364 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



I have in mind two magnificent nurseries of one thousand acres 

 each, managed by men of great ability. What a great benefit to this 

 country! The good these men are doing will last as long as the world 

 -stands. We often speak of " public benefactors." It is often said 

 that he who makes two blades of grass to grow where before but one 

 grew is a public benefactor. Let me ask you in all sincerely, what 

 position does the nursery occupy in this country of ours? 



In the nursery the choicest trees and plants are propagated, 

 tested, selected, and are then sent out over the universe to do their 

 work in foliage, fruit and flowers. Where were those fine conifers, 

 shade and ornamental trees grown before they were planted on the 

 lawn, in the J ard or in the park? Yes, the nursery is an important 

 institution, in an important field. Jno. M. Wise. 



Stephenson St. Nurseries, Freeport, 111. 



In the Orchard. 



A lengthening vista of yellow and green, 



With shafts of deep shadows and sunlight between; 



The branches, wind-tossed, dapple tree-trunk and ground, 



AVlth ripples of light on the soft waves of sound. 



The apple-trees, old, with arms gnarled and gray, 

 Like sentinels grim, stand In martial array; 

 Their armor of green disclosing o'erhead 

 Rich treasures of fruit shining yellow and red. 



The vanishing point is a crooked rail fence 

 Where scampers a squirrel with malice prepense; 

 A chattering robin doth hotly pursue 

 The little red thief, and chases him through. 



Bertha Evelyn Jaques. 



How to Grow an Orchard. 



The soil should be in a good state of cultivation, and is generally 

 best to cultivate in hoed crops before planting the trees. There is a 

 great difference of opinion as to which is better, fall or spring plant- 

 ing, but we prefer fall because the trees become established during 

 the winter and a better growth is secured the first season, and also 

 they stand the midsummer drouths much better than when planted in 

 the spring. 



In planting, the holes must usually be made by hand and should 

 be large and deep. Chop up the soil in the botton of the hole and set 

 the tree about two inches deeper than it stood in the nursery, giving 

 the roots their natural position. The earth should be firmly pressed 

 down around the tree. 



