512 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



in each of the counties, who are planting more extensively. In addition 

 to the commercial orchardists mentioned in the letters already given, 

 Mr. George Pebles, Kendallville, Noble county, Indiana; H. E. Hoak, 

 Ligonier, Noble county; Charles Harrah, "Wolcottville, Noble county; Ma- 

 rion Garmire, Lagrange, Lagrange comity; the Ellison Farm, Lagrange, 

 Lagrange county, and myself, all have orchards of recent planting for 

 commercial purposes. 



With the proper care and conducted in a businesslike way it is a 

 profitable investment. Suitable laud in the several counties can be bought 

 at from $40 to .?100 per acre, according to location and improvements. 

 There is some movement in the beaiitifying of school grounds, but not 

 so much as there should be. Pul)lic roads in the district have been grad- 

 ually iiiipniMMl. so tliat in many towusliiiis Ihey are not excelled. There 

 is a general advance in the care of home grounds, and many farms are 

 now named, the name usually being symbolic of the natural location, 

 scenery surroimding the homestead or of the specialty of the farm. The 

 natural parks surrounding the hundreds of beautiful lakes of our district 

 are being improved by the building of many beautiful and artistic cot- 

 tages, with tine lawns and flower beds. We have two verj' lively and 

 enthusiastic Horticultural Societies in the district, viz.: the Noble County 

 Horticultural Society, of which J. C. Kimmell, Ligonier, is President, and 

 J. W. Moorhouse, Albion, Secretary. This society has been organized 

 seven years and has made a good growth both in interest and numbers, 

 they having the largest membership of any society in the State. The La- 

 grange County Agricultural and Horticultural Society was organized four 

 years ago and we believe it has been of much practical benefit to the 

 county. I believe the interest in Dekal)> county is sufficient now for an 

 active society there. All that is necessary is the orgamzation, which, no 

 doubt. Avill be perfected this winter, more such societies in the district 

 and some good businessmen with capital fo push the commercial orchard 

 business. 



REPORT OF THIRTEENTH DISTRICT. 



There has been a steady advancement in horticultural interests in the 

 Thirteenth District for a nunibi'r of years, l)ut there is still room for im- 

 provement. I do not know how this could be except through local so- 

 cieties. 'I'likin- .inr local society as an example. I think would be proof 

 enougli I'or nic tli.-il il' Ihtrc was ;i JKirl icullui:il snciciy in every eimiiiy 

 throughout tlie St;ite. hortieultnre would ni:ike great strides in the fiiliu'e. 

 In spe;iking of onr society 1 nie.in tlie St. .loseph Ilorticullural Society 

 \\c li;i\c twel\c nieeliii;:s ;i \e,ir. We meet ;it tlie jiome of some mem- 

 ber the l.isl S.iinrdny of e;i<l nlli. We t:ike plenty to eat, st;iy all 



d;iy ;ind discuss matters pertaining to lioi't ienllnre. h:ive a literary i)ro- 

 gr;im iind a good time in general. 



