73 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. 



February 4, 10:00 A. M. 



After calling the society to order, the president delivered his 

 annual address, as follows: 



OPENING ADDRESS. 



Ladies and Gentlemen of the State Horticultural Society: — 

 Since our last annual meeting, another year has fled; and its 

 deeds, whether for good or ill, have passed into history. Again we 

 meet together, and it is well that we do so; as these yearly meet- 

 ings come none too often, let us make the most of them. Let us 

 forget for the time being that it is, and for a number of years past 

 has been, hard times; that with those engaged in the nursery 

 business, it has in many cases been peculiarly trying. I need not 

 recount the causes of these embarrassments; they are well known 

 to you all. If we look at the past, as we may and should, the les- 

 sons of the last five years will do much toward guiding us correctly 

 in the future. But, while we can learn from the past, let us not at 

 this time brood or repine over the misfortunes that have in some 

 cases caused the furrows upon our brows to deepen, and the hair 

 of our heads to whiten faster than was its wont. Let us rather re- 

 member the many blessings and happy days that have been ours; let 

 us look forward to the brighter davs that we believe are in the near 

 future; let us counsel together how we may make them the most 

 valuable, not only to ourselves, but to others all about us. 



As regards the portion of the state that I, in part, represent, there 

 is no doubt but there is a decided change for the better in regard 

 to fruit culture in its various branches. The strawberry crop of 

 last season was a very large one, and has probably never been 

 equaled in that portion of the state. Raspberries and blackberries 

 grow wild in such immense quantities, that it is about useless to at- 

 tempt their cultivation for the market. The grape crop was injured 

 by the late frost of last spring, and was only a moderate one. The 

 cultivation of this fruit is yet in its infancy in that portion of the 

 state, the supply not being equal to one-tenth of the demand. 

 Enough has been done to demonstrate the fact that many of our 



