TRANSACTIONS HORTICULTUKAL SOCIETY (»K NOUTUEUN ILL. 351 



The forest area in the State of Illinois is annually diminishing. In 

 my own county, Du Page, the acres in forest were several hundred less 

 in 1875 than 1S74 



I would recommend the adoption of such measures as will best secure 

 the preservation of our young timber, and increasing the area of timber 

 lands by planting artificial groves. 



This, the centennial year of our Government, is an important year 

 in our national existence — a point from which to take a retrospect, and 

 that a pleasant one. May our future, as a nation, be as prosperous as our 

 past. 



I suggest that, through our State Centennial Commission, we contrib- 

 ute specimens of such fruits grown in our district as can be collected and 

 placed on exhibition. 



Since our last annual meeting, some of our friends in horticulture 

 have been called from their labors here to the life beyond, where fruits 

 and flowers are ever fresh and fair. 



1. Hon. M. L. Dunlap, of Champaign — long and widely known as 

 "Rural;" one of the most popular and interesting writers on the 

 industrial and productive interests of the country, a thorough horti- 

 culturist, a practical, self-made man. 



2. William Hill, of Dundee, Kane county — a plain, open-hearted, 

 out-spoken Scotchman, eminently practical, and "one of the olden time." 



3. Dr. E. S. Hull, of Alton — an ardent, scientific and practical 

 horticulturist. He has done much to advance that great productive 

 interest in our State. 



I trust our deliberations and discussions will be instructive, and 

 further advance the interest we are organized to promote. 



SPECIAL COMMITTEES. 

 The following committees were appointed : 



On Presidenf s Address — Messrs. McWhorter, Periam and Ennis. 



On Fruit on Exhibition — Messrs. Whitney, Nelson and Plum. 



On Obituaries, as follows: On the death of Dr. Hull, Messrs. 

 Galusha, McWhorter and Nelson ; on the death of Mr. Dunlap, Messrs. 

 Minkler, Scott and Whitney ; on the death of Mr. Hill, Messrs. D. C. 

 Scofield, Lukins and Graves. 



On Final Resolutions — Messrs. Scott, Galusha and L. K. Scofield. 



REPORT ON DL.VCK 1IK.\RT. 

 The following report was then read by Mr. McWhokter: 



Your committee, appointed to consider the questions submitted by 

 Mr. Bradstreet, will respectfully report 'hat the subject of these questions 

 is an old one, that was brought up and thoroughly considered many years 



