those qualities which recommend it most strongly for the special purpose in view. Many of the kinds grown 25 years ago have been discarded and it is to be expected that many of the kind grown at the present time will be on the retired list in the next quarter century. New varieties are receiving recognition each year. The progressive grower should not hasten to discard his standard varieties for something new and untried, but should be ready to introduce into his test plat those that appear to possess superior merit.

In conclusion it may be somewhat of a disappointment to some persons not to find detailed instructions in regard to the various operations connected with small fruit growing. It must be kept in mind, however, that the details on one farm may be quite different and illy adapted to some other place, yet the suggestions presented at this time apply in all places and under all conditions.

(See discussion, page 122.)

WEDNESDAY MORNING SESSION.

PRESIDENT TOOLE'S ADDRESS.

OUR AIMS AND INFLUENCE

Having occasion to look for horticultural information in some of the early annual reports of our state horticultural society, I was much interested in noting the trend of thought in the state more than thirty years ago.

Then as now our people gave thought to the beautiful in horticultural art, and then more than now the ladies of our society helped to encourage and instruct in the principles of home adornment. All of the various classes of fruit which might be expected to thrive in Wisconsin were being tested, and then as in these days the apple furnished the leading subjects for discussion. At one meeting the late J. C. Plumb stated that during the fifteen years previous to 1855 all of the leading varieties of fruit common to the eastern states flourished here in Wisconsin. Then followed disaster and a close revision of the recommended lists of varieties.

Dr. Hobbins, president of the society in 1870, in his annual

address, advised general planting of hybrid Siberians for home use while varieties of apples were being given a trial.

The society's recommended list of hardy varieties was as follows: Fameuse, Talman Sweet, Golden Russett, Duchess, Red Astrachan. For further trial the following list was given: Sops of Wine, Fall Stripe, St. Lawrence, Fall Orange, Plumb Cider, Perry Russett, Willow Twig, Red Romanite, Blue Pearmain, Seek-no-Further and still others for more extended trial. Afterwards were the Russian varieties and numerous seedlings for which great hopes have been entertained.

In that early day there was a desire for, extensive experimental grounds to be cared for under the direction of the State Horticultural Society. In Secretary Wiley's report for that year, he writes in regard to the proposed, "Horticultural Gardens of the Society." Imagine for a moment a thousand varieties of apples growing there, five hundred of pears, one hundred or more of plums, and as many grapes and strawberries. Since that time, experimental gardens and stations have been established in various states, but I have not learned that anything of the kind has yielded such practical results as our Wisconsin trial orchards are doing.

Courage, industry and perseverance have been characteristic of the men who have labored continuously to establish successful fruit growing in Wisconsin. We are reaping the reward of their efforts..

In those days the fruitmen were asking for a state entomologist. He has been a long time coming and still we need him. They had not then the advantage of spraying which we have. Neither were they so rich in varieties adapted to the needs of our state. The experiences of the past few years indicate that we can grow better fruit and at less cost than that which we have heretofore placed on the market. With the reduced cost and improved quality we are certain of a greatly increased home consumption of apples. Even at the present high prices local demand for home grown apples has been very large.. Since commencing to write this paper I have learned from one neighbor that he has sold in the city of Baraboo and vicinity 300 bushels of apples and still has about 100 bushels to sell. Another has sold in the city and vicinity 480 bushels and a considerable quantity in Prairie du Sac. These quantities must be only a small part of the home grown apples consumed

in and near Baraboo, in addition to what has been shipped in by the merchants from the East.

The program which has been prepared by the secretary indicates that we will learn much of how widely throughout the state successful orchards have been established and that apple growing in the state of Wisconsin is now a profitable industry.

A condensed history of fruit growing in Wisconsin such as might be compiled from the annual reports of our society would be very interesting reading. Such a history would convincingly show how much has been done for Wisconsin horticulture by the society. When the new card index of our annual reports become available, we will realize that a set of these volumes will be a valuable encyclopedia of horticultural information.

In looking over the lists of members, we note how few there are now actively engaged in the work of the society who were members twenty-five years ago. Many are gone, but their work still endures, and the influence of the society yearly increases in value. The influence of the society is as broad and far reaching, as is the meaning of the word Horticulture in its broadest accepted sense. Decoration of home and school grounds, yards and drives, with lawns, trees, shrubs and flowers have all been considered. The most profitable methods of producing the various fruits adapted to our climate have been shown. We have maintained high ideals and thereby broadened and strengthened our influence.

The horticultural interests of the state are now so varied that we need to make cur minds familiar with them to the end that a just balance is maintained. An intelligent knowledge by the members of the scope of our society's work, will greatly increase its strength and value. Each member of the society. should keep in touch with the executive member of his district, and offer such suggestions as may seem helpful to the society. whenever they occur to him. It seems to me that a condensed review of the executive committee's proceedings during the year should be read before the society at each annual meeting, that our members shall have a full knowledge of the working plans of the society.

Our state legislature has generously sustained with liberal appropriations our efforts to promote the horticultural interests of the state. This support has made it possible for our society

to establish horticultural work which will be of inestimable value to the state..

A decided interruption or abandonment of this work would be a great loss to the state, particularly to the development of some of the more recently settled portions of the state. Our state legislature last winter very commendably studied how best to economize in appropriations, when it seemed necessary to them. There were some members of the legislature who did not understand the value of what we are doing and there are many persons throughout the state who are surprised when they learn of the extent and value of the work of our society. Let us make ourselves fully conversant with the scope of our work and make known to the people of the state the good which is being done by the Wisconsin State Horticultural Society.

Mr. G. J. Kellogg. Speaking of old time varieties way back in Dr. Hobbin's time, I recollect that we passed this resolution in regard to varieties. "We recommended five varieties. to which there would be no objection, Red Astrachan, Duchess of Oldenberg, Fameuse, Tolman's Sweet and Golden Russet," and those five varieties stand by us today.

REPORT OF SECRETARY,

F. CRANEFIELD.

The year 1910 opens with fairer prospects for the State Horticultural Society and for Wisconsin horticulturalists than has any previous year in our history.

Trial and tribulation marked the early days, failure was the rule, success the exception. Varieties planted with great hopes succumbed to summer heat or winter frosts but with patience and perseverance the pioneers cleared the way for us and brought from Wisconsin soils fruits adapted to Wisconsin conditions.

All of this was done for us by the pioneers in Wisconsin horticulture, who marked clearly and distinctly with danger signs the pitfalls of varieties, winter care and soil needs. Our friends the scientists of the experiment stations have armed us against our enemies of bugdom and disease, the free institutions of America, the limitless opportunities of this most wonderful land on the

face of the earth, has brought forth a population of 90,000,000 people, scon to be 200,000,000 to consume our apples, our cherries, strawberries and all else we grow.

We stand then at the beginning of this year of our Lord 1910 with boundless opportunities before us. It behooves us to take stock of our blessings, to take a cheerful and optimistic view of life.

We can raise as good apples as any state either East or West, we have the best of markets for all we raise, we can produce berries of all kinds including the toothsome cranberry, rains fall alike on the just and the unjust with no necessity for million dollar irrigation canals and spring and autumn frosts touch us but lightly if at all so that the orchard heater is unknown; for all of this and much more than twice all this let us rejoice.

So far as crops for 1909 are concerned the different papers and reports to be presented during this convention will give a better idea than can be given in a report of this kind. In general it may be said that the apple crop was light-probably 50% of a full crop while cherries and plums averaged much higher.

The Orange Judd Farmer estimated the yield of apples in Wisconsin for 1909 at 250,000 bbls. or 750,000 bus. This seemed too high and a little investigation was started from the office of the Secretary. Blanks were sent to all counties where apples are grown and from 59 reports received I am ready to concede that the newspaper estimate was conservative.

Many surprising features developed from these reports and not the least surprising the fact that a very large percentage of our apples is consumed at home. A number of districts, each reporting a production of 3,000 to 5000 bushels, reported none barreled and shipped but all sold on local markets for home consumption. This is probably the most encouraging fact brought out, that we are as yet producing but few more apples than we need at home, the reports showing but 50,700 barrels packed and shipped.

Another interesting fact is shown in the lists of varieties reported; Duchess, Wealthy, Famuese, McMahan and Northwestern appearing in all lists and nearly always in the order given. This would seem to show that the tendency is in the direction of fall varieties. I am well convinced that the future for apple raising in Wisconsin lies in this direction and "Early Apples" should be always our motto.