10 STATE POMOLOGJCAL SOCIETY. 



The importance and usefulness of such an organization can be well seen when 

 we recognize that its work may extend to every home in the State, and may 

 largely affect the pecuniary gain of every family ; and in so far as it leads to a 

 better knowledge of the- true, the good, and the beautiful, it may be a means 

 of elevating the people physically, intellectually, and morally. 



The products of the orchards and. vineyards of our State have become a great 

 source of profit; and owing to the favorable influence of location, climate, and 

 soil, will, it is reasonably expected, in the near future, become one of the great- 

 est sources, if not the greatest one of income in our commonwealth. 



The products of the garden, whether from the large acreage of the profes- 

 sional horticulturists in our large cities and villages, or from the few rods of 

 ground cultivated around nearly every home in the land, are sources of profit 

 and comfort Avhich have an important bearing upon the happiness and prosper- 

 ity of the country. 



The flowers and ornamental trees cultivated in the lawns, gardens, houses 

 and conservatories, are elevating and purifying in their influence. Whatsoever 

 makes home beautiful and attractive stimulates the higher faculties and has a 

 tendency in the direction of purer thoughts, higher deeds, and nobler aspi- 

 rations. 



If that man who makes two blades of grass grow where one grew before 

 should be esteemed a benefactor to his race, I am sure we should highly esteem 

 and encourage an organization like yours, sir, which undertakes to enlighten 

 the people in the direction in which it seems to me they so much need ; and 

 which, if its teachings were followed, I have no doubt, would make a large per- 

 centage of the homes in our State much more attractive, — teachings that would 

 make our gardens " blossom like the rose," — that would make our fruit-bearing 

 trees and shrubs things of beauty as well as profit, — that would supplant the 

 weed, the catnip, motherwort, and burdock, et hoc genus omne, with the hop- 

 vine made gracefully ornamental, — with the grape loaded with its luscious pur- 

 ple fruit, and all those cultivated products of use and beauty which cluster 

 around a well regulated home. 



Whether as a cause or sequence this is true : The higher the civilization, and 

 the more advanced in culture and refinement the nation or country is, the 

 greater will be the attention and the higher will be the perfection in horticul- 

 tural pursuits ; and I have heard that an eminent jurist has said, that inebriety 

 and criminality were very rare among those who have made the culture of fruits 

 and flowers an occupation. 



Although this portion of the State is not favored with being directly in the 

 fruit belt that fringes the great lakes, which, like huge furnaces, radiate their 

 warmth when the west wind and the north wind bear on their win^s the chilling 

 and deadening frosts of winter; yet the products of our orchards and gardens, 

 notwithstanding, are a very important element of our prosperity. It has been 

 estimated that the apples alone shipped from this county in 1875 amounted to 

 over $100,000. 



Mr. President, I can assure you and the members of this Society that the cit- 

 izens of this place and vicinity will take a deep and lively interest in your delib- 

 erations; and that they will extend to you a cordial hospitality, and will be 

 pleased to make your stay here as pleasant and profitable as possible, — by aid- 

 ing you in the business of your meeting, and by showing you whatever we have 

 that may be your pleasure to see. 



President Lyon replied in some well chosen remarks. Among other things 



