STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 9 



difference of latitude, temperature, rain falls, geology, and topographical configu- 

 ration . 



It is submitted to your judgment whether this or a similar division will not be 

 better adapted to a successful management of our society, with the view of electing 

 vice presidents and other officers with regard to the Fruit Districts. 



But before closing this address it becomes my duty to drop a tribute to the memory 

 of a departed brother. One, whose loss we shall deeply feel! One, who by earnest 

 application, had advanced to high scientific attainments in a department of knowl- 

 edge of the highest importance to horticulture ! One, who from the genial worth of 

 his soul, held a place in all our hearts! By a sad casuality, our State Entomologist, 

 B. D. Walsh, has been taken from us! lie died on the 18th of November. 



Such was the personal regard I had for Mr. Walsh, it is with difficulty I can 

 approach the subject; T can bring to my use no language to express my feelings. We 

 have lost a genial friend and an earnest worker ! To us, as horticulturists, the loss of 

 Mr. Walsh is inestimable . I can only recommend the usual course of a committee to 

 present resolutions on the loss of our valued friend. 



It may be proper for me to mention in this connection the death of A. S. Coe, of 

 Port Byi'on. Though not for the past few years a member of this Society, Judge Coe 

 was a member of the Northern Illinois Horticultural Society, and was formerly 

 connected with the Northwestern Fruit Growers' Association. 



He was an intelligent horticulturist, one of our prompt correspondents, and a 

 valuable citizen, esteemed at home and abroad. He died the 17th of October. 

 Whatever may be the pressing interest of business before us, let us ever be ready to 

 pause and drop a tribute to the memory of our departed friends. 



Gentlemen, I will no longer detain you with remarlvs of my own. Your labors will 

 not be limited to the subjects to which I have invited your attention. You need no 

 stirring words from me to arouse you to a sense of the importance of the objects in 

 which you are engaged. I need not tell you how greatly our national prosperity de- 

 pends on the advancement of horticulture ; that no nation can continue prosperous 

 when culture and refinement all tends to concentrate in city life; that wherever such is 

 the case, that is a tendency to national decay; that culture and refinement can not 

 extend into country life without a widely diffused. knowledge of horticulture. Your 

 minds are fuUy imbued with a high sense of such facts, and the importance of the 

 work that is before you. 



The address was received with great applause. 



SECRETARY'S REPORT. 



Mr. Flagg, the Secretary, then read his report, as follows : 



The Transactions for 1868, being the largest volume yet issued l>y the Society— and 1 

 believe also the best — was also the most costly, and owing to unforeseen causes was> 

 greatly delayed in publication. The following is the printer's bill in detail : 



