288 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



I would recommend planting the trees twenty or more feet apart in 

 the rows and the rows thirty to forty feet apart, according to loca- 

 tion, and growing early maturing hoed crops between until the trees 

 need the whole space. This distance affords better facilities for 

 cultivation, and the roots have ample room in which to find moisture 

 and nutrition without robbing neighboring trees — besides the fruit 

 and foliage is less liable to suft'er from the attacks of fungous dis- 

 eases. Third. — Cultivation of the orchard, at least until midsummer, 

 is better than even mulching, but probably a combination of the two 

 or a light mulch under the trees and out as far as the branches ex- 

 tend might be still better. Fourth. — It is injurious to the orchard 

 to let it become heavily sodded with grasses or to raise small grain 

 between the trees. Fifth. — Shelter belts at a suitable distance from 

 the orchard on the southwest and south sides are beneficial by break- 

 ing the force of winds and checking evaporation. Sixth. — Judicious 

 spraying and methods of trapping and destroying injurious insects 

 are a necessitv in order to raise an abundance of high grade fruit. 



THE ARMY OF FLOWERS. 



J. T. GRIMES, MINNEAPOLIS. 



When we speak of an army our thoughts naturally turn to some 

 large body of disciplined soldiers, rushing madly forward with the 

 force of an irresistible conquerer, carrying fire and sword, demolish- 

 ing towns and cities, depopulating countries and villages and spread- 

 ing on every side slaughter, destruction, desolation and want as he 

 advances — and not the least of all the evils are the widows and or- 

 phans left behind, whose life hopes were blasted when that proud 

 soldier went down to bite the dust upon the glorious battlefield. No 

 more shall his smiles greet them, no more shall his arm of protection 

 be placed about them ; a life sacrificed, perhaps, more to the ambition 

 of some proud mortal than for the sake of country or home. And 

 what can be said of that maiden fair, no longer young in years, but 

 wearing still the sacred pledge of future bliss that never can 

 transpire? Could we have heard her last refrain: "Oh cruel Fate, 

 how sad an end, to mama's hopes, and mine !" Who would envy an 

 Alexander or Napoleon their glory when built upon a foundation 

 like this ? 



Welcome to your laurels, welcome to all your glory, welcome, 

 thrice welcome to your blood-stained garments ! I covet them not, 

 neitheh would I boast of having slain a brother and go to my Maker 

 with the mark of Cain upon my brow. But enough of this. I wish 

 it were all a dream. 



