F. W. Dixon, Holton, Kans.,—Perhaps no other man in the State of Kansas has done more to promote and develop horticulture in this State, than F. W. Dixon. He has devoted himself to this work since he was twelve years old, and today is one of the largest strawberry plant producers in the United States. He ships strawberry plants to every State in the Union, and to nearly every country on the globe. He has sold as high as seven million plants in one year, amounting to over $17,000. His specialty is small fruit plants, and in addition to strawberry plants he produces for the market, raspberry and blackberry plants, and grape vines, which he also ships all over the world. He has made an extensive study of apple growing, and has experimented for years in this particular line, and has developed many new phases of the industry. It was his ambition to prove that apple growing can be made more profitable in Kansas than any other crop, and the results indicate that his ambition has been realized. He has raised $750.00 worth of apples on one acre, and as high as $45.00 worth on a single tree. He is an extensive apple producer, and ships about fifty carloads annually. He also produces strawberries in large quantities, his average annual shipment amounting to about fifteen car loads, and about five car loads of other small fruit. He raises about sixty acres of strawberries and about thirty acres of raspberries and blackberries. The wonderful growth of Mr. Dixon's business, from nothing, to one of the largest private enterprises in the State, is of itself the best evidence of the force and ability of the man at the head of it. As above stated, he began his experiments in the fruit business when a boy of twelve, on his father's place at Netawaka, and in 1895 leased a farm two miles Southwest of Holton, where he continued his operations until 1901, when he rented the place which he now owns, and in 1908 bought it. The place adjoins the town of Holton on the South and contains one hundred and thirty acres. It is admirably adapted to the fruit and nursery business, and Mr. Dixon has improved and rearranged it in every detail, until he has an ideal place for his business, which is now valued at over $40,000. In addition to this place, he has by special arrangement a number of acres of apple orchards under his control, in the vicinity of Holton. He is the largest employer of labor in Jackson county, which means more to a community than anything else. During the ordinary season he employes from twenty-five to seventy-five people, and in berry picking season, there are frequently over 500 on his pay roll. Mr. Dixon is a native of Ohio, born near Ripley, August 31, 1869. He is a son of W. F. and Rebecca (Washburn) Dixon, both natives of Ohio, who now reside in Netawaka, Kans. The Dixon family came to Kansas in 1871, first locating in Brown county, where they remained a short time, when they removed to Sedgwick county. In 1881 they came to Jackson county, which has since been their home. F. W. Dixon received his early education in the public schools of Kansas and later attended Campbell College at Holton. He was granted a certificate to teach, but never engaged in that work, preferring to continue his chosen line, in the fruit industry. He was married September 4, 1895, to Miss Anjenette Young, of Whiting, Kans. She was a native of Iowa and came to Kansas with her parents when a child. To Mr. and Mrs. Dixon have been born three children: Leon, Julia and Wilmer, all at home with their parents. Mr. Dixon is a student of current events and in politics is inclined to be independent. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Knights and Ladies of Security, and the Grange. He possesses the rare combination of being genial, generous, shrewd and capable, which have furnished him the elements of the success which he has attained.