220 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. 



importance of legislation having for its purpose the destruction 

 of crows, by bounty, and the protection of other birds by 

 suitable laws against wanton destruction by boys. In Massa- 

 chusetts, game birds are protected during seasons of incubation 

 and breeding, while all others with their nests and eggs, except 

 crows and jays, are protected the year round, with penalties 

 severe enough to secure the observance of the law. 



More than any other laborer, the husbandman has need to be 

 familiar with the processes of nature, and by observation seek to 

 understand what may help or hinder success and profitable re- 

 sults. It is not rare to see persons passionately fond of flowers, 

 expend money and time, and yet complain that for them flowers 

 will not bloom, unmindful of some little thing that they would 

 have been only too glad to have bestowed had they onlj^ known 

 what was required. We have in mind the experience of a 

 lady friend, who for several seasons had carefully nursed a thrifty 

 Amaryllis, but lamented that notwithstanding all her care, it 

 would not bloom, while for others they seemed so profuse of their 

 charms in the beautiful blossoms they yielded. We called her at- 

 tention to the fact that she should not cover the bulb with earth, 

 but leave the upper half exposed to the action of the air and 

 light, if she wanted it to bloom. This simple understanding of 

 a necessary condition made her very happy in the enjoyment of 

 her hopes, in seeing the long coveted bud and blossom. 



There are plants under cultivation removed from the conditions 

 of their nativity, which, until something of their native habits are 

 understood, refuse persistently to gratify us with the sight of 

 their blossoms. Take for instance the Tube Rose, one of the most 

 fragrant and profuse flowering of our bulbs when all the condi- 

 tions are favorable, but so chary when those conditions are not 

 complied with, that but few succeed in getting it to blossom, 

 particularly if they attempt to raise them from the offset or 

 small bulb. Many prefer buying the bulbs from the florist, 

 ready matured for a season's bloom. So slow is the process in prep- 

 aration for the blossom, that two, and sometimes three years are 

 required, without hope of anything but leaves. After a sum- 

 mer's growth, the bulb must be kept warm and dry during the 



