180 TEANSACTIONS OF THE HOETICULTURAL 



about the town. So some acquaintance had already been made with 

 special points, noted so felicitously by Mr. Brown, giving character 

 to the place. Your favorable and beautiful location, your wide 

 streets and wider stretches of commons and cultivated fields, passed 

 by the sidewalks to the dwellings beyond, your room for future 

 greatness in houses and inhabitants, your thrifty business quarters 

 and tasteful homes, speaking at once of enterprise and domestic en- 

 joyment, of prosperity and contentment, — these were seen in the 

 glowing coloring of the early sun. I had even found your placid 

 little lake, with its one boat, hot quite tempting a trial at inland 

 navigation, the picturesque ice-house near by, and on, still further, 

 the beautiful cemetery, evidently laid out with an idea of popula- 

 tions that have not arrived in great numbers. As in the town, 

 there is here room for many others to fill the measure of the 

 founders. 



I could not be otherwise than much pleased with Elrawood. 

 Gladly would I emulate the eloquent words of the address of wel- 

 come, in speaking the praises which are acknowledged but not form- 

 ulated in fitting words. Still, I may be permitted to give utterance 

 to an appreciation of the wealth and worth of the land in which we 

 live, in the way of natural advantages and resources. The great 

 valley of the Mississippi is the fairest and richest portion, size for 

 size, of the earth. Nowhere else is there found so many elements 

 which, combined together, make fertile soils, favorable skies, tem- 

 perate air, richness, luxuriance, power. Here, if anywhere, man may 

 find congenial living and phenomenal prosperity. Here, if any- 

 where, he ought to grow in stature and wisdom, in greatness and 

 goodness. And Hlinois is the garden-spot of the wondrous valley. 

 We, by nativity or adoption, may justly take great pride in our mag- 

 nificent commonwealth. In all that constitutes the physical basis 

 of a state Illinois stands proudly prominent among her sisters. Her 

 wondrous prairies were tilled in crops yielding the largest returnsfor 

 the smallest expenditures of labor; her broad, level expanse cut into 

 a network by railroads; her majestic rivers, capable of bearing the 

 freightage of the nation; her inexhaustable supply of coal; her vege- 

 table luxuriance and abundant animal life — these are but items in 

 the natural and acquired prominence of Illinois and her material 

 wealth. 



Now, Elmwood is in the heart and center of Illinois. Neigh- 

 boring towns share the good fortunes of this, but claim richer sur- 

 roundings or greater advantages for prosperous business and happy 

 lives. So far as these things can make contentment; so far as 

 wealth has to do with happiness; so far as favorable circumstances 

 and helpful surroundings make true manhood and womanhood, this 

 and neighboring communities should be conspicuous in the high 

 character of the people. Our art mends nature. We strive to add 

 something of worth to ourselves, to the rich inheritance we have re- 



