SOCIETY OF NOETHERN ILLINOIS. 207 



branches of products of the farm, the garden, and the orchard, the 

 fruits of your earnest endeavors are shown. The labors performed 

 in your conventions, comparing notes, not theorizing, but weighing 

 reports of practical experience, embracing in your contemplations 

 the best development of a scientific knowledge of all the facts bear- 

 ing upon the interests and happiness of your fellowmen, have 

 brought your work to that point of indispensible utility, that should 

 command the admiration and gratitude of all benefitted by your 

 labors. Hoping your sessions may be pleasant and profitable, I 

 again welcome you in the name of Franklin Grove's hospitable 

 homes. 



As many of you are successors of the Pioneer Horticulturists 

 of Northern Illinois, and hold in treasured remembrance the names 

 of many departed co-laborers, keeping alive theii* zeal in this good 

 work, so may we hope that those who follow you will emulate your 

 example and never suffer the Horticultural Society of Northern 

 Illinois to lapse into "inocuous disuetude." 



President Bryant responded as follows: 



Your well chosen, and kindly spoken words of greeting, will 

 certainly help to renew our zeal in this work, and make us feel that 

 we are in a community that is interested in our labors, and one that 

 will appreciate the work that we do. 



Again, allow me to thank you for you pleasant greeting, and to 

 close with the hope that our deliberations may be harmless and profit- 

 able to all. In the name of, and for the members of this society, I 

 return you Sir, very many thanks for the cordial welcome, kindly 

 greeting, that you have given us in behalf of the citizens of your 

 pleasant town. As a society we have met with you three times before, 

 and have always been royally entertained. In agricultural and horti- 

 cultural pursuits your citizens have always been successful, and seem 

 ever ready to further any plan to develop these interests. 



There being no committees to appoint, and the business as laid 

 down in the programme for the forenoon session, having been dis- 

 posed of, the President read two letters, one from 0. W. Barnard and 

 one from Samuel Edwards, after which the society adjourned until 

 2 o'clock p. M. 



To the Memhers of the Horiicidtural Society of Northern Illinois. 



Gentlemen: — Regretting my inability to be with you on the occasion 

 of this meeting, I submit the following questions for consideration. 



1. Does any member of this Society know what the Experiment Sta- 

 tion at Champaign is doing with reference to the development of a winter 

 apple, equal to the Duchesse in bearing and staying qualities adapted to the 

 wants of the Northwest? 



