2^8 TRANSACTIONS OF THE HORTICULTURAL 



whereas the country's pride should be the bold yeomanry. Speed the 

 time when this state of things will be the rule. There would then, 

 I am sure, be pleasant times for our nurserymen friends. With 

 homes dotted all over the country, all happy, all contented, all doing 

 well, what further would one want. It is his forte to seek out and 

 introduce everything the country will grow, to minister both pleas- 

 ure and profit to those he sells to. Not the least should be to replace 

 the youn^" trees that must soon be set to replace our fast disappear- 

 ing forests. 



One does not need be told that much has been done in the way 

 of planting in thirty years, that then it was a rarity to see trees 

 around the early settler's home, except he selected one of nature's 

 planting. But there is abundant room for improvement. Every 

 farm of any size should have its timber belts. They are a wonder- 

 ful help to ameliorate winter. 



The dwellings are warmer by their shelter, the stock delight to 

 winter in them, a good evergreen grove is better than a poor stable, 

 ask friend Whitney, who has a noble one. They are a cheerful sight 

 to the landscape. A great open prairie is probably a wonderful sight 

 with not a sign of vegetation above the grass of the plain, but a 

 better one yet is one dotted here and there with country homes, sur- 

 rounded by good buildings for man and beast, all protected by timber 

 and evergreen belts, an abundance of fruit trees of kinds suitable to 

 the location, not forgetting the good things for the eye, flowers. 



Every tree, with fruit and flowers, will be a help, 



To make success the stronger, 

 It will be all right one day, 



Wait a little longer. 



I feel, after all, that I have said little to the purpose on "Thirty 

 Years Horticulture in the West;" but if I have not exactly filled 

 the bill, my heart is as ever in the good work, and I can only say, 

 I know how I would like to see these things arranged and I am 

 sure men of your kind will have to help bring the good times and 

 places I speak of — 



"Not a tree, * 



A plant, a leaf, a blossom but contains, 

 A folio volume. We may read, and read. 

 Read again, and still find something new. 

 Something to please and something to instruct." 



Mr. Minkler — That talk takes me back to a boy. I recollect 

 when the first railroad was built to Chicago, and when this country 

 here belonged to the Pottawatamies. Look at it now ! The best 

 country in the world ! What a marvel ! We have brought this 

 country up to its present state of perfection, and it is now ready to 



