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94 ANNUAL REPORT. 
of trial at least by all tree planters. And there are marshes and swamps,. 
some of them not susceptible of being drained, which produce neither trees- 
nor grass, and present nothing but a mossy surface upon a peat bottom. 
These places are the natural home of thecranberry, which, with but little care 
in planting may be made valuable. But need we stop here? Are there not. 
other waste places that come nearer, I had almost said home? where gates 
and doors hang on a single hinge ajar and the woodpile spreads over an 
acre of ground and geese in melodious concert keep time, to the musical 
grunt of the hog; where nothing tidy stops to stay, no lawn, tree, shrub or 
flower. I will not dwell upon a picture like this. It is our business to 
refine and elevate, to bring out all that is lovely in itself and pure in its 
nature. We must cultivate in our children a Jove for flowers. Purity goes 
with the violets and the roses. No boy or girl can love to watch the unfold- 
ing of leaf and bud, and be rough and coarse, It is also our business to- 
show what is practical as well as possible. Some things may be done 
which are a novelty in their way but of no practical value; for instance, the 
apple or the pear may be grafted upon the mountain ash or thorn and be 
made to grow and even bear fruit, but can we depend upon such stocks as 
a permanent foundation for an orchard? It is even questionable if any of 
the Siberian species make a suitable stock upon which to graft the standard 
apple. There are many questions connected with orchardivg that we have 
yet to determine. The time is fast approaching when that vast domain to 
the west and northwest of us will be ready to draw upon us for their fruits. 
Will we be ready to meet.the demand? Or shall other States more remote 
receive the profits that would naturally belong to us? Shall we then be 
importing for our own use as we are now? It is true that we have made 
some progress in this department of horticulture; but it is only the begin- 
ning of what we shall yet accomplish. We claim the Wealthy apple of 
Minnesota origin, an apple more inquired and sought after abroad to-day 
than any other. There are other seedlings of equal value still coming 
forward, to say nothing about the thousand and one Russian varieties sent 
out by the department at Washington, which, when properly tested, may add 
something valuable to the lists. 
I recollect that twenty years ago Dent corn would not mature here; but by 
selecting the earliest for seed each year it has become so well acclimated 
that it is now planted with the almost absolute certainty of ripening. Can- 
not we plant the seed of our best seedling apples with similar results; 
always selecting from the hardiest in wood and the best in fruit? 
Dissemination of Horticultural Knowledge. 
Next in importance is the dissemination of horticultural knowledge among 
the people, and instead of withholding our printed transactions for the benefit 
of our society alone, why not distribute them judiciously by our Secretary 
to persons interested in horticulture who would read them and consequently 
be led to take an interest in our work? Would it not build up our society 
much faster than under our present system and its usefulness be increased 
in proportion? With a narrow-minded policy one seldom succeeds in any 
undertaking. After the distribution has been made according to law, a 
large number of copies still remain as rubbish in the office of the Secretary 
of State. Why should they not be turned over to our society at once, where 
