106 



THE ILLINOIS FARMER. 



April 



pervious to moisture and more suitable in its con- 

 stituents; and having I believe a drier atmosphere 

 above it in the season of ripening fruits. 



But I will put in a special plea for Alton, &c., 

 some other time and go on. I only wished to say I 

 wished to call your special attention to the Alton 

 bluifs, and show them to ynu when you come. 



In the second place I wish to remonstrate with 

 you in a friendly way for the delay in the appear- 

 ance of the Illinois Farmer. Its tardy monthly 

 appearance greatly injures its influence, which oth- 

 erwise wouid be excellent, for it is very generally 

 liked when received. 



The printing of Transactions is pretty well along. 

 They will not, be so good as I could wish as re- 

 gards discussions, but many of the essays are ex- 

 cellent. I am afraid I shall be obliged to omit 

 many fruit lists, which I regret, as I regard 

 them of a good deal of pomological value. But 

 there is a terrible lot of matter to print, and some- 

 thing must be left out. 



Truly Yours, 



W. C. FLAGG. 



— We shall be glad to accept the kind offer of 

 our good friend Flagg, in looking through the gar- 

 dens and orchards of Alton, for we know we shall 

 have a rich treat, not only for ourself but our 

 readers. Ed. 



I grow on branches half an inch in diameter or larger, 

 i above the snow line. All my trees in the nursery 

 arc alive, and all that I set out last spring, but 

 peach trees three or four years old are very doubt- 

 ful." 



— At this writing, March 15th, our own trees 

 have considerably improved, and we think will 

 mostly come out all right, though most of the visi- 

 tors to our grounds have no hope of a favorable 

 result, and some have cut their trees down. — Ed. 



Damage to Fruit Trees. 



J. A. Carpenter, of Cobdeii, writes under date 

 of March 10th : "Weather warm. Our losses in 

 nursery trets and plants will not reach ten per 

 cent, by the cold of January — never had a better 

 staml of buds; they hav(^ wintered finely." 



N. C. Meeker, of Dcngola, writes : "This is now 

 March 6ih, and our peach trees arf improving, in 

 appearance at least. The inner bark is not so 

 black a-; it was, and thrifty limbs which some time 

 since were drying up, now are getting plump and 

 of good color. I should not wonder if the sap 

 comiiiij up from the roots did not, before they leaf 

 out, make tliem live and flourish. I am speaking 

 now particularly of my own trees ; still, they may 

 turn out as bad as any have prophesied, and all 

 have to start from the seed. I think it yet too 

 soon to definitely state what is the fate of the 

 peach orchards." 



Mr. Viigil Beale, of Anna, writes : "Peach trees 

 are starting their leaves, so I do not think the frost 

 has injured them much." 



Dr. W. Riehart, of Carbondale, writes : "My one 

 year old peach trees are all putting out leaves on 

 all the small twigs, some within two or three buds 

 of the point. I can find no buds alive or likely to 



Carbondale. 



Carbondale is just within the great forest of the 

 south part of the State, being a few miles south 

 of the Big Muddy river, and on the northern slope 

 of the great water shed of Egypt. The soil is rich 

 and the surface gently undulating, gradually rising 

 to the summit of the Grand Chain. A large amount 

 of white wheat of superior quality is grown in 

 the vicinity. 



Peach orchards have of late largely miiltiplied, 

 and over four millions pounds of tobacco was ship- 

 ped last year. Add to this that cotton growing is 

 among the staples, and we have the fact that it is 

 one of the most desirable points in the south part 

 of the State. The Illinois Central have thousands 

 of acres of choice timber lands in the vicinity well 

 adapted to all the staple crops noted above. 



There is a neatness about the streets and a show 

 of activity that always attracts the railroad pas- 

 senger. The fruit growers have formed an associa- 

 tion and are going ahead, holding their meetings on 

 the 1st and 3d Saturdays of the month. We shall 

 hope to hear from them often. 



Book Farming- 



Springfield, 111., March II, '64. 

 M. L. Dunlap, Esq. Dear Sir: 



I have been a reader of your valuable paper, the 

 Illinojs Farmer, since you became its editor, and 

 have learned very much about farming, fruit grow- 

 ing, &c. It may be called book farming I presume, 

 but I have put it to practice and find it will work, 

 especially your views on orcharding. I have adopt- 

 ed low-headed trees and varieties that will bear 

 early and stand our hard winters. Will you please 

 send me some scions of the Stanard and Ben Da- 

 vis apples, a few of each any time before the graft- 

 ing season is over ? I presume you can send them 

 by mail, as you stated in a, former number of the 

 Farmer. Enclosed you will find twenty-five cents 

 for postage. Yours truly, Wm. H. Marsh. 



— The scions are sent and you will find them two 

 of the most profitable apples that you have in your 



