WINTER MEETING, 1882. 39 



But let us noL forgot the advance in lloweis, I will only name the pansy; 

 why, just stop and think, and compare it to twenty years ago, and upon all 

 this progress glows unmistakably tlie evidence of a high order of intelligence 

 that alone would accomplish such results. It would be unjust not to give 

 patience and industry credit for what is due tliem ; botli liave played a j^rom- 

 inent part and helped us on to success in developing our pursuits. It is no 

 lazy man's work to be a successful gardener or fruit grower, although for me 

 it is the most dcliglitful work on earth. Nor is the orchard or the garden the 

 place for him who expects success, unless he is Avilling to \)\od along in the ruts 

 which others have worn. Many a one has tried and failed, tried and failed 

 again, but they have accomplished something ; nearly all of our new fruits, 

 flowers, and vegetables have come from many attempts and many failures. 

 The young man who contemplates entering the field of horticulture forhis 

 avocation needs to remember he is engaging in a beautiful and interesting work. 

 That absurd and ridiculous idea that ignorance and farming in any depart- 

 ment are compatible, and which has in the past been more or less prevalent, 

 has been abolished, and it is now an acknowledged fact that to be a successful 

 farmer education is as essential as the plow or cultivator; and it would indeed 

 be very hard to say in what branch of horticulture or farming it is most needed. 

 Education will tell in the corn field, in the wheat field, in the orchard, or in 

 the flower and vegetable garden. 



It is not supposable, nor will it do to think, that we can all make good hor- 

 ticulturists. Men are not only born poets, but farmers, statesmen, and horti- 

 culturists. I think every man possesses some talent for this work, and it is 

 one of God's choicest gifts; therefore develop the spark, though it be ever so 

 small, and it may result in some great achievement. Young men, honor the 

 soil. Fathers, teach your boys to love this work, and encourage them by giv- 

 ing them some land for their own use ; let them plan and work it according to 

 their own fanc}', but exert your influence to have them make it look beautiful, 

 and by so doing you will teach them to appreciate and love the beautiful in 

 nature, and they will soon learn there is some honor in being a farmer, fruit 

 grower, or gardener, and consequently will shun the dry and toilsome life of 

 a clerk in town. 



Mothers, do not let the fathers give the boys all the chance of the farm, but 

 educate your daughters to understand farming, for they can make just as good 

 horticulturists as the boys, only give them a chance. I admire the young lady 

 who can leave the piano or parlor and go to the garden with the hoe inde- 

 pendently and happy, and think it just as honorable as to be called school- 



ma'am. 



"Honor and fame from no conclition rise; 

 Act well your part, there all the honor lies."' 



Secretary Garfield being called out upon the subject of 



HORTICULTURE IX SCHOOLS, 



responded briefly, and with a copy of the report of the Society in his hand, 

 gave a short history of the State Society. Just how to go to work to have the 

 germ start to grow in our common schools was the hard task to overcome. 

 Fine theories and frequent discussions did not reach the difficulty. Finally 

 Professor Tracy of Detroit was consulted, and his suggestion was tried, which 

 was to ask seedsmen to ofl'er seeds gratuitously to all teachers who would apply 



