11 s Wisconsin state agricultural society. 
green peas, and in fact all the laws and conditions which we must 
obey to enjoy good health, ignored and disregarded. 
To those who thus tamper with their own health, I wish to say 
go on and suffer, take physic if you like it better, but I protest 
in the name of humanity that you have no right to inflict disease 
and suffering upon your families when the products of the garden 
are within your reach, and contain the very medical properties 
they require. 
FRUIT AND FLOWER DEPARTMENT. 
BY 0. S. WILLEY, SUPEEIXTENDENT. 
To expect little and then to be overstocked with the good and 
beautiful things of this world’s offering, does not often happen ; 
but such was the case in more senses than one in the horticultural 
department at the state exhibition in 1873. So universally did 
the opinion prevail that the fruit crop was a failure, that no one 
connected with the society expected a fine show, but were not 
slow to express their opinion that this department of the state 
fair would be a failure, and even your superintendent had believed 
their assertions, thinking that fruit growing had touched “ hard 
pan,” and could only hope that from the ashes of general 
despondency there might yet arise a bright horizon. But how 
happy were all, when they again learned how easy it is to be 
mistaken, and how sure we all were that fruit can be raised in 
Wisconsin, when we saw the big boxes, barrels and baskets 
unloaded at Fruit Hall. 
The professional cultivators were on hand in usual number, but 
I think with larger collections than usual. I was fully convinced 
that Mr. Peffer had not lost his interest, for there he was with 124 
varieties piled up around him and still not happy for want of room ; 
and friend Kellogg, with 69 sorts, not to mention his innumerable 
crabs, that he piled up in such profusion that the most casual 
observer could not help but notice his “ crabbish ” appearance. 
These with his fine show of grapes were good to look upon 
and deservedly took their share of premiums. There were six 
entries for the best and greatest variety of apples, Messrs. Baum- 
