Secretary's Report. 95 



deceased trees could not bring in an indictment of murder 

 against tlie climate, without joining as a principal the 

 responsible traveling tree agent. We cannot hang the cli- 

 mate, although we can make remarks about it: but we 

 should crucify the man who sells trees that will not stand 

 twenty degrees of cold. Apples can be raised here. Our 

 orchard products reach a valuation of nearly one million of 

 dollars annually. They are worth ten times that amount 

 in preserving the health and adding to the comfort and 

 happiness of our people. We do not raise enough for home 

 consumption, but the more general introduction of a few of 

 the hardiest varieties, including the new Russians, will 

 supply all of our wants, and in the end make us a com- 

 petitor of our neighbor across the lake for the northwestern 

 market. 



The business of raising small fruit is rapidly increasing 

 in extent. The total acreage devoted to this industry has 

 undoubtedly doubled within the last three years. No west- 

 ern state has equal natural advantages for the development 

 of this branch of horticulture. The rolling surface of our 

 lands give us natural drainage, and our rich and varied 

 soils enable us to utilize great range of varieties. Even in 

 this year of unexampled drouth no yield of strawberries 

 has been reported by any member of this society of less 

 than 100 bushels per acre of the standard varieties. Under 

 the improved methods of recent years the crop has become 

 as certain as that of corn. We are in a location where we 

 can obtain the advantages of the late markets. The cream 

 of the crop of Illinois and Michigan goes into Chicago and 

 Milwaukee, before Wisconsin berries are ripe. The conse- 

 quence is the regular annual glut occurs and low rates mark 

 is reached in prices before we commence our largest ship- 

 ments. In the northwest we have an unlimited range and 

 will have for years. With our increase in population comes 

 increase in wealth. More mouths to feed and more money 

 to buy. means the building up of that best of all markets, 

 the one at home. 



As the state becomes older and richer its population loses 

 some of the primeval characteristics — the active struggle 



