The Daily Empire

Fruit Prospects.

The following scene of forty acres of peach trees in bloom in "Egypt," as Southern Illinois is called, is taken from the Bureau County Patriot:

During a recent tour through a portion of Central and Southern Illinois we were gratified beyond measure at the unparalleled fruit prospect. Throughout the counties of Macoupin, Madison and St. Clair, and along the tier of counties in the latitude of St. Louis, to which our observation was limited, there was never a richer promise. East of the Illinois Central road we saw many large peach orchards in full bloom. Amongst these, in the neighborhood of Odin, a forty acre tract set out in peach trees presents a scene perfectly enchanting with fragrance and beauty. The trees filled with bloom, resemble an immense flower garden, the air everywhere redolent with perfume.

The same paper (of May 11) goes on to say:

Nor are other fruits less promising. Apples, pears, cherries, apricots and quinces will be abundant. Lower down in Egypt the season is more advanced, and the bloom is falling to give place to the incipient fruit. Everywhere throughout the fruit-growing region of this blessed State, there will be an abundance. While these are more plenteous, the small fruit, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, currants, gooseberries, etc., are more than usually promising. Let the non-growing fruit regions be inspired: Egypt gives an unusual promise; there will be enough for these hyperborean regions, and the rest of mankind as well.