154 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



THOUGHTS FOR THE FUTURE. 



BY MRS. E. A. BLACKSTONE, LACON. 



However much we may wish to put off the inevitable, or to 

 drive away the truth that stands at the front of all others, 

 nevertheless the Nation's greatest sorrow is upon us. It has 

 shapened into a prohibition measure and demands to be met; it 

 asks, "Am I my brother's keeper," and answers, "You are." 



Therefore as tillers of fruit and edibles, I would stir up the 

 pure minded of this Convention to the pleasing task of action. 



The field is wide, and even now, laid open as never before for 

 future horticulturists to work; much depends upon them for 

 the peace, pleasure and happiness of all classes. 



The very earth calls loud and strong, "Dig me, plant me; my 

 waste places are desolate, and my people are clamorous who pos- 

 sess me; I am yielding annually an increase which satisfies not 

 an appetite, but destroys." 



We are lovers of the delicious, lovers of the excellent and of 

 the beautiful ; if then we substitute that which is pleasing who 

 shall demure? 



Truly horticulturists may be called philanthropists, and he 

 who plants most and well, the greatest benefactor of the public. 



The demand is great, the supply scant. Professionals are not 

 meeting the wants, who then is to give the increase desired? 

 Who cannot be an amateur in a small way? In this ample 



I)rairie State none need be without fruit. That is a beautiful 

 aw in some places : all must plant the seed by the wayside : it 

 is a sweet lesson to teach young children. 



Again, I insist as in vegetable gardening, soil must be rich, to 

 gain good results, all kinds of trees must be well cultivated, 

 opening the soil in early spring; and heavy mulching is always 

 productive of large and luscious fruit, especially peaches. 



If something could be said or done at this convention to urge 

 people to double their efforts in planting trees next spring, and 

 then urge the necessity of good care, much would be accom- 

 plished, for, without trees, we might as well expect figs from 

 thistles. 



You may smile, for I smile as I write, as I see a visionary pic- 

 ture of a land flooded with fruit appeasing the appetites of the 

 millions, and satisfying the cravings of our hungry boys who 

 shall do our voting in the nineteenth century. Verily we shall 

 all be looking forward to the Tree of all trees, the Tree of Life 

 bearing twelve kinds, yielding her fruit every month. 



Mr. McKinney — A fine collection of fruit from Calhoun County, 

 which has been delayed in transit, has just arrived, and I move 



