260 ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



many were the predictions that it would die before the return of its first 

 birthday. But, in spite of these evil predictions and the indifference 

 manifested by some who should have stood shoulder to shoulder with us, 

 and the almost entire lack of aid from other business interests, we have 

 safely passed the dangers of childhood and youth, and stand in the full 

 vigor of early manhood. 



Perhaps we may, without egotism, speak of the work we have 

 accomplished, and the success achieved ; and, if the harvest has not 

 been as bountiful as we hoped for, we may comfort ourselves with the 

 reflection that we have sown some good seed, made many suggestions 

 that prove to be of great value ; and we confidently hope that the harvest 

 is yet to come. Although we may feel gratified that much has been 

 accomplished, yet, when we look forward to the work to be done, we are 

 appalled at its magnitude and our lack of skill to perform it. The more 

 we study and investigate, and strive to acquaint ourselves with the 

 mysterious operations of nature, the less confidence we have in our own 

 knowledge. The operation of this principle may be seen not only in the 

 realms of horticulture, but in every branch of business. To illustrate : 

 Said Hans to Pat, as they sat one evening by the railroad track, listening 

 to the wind playing among the telegraph wires, causing that peculiar, 

 solemn sound so often heard, "Do you hear the news whistling along?" 

 Had these men been asked what they knew of the principle of telegraphy, 

 or the science of electricity, they would have replied, "We know all 

 about it; we have lived all our lives by the telegraph line, and seen Uie 

 operator receive and dispatch messages a hundred times;" thus, in their 

 ignorance and stupidity, supposing they had mastered a science which the 

 greatest minds of the age have not yet been able to fully comprehend. 

 Ask the boy upon the river-bank what he knows of the principle that 

 propels the mighty steamer that daily sails past his father's house, and he 

 will tell you he is thoroughly conversant with it ; he has seen the water 

 pumped into the boilers, and the fuel put into the furnace, and the 

 delicate machinery in motion, and why should he not fully understand 

 it? thus, in his blindness, supposing he had reached a point which Watts 

 and Fulton vainly sought, by a life-time of diligent research. 



So with the tyro of the pruning-knife. Ask him if he is thoroughly 

 conversant with the art of horticulture, if he understands the conditions 

 necessary to success, and can give you a list of trees that will be reliable 

 for commercial purposes; and he will ask in amazement, " Have I not 

 read all the standard authors, and attended the meetings of horticultural 

 societies ? Have I not visited many of our prominent horticulturists, 

 witnessed their operations, sat by their firesides, and listened to the words 

 of wisdom that fell from their lips ? Strange it is that such questions 

 should be asked." 



He will glibly run over a list of fruits and tell you that Warder, 

 Downing and Thomas recommend them; that the horticultural societies 

 generally concur, and that from actual observation he knows they succeed 

 in Mr. So-and-so's orchard, failing to remember that in other orchards 

 they fail disastrously. 



