STATK IIORTICIILTI'RAI. SOCIETY. 7 



Now the American Pomological Society ranks first in its inlluence 

 on pomology or fruit culture. Our own Society was instituted by a few 

 earnest men about nineteen years ago. One can not review the printed 

 records of this Society without, a feeling of thankfulness that it was 

 created, and without admitting that it has been a powerful help in stimu- 

 lating taste and knowledge in horticulture, landscape gardening, in 

 botany, and other practical branches of successful, scientific, and practi- 

 cal agriculture. 



The recommendations of our presiding officers, and the efforts of 

 this Society, have resulted in the introduction of the study of botany in 

 our schools, the establishment of agricultural colleges, the classification 

 of subjects adapted to our wants on the prairies of Illinois, the selecting 

 of fruits that flourish, of trees that will grow and embellish, of flowers 

 and bulbs that are suited to the climate. Tastes that wqll encourage patient 

 toil for results, skill to ex))eriment, and a quickness to discern improved 

 conditions, have been stimulated, and many waste and desolate places 

 made to blossom, through the work and influence of our own and simi- 

 lar societies. It has been demonstrated that a little judgment in select- 

 ing, and labor in cultivating the dilfcrcat fruits, is all that is required to 

 give to the humblest citizen of the State, who has a lot for a garden, or 

 land suitable for the purpose, the several fruits in their season ; so that, 

 from sunny June to sere and yellow October, the table may be made invi- 

 ting by the choicest varieties of those health-giving products — strawber- 

 ries, raspberries, currants, cherries, blackberries, plums, pears, grapes, 

 peaches, and apples, the very enumeration of the names of which makes 

 children chuckle and dance with glee, and old folks thrill with a most 

 comfortable feeling of satisfaction The successful varieties have been 

 named, and their mode of culture pointed out, at our various meetings. 



I need not speak in detail of the benefits of these societies. We seldom 

 see the bleak and unadorned cottage or farmer's house now. By the wayside 

 everywhere the "garden smiles," and flowers in their proper season look 

 out from their sweet de])ths, to gladden the eye of the traveler ; and all 

 this should encourage and stimulate us to renewed efforts in study, prac- 

 tice and experiment, to overcome by the aid of science the many obstacles 

 that impede our progress, and are too apt to discourage the inexperienced 

 beginner. The example of one successful nursery or fruit garden in a 

 county or community can not be over estimated. It is the most practical 

 way to instruct by example ; and the benefits are correspondingly valuable 

 in every respect. 



The good wife knows that when her husband, who has signed the 

 pledge yet has upon him at tinies the conquering appetite for his intoxi- 

 cating cup, she can help him keep the pledge by presenting him the 

 comforting cup of tea or coftee. And so our Heavenly Father knew fiiU 

 well that the healthfiil fruits in abundance would promote the happiness 

 of man ; and so, after teaching in a slow way a few men how to grow 

 them cheaply and in abundance, He put it into their heart to establish 

 societies, and to do such work, and encourage such discussions as to place 

 the suitable knowledge of " how to do it " within the reach of all. Our 



