The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-05
THE RAISERS OF FRUITS
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE INDIANA
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Secretary Butler, of the State Chari-
ties, Reads n Paper-Oficers and
COmmittees-Insura

progress since Wednesday morning came
to an end with its evening session last
night. At the morning session Mr.. J. G.
Kimmel of Ligonier, read a paper on the
advisability of effecting more complete
organization among the horticulturists in
Indiana. He said he was of opinion that
the only way to get all fruit growers in
terested in the matter of cooperation was
to organize horticultural societies in every
county in the State. Mr.. Kimmel was fol-
lowed by ]. c. Grossman, of Wolcottville,
with a paper on 1.-The Local Horticultural
Society's Programme"
AT the afternoon session the paper of
Amos w. Butler, secretary Of the Board
of State Charities, on THE Value of Horti-
culture to Our Public Institutions was
listened to with great interest.
MR.. BUTLER'S PAPER.
Mr.. Butler opened his address by the
statement that the value of horticulture
to our public institutions is not generally
recognized. Even those of local charac-
ter do not appreciate what this might
mean to them.
"Our state Institutions" he continued,
shave recognized the utility of this form of
industry and have profited by it." The
lack of ground prevents others from deriv-
ing these advantages. A large proportion
of the poor asylums and orphan homes do
not obtain the benefit they should from
this source. Among the objects to be at
tanned from such pursuits he gave the fol-
lowing: First, means OF education; second,
preparation for an occupation; third,
means of treatment; fourth, healthful out
door life; fifth, value of the products. In
educational value he said, the School for
Predetermined Youth at Fort Wayne has
led the way in utilizing the growing OF
fruits and flowers and also vegetables as a
means of instruction. The influence of such
occupation upon the weak mind is very
noticeable. With the awakening of the
germ comes the response from the mind;
with the unfolding of the leaf is observed
the awakening of interest. He referred to
his visit short time ago to the boys
farm school on Thompsons island, in Bos-
ton harbor, and the George Junior Repub-
lie at Freeyille, n. Y, in both of which in
situations an attempt is made to work out
the educational problem along natural
lines, in which horticulture figures pfomi-
nently. Reference was made to the social
experiment being tried by the National
Cash Register Company at Dayton, o.
Concerning this he said that the thing
which impressed him most is that 1t en-
courages each of the children of Its en-
ployes to cultivate his own garden and
awards prizes for the better ones The
public schools at Washington, d. c., were
cited as an illustration of the introduction
of child's gardens in educational work. He
said: sN
"As a means Of treatment outdoor occu-
patton is said TO be very helpful to the
feeble minded insane and epileptic. Such
outdoor work as is afforded by horticulture
is especially recommended. This fact is
recognized by all institutions of this kind
in our State. The interesting New YORK
village for epileptics, called Craig colony,
at Sonyea, N. Y, is founded upon the plan
of the well-known institution of the same
kind at Bielefeld, Germany. The latter in
stitution is a third Of a century old. Both
are established upon the theory or labor.
There they say that labor Is the most
beneficial and remedial agency Tor the pa
tent and is prescribed as a medicine.
Outdoor work Is best. Gardening and fruit
growing form large part or the employ
ment.
work appeals to us because Of its health
fitness The erection of large institutions
for the chronic insane is not now consid-
cred the wisest thing. Small institutions
or colonies, under the same management
of neighboring insane hospital, seem to
commend themselves TO most experts. Inc
growing of fruits and flowers, the care or
the garden and live stock add much to the
healthfulneSS of these unfOrtunateS. Inc
inmates of both orphan homes and poor
asylums require exercise. Those in the
poor asylums should be provided with some
regular employment, arranged by the SUI
the individual to perform the labor. Thus
gardening gathering and preparing vege-
tables, trimming anu cultivating vines,
picking berries and caring for dooryards
supplies this need.
'.Through the value of the products some
of the local institutions. especially the poor
asylums, may become almost IL not quite
self-supporting; while the cost or mainte-
nance of each institution having its own
garden and orchard is materially lessened.
Great quantities of fruit and vegetables
are put up for the use of the inmates dur
ing the winter. The example set by our
State institutions and the results obtained
by their efforts in horticulture, speaking
of II in it's widest sense, cannot help but
be of value to our local institutions as
they become familiar with what is being
done.
"The State institutions at Indianapolis
have a limited amount of land. The Re-
formatory at Jeffersonville has but gar
den. though for the past two years 1t has
rented a farm. The State prison has a
number of acres of land, upon which is
raised an abundance of vegetables. The
State Soldiers Home has no land under
cultivation. The School for Predetermined
Youth at Fort Wayne has 6S5 acres; the
Reform School for Boys, 400 acres; the Sol
diers' and Sailors Orphans Home, 247
acres; the Southern Hospital for the In
sane, 160 acres; the Northern Hospital, PSI
acres; the Eastern hospital, 306 acres,
while the Central Hospital here tills about
forty of it's 160 acres.
EVENING SESSION.
The session in the evening was devoted
to the address of r. Morrill,, of Benton
Harbor, Mich, and the election of officers.
Mr.. Morrill,. who is an extensive fruit
grower in Michigan, seemed almost mex
haustible in his knowledge of the care and
development of fruit, and he impaired
many valuable hints to those present last
evening.
The following officers were elected: Pres
ident, c. NJ. Hobbs, of Bridgeport; first vice
president, Amos Garretson, of Pendeton;
second vice president, Mrs. w. w. Stevens
of Salem third vice president, ]. A. Bur-
ton. OF Orleans; fourth vice president, j.
G. Grossman, of Wolcottville secretary j.
Troop. of Lafayette; treasurer, Sylvester
Johnson, of Irvington: executice commit
tee. Z. G. Teas, of Wayne county, Snead
Thomas, of Marion. and J. c. Stevens. of
Centerville.
The committees appointed for this year
are:
Finance-Joseph Ratliff, Richmond; ]. K
Henby. Greenfield: j. A Burton Orleans
Resolutions-John Tilson, Franklin; S. F.
Porter, Peru; Mrs. w. w. Stevens, Salem
Exhibits-E. G. Teas, Greenfork; j. C.
Grossman, Wolcottville; J. w. Campbell,
Bloomington