Fergus and District Horticultural Society has 163-year history beautifying and educating the community

Since they can’t open their gardens to the public this year, the Advertiser has invited local horticultural societies to write about what’s going on in their gardens. For questions or to submit articles, email jshuttleworth@wellingtonadvertiser.com

FERGUS – On March 30, 1857 the Fergus and District Horticultural Society was founded. That’s 163 years ago.

The first president was A.D. Ferrier Esq., vice president was John Watt and secretary  was A. Cadenhead.

Horticultural society members were mostly wealthy back then. The main reason for the society was to beautify the town, learn about cultivation and improve their own gardens.

And the main focus was competitions held in the Temperance Hall. All manner of flowers, fruits and vegetables were judged. Cash prizes totaled $31.75. Prizes ranged from 50 cents to $2 per category. Gardens were a vital part of every household back then. Pioneers planted vegetables, herbs and flowers from seeds they brought from their native countries.

We often forget how hard life was. In 1857, we were a British colony called the Province of Canada. Lower Canada (Ontario) and Upper Canada (Quebec). There was no electricity. Running water was only in large cities. No toilet paper. Everyone chopped wood for heat and cooking. Transportation was by horse and buggy.

The first annual meeting of the Fergus Horticultural Society was held in the Fergus Arms Hotel in 1858. The minutes of the meeting were printed in the British Constitution and Fergus Freeholder. They had 50 members. It was a good start.

The society has gone through many changes over the years. Membership has gone from predominately men to predominately women. I am told the Fergus Horticultural Society is the envy of many today because of their significant male membership.

Competitions today still include flowers and vegetables. There are also monthly meetings with guest speakers, charity drives, garden tours, specific town projects, pot luck dinners and “Diggin in the dirt.”

In 1997, to commemorate 140 years, 2,000 daffodils were planted, 10 trees along the lane at the recreation centre and a large tree at the senior centre. This is an example of the many contributions of the horticultural society that continue to be made to this day.

A junior club ran for many years for young people between 3 and 16 years of age. The purpose was to educate young people on the wonderful natural world they can create with plants, flowers, vegetables and fruit. Recognition through trophies and awards was an important part. Many received knowledge and experience that they now use in creating their own gardens.

Membership has grown and dipped over the years; with as many as 500 members to so few the society almost folded.

Today there are 80 members with over 30 of those board members, program organizers and diggers.

The society has survived through the dedicated efforts of members who see that in making our surroundings beautiful, we contribute to the well being of ourselves and our community.

We take our hats off to the multitude of people that contributed to keep the spirit of the horticultural society alive, passed from generation to generation, with the strength and dedication of a team committed to making a meaningful contribution to the community and to its membership.

Long live horticultural societies.

Ken Johnston has been a member of the Fergus society for four years and is a digger, a board member, and head of the public relations committee.

Ken Johnston