8o TBANSACTIOSfS OF THE ILLINOIS 



able opportunity. To those who have had the advantages of schools and 

 the companionship of authors, it opens the way to further and fairer 

 interests and enjoyments; to those who have been deprived of such aids 

 as these, or of the facilities afforded by wealth, it offers a rich education 

 through an acquaintance with the instructions of living pages, wide as 



" That horizon's fair deceit, 

 Where heaven and earth, alas ! appear to meet," 



crowded with interesting lessons and embellished by an art higher than 

 any to which man has attained, illumined by a light warmer and richer 

 than electric batteries can ever furnish. With the plans of this Society 

 matured in wisdom and executed with devotion, co-operating with other 

 ameliorating influences, Illinois, now crowned a queen among her 

 sister States for her physical beauty and material wealth, shall, for the 

 domestic happiness and intellectual and moral excellence of her people, 

 wear upon her broad brow the diadem of the world ! 



Having been carried by my theme to such a length, I dare not pre- 

 sume upon your good-will and patience for much additional expression 

 of opinion as to the future work of our Society. It, indeed, would be 

 arrogant presumption for me to try to particularize what should be done 

 and in what special manner it should be accomplished. There are many 

 among you who have long made this a study, and who, by natural talent 

 and experience are much better prepared to direct and shape the various 

 departments than myself Special and standing committees wisely 

 selected for the different branches of labor and learning have been and 

 are earnestly engaged in the endeavor to promote the usefulness of these 

 parts, thus advancing and improving the whole. I shall only speak of a 

 few general matters, and of these especially for the younger members 

 and later friends of the fraternity. 



With the heartiest commendation of what has been done, and with 

 a feeling of gratitude for the self-sacrificing labors that the older 

 members have not shrunk from, I may first state that the exalted mission, 

 herein too feebly indicated, of the Illinois State Horticultural Society, can 

 never be fulfilled without much labor — labor not for gold, nor perhaps 

 for immediate reward of any kind. Living, no hosannas of praise from 

 thronged multitudes shall sound in your ears ; buried, no monumental 

 marble shall pierce the clouds to tell posterity your fame, but there will 

 be some appreciative co-laborers and followers, and monuments will rise 

 fairer and better than chiseled stone ever knew, as tokens of your 

 achievements. I congratulate all to whom the opportunity comes to 

 engage in this fertile field of toil, and assure you it shall not be labor in 

 vain. Grapes grow not upon thorns, nor figs on thistles; but men do 

 gather by proper effort rich harvests of golden fruitage. 



It seems to me our meetings have or ought to have two prominent, 

 though perhaps not exclusive objects : 



ist. To revive and kindle enthusiasm. 

 2d. To advance knowledge. 



