128 TKANSACTIONS OF THE HORTICULTURAL 



How many members present can demonstrate to their friends 

 that they have faith — not to say enthusiasm — in this most cap- 

 tivating of arts? I fear, aside from the work done by the lady 

 members, we should look in vain for any indications of it from the 

 majority of those present, and this, too, a professedly horticultural 

 body of men. Is it not a fact that your time is absorbed in looking 

 after your nurseries and your fruit farms, to the exclusion of all 

 thought in the direction indicated? Is it not a fact that your 

 members have so lost sight of this branch of horticulture that the 

 very name of your Society is a misnomer, and should be changed to 

 " Illinois Pomological Society," in order to properly represent the 

 interests of the members. Methinks I hear some one say '* What's 

 the use of men fooling with flowers. There's no money in it. It's 

 good enough for women and children, and I don't mind seeing them 

 around, providing I don't have to do any of the work or care for 

 them?" I am sure those are the sentiments of many present, for I 

 have heard them expressed many and many a time. 



Do not suppose, for one moment, that I expect you to put in 

 lots of your time attending to flower when other work is pressing, 

 but do a little to help the ladies and children whenever you can 

 spare a few moments, and do not make them feel it is beneath your 

 dignity to help bring toil or some other heavy work that the women 

 often have to do themselves. Show them that you are interested in 

 the work and they will appreciate it. 



I do not think it will pay every man in dollars and cents to cul- 

 tivate flowers, but it will reciprocate by cultivating his better nature 

 and leading his thoughts into higher and nobler channels. It will 

 make the home more attractive for the children, and will tend to 

 keep their minds more at ease and restrain them from many evils 

 and desires to wander from home. And I know the good lady of 

 the house will be delighted with the help and interest taken in the 

 garden by the men. For I take it for granted they are already in- 

 terested in this department. And as to adding a market value to the 

 property, this is a selfish way of looking at it, and not a worthy one, 

 but may have weight with some. It will materially enhance the 

 value of the whole, and would bring a good return on the invest- 

 ment in dollars and cents. But my impression is, if I can persuade 

 all men to plant flowers and make their homes beautiful and attrac- 

 tive, they will not want to sell out and go West, for we have here 

 everything that any reasonable man can ask for. 



Now if you have expected in this paper to have me give you prac- 

 tical hints or instructions on plant culture, I am afraid you will be 

 disappointed. I take it that an intelligent body like this one, would 

 not thank me for trying to tell them how to grow a rose or geranium. 

 If you will only plant them and give them the same care and culti 

 vation you give your smali fruits I think there will be no trouble 

 about the results. Wont you try it ? 



