SOCIETY OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS. 301 



in its own estimate, but I believe never before has been so aspir- 

 ing as to present an invitation to an association of such import- 

 ance and covering an area of half of a great state. It is possible 

 those of you who had to do with the conduct of affairs may have 

 had in contemplation a little needful missionary work. Our town 

 is not yet forty years old and, perhaps, is not able to exhibit the 

 taste, the luxuries and refinements that belong to cities of more 

 wealth and years, yet we venture to suggest that in one of the 

 departments included in your varied and extensive program, 

 arboriculture, Ave can show commendable zeal and advancement. 

 It is fortunate our trees are mostly deciduous and that you have 

 visited us in midwinter, else you might not have been able to see 

 the town through the shadowed density of its embowerment. I 

 must also conclude from your program that we can boast of one 

 citizen who can raise pears and another who cultivates a garden 

 for the sake of its economy. It is a matter of congratulation 

 that we have one man, who, after a prolonged season's battle 

 with purslane and pig weed, with potato bug and corn worm, 

 with the mild provocations of the neighbor's chickens, and the 

 courteous visits of itinerant dogs, can find, as he carries his 

 dilapidated cabbage into his cellar, that the balance sheet, with 

 a proper entry of the value of his own time and work, is still in 

 his favor. 



As to floriculture, we have little to present at this season, ex- 

 cept what may be seen nourished in the warm environment of our 

 comfortable homes. There is a well authenticated incident told 

 of one of our people who, having secured a valuable bulb, plant- 

 ed it with great care and watched for its coming with trembling 

 anxiety, and having, in his despair, appealed to a lady friend for 

 counsel, she discovered that the ambitious bulb was sending 

 down its stalk toward China. He had planted it wrong end up. 

 We are reasonably skillful in raising potatoes and soft maples, 

 and have some success with geraniums and chrysanthemums, but 

 if you can give us a little encouragement in our attempts with 

 the cinneraria and ranunculus we shall appreciate your friendly 

 visit. Indeed, we are sure that when we have heard the con- 

 densed results of your experiences through the past year, as given 

 in your pleasant interchanges, the balance of the ledger will be 

 on our side. 



Horticulture, that gives the name to your association and 

 specifies its ends, both as a science for profit, and as an art for 

 beauty, is the oldest occupation in the world. Our original and 

 venerable ancestor, as we read in the most ancient words, was 

 engaged in it in his earliest years. He was placed in a very 

 beautiful and extensive garden "to dress and to keep it." As 

 far as we know, he was successful, and enjoyed the work, until, 

 unfortunately, he became too much interested in the Pyrus Malus, 

 a tree of which we have here probably the most extensive cul- 



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