ILLINOIS HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY. 331 



ness, idleness, we should recommend the full development of this love for flowers, as one of the 

 best of graces. 



Who ever saw a bad person who loved flowers ? It is simply impossible, for, like tlie TSible, they 

 speak in unmistakable languaire of the goodness of God to man; and, like that blessed book, the 

 more we study tlieni the more new Ijeauties we sliall discover. To those engaged in literary pursuits 

 the flower garden is also very essential. To take a walk among the flowers is a rest from the book, 

 and enables one to return with better conceptions and liigher aims, understanding the works of God 

 better and with holier aspirations; for it is almost impossible to go into a flower garden, or examine 

 a flower, without discovering some new truth which we should study and remember. 



Who shall nuuiber the many jojs our garden shall aftbrd ? Or who shall estimate the golden return 

 to you and to your children ? For be assured that every flowering plant, tree, shrub or vine which 

 you plant enhances the value* of your place, when for sale, ten times the cost, in any intelligent man's 

 estimation. Which is a very pleasing and hopeful indication. Hopeful, because it shows that our 

 people are trying to enjoy more of this bright world of ours, by having more to enjoy, in the shape 

 of beautiful flowers; and who knows but we shall eventually rise to new and unheard of bliss in cul- 

 tivating tliese gifts of God! 

 ' • It is said as on one occasion several angels were seen in a vision to pass by with gilded baskets- 

 Some as they went the blue-eyed violets strew, 



Some spotless lilies in loose order threw, 



t>ome did the way with full-blown roses spread, 



Their smell diviiie, and color strangely red — 



Sucli I lielieve was the first rose's hue 



Wliicli at God's word in beauteous Eden grew. 



Queen of the flowers that made thai orchard gay. 



The morning blushes of the spring's new day.'' 



The following was oSered by J. Davis and unanimously passed : 



Resolved, That this society thank Mrs. -J. B Rieves for the essay on flowers; and that we invite 

 the women of the land to aid us in our Horticultural labors and studies. 



The following resolution was passed : 



Resolved, That this society request the State Board of Agriculture to appoint some competent 

 horticulturist to take charge of the Horticultural Dei)artment of the next SUite Fair, and that we 

 request our liorticultural brethren to couie up and assist in making the display in that deimrtment 

 worthy of our State. 



Dr. Jno. A. "Warder was elected an honorary member of the society. 

 Messrs. T. IMontgomery, S. Smith, and J. O. Hudy, were appointed a committee to 

 solicit members from among the citizens of Mattoon. 



EVENING SESSION. 



Dr. E. S. HuU of Alton addressed the society on Plant Growth. 

 After a short discussion the meeting adjourned. 



MORNING SESSION.— THIKD DAY. 



Prayer by L. C . Francis. 



The following essay was read by Mr. Jno. Periam of Chatsworth, Illinois. 



THE RELATION OF AGRICULTURE TO HORTICULTURE. 



The wild man is a brute, the educated one is a God, as pagans understand the term. The first sub- 

 sists in a precarious manner upon such animals as he may overcome in the chase; but the second 

 harnesses even the elements, aitd makes them subservient to his will. Both possess bone, sinew, 

 muscle and blood, nerve and brain. The wild man acquires fair pliysical proportions, butthe In'ain 

 force is latent. The educated one however has fed both his physical and mental nature, and there- 

 fore is in the full stature of a man. In rising to a state of barbarism, the savage gathers flocks and 

 herds, cultivates the soil in a rude way, and begins to fix his habitation. Emerging into civilization, 



