126 American IlortlcnUaral Society. 



ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE. 



As yet we huvc barely touched horticulture in its ornamental aspect, in 

 lioral and landscape gardening. We should ccrtainh^ pay a passing tribute 

 to those gems of creation which a benelicent Providence has so generously 

 furnished with their brilliant colors in settings of green. Whether seen on 

 the growing plant, gracing the table of the hospitable, worn on the breast of 

 beauty, suspended over the bridal altar, or wreathing the coffin of departed 

 friends, they are the silent interpreters of our feelings and emotions when 

 language perhaps Avould fail to express them. They are the embodiment of 

 the pure, the lovely and the innocent, and by their association exercise 

 a most wholesome inliuence, and their culture furnishes profitable employ- 

 ment to many thousands of our people, and it may be well to consider that 

 this Society becomes the exponent of practical horticulture over a widely 

 extended area; and as the lighthouse gives safe guidance to the mariner ,^ 

 showing him how to avoid the breakers and successfully enter the desired 

 port, so will the views advanced, the practices recommended here, become 

 the guide to thousands of enthusiastic but inexperienced horticulturists over 

 this area. Then let us rise to a proper conception of the position we occupy. 

 Let the spirit of harmonious intercourse pervade all our proceedings; let 

 our views not be bounded by narrow prejudices, sectional advantages or pri- 

 vate interest, but be broad, generous, continental in their character and use- 

 fulness, our statements be based on truth as solid as the foundation of our 

 everlasting hills, and the way to successful horticulture be made so plain 

 that the inexperienced, though of humble mind, may not err therein • let 

 us advocate those principles and exhibit those virtues we have endeavored 

 to describe, and so foster and encourage the useful and beautiful in horticul- 

 ture, that, added to the solid comforts of the kitchen garden, Pomona's gifts 

 and Flora's beauties shall grace and adorn every homestead in this broad 

 land, and this Society become the leader, as well as the honored exponent of 

 a grand and glorious American civilization. 



PLACE OF THE NEXT MEETING DISCUSSION. 



Major Ra</aii, of Missouri — While I ;vin not sure that this is the 

 proper time to decide upon the place of holdiui;- our next meetings 

 I think we may well discuss the subject while there are yet so many 

 of us present. I would move, therefore, that we now fix the place 

 of the next meeting. 



Mr. Caywood, of New York — I would suggest Cincinnati as the 

 place. 



Mr. Beatty, of Kentucky — Louisville is central and offers many 

 advantages. 



