28 HORTICULTURE BY IRRIGATION. 



This success was not only the nrarvel of his own section of the State, but 

 became widely known in other parts; and in 1867 he was awarded first prize 

 by the Wisconsin State Horticultural Society for the largest and best col- 

 lection of apples grown in that State ; also several special premiums for best 

 varieties for different seasons and localities. All this was accomplished 

 while Judge Clark was holding responsible official positions. In 1861, 

 being severely prostrated by ill-health, he made a trip to Colorado, and 

 in May of that year planted an orchard in Boulder County for James 

 Maxwell, a prominent citizen of Boulder City, and the father of Hon. 

 James P. Maxwell, also of Boulder. This, so far as I can learn, makes 

 Judge Clark the pioneer fruit planter of Colorado. 



Subsequently, in 1861, he returned to Wisconsin to lend his influence 

 and aid to the cause of the Union in the Great Conflict which followed. 

 In 1867 poor health again prompted him to seek the milder climate of 

 East Tennessee. Here he at once planted an orchard ; but his surround- 

 ings not being congenial, in the chaos that followed the war, he moved to 

 Kansas in 1869, and was the first orchardist in Oswego Township, of that 

 State. From Kansas Judge Clark came to Colorado again in 1871 and 

 joined his fortunes with the Union Colony of Colorado, locating perma- 

 nently at Greeley, where he still resides. 



True to his faith and tastes he brought a considerable stock of fruit 

 trees and plants, at large expense, and at once proceeded to establish his 

 favorite fruit garden. Here he has remained with his noble wife, sur- 

 rounded by a prosperous and influential family of children, among whom 

 are J. Max., and A. B. Clark, well known as leading farmers of Northern 

 Colorado. Year after year "Father (Hark" has experimented with vari- 

 ous new varieties and added to his already choice collection of hardy 

 horticultural products. Notwithstanding his advanced years, he is still 

 active and enthusiastic, and believes that one should never be too old to 

 plant a tree or shrub. As he said to me the other day : " I was scarcely 

 ever in a state a week without planting (if health and season permitted) 

 tree or fruit stock of some kind ; and aside from any benefit that this may 

 have been to others, I am confident that my active interest in this work 

 has prolonged my life at least twenty years." An acquaintance of 

 Charles Downing, a contemporary of Marshal P. Wilder, the father of 

 John J. Thomas, and a score of other distinguished men in pomology, 

 Judge Clark has had unusual opportunites for study and observation, 

 and has improved them well. 



