368 ILLINOIS STATE HOKTICDLTURAL SOCIETY. 



conscious of the fact that even with a life of three score and ten, under 

 the most favorable circumstances for the pursuit of knowledge, a person 

 must leave the world knowing comparatively nothing. He gave an amusing 

 account of the assurance with which he began to teach his first school, 

 believing that he " knew it all," and the rapidity with which the delusion 

 vanished. Experience teaches that our short life but brings us to the borders 

 of the unknown in even human knowledge. But even though man's possi- 

 bilities in the vast field of knowledge are limited, in comparing his present 

 knowledge with that of years ago he felt that something had been 

 achieved. He wondered where others could get the time for the col- 

 lection of so much material on such a variety of subjects ; and compli- 

 mented Prof. Standish and Dr. Humphrey on their versatility in the 

 discussions before the Society. He stated that nearly all his time was 

 devoted to the study of the subjects taught by him in the college ; and 

 averred that the study of Psychology alone might be followed for a life- 

 time with profit. In relation to horticulture, he said he would state a fact 

 that came under his observation, and allow the Society to speculate as to 

 the cause. He was born in New Jersey, that long, narrow State, with 

 one of the principal cities in the United States at each end, and which was 

 finely located in reference to a sure market. Years ago it was the orchard 

 of the East. For years peaches were a sure crop. The trees fairly groaned 

 under the weight of luscious fruit, and in the summer of 1844 three 

 steamers plied between the cities of Burlington and Philadelphia laden 

 with fruit. Subsequently these orchards perished, and without apparent 

 cause. On the other hand, when the peach orchards were prosperous the 

 soil was scanty and the average corn crop from ten to fifteen bushels to 

 the acre. By fertilizing, the soil has become rich, the same region of 

 country is a perfect garden, and other large fruits grow in abundance. 

 Good soil seems to be an essential to abundant fruits, as well as heat and 

 moisture. There appears to be an almost spiritual affinity in plants for 

 the particular soils upon which they feed, and if the qualities required are 

 wanting it seems like taking oxygen from a human being. 



In answer to questions by Mr. Warren Baker, Prof. Standish stated 

 more minutely the size, direction, temperature, rapidity of the current, 

 and shelving or roof-like shape of the Gulf stream. 



Judge Lanphere said he had hoped that some one would take issue 

 with the theory of Prof. Standish, that the long rains come from an 

 easterly direction. The commonly accepted theory, twenty or thirty 

 years ago, was that the greatest supply of our moisture came from the 

 southwest, from off" the Pacific ocean, and traveling northeastwardly met 

 the winds coming from that direction, by which it was carried back and 

 precipitated as rain. 



Prof. Standish in support of his position gave an illustration of the 

 movements of storms. 



President Lanphere then read the following paper : 



Productive soil is much the same the world over. It consists of decomposed rocks — 

 primary and secondary — and of decomposed and decomposing vegetable and animal 



