REPORTS FROM LOCAL SOCIETIES.

REPORT OF MADISON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

(Organized in 1847.)

E. T. MISCHE.

The organization of the Madison Horticultural Society antedates that of our State Society by some years. Thirty to thirty-five years ago Madison was the objective point of a notable array of personages drawn hither from the whole Mississippi valley to revel in her cool breezes, bask in the warm sunshine and contemplate its enchanting scenery.

European royalty then as now, were deeply interested in the pursuits of gardening, it was a delightful privilege rather than an onerous task to work in the garden. Subjects no less than monarchs themselves indicated a pride in and knowledge of gardening truly remarkable. Small wonder then that the last generation in this country composed as it so largely was of European born and reared element should endeavor to bring with them the acquired tastes and habits of their recent homes. That was a period when Daniel Webster found pleasure and honor in dividing attention between steering the ship of state and broadening and extending the great Massachusetts Horticultural Society, when such men as the elder Parsons, George Ellwanger, Patrick Barry, Thomas Meehan and Mr. Prince were founding the prototype of our commercial nurseries of today.

But the country was new, old world ideas required adaptation, some eliminations and newer ones applied. Most of all the general scramble was for existence a state always preliminary to advanced horticulture. Hence the pursuit of horticulture, was largely confined to grandmother's efforts in tending a door-step garden of old fashioned flowers, or it was purely a commercial enterprise for the rearing of fruits and vegetables.

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In the past decade or two our nation has experienced a remarkable prosperity and each year the general populace have means and leisure in greater proportion than heretofore. All this makes for comfort and pleasure and is directly reflected in the share of interest held by horticulture.

Madison is quite typical of this general state of affairs. After a quiescence of some 25 years its Horticultural Society was renewed and each year since has its function broadened and extended.

During the past year the Society's efforts were directed toward the extension of aesthetic horticulture.

With a view to rejuvenating the love of the beautiful, characteristic of our forbears, to spread by contagion the wholesome pastime of cultivating a garden and an intelligent appreciation of the horticultural good things in life—our society planned to crystalize into a working force the diffuse ingredients that together make up horticulture.

Believing that every window displaying a geranium in a tin can, every yard that has turf or flowers or vegetables is overseen by an influence from whence the stability of horticulture springs. Plans were laid to enlist the coöperation of all such to a greater, a combined, and a more telling effort.

Fortunately there was evident the unmistakable sentiment of about a thousand residents who for some fifteen years have been the main stays of the Park & Pleasure Drive Association, and who by voluntary contributions create an annual fund of about $10,000 to carry on the beautification of city and country side. Interest in things beautiful is widely and very generally evident in Madison's citizenship. Our society felt that by crystalizing this diffused interest and giving it an opportunity to express itself in other ways than merely financial contributions would be to the benefit of all concerned. Toward that end the effort was to find just how general and to what extent the general public was interested.

Membership fee in the society was one dollar per year and all members who so desired received a box of annual plants at the proper planting season in the spring. These plants comprised a collection of one hundred of the showier sorts of flowering plants, such as aster, zinnia, etc., also ten gladioli, cannas and one dahlia. A local florist entered into an agreement, to germinate, to transplant, box and deliver to the urban residents

all those contracted for. About one hundred and twenty-five boxes were disposed of. So far as the society is informed these plants gave general satisfaction.

A purse of $75.00 was formed as a prize fund to be distributed for greater improvements in yards. The first was $25.00, two were $10.00 and six $5.00 each, in addition three received honor- ary mention for the inherent beauty of the grounds. One of . the local newspapers espoused the propaganda as its own, conducted the judges over the routes several times, announced the awards and issued a supplement of general interest to the community.

A floral exhibition was held in mid-summer and in artistic arrangement and high quality of material displayed was exceptionally good.

Throughout, the intent was to avoid spreading an effort over too wide a field but instead to feature one or two points and the result has been exceedingly gratifying.

And what, it may be asked, is to be gained, what is meant by the society and what does it expect to accomplish? In answer it may be stated that it exerts one of those silent yet none the less sure and direct influences that breed nobility in life. It quickens the perceptions and significance of the beauties of na

it is a purifier of mind and surroundings, introducing wholesomeness in the accompaniments of everyday life, the house, the yard, the street, the city, inside and outside. It is the means of sounding the depths of natures laws, in echoing melody of poetry in sky, earth, vegetation and man's handiwork-wherever nature plays a part, horticulture has its counterpart if we will but see it.

To induce a greater, more intelligent, profound and nobler desire in the breast of workaday men, to participate in the pleasures and beneficence of life is assuredly worth while.

The practical application is directed toward bringing the interested ones together and by preachment and demonstration, disseminating information as to means of development.

The trend of the society's efforts are toward a high class development of home estates, general approval of civic authorities toward a substantial and aesthetic municipal construction and an enlightened, progressive and beautiful city generally, be that gained by whatsoever means as within our financial capacity, is possible.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE LAKE GENEVA GARDENERS AND FOREMENS ASSOCIATION.

HENRY WM. ILLENBERGER.

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Wisconsin State Horticultural Society:

In this, our Third Annual Report of the Lake Geneva Gardeners and Foremens Association, we have much pleasure in offering to you a synopsis of the results of another year's work.

Under the guidance and instruction of such a board of managers, and the co-operation of a large membership, such as the Lake Geneva Association has, we cannot help but succeed.

The first thing in producing wealth and success is the raw material, which is worked up into the requirements of mankind, and which is supplied by nature, under the skill of the practical gardener.

As soon as an obstacle presents itself, it is at once set upon by an ingenious and persevering bunch of gardeners, and annihilated in its initiative.

The officers for the current season include:

President-Wm. P. Longland.

Vice-President-A. Reupke.

Treasurer-H. Wm. Illenberger.

Secretary-Alb. Meier.

with a standing or executive committee of five, on whose shoulders have fallen a very important share of the work.

Our transactions during the current year have amounted to more than $1,000.00, and our treasury at the present time shows a balance of $300.00.

The expenses of the Association are mainly for flower and vegetable exhibitions, horticultural speakers from all parts of the country, delegates to other societies, excursions educating school children in the art of Floriculture, and all other matters pertaining to the interest and general welfare of the Association.

Since commencing the present season, we have held 18 regular meetings, and 5 special, with an average attendance of twentyfive.

The purpose of our meetings are to further the interests of gardening in all its branches. Papers are read on Horticultural

subjects at each meeting, and the discussions which follow are usually of more importance than the paper itself, each member contributing his experience in determining the real worth or worthlessness of any particular part of the subject. We also have an exhibition schedule encouraging the display of flowers, fruits, and vegetabies in season at each meeting; also a short talk on seasonable hints. During June we exhibited at the Lake Forest Horticultural Society's show and was awarded a Special Certificate of Merit for the flowers and vegetables exhibited. The Mid-summer Fair held at Lake Geneva during July was a decided success, and well worthy of a visit to all lovers of Horticulture. At this exhibition could be seen rare exotic plants showing the extreme skill of the grower, collections of flowers and vegetables rarely seen in any other part of this country-each gardener trying to excel his neighbor in the gorgeousness or value of his display. The next exhibition we took part in, was the Chicago Flower Show held in November, where the Lake Geneva Gardeners made a very creditable showing. In competition with wholesale growers, our members showed their skill in taking off some valuable prizes; especially was this true in the competition of large chrysanthemum plants and the many types of single, which are now gaining favor with the flower loving public. At the school children's exhibition held at Lake Geneva in October, a decided gain was clearly visible from the preceding one; five hundred plants were, furnished the children during May, and money prizes amounting to $48.00 was awarded to the successful growers. Extreme interest was taken by the children, and it was gratifying to the parents and public in general to notice how these little ones developed an inherent love for things that are beautiful.

The Chrysanthemum Show held November 15 and 16th was an unqualified success. The support offered by the Honorary members was a leading feature. Prizes in money and silver cups were offered, and the competition was keen in every class. Chrysanthemums, of course, predominated, but a creditable showing was also made in the different classes for winter vegetables and fruits, a feature that is gradually but surely gaining favor with the public. Growers from outside contributed to the success of the exhibition. Poehlman Bros. of Morton Grove, Ills. exhibited a splendid collection of Tea Roses, including their new rose "Cardinal." The skill of this concern in growing a high class