STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 115 



to take the place, and we hope the people of this country will 

 vote intelligently, and while we have our choice we are willing 

 to submit to the will of the majority, knoAving that all will 

 acquiesce, as in the election of our chief magistrate, and while a 

 combination of flowers, or a National Bouquet at first glance 

 seems very appropriate, upon closer investigation it proves a 

 delusion and a snare; for, kind friends, let us take a glimpse of 

 the future. Suppose each of the forty-two States has chosen 

 its favorite flower. Some one must be commissioned to arrange 

 them ; a committee, or at least one delegate, from each State 

 would have to be chosen. A Republican State would, undoubt- 

 edly, send a Republican delegate, and a Democratic State a 

 Democratic delegate, that is, each State would send a man most 

 available as a party worker without much regard to his ability 

 or taste to arrange the flowers. It is a well known fact that the 

 party in power would dictate the position in which these State 

 flowers sliould be placed. Serious contentions would arise and 

 the hydra-headed monster of State's rights would come to the 

 front as in " days of j'ore." But in choosing one flower for our 

 whole Nation no such contentions could arise, and we would 

 have — Oh, glorious thought! One united country. One grand 

 old flag, and one beautiful "National Flower." 



REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON DECORATIONS. 



Your Committee to inspect Floral Decorations would respect- 

 fully report that we have examined the beautiful and elegant 

 decorations so tastefully arranged in the City Hall of Hamilton ; 

 so kindly provided for us by the citizens of this place, and 

 arranged for our use and comfort by them and the members of 

 the Warsaw Horticultural, and the Montebello and Warsaw Floral 

 Societies. 



Among this fine collection was some beautiful work, not 



showing by whom produced, consequently we may not be able to 



give proper credits in all cases. First we notice the words over 



the platform : 



"welcome 



state horticultural society, 



1889." 



Sheaves of grain and beautiful plumage are shown on either side 

 of the platform, and fine collections of grains and grasses, with 

 the bright-colored flowers, and fine evergreen background, with 

 the national flag in the center, constitute, as a whole, a very 

 pleasing effect. 



