184 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. 



his kind and loving heart, continually overflowing with re- 

 gard to all." 



The writer's personal correspondence with Mr. Wilder 

 during the last ten years, extracts from which are here ap- 

 pended, witnesses to his largeness of heart, as well as sin- 

 cere interest he took in our western life and progress. 



Concerning his death, the call came suddenly. " Break- 

 fasting with his family in his usual health, at half past ten 

 the same morning his life work was done." A week later , 

 his son, Edward B., writes me as follows: 



" Very many thanks for your sympathy and expressions 

 of respect and esteem for our venerable sire. It is a rich 

 boon to his children to have such a parent. Few pass the 

 long life he did in such intimate relations with the world at 

 large, and retain such an unsullied character. Pomology 

 to the last; the last touch of his pen, a few minutes before 

 his translation from earth to heaven — we can call it noth- 

 ing else — was to sign a letter written for him to his 

 friend, Patrick Barry." 



WORDS FROM WILDER. 



(extracts from personal correspondence.) 



Dorchester, Mass., Sept. 14, 1884. 



* * * Thanks for the copies of the Western Farmer. Am glad Wis- 

 consin is to be represented at the New Orleans Exhibition, and I hope all 

 the other states will be there with their products, thus showing the capac- 

 ity of our immense domain. * * * 



Your horticultural society is progressive and doing excellently well un- 

 der the guidance of noble men, who fight the icy king and the insect foes. 

 And more, I much desire that they will assist us in reforming the cata- 

 logue of our fruits. Let us purge them from all indelicate, improperly 

 long and useless names. * * * I notice what is reported in regard to 

 the profit of small fruits, the culture of which is increasing so rapidly 

 throughout our land. The Briton Blackberry (glad you have dropped the 

 "Ancient") has produced far more abundantly than any other kind, and 

 is perfectly hardy with me, and of very good quality. 



Powdered hellebore, applied in season, is sure death to the rose, currant 

 and gooseberry worm. 



* * * Yes, lay down and cover with earth your raspberries and 

 grapes, and you can grow them as well as we can. * * * 



Remember that the American Pomological Society is to meet in Michi- 



