196 Mississippi Valley Horticultural Society. 



late to begin to do well ; jilant some green tree, or some sweet flower, that 

 will mnke the world more beautiful because you have lived in it; they will 

 brighten the evening of your life, and if you do not see the fruit of your 

 labors those who come after you will bless your memory. We do notexpect 

 a harvest in spring time. 



" The year grows rich as it groweth old, 

 And life's latest sands are its sands of gold." 



Many who meet here to-day have passed the meridian of life. The whi- 

 tened locks and " silver threads " betoken years of labor and experience, but 

 our work is not yet done. With life's latest sands we will add wisdom and 

 skill to our labors; and here in this sunny land, where summer lingers long, 

 where nature decks the groves and fields with the fairest of Pomona's pearls, 

 and the sweetest of Flora's gems, you of the South will multiplj^ your or- 

 ange groves, and beautify your gardens and make lovely your homes, while 

 we of the North, on hillside and valley, where winter reigns one half the 

 year, will battle for success amid frost and snow, till each returning season 

 shall bring more excellent fruits, more lovely flowers. The East with its 

 busy workers, the West with its hardy sons, will join in the work, till our 

 whole vast country shall be known and honored among the nations of the 

 earth for the intelligence and integrity of her people, the excellence of her 

 fruits, the lovliness of her flowers, and the beauty of her rural homes. 



At the close of Mrs. Huntley's paper, President Smith, of Wis- 

 consin, explained the active part which the ladies of his State had 

 long taken in practical horticulture, and their participation in all 

 their horticultural meetings. He said that with the help of the 

 ladies they were able to hold both useful and attractive meetings ; 

 " and," said he, " we are very proud of our lady members." 



The President — And I wish to say, Mr. Smith, that u-e, of this 

 Society, are very proud of our horticultural ladies, too ! (Ap- 

 plause.) 



Mr. Galusha, of Illinois — We have listened to two most charm- 

 ing and instructive essays, which call from us something more than 

 the cheers and encore of a delighted audience. The topics upon 

 which these beautiful papers were written are in the thoughts and 

 very near the hearts of all true lovers of rural life. It is a good 

 omen for the future usefulness of this and kindred societies where 

 the talent and the skill of the ladies are enlisted in the advocacy 

 of the cause of the feathered songsters and the beautifying of our 

 rural homes. I offer the following resolution : 



