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TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



become a successfuHnerclumt, banker, ovartizan. An ignorant, blundex-ing man, may occasionally 

 IDroduce a crop ot corn or wheat; bnt in these clays of innnmerable insects and diseases, lie cannot 

 succeed in in-ofitable fruit-gTowing. I venture the assertion, that the day is not far distant when, 

 from these causes, the entire business will have to be given up to the professional horticulturist. 



Perhaps a word in regard to the profits of fruit-culture may not be out of place at this time. Will 

 itpayV is a ctuestiou often put to the practical fruit-grower. Can I enjoy the poetry and i:)leasiu'e 

 the business affords, and at the same time make it pecimiarily prolitable? We answer. Yes. Still, 

 it is our duty to warn the novice of the ditliculties he may expect to encounter, for, in common with 

 other aA-ocatious, it has its perplexities. A few years ago a grape mania swept over the country, 

 and hundreds of vineyards were planted in our own county. What is the result? Some were planted 

 on uncongenial soil; others with tender or unhealthy varieties, while others have suiTered from 

 mismanagement, so that all have not proved a success; yet most of them are yielding their owners a 

 fair protit. 



A vear or two later everyljody was planting pears, and many of our fruit-growers predicted that 

 the mai'ket would soon lie glutted, and prices ruinously low. But we have seen that three-fourths 

 of the trees planted have failed entirely, and one-half of tjie remaining fourth are in an unhealthy 

 condition. In view of these facts, is pear culture profitable? Most certainly, to those that possess 

 the requisite skill to make it a success. 



Our commercial orchards are also verj- rapidly increasing, and now occupy thousands of acres iu 

 Hancock county. Will thej' all prove remunerative? We think not; because many of them are 

 planted with unproductive varieties, and others will suffer from neglect and bad management. But 

 with the constantl)- increasing demand for fruit, we have n(j reason to suppose that those that are 

 in the Iiauds of skillful cultivators will not prove profitable. 



With peaches, plums, cherries, and all the small fruits, thelraajority will fail disastrously, while 

 the few will make it enormously profitable. 



A large majoritj' of those who engage in the business of fruit-gTowing do so with more enthusiasm 

 than wisdom. They do not stop to consider what varieties or species arc adapted to their soil or 

 location; but plant largely of whatever they know or suppose to be of good quality, or that some 

 friend maj- happen to recommend, without any regard to vigor, hardiness, or bearing (iualities. 



No one would expect to succeed in any other business under similar management. Then why 

 should they expect to ))e successful in fruit-growing? I ljelie'\'e it to l)e.iust as safe as any other 

 business; but those who engage in it expecting to reap a golden harvest without an earnest persist- 

 ent effort, will be sadly disappointed. 



How shall we perpetuate our Society and add to its influence and increase its usefulness? are ques- 

 tions that should at this time come before us for consideration. First, the members should be 

 prompt iu their attendance at its monthly meetings, and be willing at all times to perform every, 

 duty required of them— such as preparing essays and reports, and bringing to our meetings such 

 specimens of fruits, flowers, wines, and vegetables as may be worthy of notice. 



It would also add much to the interest of our meetings if the attendance and co-operation of the 

 ladies could be secured. As there is a strong probability that they will soon be admitted to all the 

 privileges of the Industrial University, we need have no fears of being in advance of puljlic senti- 

 ment if we invite them to be co-workers, with us. Horticulture is a legitimate employment for 

 women. Her superior skill and correct taste are needed in the more delicate parts of fruit and plant 

 culture, while in tlie floral department, she must ever be.the presiding genius. 



The holding of a fruit and flo)-al festival sometime during the year would, perhaps, be the means of 

 creating an interest in our Society : and at the propei- time I think it would be advisable to take the 

 matter in serious consideration. 



I think we can, as a society, safely say that we have accomplished something; yet a work of great 

 magnitude is Ijefore us. Xowhere on the face of the earth has nature done so much to aid in beauti- 

 fying and adorning as on tlie prairies of the West, yet, as has often been remarked, nowhere has she 

 left so much for man to do in this direction. How apparent, then, the neces,sity for the work we are 

 attempting to accomplish. And if we fully discharge om' duty, and properly use the guiding power 

 intrusted to us, the homes of our ])eople will ere long be surrounded with trees and flowers, and 

 sheltered witli evergreens, and our prairies dotted with orchards and vineyards, groves and belts of 

 trees, and our country become lieautiful beyond Jcompari.son, and fruitful as the faliled orcliard of 

 Hesperides. 



