The Horticulturist
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An avid gardener, Britt surrounded his home with ornamental shrubs and exotic trees, which he started planting in the 1850s. Among Britt’s most unusual botanical specimens was an Abyssinian banana tree, which reportedly had to be dug up and taken indoors each winter. Rhododendrons, palms, cypress, and wisteria also graced the grounds. In 1862 Britt planted a giant sequoia redwood to honor the birth of his son, Emil. Fieldstone steps and terrace walls, a bubbling fountain and goldfish-filled lily pond added a touch of romance to the park-like grounds. To keep his garden watered, Britt installed an innovative irrigation system fed by a mile-long ditch that ended in a system of underground pipes. Several out-buildings, including a carriage shed, water tower, dog house and winery, were located close by. In addition to the botanical gardens near his house, Britt encouraged the growth of a timber stand of Douglas fir that by 1894 was valued at nearly $5,000. This forest can be enjoyed today by strolling the Jacksonville Woodland Trails that meander through Britt’s former estate.
According to an old family story, in 1854 an Italian peddler from California sold Britt his first fruit tree and grape cuttings. When he planted these in his garden he laid the earliest foundation for Southern Oregon’s wine and orchard industries. As Britt acquired more property, he developed a twenty-acre commercial orchard and expansive grape vineyards on a ranch about a mile outside of Jacksonville. Britt was acquainted with knowledgeable horticulturalists throughout the country and stayed well informed on the latest cultivation methods. In his orchards he used smudging techniques to protect his trees from frost and raised bees to improve pollination. Not one to miss a single entrepreneurial opportunity, Britt marketed the honey from his bees as a sideline.
Notations in his diary indicate Britt planted a lot of grapes in 1861. By the 1870s he had experimented with over 200 varieties and was marketing wine under his Valley View Vineyard label. Because of his vast knowledge and experience, agriculturists frequently sought his advice as they established their own commercial fruit crops.
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