STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 29 



said notliing to me about sitting down to smoke." A slight muttering is heard 

 and a disgusted man retires from the conflict. Ladies, your plants do not require 

 smoking — they are not high-toned enough to enjoy it. All the long cold winter 

 my plants gave me the greatest pleasure by responding bravely to the many calls 

 made upon them; they lielped to make lovely laces look lovelier in the merry 

 dance; they decked the bride as she stood at the altar with the loved one of her 

 choice; they ornamented the dear church of our Lord, and they lovingly nestled 

 about the cold faces of manj- dear ones "who slept that sleep which knows no 

 waking." 



And so each flower its mission has. 



For daily do they whisper to the soul 



Sweet thoughts of goodness, tenderness and love; 



Thej' speak of all things true and beautiful, 



And make us pray — that thus our hearts maj^ be 



A censer full of richest incense that 



Shall rise unceasing to the throne of God. 



At-the conclusion of Mrs. jMurray's paper the following article upon Cranberry 

 Culture, by J. S. Stickney, of Wauwatosa, Wis., Avas read by the Secretary and 

 ordered published. 



CRANBERRY CULTURE. 



Cranberries, and their cultivation and general management, on the natural 

 cranberry lands in Wisconsin, have for the past few years, been to me, matters of 

 considerable observation and study, some amusement, and much expense, all of 

 which may prove of little use to myself or any])ody else. 



Yet when we consider the large amoimt and great value of this crop, I do not 

 wonder at my interest, or regret my efforts. The first and strongest conclusion 

 that forces itself upon me, is that after all, I don't know much about it. 



This is less discoxiraging, because in the culture of all other fruits, I have often 

 been driven to very similar conclusions. 



Could I find a competent teacher, I could very soon be set right, but the truth 

 is, even the most successful, seem to have done it more b}"^ chance than as the re- 

 sult of any definite plan or management. 



I will ])riefly outline such facts as have presented themselves to my notice. 



For location, such places are chosen as have a good supply of water, and so sit- 

 uated that by a system of ditches and dams, the ground can be flowed to the 

 depth of one to two feet from November to May, and then, at the proper time, the 

 water l)e promptly drawn off. 



It is also desirable, at the upper part of the works, to have more or less of water 

 that can be held in reserve and let on during the summer as the vines or fruit may 

 need. On the perfect or imperfect working of this water system, much of the suc- 

 cess or failure depends. 



This water is usually put on about Nov. 15th, and drawn off about May 15th. 

 Some hold it on later to hold back the bloom and thus escape late spring frost, 



