fi TRANSACTIONS OF TIIK n,l,lN()rS 



from the trees we have planted, to make this a profitable time, we should 

 bring the rich, and rare, and ripe fruit of our experience, and as freely 

 give it as our Heavenly Father has, during the past year, given His hours, 

 and days, and showers to benefit man. , 



Our first duty is to acknowledge the goodness of Him who has per- 

 mitted so many of us to come together once more, to exchange views 

 and opinions, congratulate each other on the events of another year, 

 just closing, and prepare our plans and projects for the future. 



One whom you expected to see in this place is absent. His chair 

 is vacant, never more to be filled by him on the earth. On the 8th of 

 November, our friend, brother, and President, Dr. E. S. Hull, of Alton, 

 received his call from the Heavenly Father to close up his affairs on the 

 earth. 



From our acquaintance with our worthy President, I think I may say 

 he was gathered to his reward as ripe fruit is gathered from the tree. He 

 was ready to go and meet the messenger death, as he met the emergen- 

 cies of life, with resignation, faith and hope. His memory will be cherished 

 by every member of our Society ; and suitable testimonials of respect 

 will be presented at the proper time and spread upon the records, to be 

 treasured up among the archives of our Society. 



With him, as with our ex-President, M. L. Uunlap, who also passed 

 away since last we met, our relations were very pleasant, and we shall 

 miss their voices in our councils and their wisdom in our plans. May we 

 imitate their worthy example and be ready — 



" When the summons comes to us to join 



That innumerable caravan, that moves 



To the pale realms of shade where each shall take 



His chamber in the silent halls of death * * * * -x- 



To go — like one who wraps the drapery of his couch 



About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams." 



It may not be inappropriate for me, at this time, to refer briefly to the 

 history of our organization and similar organizations, to the work they are 

 doing, and show, if possible, why we should feel encouraged to na,ake 

 greater efforts in the future than we have done in the past. If I should 

 repeat some things quite familiar to you, you may not be altogether dis- 

 pleased to learn that another has occupied his thoughts with the subject 

 of your meditations. 



The first society organized for encouraging and promoting horticul- 

 ture was chartered in London, in the year 1808, and was called the Lon- 

 don Horticultural Society. One nobleman. Sir Joseph Banks, and two 

 private gentleman were chiefly instrumental in its organization. This 

 society established the first experimental garden in 181 7. This model 

 garden still exists at Chiswick, having been removed to that place in 

 1822. 



Germany quickly saw the advantages to be derived from such organi- 

 zations ; and they also spread rapidly throughout the whole continent of 

 Europe ; and to-day there is scarcely a town in Britain where there is 

 not a society, duly officered, doing its good work. 



