268 TRANSACTIONS OF THE HORTICULTURAL 



trees, makes llower beds, and studies the mysteries of vegetation, 

 is pursuing a lesson as broad and as deep, either in science or re- 

 ligion, as may be had in the most profound institutions of learning. 



But upon what does the permanence and usefulness of the 

 local organization depend? Why, men who have the true metal; 

 who are life-workers; who will not brook defeat; who never give up 

 or sit down to bemoan sad fate; men who continue and overcome. 

 In short, men who would work a success in any position, and who 

 believe that good luck depends mainly upon good pluck. 



With a few such workers in every organization it is altogether 

 superfluous to talk of its success, of its usefulness, or of its future 

 prosperity, as these are already assured. 



Mr. Dunlap — The greatest difficulty with these societies is that 

 practical working men, who should be their life and support, refuse 

 to attend, because men who know nothing about rural affairs write 

 and talk and take a prominent part in the meetings. We see the 

 same thing in politics. Many of our best men will not go to the 

 caucus because it is often run by ward politicians and cross-road pet- 

 tifoggers. This is all wrong, both in horticulture and politics, and 

 only intensifies the evils we lament. The essayist did not tell us 

 how to rejuvenate an old, dead society. 



Mr. Johnson - — We must go into the work with the expectation 

 of carrying it, instead of expecting it to carry us. We find some 

 men who like to work with the society when it is prosperous, but 

 when discouragements come, as they must to all, they shrink back 

 and leave the burden for a few to bear. A few earnest, faithful 

 men, who will stand by it under all circumstances, will insure suc- 

 cess. The Warsaw Fair Association, which annually holds one of 

 the most successful and popular fairs in the state, is an outgrowth 

 of the Warsaw Horticultural Society. 



[He might have included the Warsaw Floral Society, the Car- 

 thage Floral Guild, and the Montebello Floral Society, which are, 

 doubtless, the most active organizations of the kind in the state. 

 — Secret AEY.] 



Mr. Brown — I am one of the youngest members of the War- 

 saw Society, and often regret that so few young people attend our 

 meetings. What can we do to interest them in the work? 



Mr. Dennis — Mr. Dnnlai) spoke of an inanimate corpse. I 

 suppose he means the Champaign Society. You have an abundance 



