2 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



well known among horticulturists. It seems appropriate that this Society 

 take immediate action and appoint a committee to prepare suitable reso- 

 lutions and testimonials of respect to the memory of our dead, to be pre- 

 sented at a suitable time, which I suggest be fixed at this morning's ses- 

 sion. 



And now, I trust that all our discussions may be harmonious, and 

 that when our deliberations close we may all feel that much has been 

 accomplished, not only for our own good, but that the cause of humanity 

 has also been advanced, and thereby our labors rewarded. 



ADDRESS OF WELCOME. 



Mr. William Stewart addressed the Society as follows: 

 Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Illinois State Horticultural Society : 



It has been made my duty to say to you to-day, on behalf of the 

 Adams County Horticultural Society, what every member would gladly 

 say for himself, were it proper or necessary for us all to speak separately, 

 that is, " We bid you a hearty welcome to our city, our society, and our 

 hearts." 



In the past many circumstances have conspired to hinder, to some 

 extent, the forming of that familiar acquaintance which we have desired 

 with our fellow workers in other parts of our great State. Located here 

 upon its extreme western border, and finding our markets for the most 

 part still farther to the west and north, we have seldom met with them 

 excepting when, as individuals, we could occasionally make a visit to 

 your annual gatherings, or perhaps to the State fairs ; yet, during our half 

 century of labor here, most of the time in pioneer work, we have neither 

 been ignorant nor indifferent as to what was being done in other parts of 

 the State. We have learned to esteem you all very highly for your works' 

 sake ; and, desiring a more intimate acquaintance, we invited you to 

 become our guests. We are glad you have accepted our invitation, and 

 have come. 



We feel a little ashamed, it is true, on account of the many defects 

 you can not fail to discover in our horticultural housekeeping, and we 

 regret exceedingly that your coming finds us almost entirely without fruit, 

 which we had hoped to have in abundance ; but knowing that your 

 charity on the one hand, and your knowledge of the exigencies of our 

 climate on the other, will find for us more excuse than we deserve on both 

 these points, we ask that you will accept this hall and these rooms, and 

 use them as your own during your sessions here. We hope that you will 



