, worthless rose bush. It is performed the 

 same as in the apple, peach, etc. 



Corn. — Our thirteen acres ef corn planted as 

 soon as the ground was plowed, prior to May 1st, 

 has been worked three times with the two horse 

 cultivator, and is already over three and a half 

 feet high. We are looking for a big lot of corn 

 from this piece. 



Bess. — Our bees are doing remarkably well, 

 this season, as we have plenty of pasturage for 

 them. The moth miller does not seem to be as 

 plentiful as last year, and we hope for a bounti- 

 ful supply of honey. 



44K 



Timothy and Clover should be cut, if for 

 feed, just as the timothy is in bloom ; if for seed 

 a few days later will do. 



