will
tell what it is worth. Hansen's plums are doing well, but we believe
they are more adapted to a better drained soil than we have here, as we
are on a heavy prairie soil. But these varieties are very thrifty and
bear so young.

The grapes have all stood the winter with no protection and have not
killed back any. We expect some fruit next season.

The raspberries that we received have all done well. No. 4 seems to take
the lead for flavor and is a good grower.

Notwithstanding the cold season our strawberry crop was very good, and
we are much impressed with No. 3, it is so strong and healthy; it is
just the plant for the farmer, as it will thrive under most any
condition. I believe it will fight its way with the weeds and come out
ahead.

We reported very favorably on the Heritage when it was in bloom, but it
does not set enough fruit to pay for its space. The berries are large
but very few on my grounds. I will discard it.

Our apple crop was very good, especially Duchess, Wealthy and
Northwestern Greening. We have been trying some of the tender varieties
top-worked. Northern Spy gave us five nice apples on a two year graft.
We also have Jonathan, Talman Sweet and King David doing well. Delicious
grafted three years ago has not fruited yet.

This has been a splendid summer for flowers, and they seemed to enjoy
the damp, cool season, especially the dahlia. If you have not tried the
Countess of Lonsdale you should; it is a cactus dahlia and a very free
bloomer. Everblooming roses did well--we had them in October.

* * * * *

PLANT LICE ON BLOSSOMS.--Aphids infesting the apple buds
appeared in serious numbers during the present season in the Illinois
University orchards when the buds began to swell. They were also
observed in neighboring orchards. In 1914, apple aphids caused serious
damage in certain counties in Illinois, and some damage was reported
from many sections of the state.

The aphids attack the opening buds, the young fruits, the growing
shoots, and the leaves, sucking the plant juices from the succulent
parts by means of long, very slender, tube-like beaks, which they thrust
through the skins of the affected organs into the soft tissues beneath.
They weaken the blossom buds by removing the sap; they dwarf and deform
the apples so that varieties of ordinary size frequently fail to grow
larger than small crab apples, and the fruits have a puckered appearance
about