204 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



Among strawberries lately introduced into our county the Russell 

 and the Crescent are both hardy, productive and popular. 



Kentucky, Downer's Prolific do well on my own grounds, as also 

 does Col. Cheney, when planted with Wilson or some suitable variety for 

 fertilization (these however are hardly new fruits). 



As a new blackberry the Snyder has many friends, who pronounce it 

 best of all. As far as my own observation extends, new grapes, new 

 pears (or old ones either, for that matter), new plums, or new cherries, 

 have received but little attention of late; and having thus far, upon my 

 own part, been too discreet to make many ventures of either time or 

 money in that direction, I shall not now attempt to direct others. 



In regard to trees and plants, particularly those for ornamentation, I 

 can only say that new ones are being originated, introduced and brought 

 into notice almost every year, and this is especially true of ornamental 

 and flowering plants, the names and beauties of which can soon be learned 

 by calling on any of our prominent florists and nurserymen. 



I trust, Mr. President, that I shall be excused for a short allusion to 

 general horticulture, when I venture the assertion that notwithstanding 

 the hard times and the severe drouth through which we have but just 

 happily passed, that from the influence of our great State and local horti- 

 cultural societies an immense army of the good citizens of Illinois have 

 recently caught the true spirit of horticulture and planted largely, and in 

 most instances with excellent taste, of the old, as well as the new trees, 

 plants and flowers, thus honoring our Creator, elevating our own tastes 

 and beautifying our homes. 



The President announced that an invitation had been extended by 

 President Hewitt, of the University, to the Society to visit the class-rooms 

 of the ingtitution at half-past one o'clock this afternoon. 



Objection being made to visiting the school in a body, some discus- 

 sion was held and the invitation accepted with the modification that 

 members who have not already done so, consider themselves at liberty to 

 visit the several rooms at any time during the afternoon. 



REPORT UPON PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 



Dr. Humphrey, chairman of the Committee on President's Address, 

 announced the readiness of the committee to report. 

 No otyection being made, he read as follows: 



Your Committee hereby report that the part of the address relating 

 to the mission of the Societ}' — what it has attained and accomplished in 

 stimulating and improving this important branch of industry — commends 

 itself to every citizen of our great Prairie State. The part of the address 

 relating to horticulture as a fine art is especially commended, and we 

 suggest that landscape gardening, farm horticulture, flower culture and 

 rural adornment receive increased attention. 



