22 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Do not think for a moment that you can always get the best price in the 

 largest cities, unless you have established a reputation there. Look around 

 you and see if you can not do better nearer home. We must learn that, 

 while only the best fruit gets the top prices, there is plenty of demand for 

 ordinary fruit at fair prices if it is only as good as it appears to be; but 

 no profit can possibly come from deception. It is best that we experiment 

 with new varieties in a moderate way. I do not mean by this the unheard 

 of and impossible things so freely offered by the fruit tree sharper, whose 

 song is now heard in the land from morn until eve. He is not out for his 

 health, he sings for shekels, and gets them. 



All fruitgrowers should be on the right side for good roads. None 

 need them more than they and none can enjoy them more. 



In conclusion permit me to speak of a matter which to me contains 

 much to regret. I refer to the retirement of that grand old man who for 

 seventeen years has presided over our meetings and has been the guardian 

 of our society. To him is mainly due the prosperity and popularity of 

 this society. His steady hand and clear head have guided us free of the 

 many horticultural reefs which have wrecked so many promising organiza- 

 tions during those years. His courage and honorable convictions are 

 known to all, and have been a pillar of strength to us. As a pomologist 

 he stands today without, an equal, and must be considered one of the great 

 group with Downing, Wilder, and Barry. These names will pass down to 

 posterity as the shining lights of American pomology. His private life 

 has been spotless, and never has he been an idler. His time has been 

 spent in doing good to his fellow men and for his adopted state. A man 

 of fine education and refined taste, his voice has always been heard 

 denouncing inferior and worthless varieties; careful with his statements 

 regarding new ones, but never withholding a fall measure of praise when 

 merit was established; ever ready with a word of caution for the new 

 beginner, we have come to believe him incapable of making mistakes or 

 assuming false positions. We are pleased to say that his health is good, 

 considering his age, and he is pushing his work along with all the vigor of 

 a younger man; but his increasing infirmity of deafness has for years 

 made it very difficult for him to preside at our meetings, and it has seemed 

 absolutely necessary that some one should relieve him of that duty. He 

 is still with us, and we hope to have the benefit of his counsel and the 

 pleasure of his company for many years; and I know that every true- 

 hearted horticulturist in this state will join me in a hearty " God bless you, 

 President Lyon, for what you have done." 



