Nothwithstanding past reverses, there are still many who are laboring on, replacing the old trees as they fail, with hardier varieties, and are seeking to secure exemption from future losses by greater care and better culture. The losses incurred in the past have been severe, and there are many difficulties to be met and overcome, but to those who have carefully considered the situation, there seems to be no real cause for discouragement. We have a soil equal in variety, fertility, and natural adaptation to fruit culture to that of any state in the north and west; we have a surface extremely varied in its character, from which thousands of locations can be selected with special adaptation for raising different kinds of fruit. Our climate is stimulating in its effect, and under certain conditions is well adapted to promote a vigorous, healthy growth and abundant fruitage. The capabilities of both soil and climate are seen in the great variety and profusion of our native fruits, and in the large number of orchards scattered all over the state (except in the extreme northern portions), which are occasionally loaded with fruit, and which often bear fair crops. Also among these orchards we find instances where good crops, in the fruiting years, are the rule, and failure the exception; and in some, even tender varieties thrive, and are as vigorous and fruitful as in the localities where they originated. We also find that in most of the locations where serious losses have been encountered, there are one or more va rieties in nearly every orchard that are doing at least moderately well, and give promise, that with better culture, they will prove hardy and productive. When these facts are carefully considered, the difficulty seems to be not in lack of capability of soil and climate, but in a want of adaptation of varieties to the soil and climate, and of the means used, the ways and methods practiced in fruit culture; an ignoring of natural adaptation and limitation, to carry out personal preferences and theories. The history of fruit culture in our state may be divided into three periods, each characterized by different motives and methods. That of the early past, in which blind enthusiasm was guided by personal taste and fancy; this was followed by years of blind experiment, in which efforts were made to secure something better, something more hardy, by testing all varieties and arriving at the good by proving what was the reThis in turn is giving place to a period in which the principle of action is careful observation and close study of results, in order to secure perfect adaptation of culture and variety to conditions of soil and location. This is the method by which we are endeavoring to solve the problem at present. The answer, represented by the fruit product, is not the unknown quantity; that lies in the terms of the equation, and when they are discovered, success, we think, will be fully attained. To drop the figure, when we learn the conditions in soil, location, variety and culture, which contribute to the vigor and fruitfulness of the many instances of successful varieties and successful orchards in our state, thousands of locations can be found where the same combinations can be secured and accompanied by like results. We shall be able to go much farther, and by adapting variety and culture to soil and local conditions, will secure for nearly every township of the verse. state, if not an abundance of fruit, at least sufficient of various kinds for home consumption. The cultivation of fruit is an interest of great importance, both in relation to the wealth and prosperity of the citizen and of the state and to the comfort and happiness of all, but there are many other subjects connected with horticulture of vital importance, and which have a close connection with the successful prosecution of many other branches of productive industry. Among them may be mentioned, cultivation and preservation of our forests; protection of our fields and homes with belts and groves of timber; beautifying of home surroundings and public grounds by setting out evergreens, shade trees and shrubbery; cultivation of taste and the promotion of the comfort and happiness of the family circle by encouraging the cultivation of flowers in the house and garden or lawn, and the dissemination of knowledge in relation to our insect friends and foes. The importance of these questions are now far from being appreciated; but a few more years of neglect will convince all of their value, by bringing upon us losses and burdens, hard to bear, and to escape from which will require great expense, and persistent, long continued efforts. Our citizens are not, perhaps, behind those of other states in their appreciation of the importance of horticulture, but the opinion is far too prevalent that it is a luxury to be indulged in only by those who have an abundance of leisure and means to gratify their tastes, and not by the farmer or men of small means. In the absence of productive returns in hard cash, the masses fail to appreciate the value it yields in promoting the health and comfort of themselves and their families; in increasing the value of their homes and farms; in its educating, civilizing effects in developing a love for the beautiful, and elevating the tastes of all who are brought within its influence. The advancement of these important interests is the mission of the Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. From the commencement of its history in 1853, when the first organization was effected, as the Wisconsin Fruit Growers' Association, down to the present time, this work has been enegetically and faithfully carried on by a small band of practical and amateur horticulturists. They have not only given their time to this work, but have also borne the necessary expenses. The publication of their annual report by the state has been a great assistance in this labor, but aside from this, not a dollar has been drawn from the public funds to aid in its work or for its support. The members of the society, feeling that the amount of labor aud the expense necessary to carry on this work had become too heavy a burden for its numbers and its means, and feeling that, as the end sought was the general public good, it should be sustained and carried on by the personal and pecuniary aid of the state at large, made application to the last legislature for an act of reorganization that would bring the society into more intimate relations to the state, and would secure the coöperation of a larger number of workers from the different parts of the field of labor, and also applied for the means to carry on the work more efficiently. The re organization was secured. The application for aid was in part granted. The amount asked for was an annual appropriation of $1,000; a special one for $600 was given. This was thankfully received, and will be accepted as a mark of confidence and trust in the society, which will encourage us in our work, and lead to special efforts to merit continued approval; but when the importance of the work, the amount of labor required, and the advisability of laying out definite plans of operation, and of carrying them out from year to year are considered, this amount must be regarded as inadequate, and the limitation to special provision, a contingency which will embarrass, if not entirely defeat, systematic, continued efforts. Kindred societies, in neighboring states, with far less difficulties to overcome, with a much larger force of workers, and greater resources in themselves, have for years received special aid from their respective governments. Minnesota has bought a farm, and appropriated $1,000 a year to carry on experiments in fruit culture. The Iowa State Horticultural Society receives $1,000 a year from the state. The Michigan Pomological Society, $1,500, and Illinois has this year increased the amount previously granted to its State Horticultural Society from $2,000 to $4,000. We do not ask means to carry out pet theories, or to favor individuals, or any particular class of citizens, but to promote the health, the happiness, the refinement and prosperity of all, and thus to increase the wealth and prosperity of the whole state. For this purpose, we would respectfully solicit the coöperation of all who are interested in the development of our resources, and that sufficient means be furnished to those who are engaged in this cause to do the work more thoroughly and efficiently. Which is respectively submitted in behalf of the society, F. W. CASE, Secretary. PRODUCTION OF NEW VARIETIES OF FRUIT-J. S. STICKNEY GARDEN REVELATIONS - MRS. H. M. LEWIS.. 1 285 - A. J. 194 PROCEEDINGS OF JOINT CONVENTION continued. - J. PERIAM.. 205 211 ..... 227 PLEA FOR STATE AID-J. S. STICKNEY..... 241 THOREAU'S LIFE OF LABOR AND STUDY IN THE WOODS-MRS. H. HOW TO MAINTAIN INTEREST IN LOCAL SOCIETIES-W. REYNOLDS. 259 |