18 Wisconsin State Hoeticultueal Society. 



At Appleton, other considerations made it necessary to defer 

 the convention until July 13-14, when the season for berries had 

 entirel}^ passed. Both of the meetings were well attended, inter- 

 esting, and, we trust, profitable. The main points of the dis- 

 cussions and proceedings will be given briefly. 



LA CEOSSE MEETING. 



At 9 A. M. of the 22d, the convention was called to order by 

 President Smith. Judge J. F. Bryant, in behalf of the citizens 

 of La Crosse, extended to the members of the State Society a 

 friendly greeting and cordial welcome, in a few well-chosen and 

 eloquent terms. "The welcome was genuine, coming from the 

 hearts of the citizens, and was shown in turn by nature herself, 

 who seemed to have made special efforts to appear at her best, 

 in honor of the occasion. They anticipated much pleasure from 

 social, friendly greetings, but also hoped to derive much benefit 

 from knowledge gained in regard to the cultivation of fruits and 

 flowers. Many had labored hard to improve the appearance of 

 the city — to beautify its homes and public grounds — but nature, 

 was adverse. There were many difficulties to encounter. The 

 soil was light and sandy, quick to start, and adapted to an 

 early and rapid growth when conditions were favorable, but soon 

 dried up in the heat of summer. Their experience in many 

 respects had been discouraging ; evergreens will not keep green ; 

 shade-trees will die out; lawns, flower-beds and shrubbery will 

 dry up. In the first of the season, vegetation develops rapidly, 

 as in a hot-bed ; but the midsummer sun and dry winds soon 

 parch and wither it. Some of the hardier native trees, like the 

 cotton-wood, will thrive under these conditions, but the city 

 fathers have recently voted them a nuisance, and tell us that we 

 must cut them down. With what shall we replace them ? By 

 what culture can we secure them amid these adverse conditions? 

 The task appears difficult, but we mean to undertake it. We 

 look to you for counsel and aid, so that we may add to the attract- 

 iveness of our city and our homes." 



President Smith responded in behalf of the society ; thanked 



