50 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



has been done in this line that circumstances would permit; a 

 report of which will be made during this meeting. 



WE MUST ENLARGE OUR WORK. 



Our increased appropriation gives us the ability to enlarge our 

 work, as well as increase the labor and responsibility of the offi- 

 cers and Ad-interim committees, and the next season will, no 

 doubt, witness a forward movement all along the line. As one 

 means of extending our work, it will, doubtless, be thought best 

 to print and distribute a larger number of reports which will do 

 much to shed horticultural light in those portions of the State 

 where our work is little known. 



It has occurred to me that if the Officers, Executive Board and 

 Ad-interim Committees were constituted a committee of obser- 

 vation to look after new and promising fruits ; the behavior of 

 old varieties under different treatment and on different soils ; to 

 encourage and assist in the formation of local Horticultural So- 

 cieties and Farmers' Clubs, and mingle with the farmers in their 

 Institutes, Clubs and Granges; much might be done to interest 

 them in the work of tree planting, fruit growing and home 

 ornamentation. 



FLORICULTURE. 



The question of Floriculture we are glad to see coming to the 

 front, and it is our duty as well as pleasure to encourage it, as 

 its influence upon the rural and village home is of the most ele- 

 vating and ennobling character. 



I hope that I may not be considered egotistical if I speak ap- 



Eroviugly of the three Floral Societies of my own County. They 

 ave been in active existence for several years, and have done 

 much to create a taste for and stimulate the cultivation of 

 flowers, and I will venture the assertion that nowhere in the 

 west can we find three towns of equal size that can boast of as 

 many cultured, pleasant homes and such a profusion of floral 

 beauties as Carthage, Warsaw and Hamilton. 



How often have the choicest treasures from these floral col- 

 lections been called to crown the bride and grace the marriage 

 feast. How many have found their way to the bedside of the 

 sick to shed their beauty and fragrance there, often in the 

 humble home of poverty and distress. And when the black 

 winged angel of death has done its fearful work, how the 

 crushed and bleeding heart has been soothed by these emblems 

 of the brighter life beyond, and comforted by the expression of 

 human sympathy. And methinks I hear the Master say to these 

 ministering spirits, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of 

 the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." 



AH honor to the Floral Societies of Hancock County; may 

 every town and hamlet in the State emulate their example. 



