Letter op Transmittal. 5 



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 com- 

 fort 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; beautify- 

 ing 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 opin- 

 ion 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 bard cash, the masses fail to appreciate the value it yieids 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 devel- 

 oping a love for the beautiful, and elevating the tastes of all who are brought 

 within its influence. 



The advancement cf these important interests is the mission of the Wis- 

 consin 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 beeu enegetic- 

 ally 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 re- 

 port by the state Las 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 cooperation of a 

 larger number of workeis from the different parts of the field of labor, and 

 also applied for the means to carry on the work more efficiently. The re- 



