The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-05-21

sAasGs VIck, or I
We are indebted to the Rural Ne.0
Yorker, for the following brief sketch Of
Mr. James Wick, the well known seeds
man Of New York, with whom we de-
sire to make the readers Of the ADVOCATE
acquainted
Born in the suburbs of Portsmouth,, Eng
land, in 1878, he came to this country with
his hther's family in 1898. His early ann
bition was to become an author, but the ne
eesdty of labor for daily support gave him
littls opportunity 10 apply himself thereto !;
and although he occasionally got an article
inserted. it was not remunerative, and he
therefore abandoned literature as a life pro-
fession, although writing has been, and still
is a propensity which will crop out whenever
be has any new item Of value worth giving
70 the world. He also had fancy for the
printing business, and in early life connect
ed the two together as inseperable, fallacy
be soon discovered, when, soon after arriv-
ing in New YORK, he entered printing Of
nee for the purpose of Learning the art, and
at which be worked several years. Finally
bis inbom love Of flowers caused him to seek
Q position and locst;on, where, in near con-
nection with his daily labors at the case, he
eould employ his leisure hours in the care
and study Of flowers and fovering plants.
,Hsass hs removed 10 Roehseter N 1885,
and snsessd . : pFinter u sselipe tyre fdr
tbs CSsS5ss FHMw, tnen pubiB6ef ~ Mf.
Luther Tucker, now the publisher Of the
Country Gentleman, Albany, N. Y. Here,
in small garden, be commenced anew the
practice of his childhood by raising flowers
yearly from seed and although bis success
was such that the demand for seeds from bis
seedlings 50 great rs to compel him, as it
were, after q time, to enter the seed business
proper, yet, he saYs-I think be depends
somewhat on imaginative, youthful remem-
brance-that be has never produced so
good pinks, carnations and picotees rs be did
when only ten or twelve years Old" Here,
occupied in setting type certain number Of
hours daily for the Gezessee Farmer, and
spending the balance of his time in growing,
studying and writing about flowers, plants
and horticulture generally, be saw the Far
gssr passed from Mr.. Tucker TO ID. d. L.
Moore's hands and soon after Mr.. Moore
commenced the publication Of the Rural
NssO Yorker Mr.. Wick assumed the publ
cation of the Farmer, and continued IT until
January, 1858.
In July 1852 be purchased the Horti.
csItarssf, from which in short time he re-
tired to devote his whole time to an interest
tbat seemed to suit especially his talents
and knowledge, coure advised by his
friends. In January, 1857, he commenced
editing the Horticultural Department Of the
Rsral Nsac Yorker, which position be held
until 1862, when bis seed business de-
manded 90 much Of his time that he was
obliged greatly to the regret Of the thou
sands who hold those volumes, and weekly
read his practical contributions thereto to
sever it. He was for several years Secre-
tary Of the American Pathological Society,
which Office, with pleasant sarcasm be tells
me, was next to being President Of the
United States"
Like everything else in this country,
where energy, industry and intelligence
combine in its direction and management,
the garden Of james Wick has grown from
less tbaU q quarter Of an acre to seventy
Eve acres, and the product and rarity Of
flowers from seeds grown by his own
hands or under his directions have come to
number 30 much that, while ] once wrote
guess statement Of his doings, and thought
| gave broad guess; now find was no
true Yankee in the art. Commencing as
early a. 1850 to import seeds and bulbs
from England, France, and other parts of
the world, according as be read of new or
beautiful production, he now has standing
orders to send him, without regard TO cost,
each, all and every new and rare seed or
bulb; and this be does surely knowing and
relying upon an intelligent and appreciative
public for his recompense
In conclusion, to show the great bene-
violence and the all inspiring. yet softening.
character Of this seedsman, and which con
sider of more value than money, shall
quote his own lines to me in reply to a
query as to why be should 50 engross him
self and consume time that otherwise be
might enjoy in travel. etc. He says -
my business is my delight, and half the
pleasure is in making 50 many round me
happy. Another great source Of pleasure
Is the opportunity Of making poor women
and children happy. The little child saves
up ten or fifteen cents and sends on for
seeds, and tells how long it took to save it,
and bow great the sacrifice. That child g
heart is made glad with package Of seeds
that would cause florist to smile. Then
the poor widow-made SO perhaps BY war
Writes me . note, enclosing, perhaps,
thirty cents-the last cent she could spare,
FOR she has four children to support. Once
she could have flowers, but mot now. She
must have some sweet corn and cabbage