334 TRANSACTIONS OF THE HORTICULTURAL 



PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL ADDEESS. 



It is nearly a quarter of a century since a small band gathered 

 together to organize this Society. They were men full of zeal 

 and earnest purpose, who thought that Horticulture had a 

 mission to perform, in giving to this western world trees and 

 shrubs to beautify the landscape — the luscious health-giving 

 fruits to tempt the palate, and the beautiful flowers to please the 

 eye and refine the taste. 



Believing that in union there is strength, they organized this 

 Society, and as students and workers in this cause they felt it 

 their duty to show by their works the faith that was in them. 



And right well they wrought, for I do not believe that there 

 is«any area of territory in the United States, of equal extent, 

 that is better supplied with trees, shrubs, flowers and the general 

 comforts of life than this District of Northern Illinois. 



We may seem to be claiming a great deal for the influence that 

 this Society exerted in the horticultural interests of this country 

 at that time, but you must remember that the Northern Society 

 was a giant in numbers as well as zeal. 



"We find on record, at one of its meetings, its membership 

 numbered 145, with a score or more on its honorary list. But 

 with such men for leaders as Kinnicott, Ellsworth, Scott, and 

 half a score of others I could name, who have gone to their re- 

 ward, with twice that number of others who have grown gray 

 in the services, are still with us, what other results could we ex- 

 pect? Coming here when it took resolution and energy to leave 

 their eastern homes, and push out into a new and unsettled 

 country, and face its hardships and privations, they put much of 

 their zeal and vim into their norticultural work, and we are now 

 reaping some of its benefits. 



But we, like others, have had our reverses, for there is no in- 

 dustry that has not its seasons of depression and failure. This 

 is so in all agricultural and horticultural pursuits. With the ex- 

 tended planting of the different grains and fruits we have in- 

 creased the difficulties of their production. Our lands as they 

 become older have lost some of their original strength and fer- 

 tility. 



The soil is filled with the seeds of troublesome and noxious 

 weeds that are hard to eradicate. Insect enemies have increased 

 to a wonderful extent, sometimes destroying the whole crop, so 

 that the person who endeavors to till the soil to-day must use 

 much more judgment and skill to produce the same results than 

 they did some twenty years ago. 



Some portions of this state and the west have much greater 

 advantages for growing fruits, especially for market, than we 

 have, but they have their adverse seasons and failures. On the 

 farm and village lot we can grow the hardy fruits and vegetables 



