74 transactions of the illinois 



Frank Starr Died March 12, 1875, Aged 49 Years. 



He had been actively engaged in horticultural pursuits for more than 

 twenty years ; serving the State Horticultural Society, as Secretary, one 

 year ; and was an active member of the Alton Horticultural Society for 

 twelve years. He was modest and retiring, yet enthusiastic in all the de- 

 partments of horticulture, especially in the culture of flowers. We have 

 lost another friend, another of our working men. 



Dr. Humphrey offered the following, moving its adoption : 



Resolved, That the thanks of this Society be returned to Mr. J. E. 

 Starr, for his just and able eulogy upon the life of Dr. Hull. 



The resolution was adopted. 



ARBORICULTURE. 



Arthur Bryant, Senr., of Princeton, from the Committee on Arbori- 

 culture reported : 



In reporting upon arboriculture for the present occasion, the writer 

 regrets that he has not observed an increasing interest in the subject, or 

 any considerable progress in tree planting. How is it that the discus- 

 sion of this subject in our horticultural societies, for so many years, pro- 

 duces so little effect ? Do we not overrate our influence? The annual 

 list of members of our State Horticultural Society rarely exceeds one 

 hundred — an almost ridiculously small number, it would seem, in so great 

 and populous a State as Illinois ; our few local societies are still smaller ; 

 our farmers are engaged in the production of corn, pork and beef, and 

 pay little regard to any thing else. Probably not one in fifty ever reads 

 our essays upon forest planting, or is even aware that the subject is dis- 

 cussed. It is a mortifying fact that one man, endowed with a good 

 degree of shrewdness, impudence and falsehood, can, in one year, awaken 

 a more general interest in some humbug, than all our Illinois societies have 

 hitherto been able to do in favor of arboriculture. In proof of this asser- 

 tion it is only necessary to instance White Willow Pike. Attempts to 

 obtain legislative action have availed little. In this State, the boards of 

 supervisors are permitted to offer bounties for planting timber trees ; and 

 until the attention of the people is more generally attracted to the sub- 

 ject, this is all that probably need be expected. The act of Congress for 

 the encouragement of forestry, as is commonly the case when men under- 

 take to legislate upon matters of which they know nothing, amounts to a 

 mere nullity. 



There are no new inducements to be held forth, or new arguments 

 to be advanced, in favor of forest planting ; and, to one who has occasion 

 to write or speak frequently upon the subject, the reiteration of the old 

 story becomes hackneyed and wearisome. Especially is this the case when, 

 as at present, it seems most probable that the discussion will come to the 

 knowledge of very few, if any, of those whom it is most desirable to 



