HORTICULTURE IN THE NORTHWEST. Ill 



HORTICULTURAL OBSERVATIONS IN THE NORTHWEST. 

 Frank G. Odell, Lincoln. 



I have been asked by your secretary to relate to this meeting some 

 of the horticultural observations of a v^^andering Nebraskan in the North- 

 west, that far-famed land where the crop of apples is exceeded only by 

 the annual crop of "suckers" who fall under the spell of the boomers in 

 the land of the Golden Sunset. 



Let me preface this quite informal talk with the frank confession 

 that I returned from my first trip to the Spokane country some four years 

 ago fully as enthusiastic over that country as the average tourist. A 

 week in constant attendance at the first National Apple Show, where one 

 ate, drank, talked, and dreamed of apples, left little time for real inves- 

 tigation, such as has been afforded in later and more extensive journeys 

 into the "scenic land of fortune," as it is dubbed in the literature of the 

 Jim Hill railroads. 



I have revised to some extent my views of the Northwest as a profit- 

 able opening for Nebraska citizens. In reaching these conclusions I be- 

 lieve that my judgment has not been entirely partial. Though for nearly 

 thirty years a resident of this state, it has not always been kind to me. 

 It has fallen to my lot to have quite the average of the troubles incident 

 to human existence; sometimes I have thought that more than my share 

 had slipped over my way. The occasional cold winters which we have 

 here do not awaken my enthusiasm, and I have always had a craving for 

 the mountains and the life of the wild. 



Many times my mind has been fully made up to leave Nebraska and 

 seek a more congenial clime. I can now see that adverse fortune has 

 really been kinder than I thought, and that which seemed my misfortune 

 in detaining me in this state has brought in these later years that richest 

 of blessings, — contentment and realization of the value of those friend- 

 ships of the passing years which come to a man but once in a lifetime. 



For these reasons, which have become in my later years the most 

 powerful, it is my chief desire that this little talk lead your thought as 

 mine has been providentially led, in the paths which make for real hap- 

 piness and content. Very fortunately for most of us, these things do not 

 always necessarily companion with worldly prosperity. 



As most of you know, my horticultural knowledge (if it may be dig- 

 nified by such a term) is largely technical; such as one gathers from the 

 reading of books and association with the people who really do the work; 

 hence my observations should not be taken as by any means conclusive 

 or as emanating from one who speaks with authority. Indeed, one must 

 needs be careful what one says, for quite recently in my zeal for the de- 

 velopment of our own state I ventured to print some facts given me by 

 my good friend, your capable secretary. Some of my friends congratu- 

 lated me, and I secretly congratulated myself, on having really done a 

 capable bit of newspaper work; but to my chagrin a letter came from a 



i 



