SOCIETY OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS. 335 



that are to be used in the family, much better than they can be 

 bought in the market, in fact with most farmers the supply would 

 be scanty and uncertain if they depended on purchasing it. 

 With us many of the small fruits can be grown for market at a 

 profit near our small towns and villages, and although our pres- 

 ent apple orchards are nearly all gone, I feel confident that 

 even now a market orchard planted in this portion of Illinois, 

 using good judgment and discretion in the selection of varieties, 

 and care of it afterwards, would be as likely to pay as any other 

 business venture. But this question of the profit in dollars and 

 cents that we make from our horticultural work is not all that is 

 to be considered. 



Is there not great benefit in the increased comforl and pleasure 

 that we take in our homes, when surrounded with pleasant lawns, 

 spreading trees and beautiful flowers, with abundance of health- 

 giving, appetizing fruits in their season, all having a tendency to 

 make life more enjoyable and therefore longer; Is this not 

 profit in the true sense of the word? If not, what is it? 



The successful maintainance of organizations of the people 

 for legitimate purposes, aid greatly in developing the better 

 traits of human character, as well as the resources of the 

 country. Foremost in adding to the beauty of this earth of 

 ours, also in increasing the love of the beautiful in nature, are 

 our Horticultural Societies. In them we have facilities for 

 systematic and united action. 



We are all teachers and students together, each bringing his 

 experience, successes or failures, to add to the general fund of 

 knowledge. Friendships formed here are often of the most 

 lasting character, continuing until the close of life. 



Much has been written in our agricultural papers as to what 

 we shall do to keep our boys on the farm. 



There is no question that, as a rule, the homes of our rural 

 population are superior to those of any other people. Much of 

 this is due to the respect and esteem that we, as an enlightened 

 people, give to woman. She is intuitively a lover of the beau- 

 tiful, whether it be in nature, dress or homes. Through her 

 oftentimes comes the suggestion or inspiration that surrounds 

 the home with trees, fruits and flowers. Young people brought 

 up with these surroundings will certainly have a higher sense of 

 true man and womanhood than where these advantages do not 

 exist. If this be true, what nobler work can this Society have 

 than to assist these home mothers to cultivate in their children 

 a love of the good, the beautiful and the true, and thus lead 

 them up to a higher and better life? 



During the past year the State Society has secured an in- 

 creased appropriation which will enable it to extend its work in 

 many directions. 



