Educational Influence of Horticulture. 1'27 



Tliird Day — Thursday. 



Afternoon Session. 



The Saciety was called to order at 2:30, by President Earle. 



The President — Ladies and gentlemen : The first paper we shall 

 hear this afternoon will lead our thoughts along one of the finer lines 

 of horticulture. We can not spend all our time, however practical 

 we are, and we are most practical, in talking about packages we 

 use, the fruit we put in them, or the means of transportation. 

 There are influences of a higher nature. I have great satisfaction 

 in presenting to you Mrs. G. A. Tryon, of Galesburg, Illinois, who 

 will read to you a paper on the educational power of horticulture. 



EDUCATIONAL INFLUENCE OF HORTICULTURE. 



BY MRS. G. A. TRYON, OF ILLINOIS. 



Horticulture stands preeminent among the great industries of the world 

 as an educator of the people. Her instructions faithfully carried out will be 

 crowned with success. 



Our first horticulturists were not a success. They were placed in a " gar- 

 den of delights," just fresh from the Maker's hand. They were to dress it, 

 keep it beautiful, and thus earn an honest living. They were not to idly eat 

 of the luscious fruit, and feast the eye on the surpassing loveliness around 

 them. They were to study God's perfect plan and work up to his standard. 

 They were to improve their hearts and minds by cultivating an intimate 

 acquaintance with these beautiful creations which formed the connecting 

 link between themselves and their Mother Earth. 



These living, moving, growing things, in their infinite variety, were, in 

 their turn, to be their companions, their silent teachers, their educators. 

 They beheld around them beauty without vanity, strength without rough- 

 ness, homage without pride. 



Lessons of industry, endurance, modesty, constancy, faithfulness, rever- 

 ence, adoration — in short everything that goes to make upa perfectly rounded 

 character, found its counterpart in nature, and taught the beautiful lessons 

 of life. A young couple never had a better start in life, or a better oppor- 

 tunity to make something of themselves. But vigilance was the price of 

 success then, as now. And just as everything was at a high tide of prosperity 

 precious time was spent in gossiping with an unprincipled neighbor. Mor- 

 als were corrupted, business neglected, weeds, thorns and thistles grew apace. 

 Shame and disgrace and a forfeiture of their once beautiful home followed 

 in quick succession. But happily for us, they retained in their hearts a 



