mark all the new things. There is the wonderberry, sweeter than the
blueberry, with the fragrance of the pineapple and the lusciousness of
the strawberry! We mark the Himalaya-berry--which grows thirty feet,
sometimes sixty feet in a single season. Why, one catalogue told of a
man who picked 3,833-1/2 pounds of berries from a single vine, beside
what his children ate. Our Himalaya vine grew four inches the first
season and died the first winter. We were glad it did. We did not want
such a monster running over our garden. We wanted to raise other things.
But we did not lose faith in our catalogues. We believe what they say
just as the small boy believes he will see a lion eat a man at the
circus, because the billboard pictures him doing it.
If we ordered all the seeds we mark in the catalogue in January, we
would require a township for a garden, a Rockefeller to finance it and
an army to hoe it. We did not understand the purpose of a catalogue for
a long time. A catalogue is a stimulus. It's like an oyster cocktail
before a dinner, a Scotch high-ball before the banquet and the singing
before the sermon. Salzer knows no one ever raised such a crop of
cabbages as he pictures or the world would be drowned in sauer kraut. If
the Himalaya-berry bore as the catalogues say it does we should all be
buried in jam. You horticulturists never expect to raise such an apple
as Lindsay describes; if you did, they would be more valuable than the
golden apples of Hesperides.
But when we get a catalogue we just naturally dream that what we shall
raise will not only be as good but will excel the pictures. Alas, of
such stuff are dreams made! We could not do our gardening without
catalogues, but they are not true to life as we find it in our garden.
We never got a catalogue that showed the striped bug on the cucumber,
the slug on the rose bush, the louse on the aster, the cut worm on the
phlox, the black bug on the syringa, the thousand and one pests,
including the great American hen, the queen of the barnyard, but the
Goth and vandal of the garden.
But the best part of summer in our garden is the work we do in winter.
Then it is that our garden is most beautiful, for we work in the garden
of imagination, where drouth does not blight, nor storms devastate,
where the worm never cuts nor the bugs destroy. No dog ever uproots in
the garden of imagination, nor doth the hen scratch. This is the perfect
garden. Our golden glow blossoms in all of its auriferous splendor, the
Oriental poppy is a barbaric blaze of glory, our roses are as fair as
the tints of Aurora, the larkspur vies with the azure of heaven, the
gladioli are like a galaxy of butterflies and our lilies like those
which put Solomon in the shade. Every flower is in its proper place to
make harmony complete. There is not a jarring note of color in our
garden in the winter time.
Then comes the spring in our garden, a time of faith, vigilance and hard
work. Faith that the seed will grow, vigilance that it is planted deep
enough and has the right conditions in which to grow. Vigilance against
frost, weeds and insects. Planting, sowing, hoeing, transplanting,
coaxing, hoping, expecting, working--we never do half that we planned to
do in the springtime--there are not enough days, and the days we have
are too short.
Then comes summer, real summer in our garden. Then flowers begin to
bloom, and our friends tell us they are lovely. But we see the flaws and
errors. We feel almost guilty to have our garden praised, so many
glaring faults and shortcomings has it. The color scheme is wrong, there
are false notes here and there. There are tall plants where short plants
should be. There are spaces and breaks and again spots over-crowded. We
water and hoe, train vines, prop plants, and kill the bugs, but we know
the weak spots in our garden and vow that next summer we shall remedy
every mistake.
[Illustration: Mrs. Gertrude Ellis Skinner among her gladoli.]
Then "summer in our garden" has an autumn. The garden is never so
beautiful as when the first frost strikes it. Pillow-cases, sheets,
shawls, aprons, coats and newspapers may for a brief time hold at bay
the frost king, but he soon laughs at our efforts, crawls under the
edges of the unsightly garments with which we protect our flowers, nips
their petals, wilts their stems and blackens their leaves. We find them
some morning hopelessly frozen. But the earth has ceased to give forth
its aroma, the birds are winging southward, the waters of the brook run
clear and cold, and the voice of the last cricket sounds lonesome in the
land. We say to nature, "Work your will with our garden; the summer is
over, and we are ready to plan for another season."
And what have we learned from the "summer in our garden?" That no one
can be happy in his garden unless he works for the joy of the working.
He who loves his work loves nature. To him his garden is a great
cathedral, boundless as his wonder, a place of worship. Above him the
dome ever changing in color and design, beautiful in sunshine or storm
and thrice beautiful when studded with the eternal lamps of night. The
walls are the trees, the vines and the shrubs, waving in the distant
horizon and flinging their branches on the sky line, or close at hand
where we hear the voice of the wind among the leaves.
A wondrous floor is the garden's cathedral of emerald green in the
summer, sprinkled with flowers, of ermine whiteness in the winter,
sparkling with the diamonds of frost. Its choir is the winds, the
singing birds and the hum of insects. Its builder and maker is God. Man
goeth to his garden in the springtime, and, behold, all is mystery.
There is the mystery of life about him, in the flowing sap in the trees,
the springing of the green grass, the awakening of the insect world, the
hatching of the worm from the egg, the changing of the worm into the
butterfly.
The seed the gardener holds in his hand is a mystery. He knows what it
will produce, but why one phlox seed will produce a red blossom and
another a white is to him a miracle. He wonders at the prodigality of
nature. In her economy, what is one or ten thousand seeds! She scatters
them with lavish hand from ragweed, thistle or oak. If man could make
but the single seed of the ragweed, he could make a world. The distance
between a pansy and a planet is no greater than between man and a pansy.
The gardener sees the same infinite care bestowed upon the lowest as
upon the highest form of life, and he wonders at it. He looks into the
face of a flower, scans the butterfly and notes the toadstool and sees
that each is wonderful.
From the time he enters his garden in the springtime until he leaves it
in the autumn, he will find a place and a time to worship in his
cathedral. He enters it with the seed in his hand in the spring, and as
he rakes away the ripened plants in the autumn he finds something still
of the mystery of life. A puff-ball is before him, and he muses on its
forming. The little puff-ball stands at one end of the scale of life and
he, man, at the other, "close to the realm where angels have their
birth, just on the boundary of the spirit land." From the things visible
in our garden we learn of the things invisible, and strong the faith of
him who kneeling in adoration of the growing plant looks from nature to
nature's God and finds the peace which passeth understanding.
Bringing the Producer and Consumer Together.
R. S. MACKINTOSH, HORTICULTURAL SPECIALIST, AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION
DIVISION, UNIVERSITY FARM, ST. PAUL.
The introduction of Mr. Producer to Mr. Consumer directly, and not by
proxy, is the chief desire of the present time. The fact remains,
however, that in the vast majority of cases Messrs. Proxy & Co. is
brought in and breaks up the direct personal contact. The development of
complex marketing means specialization and in a large degree sets it
apart from production. When specialization becomes dominant, then
standardization becomes necessary. Each producer is unable to keep in
touch with all such movements and consequently finds it hard to keep
abreast of the times. In this age of rapid transit, specialization,
scientific discoveries, and the improvements resulting therefrom, seem
somewhat out of place when compared with our present marketing systems.
This does not mean that our marketing is entirely out of joint, but it
does mean that there is something the matter or so many would not be
discussing it. The consumer hears what the producer received, the
producer hears what the consumer paid, and then somebody gets to
thinking and talking. Discussions lead to investigations, and
investigations lead to conferences. Just lately a large conference was
held in Chicago, and certain plans were formulated to attempt to unravel
some of the evils that exist in marketing. So much has been said that
the U.S. Department of Agriculture has begun certain investigations, and
we hope that the workers will find ways to solve some of the troubles in
a logical and, we hope, sane way.
A year ago your committee on marketing reported that there were certain
things needed, and an ideal system was suggested to correct these
faults. One of the basic factors emphasized was standardization. Another
committee reported on changes needed in the statutes regarding the
weight of a bushel of apples. Congress has enacted a law which specifies
the size of a barrel for apples. New York, Massachusetts and other
states have enacted grading laws. Some states require that the fruit be
free of certain insect and disease injuries. Several states have laws
regulating commission men. Most states have laws which do not allow the
sale of food products that are decayed. These are all steps toward the
standardization that is so necessary. In other words, the several laws
have been passed to correct some of the troubles which have come up when
so many hands handle the products. These laws were not needed in olden
times when the consumer went directly to the producer's door and there
bargained for his wares.
Minnesota is a state noted for co-operative enterprises. There are over
two thousand such organizations doing more than $60,000,000.00 worth of
business yearly. We know full well the value of the co-operative
creameries and how butter has been brought up to a high standard. As
citizens, we rejoice; as horticulturists, and citizens as well, we want
our products to stand high in the estimation of others. I was much
pained this summer while discussing the marketing of apples with several
commission men to hear them say that they did not like to take local
shipments. The reason was that the goods were usually below grade, and
the returns did not always please the growers. It is evident that we
must improve our methods in ways which will remove this stigma. Many of
the commission men try to induce good grading and packing. They like to
handle "top notch" goods, for it is cheaper to handle goods that move
quickly than those that are a drag and require too much handling. The
Agricultural Extension Division of the College of Agriculture is
organized to give help, where help is needed, along a large number of
agricultural lines.
Realizing these facts, we have been trying to get the ear of the
producer and consumer in an effort to get them to do certain things. On
the one hand, we want to have good varieties, and to help this lectures
and demonstrations are given in the care of the orchard, pruning,
spraying, thinning, picking, grading, packing and marketing. On the
other hand we want more people to eat Minnesota apples. It is a campaign
of education and publicity.
If one wishes to sell anything, he finds that he must advertise. He must
advertise so much and in so many ways that people cannot help buying his
wares. There are certain widely advertised articles that you must know,
whether you are interested or not. One of these runs along the highways
so often that you are shaken, even against your will, into consciousness
of its existence, so that you cannot get along without having one, or at
least seeing one. The latest edition seems to have put on feathers in
the form of a white dove of peace. May it succeed. Advertising Minnesota
apples has been attempted this past year.
It was found necessary to provide a standard by which the buyer and
seller could agree on apple grades. After consulting several persons, it
was decided to adopt the following grades:
"A" Grade.--Hand picked, normal shape, good color (at least one-third
colored), free from dirt, disease and insect injuries, and well packed.
Limit of defects allowed: Not more than 10% of all kinds nor 5% of any
one kind.
[Illustration: Prof. R. S. Mackintosh--Horticulturist connected with
Extension Division, University Farm, St. Paul.]
"B" Grade.--Hand picked, practically normal shape, practically free from
dirt, disease and insect injuries, and properly packed. Limit of defects
allowed: Not more than 15% of all nor 5% of any one kind.
Only one variety and grade should be put in a package. In the grade
specifications given, normal shape refers to the general form of
well-grown specimens of the variety in question. For instance: The
Wealthy is regular in outline and nearly round, while the Hibernal is
somewhat flat and often irregular. In like manner the color must be
typical of the variety, whether green, yellow or red. Red apples usually
sell better than green or yellow varieties, although the quality may be
even poorer. Fruit showing insect or disease injuries cannot be classed
as well grown. Grading to size is very important. This is not specified
because it depends upon the variety and season. Only apples above a
selected minimum size, as 2-1/2 inches, the diameter at right angles to
stem, should be placed in the same package. Defects refer to apples not
up to grade in size, color or shape and having bruises, punctures,
disease or insect injuries.
_Fancy._--For persons having extra choice fruit, a fancy grade can be
used. Well-grown specimens, hand picked, of normal shape, at least
two-thirds colored, free from dirt, diseases and insect injuries and
properly packed. Not more than 5% of combined defects allowed, of which
only 2% can be of the same kind.
Hundreds of letters were sent to persons in the state, telling them that
we would maintain an information bureau or clearing house to help them
in finding markets for their apples. Several growers replied, and the
names of persons who were anxious to buy apples were given them. Nine
farmers' clubs asked for information as to where Minnesota apples could
be bought. This is a beginning, and it shows that there is need for some
sort of an organization that can find out where apples are and who wants
them. The intention has not been to interfere with the regular trade
routes, but to give the growers information as to who wants apples. As
you will notice, this does not bring the producer directly to the door
of the consumer. There must be some one to act as a go-between in most
cases.
It was just stated that Minnesota is a state having a very large number
of co-operative business organizations. Among these are about two
hundred live stock shipping associations having a very simple form of
organization. A number of persons in a community, having considerable
stock to ship, come together, adopt a simple set of by-laws which
provide for the selection of a manager, his compensation--usually a
certain percentage on the gross receipts--and a small amount for losses
which may occur. No capital stock is required--only the actual living
stock. The manager ships the stock at certain times, and when the
returns come in deducts the amounts provided for expenses and then
returns to each shipper his proportionate amount. In this way the stock
is sold at the terminal yards the same day and with other stock from
many sections. It is a very simple, satisfactory way of marketing.
The more I study and think of our apple situation, the more I am of the
opinion that a very large part of our fruit could be marketed in a
similar way. Some of our La Crescent friends ship together in carlots
successfully. Why not others? This is the very best way to begin
co-operation in a successful way. As Mr. Collingwood says:
"Co-operation, like charity, should begin at home and be well nurtured."
In other words, begin to co-operate at home in a small way and let the
future large organizations take care of themselves.
To be specific, let the growers in a community meet and form a
fruit-shipping association with by-laws patterned after the successful
stock-shipping associations. Then the fruit should be well grown, picked
in time, graded thoroughly and honestly packed and marked. Haul at once
to car. The manager will take charge and ship as he thinks best. Each
package must have the customary identification marks, so the manager can
keep an accurate record of all transactions. If, by chance, trouble
comes up, the shippers can pool their interests, and send a
representative to find out the trouble. Thus they can do together what
each cannot do alone. Even this does not bring the consumers directly in
contact with the producers. It is, however, a step nearer.
The public auctions started in New York this season seem to have been
successful, and it may mean an innovation which will improve marketing
conditions in general. These auctions are held under the recently formed
Department of Foods and Markets. The Department has contracted with a
large auction company which advances the freight, conducts the sales,
guarantees the accounts, and advances the net returns for the goods
daily. The producer is able to get returns within two days. The total
cost is 5% on the gross sales; 3% for the auction company and 2% for the
Department of Markets for the advertising and for other overhead
expenses. Posters have been issued to advertise New York State apples.
As this Department has been working only for a short time, it is too
early to tell whether it is a success in every way.
We earnestly ask your co-operation in trying to solve the question of
marketing Minnesota apples. All interested must assist in this important
subject.
* * * * *
WORLD'S TALLEST TREES.--The tallest trees are the Australian
eucalyptus, which attain a height of 480 feet.
GARDEN HELPS
Conducted by Minnesota Garden Flower Society
Edited by MRS. E. W. GOULD, 2644 Humboldt Avenue So.
Minneapolis.
HARDY CHRYSANTHEMUMS.
The new type of hardy chrysanthemums called "early-flowering" has been
largely developed by a Frenchman named August Nonin, of Paris, who has
devoted much of his life to perfecting this strain from seedlings of the
old-fashioned "mums" of our grandmothers' gardens. It is considered by
far the most satisfactory kind to grow out of doors, blossoming earlier
than the pompons. A few of the best of these early-flowering types are:
White--Crawford White, Dorothy, Milka and Normandie; yellow--E'toile
d'Or, Carrie, October Gold; pink--Beaurepaire, Eden, Le Danube; red and
bronze shades--Harvest Home, Firelight, A. Barham and Billancourt. These
are the earliest bloomers of this type.
Hardy pompons are still most largely grown for outdoor flowering, but of
these there is also a choice, as the earliest bloomers are the most
desirable to use. Lilian Doty, a large-flowered, clear, bright pink, is
considered the very best of these. Donald and Minta are other good
pinks. The earliest whites are Queen of the Whites, Waco, Grace and
Myer's Perfection. Jeanette, Wm. Sabey, Golden Climax and Zenobia are
the best yellows, and Julia Lagravere, Urith and Tiber the best crimson
and bronze shades. There are many other beautiful pompons, but they
bloom too late for practical out-of-door use.
The single mums have of late been used successfully out-of-doors when
early blooming varieties have been chosen.
Of these Elsa, Gladys Duckham and Mensa are the earliest whites: Ivor
Grant, Mrs. Southbridge and Mrs. Buckingham the earliest pinks;
Josephine, Golden Mensa and Marion Sutherland the earliest yellows; and
Silvia Slade, Ceddie Mason and Brightness the earliest crimson and
bronze shades.
As soon as it is warm enough in the spring the plants should be set out
about twelve inches apart in rich garden soil, and kept pinched back
during May and June to insure a stocky growth. If one has old clumps in
the garden, they should be taken up and divided and set in new earth
just as any old perennial plant would be treated.
During the hot summer weather they should be well watered once a week
and sprayed in the cool of the evening. This will keep down the black
and green aphis, the worst enemies of mums. In case these pests become a
menace a spray of tobacco water will end the trouble. A little bone meal
or well rotted manure dug about the plants in August will help to
produce fine blooms.
A gardener who has never yet lost a plant through winter-killing treats
them as follows: After they have finished blooming he cuts them down to
about eight inches above the ground and lets the leaves blow in on the
bed, covering to a depth of six or eight inches. Then he lays pine
branches over the beds to prevent the leaves from blowing away. So
treated, the plants will remain frozen all winter. They should in all
cases be set in a well drained position, as they will not stand "wet
feet." Uncover with the other perennials in the spring.--Mrs. E. W.
Gould.
BEE-KEEPER'S COLUMN.
Conducted by FRANCIS JAGER, Professor of Apiculture, University
Farm, St. Paul.
The Minnesota honey crop of 1916 will probably be a record breaker. This
brings up the question of how to market this crop to the best advantage.
Let me state at once that the greatest obstacle to free and easy selling
of honey is the careless, untidy, sometimes unsanitary way some
bee-keepers put up their honey for the market--spoiling the appetite of
the public for this most delicious of nature's foods not only for
themselves but also for progressive and up-to-date bee-keepers. The
result of this big honey crop will be to eliminate the No. 2 and No. 3
bee-keeper and his honey from the market until No. 1 has sold out his
product.
A short article like this cannot make a good bee-keeper out of a poor
one, it can only serve as a reminder to those who know how "lest they
forget." Moreover, the most careless and backward bee-keepers imagine
that they are crackerjacks at their trade, thus putting themselves
beyond the possibility of becoming anything. It takes a thousand
hammer-blows to drive home a truth or a useful idea.
If comb honey is your specialty observe the national grading and packing
rules. They are printed in all bee papers and magazines, and have been
given all possible publication to reach you.
To obtain fancy comb honey your sections must have been made over strong
colonies in No. 1 white, new sections with extra thin top and bottom
starters. After the honey flow is over in your locality (which you can
detect by the tendency of bees to rob and be cross) remove your comb
honey at once. By leaving it on, travel stained and propolis spotted
sections will result. The snow white finish of the comb will be
discolored, the wood will assume that "used and handled" appearance
which is not attractive to the buyer. The sections must be graded fancy,
No. 1 and No. 2. Every section must be scraped around the edges and all
propolis removed. Some bee-keepers even polish the wood of the section
until it looks as clean as if it just came from the factory.
After cleaning and grading put up your honey into standard shipping
cases. Do not ship it in the super where it was raised nor in a soap
box. If shipped to a distant market by freight or express, eight
shipping cases must be packed together into one honey crate provided
with handles. The tendency of late is to put up each comb in a separate
paper box with transparent front to keep the honey free from flies and
finger-marks. This practice deserves universal adoption.