m 
STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
valley of the Fox is probably as favorable for growing the grape as any sec¬ 
tion of our stale, and the culture of it is being extended yearly. From the 
fact that the vine requires protection during the winter, it insures a crop 
every season. As yet no enemy or disease has shown itself here. 
From close observation and experience, from year to year, I am convinced 
that to dbtain the best results in growing any of the fruits before mentioned, 
the red clay is preferable to' any manures that can be added to ^r soils. 
It produces a healthy growth and is sufficiently stimulating. 
Cranberries. Increased attention has been given to this fruit, for the 
last few years, and as a general thing, the business has proved profitable. 
Our extensive natural cranberry meadows produce the finest fruit in the 
world; and, where proper drainage and flowage is given them, are more pro¬ 
ductive than the cultivated marshes on the Atlantic coast. There were 
shipped from here, in 1866, about ten thousand bushels of this fruit. The 
present season the crop has been small, in consequence of the heavy frosts 
early in September. On the whole, the business promises to be a source of 
wealth to those engaged in it, and as so small a proportion of the land is 
adapted to the growth of the fruit, it cannot be well overdone. 
Respectfully, yours, 
G. N. SMITH. 
After the reading of these letters, Mr. Geo. J. Kellogg of 
Janesville, read the following 
« 
ESSAY ON STRAWBERRY CULTURE. 
% 
Mr. President—Too much cannot be said or written in favor 
of the finest fruit of its season, the strawberry. When under 
favorable circumstances it can be grown at* the rate of two 
hundred and forty bushels per acre; it should be in every 
man’s garden and grown by every jone who has a spare rod of 
ground. This amount has been produced by the writer and 
without extra care. 
Success is certain if the weather in May and June is favor¬ 
able ; there need be no loss of plants by winter-killing if the 
beds are properly mulched. When coarse marsh hay can be 
had for cutting, it is doubtless the cheapest and best, being 
free from weed seeds. A sufficient amount to shade the 
ground is all that is necessary, about one or two inches; and 
if left on in the spring, it will insure clean fruit for the market 
and table, and be a decided benefit in case of drought. By 
raking off part of the bed it will give fruit a few days earlier 
