462 
STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETT. 
The secretary then laid before the meeting the following 
communications from Samuel Edwards, president of the ETorth* 
ern Horticultural Society of Illinois, and others: 
La Moille, Bureau Co., Ill., Jan. 20, 1869. 
0. S. "Willey : 
Esteemed Friend :—I am under obligations to write, for your 
meeting on the 2d proximo, on evergreens for orchard screens. Our first 
trees were set some twelve or fifteen years since, and were White Pine, which 
answer well. The first Norway Spruce screen for this purpose were set in 
the spring of 1860 ; a double rov*', ten feet apart, and the same distance in 
the row, alternating trees in one row opposite the space in the other. They 
are planted on all sides of the orchard, and fifteen rods apart; the rows run¬ 
ning north and south. A single row is set in the place of a row of fruit 
trees. 
A pear orchard of near 600 trees has smaller squares, divided off by ever¬ 
greens. They appear to endure our winters much better when thus protected. 
Scarce any apples are now planted here, except such as endured the hard 
winters of ’65 and ’66, but I am beginning to set of some of the best varieties 
which were injured then, and am confident, with the shelter, and working in 
limbs on hard stocks they will succeed. 
Apple and pear trees among evergreens, have here borne full crops, when 
others standing near, wiiliout protection, had most of their blossoms destroyed 
by spring frost. As pear trees are liable to die from blight, it is my purpose 
to replace them with evergreens. * 
Many of our farmers are buying evergreens of small size, by the thousand 
and growing them for screens. Whenever they are generally planted, we 
will see their full benefit in a marked amelioration of the severity of our win¬ 
ters. A perceptible change is already seen and believed to be occasioned 
by our fences, orchards, groves and cornfields. 
Wishing you a pleasant and profitable season, with a cordial invitation to 
send a delegation to our meeting at Aurora, 16th, 17th and 18th of February, 
I am in haste. Yours, very cordially, 
SAMUEL EDWARDS. 
River Falls, Pierce Co., Jan. 26, 1869. 
0. S. Willey, Esq., Madison, Wis.: 
Dear Sir: —In answer to yours of Dec. 10, 1868, I cannot speak of that 
success in fruit-growing that would be pleasing to me to give. There have 
been a good many trees bought and set in this county, for a number of years 
past; a few are doing well, but the larger portion are worthless. A few have 
planted and taken care of their trees, but the larger part have been planted 
and left to take care of themselves; you can tell the consequence. 
So far as my observation extends, the Duchess of Oldenburg stands at the 
