ANNUAL MEETING, 1894. 489 



it all. They have learned the lesson of economy. That, more than 

 anything; else, will make a man independent. 



There is a class of people, however, that need attention. They 

 flock to the towns and cities and for more than half the year are un- 

 employed. When they do work, they demand unreasonable wages 

 and spend their money as fast as earned; they are not much more 

 responsible for what they do than the Indians are. The g^eneral 

 g'overnment should colonize them in each state, give them ten acres 

 of land and a small comfortable house to use, which they could buy 

 as they were able; surround them with schools, a house for worship, 

 factories, mills and all things necessary to live within themselves; 

 place instructors over them and compel them to learn to be self- 

 supporting-. How much happier the poor would be surrounded by 

 fruits and flowers and vegetables of their own g-rowing- than they 

 now are living; on the charities of the town! Ten acres is enougfh 

 for any man's happiness. 



In a recent "Littell" I read a lovely article, entitled "The Garden 

 that I Love.' One feature represented the g;arden of a mechanic. 

 It said, "It was a little plot of g-round some fifteen feet square. Its 

 main ornament was a g;iant echeveria, certainly not by reason of its 

 loveliness, but rather by the heartiness of its g-rowth, somewhat sur- 

 prising; in a comparatively tender species exposed to all the chances 

 of fhe year. Around it, at carefully calculated distances, were g^er- 

 aniums, calceolarias, ag;eratums and some ten-week stocks; every- 

 thing-, in fact, "that you have a right to look for in a highly respecta- 

 ble enclosure. The man was a mechanic, employed in some neigh- 

 boring railway works, and he evidently treated his spare little plot 

 like a machine which ought never to be out of gear. He had cast 

 aside the dress of his daily occupation, smartened himself up and 

 put on his best attire, as he always did when about to work among 

 his flowers, as though the tidiness he exacted from them reacted 

 upon himself and compelled him, in turn, to be spick and span 

 when in their superior company. I had stopped to compliment him 

 on the assiduity with which he cultivated his bit of grovmd and for 

 friendliness sake observed that he must indeed be fond of it. Then 

 came the emphatic answer, "/ could live in it." Could live in a 

 garden fifteen feet square! There lies the key of success. 



How much can we make a given amount of land produce, not 

 how many acres can we grasp and carelessl}^ run over: Not how 

 much we can do, but how well, will bring us contentment and joy. 

 And so, as we turn to look upon the experiences of the past year, we 

 are in a frame of mind to resolve that in 1894 we will not err in doing 

 our work well. 



The winter of 1892-3 was very severe, and we had reason to expect 

 more serious results than w^e experienced. If we have not realized 

 the full measure of returns in soine things, we have more than real- 

 ized it in others. Strawberries, raspberries and blackberries 

 were a bountiful crop in most parts of the state, although drought 

 in some places shortened the season of fruiting. Grapes were 

 abundant and delicious. The season was particularly favorable, so 

 that late ripening varieties became sweet and palatable. Plums, 

 also, were a good crop and were only limited by the inabilitj^ of the 

 trees to support the fruit. In apples we shared in the general dis- 

 aster of nearl3^ ever}' state, but our gardens blessed us with their 

 generous returns of all kinds of vegetables. Our cellars are full, 

 not excepting the golden pumpkin for pies. From the early spring 

 aneinone to the late asters and golden rod of autumn, our eyes were 

 gladdened by the sight, and the air was laden by the perfume of 

 beautiful flowers of all kinds. 



The great Columbian Exposition has, of course, been the event of 

 our lives. Every one that went is glad of it and loud in praise, and, 

 yet, no one can feel satisfied. It was too vast to comprehend, Oui* 

 horticultural interests were admirably cared for, and it proved that 

 we did not make a mistake in recommending our worthy secretary, 



