HISTORY OF HORTICULTURE IN MINNESOTA. 159 



"he spake also of trees— from the Cedar tree that is in Lebanon, even unto 

 the Hyssop, that springe th out of the wall." 



And when Nebuchadnezzar, about 600 j^ears before Christ, in the haug-hti- 

 uess of his heart, lifted up his eyes, and said •• Behold this is great Babylon 

 which I have builded," his gaze no doubt rested on the hanging gardens of 

 that ancient city, the admiration of the then world, which he had built to 

 remind his Queen Amytis of the beautiful hills of her native land. 



And so on, down through the pages of history, we find the culture of fruits 

 and flowers, progressing hand in hand with the arts and sciences, and keep- 

 ing pace with the culture and refinement of every age. 



I have referred to horticulture as an adjunct to agriculture, meaning that 

 a certain amount of agricultural development is (particularly in a new com- 

 munity) absolutely essential before the cultivation of fruits and floAvers, 

 would be prosecuted to any extent. 



As a State we are peculiarly situated. The main pjprtion of our popula- 

 tion, spreading over our area from year to year, is composed of emigrants 

 from foreign countries, who come here with little knowledge of the richness 

 of the soil or adaptability of the climate, and in utter ignorance of the re- 

 gional peculiarities which govern the treatment of trees, in planting, pruning, 

 etc., or in the selection of proper varieties. 



Besides this, the people bringing to our shores but little capital, save 

 strong arms and stout hearts, the necessity first arises of securing, with the 

 greatest degree of certainty, that which will afford food and clothi ng for 

 themselves and their little ones. 



In this state of the case it is scarcely to be expected that they would expend 

 time and money in beautifying their homes by the cultivation of flowers, or in 

 the purchase of trees, and in planting and caring for them, with the certainty 

 that under the most fortunate circumstances, years must elapse before they 

 could possibly receive the slightest return. 



Besides this, there is the uncertainty, common to all new States, in regard 

 to the selection of proper varieties, suited to the climate and soil, and, as in 

 the case of this State, there being no practical information, based on the ex- 

 perience of others, to be procured in such condensed form as to be available 

 for the masses, the pursuit of horticulture is entireh' neglected or deferred 

 to a distant day. 



It remains, then, for those whose early residence and education has been 

 in the old fruit growing States, or who have made horticulture a business or 

 study, to foster and develop this industry. 



Within the last fifteen years great progress has been made in horticulture, 

 much of which is due to the dissemination of information through the horti- 

 cultural press. 



Time was, when the Avild fruits of the field supplied all the wants of each 

 community, and were acceptable to the then uncultivated tastes, but not so now. 



Better qualities of every kind of fruit are now required, and though horti- 

 cultural development has been stimulated by the increased demand and large 

 prices for choice fruit, the supply has not yet exceeded the demand. 



