460 
STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
shrubs, and flowers, that are model specimens of their kind? 
Except in one instance I have yet to find this in any western 
nursery. When we think of the deep and lasting impression 
such examples make upon our own minds, we cannot doubt 
the power they would give to us to improve the tastes of 
others. 
I do not think it strange that these things are not already 
done, but I do think that the time has now come for us to set 
earnestly about them. 
In this there is no necessity for rare or curious things; rather 
let our grounds show the capabilities of things within the 
reach of all, and of manifest use to all. Neither, if circum¬ 
stances do not favor it, do we need broad acres, or a large out¬ 
lay of money. 
In front of a tent on the camping 'ground of the first regi¬ 
ment Wisconsin sent to the war, I saw^n example of garden¬ 
ing skill, that illustrated the beauty of simplicity, and showed 
what might be done with the‘simplest materials. It was a 
miniature garden cut from the green sod; the figures of the 
most perfect symmetry, bordered with smooth pebbles from 
the lake shore, and ornamented with a few mosses and a few 
simple plants in pots. The whole forming an object of beau¬ 
ty worthy of imitation in places of far greater pretensions. 
And so may we, with but a fraction of the beautiful things 
of other climes, produce results that shall astonish even our¬ 
selves. 
The happy and successful man, the man we all like, is he 
who makes the most of the things within his reach. With 
this in view, if any doubt or hesitate about the’ possibility of 
aocomplishing the things herein suggested, with ‘the means at 
command, let me ask, with our splendid evergreens and noble 
forest trees; with a liberal variety of successful small fruits, 
well in hand, and a firm and substantial background of crabs, 
and minor plums, why stand irresolute and idle, with a long¬ 
ing wish: for the fruits and flowers of more favored lands? 
Were we in Cincinnati, feasting on delicious peaches, we should 
still lack the oranges of Florida, and thus would our longings 
