ADDRESSES AND PAPERS

BEFORE THE WISCONSIN

STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY,

AT THE

Annual Meeting, held in Madison February 2, 3, and 4, 1875.

ANNUAL ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT,

J. S. STICKNEY, WAUWATOSA.

Gentlemen of the State Horticultural Society:

We are again assembled to exchange kindly greetings, and to enjoy a short period of friendly intercourse; which, while it is enjoyed by us as a holiday, we hope will contain enough of work, of earnest thought and general improvement, to save it from being counted as time lost. We also hope that our essays and discussions as they go out to the people will carry with them enough of interest to secure their careful perusal, and the adoption of whatever they may contain, that may add choice fruit to the orchard, flowers to the garden, or shade to the lawn. Our by-laws set forth a speech at each annual meeting as one of the imperative duties of your president. I think this fact must have escaped your notice at our last election. On a subject where there is so much still to be learned, it would seem that something new might be said; yet I find it difficult to present anything for your consideration that has not been oft repeated.

Horticulturally, the past season has been marked by no especially important events. Its general lessons may, perhaps, be regarded as a sequel to the events of 1872 and '73, because the effects of that winter are still present, and are still largely influencing almost everything that was then in our hands. In our orchards these sad land-marks will remain for years; but in the nurseries they are rapidly passing away. As these wrecks and remnants leave our grounds, with what shall they be replaced? This question was pretty freely discussed at our last meeting, and probably most of us then decided to grow only the most hardy kinds, but in opposition to that decision will come up from our customers an earnest call for all the old, popular kinds. May we have the will and courage to be uninoved by such calls, knowing that we can thus better serve both their interests and our own. Small fruit plantations have mostly been thoroughly renovated, and are ready, heretofore, to pay liberally for all judicious expenditures made upon them. This is but another illustration of their great importance and of their adaptability to our especial needs.

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During the past season it has been my privilege to examine, in an adjoining state, some extensive commercial orchards. Ten, twenty or forty acres planted with only two or three kinds, and every tree loaded to its utmost capacity. A richer or more pleasing sight can hardly be imagined, and the contrast, both in appearance and real value between these, and orchards containing a variety of kinds will strongly impress itself upon the thoughtful observer. Where in Wisconsin can we find such orchards? If not here, why not? Must we not rather blame ourselves for a want of far-seeing business enterprise and effort? Have we not two or three varieties on which we could rely for such orchards? I think we have; and I would be willing to risk the experiment, regardless of climate. If any one lacks faith in the kinds already in our hands, then it is his duty to work earnestly, by all the means within his reach, until he finds or produces kinds that will better stand the test; and if successful in such work, he shall gain both wealth and enduring honors. I recently met the owner of a young cherry orchard in western Iowa, who reported seven hundred dollars as the past season's income from four hundred trees, planted five years ago, and then one year old. Such an orchard would relieve almost any of us from the complaint of hard times. The kind was Early Richmond; for

variety and longer fruiting season, we might add Kentish and English Morello. We have faith in all of these, and know they may be relied upon. Why do we not plant them by the hundred or thousand?

The extensive plantations of small fruits in New Jersey, southern Illinois, and on the east shore, lead to the impression that those are peculiarly favored localities. And so they are, as to time of ripening and the advantages thus gained for northern markets; but in strawberries and raspberries, I think many localities in Wisconsin will bear favorable comparison in quality and quantity on a given area, and in the average net price per bushel. One or two quarts of raspberries per plant is a common yield; I think more common in Wisconsin than in the localities named; this is equal to seventy-five bushels per acre, worth two hundred dollars and upwards, which would be good for hard times. Is it climate that debars us from this? One or two tons of grapes per acre are often grown; these at the lowest prices would be at least encouraging. Here, climate does interpose some obstacles, but we know that vines in very favorable locations do far better than this. And it seems plain that such favorable conditions may be easily and cheaply made for many thousands of such vines.

Do not understand me as having any faith in careless planting or inattentive after-culture. "Figs from thistles" are just as probable as abundant fruit crops from starved and neglected orchards. If these things will pay for good treatment, they are entitled to it. If they did not require that care, they would be quite too common, and thus lose half their value. A living tree requires for its best development as much care and closer observation than a living animal, because the sources of its prosperity or adversity are largely beneath the surface, and thus more difficult to observe or understand. Different orchards and different trees in the same orchard will required different treatment; some having too much and some too little moisture about their roots; some too rich and some too poor a soil; some too close and stiff a soil; others too open and porous; some exhausting themselves by an overload of fruit, while others are making too much wood growth; in some excessively dry seasons, all requiring heavy mulching, or watering; in other seasons all being safe without; some require little and others much pruning. Certainly here is work for the hands, the eye and the brain of him

who would succeed; and be assured that uniform and full success only comes in proportion as this brain and hand work is applied.

In thinking of the relative positions and distinctive fields of labor of horticulture and agriculture, I am puzzled to determine where the one stops and the other begins; perhaps some of you can enlighten me. Webster is not very explicit, only giving agriculture a little wider field, perhaps because its followers are more numerous. I am inclined to believe that there is a stronger blending of interests, more pursuits and principles common to both than we have generally supposed. If the cultivation of a garden yields more of pleasure and profit than the cultivation of a field, it is only because more force and thought and effort are concentrated on a smaller space, and it only needs increased effort and thought to extend the pleasure and profit to the whole field, and bring to the owner enlarged business ideas, a better appreciation of the capabilities and value of his soil, and more correct ideas of the uses and value of garden products; and to the laborer more constant and remunerative employment. To aid and encourage such progress is a worthy and commendable work. How can it best be done? How so well as by reducing all to the utmost simplicity, commencing at the very beginning and ask for a little thought as to the best way to do the most common things.

Soil nicely and deeply pulverized is most productive, and the implement that does such work, as compared with a poorer one, is cheap at any price. Who can tell us the loss or gain in a season caused by the difference of a single pound in the draft of a plow? Who will compute the miles of travel or the rods of fence that might be saved by a better arrangement of our farm fields? In the cultivation of our fields, long furrows and long rows are a gain over short ones; straight rows are far more pleasing than crooked ones. The garden vegetables and small fruits as too commonly grown in clumps and patches or in fence-corners and by-places, where all that is done for them must be done by the hardest kind of hand labor, too often fall into neglect and become a burden. Arrange them all in rows admitting the free use of horse and cultivator, and it is a pleasure to care for them, and they become attractive ornaments, yielding many times their cost of health-giving luxury.

The arrangement of our buildings, and our efforts at tree-plant

ing and landscape gardening may be very simple and inexpensive. If new buildings are to be made, while adaptation to their appropriate use should be first considered, their relations to surrounding objects must not be forgotten. If buildings already made are not well and tastefully arranged, re-arrange them, if practicable. But if not, seek to improve their appearance by a group or two of trees, or a climbing vine, so as to present a pleasing outline from the leading points of observation. In the planting of trees, arrange them in groups, as the size and form of your grounds will permit, but if straight lines are practicable, then plant in straight lines. In the selection of trees use those kinds which transplant with least risk of loss, and which make fine, vigorous trees. Maples and Elms-to be had for the digging-will do very well. Having a good beginning with these, others, possessing different qualities, perhaps more beautiful, may be added as convenient. As a ground work for all, we must not forget the lawn, and, having it well made, do not forget or neglect to give it nice and seasonable care.

These few suggestions are designed for those who have never made an effort in this direction. Make a beginning in this simple way, taking interest enough therein to read and study and plan, and you will clearly see your way onward to something far better than the inconvenient, unadorned homes now to be seen almost everywhere.

A few observations made among eastern nurseries may interest you. Among the many beautiful trees, I noted the following as being probably hardy enough for us; at least well worth a trial. Hovey and Tom Thumb Arbor Vitæs, and Mountain Pine are very beautiful and distinct, low evergreens, valuable to use in grouping with others. If not entirely equal to exposed positions, a sheltered place in groups, I think, would make them successful. Cut-Leaf Birch, Alder, Beech, Weeping Poplar, Linden, Ash, Elm, and Purple Maple; and among shrubs, Spiræa Aurea, with golden foliage; Variegated Dogwood, with green and white foliage; and Cut-Leaf Sumac, with its autumn dress of scarlet, these are all beautiful and all seem hardy enough for us. If on trial, half can be made successful, and be generally disseminated, we shall be well paid.

In admiring the acres of Tulips, Gladiolus and Lillies, at Vick's, I could not repress the thought, that a reasonable amount of the same would be quite at home and ought to be found in every well