302 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



enormity of the task I was taking upon myself until I began to cast 

 about in my mind to find something that I really knew about horticul- 

 ture; and now, while I blush to admit it, my knowledge may be classed 

 as "News in a nut-shell," a hazelnut shell at that. Although I cannot 

 boast much knowledge of the culture of fruit, I can tell you of some 

 very satisfactory varieties to grow for family use. 



Your committee very kindly encouraged me by telling me that 

 nothing of a technical nature would be expected of me, so, "being a 

 Methodist," I guess I cannot do better than to "give you my experience." 



When we located in our little subarban home, six years ago last 

 month, I was the proverbial "bundle of nerves" that our "Lords of 

 creation" so delight in calling us weaker vessels (and I think I'm right 

 nervy yet to undertake this herculean lask), so it goes without saying 

 that I spent a very dismal winter, fall of tears and regrets that I ever 

 gave my consent to such a dreadful move. 



But with the coming of spring I felt my courage rising with the 

 mercury, and by the time the trees were full of bloom and beauty my 

 interest had grown into enthusiasm ; nerves were less predominant in 

 my physical make-up, and as the showery days of April gave place to 

 the soothing, sunny days of May, a daily "communing with nature," 

 often by means of hoe and rake, gave added health and strength and 

 ambition, and I became an ardent lover of "all the green things grow- 

 ing." 



Our home is the north half of a square in Northeast Moberly, con- 

 sequently is level prairie land, but it has been abundantly enriched 

 and has ;^ielded most generously for our care. 



From the coming of the earliest gooseberry to the late October 

 peach, we are not without fruit from "our own vine and fruit tree," if 

 not "fig-tree." 



The first requisite for good fruit is good stock. 



The person with only a few town lots at his disposal can, least of 

 all, afford to plant cheap or unreliable stock ; for a vine or tree of in- 

 ferior fruitage or scant production will occupy just as much precious 

 space and requires just as diligent care as a tree or vine of good stock* 

 and your harvest will be very much mingled with disappointment and 

 discouragement. While the extra dimes paid for reliable stock will 

 bring in returns long before you ever taste a bite, just in the pleasure 

 you have in watching the growth and development of what you know 

 will be luscious fruit in its season. 



To begin with the gooseberry — three Houghton's and three Down- 

 ing's supply my family^ and a good many of my neighbors, with all the 

 pies, tarts and sauce that we could wish. 



