S. MINN. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 427 



the past, and with the few hardy varieties now recognized, we can, if 

 we choose, experiment a little with others and gradually grow up a 

 list of iron-clads. 



Now, let me suggest that as we gather here for information, that 

 we get all we can out of it; and let no one be afraid to ask questions, 

 for in this way can we more largely gain information. After a paper 

 is read, all shall have a chance to ask questions, bringing out such 

 information as is uncertain to them or freely criticise any ideas 

 promulgated, to be themselves criticised by others; in this waj^ much 

 can be learned. We will also have a question box, which we wish 

 freely patronized, thus bringing out information on any subject in 

 which any one is interested and which may not be touched upon by 

 the papers, or previous discussions. In this way we hope to awaken 

 an interest through this entire section and bring it fully before the 

 minds of the people that this need not be a section devoid of fruit; 

 and while we cannot raise it as freely and in such an endless variety 

 as in more favored localities, let us remember that what we can 

 successfully raise can be brought to a much higher standard of 

 excellence than in the milder climates. 



What are we here for? I hope not from a purely selfish motive. 

 We wish to awaken an interest that shall never die out, that shall so 

 develop the fruit interest in this section that our children and our 

 children's children shall bless the day this interest was awakened. 

 The things to learn are: what varieties are hardy and the best means 

 of propagating and caring for them; what nurseries are worthy of 

 patronage, who w^ill only recommend hardy varieties and send out 

 stock true. to name; and what ones to avoid. I am confident that 

 there have been sold and delivered in this town within the year hun- 

 dreds, and perhaps into the thousands, of dollars worth of trees that 

 can bring their owners nothing but vexation and mortification and, 

 perhaps, such disgust that they may never try again, to say nothing 

 of the influence on the neighborhood. Every man with a small patch 

 of ground can grow berries of various kinds enough for a large 

 family, to say nothing of grapes and apples. 



Then let us strive to make home the more pleasant with plenty of 

 fruit and flowers, and vegetables, thus bringing health, happiness 

 and peace in its train, alike blessing him who grows and him who 

 eats. 



INFLUENCE OF HORTICULTURE UPON OUR HOMES." 



O. W. SHAW, AUSTIN. 



Read before the Southern Minnesota Horticultural Society, 1893. 

 There were two features of the rocky farm up among the 

 New Hampshire hills, where I was born and spent my child- 

 hood, that are most prominent in my recollection. These were 

 the orchards planted by my great-grandfather and the garden 

 cultivated by four generations of the same fainily. These, indeed, 

 were the ornaments of the homestead; but the former dominates 

 and seems the more personal, and tonight I could, in my thought* 

 go on and locate many a particular tree and recall its name, and 

 smack over the flavor of its fruitage. 



