SOCIETY OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS. 327 



to do you some little good, and we know we will be gainers by thus 

 coming in contact with the horticulturists and citizens of this place. 

 Again, I thank you for your kind words of welcome. 



The Chair introduced Prof. Budd, of Ames, Iowa; George J. 

 Kellogg, an accredited delegate from the Wisconsin State Horticul- 

 tural Society; and Rev. G. W. Minier, President of the Forestry 

 Congress of North America; all of whom responded in a few well- 

 chosen remarks. 



The Society now listened to the reading of the 



PEESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 



Ladies and Gentlemen, Fellow Members of the 



Horticultural Society of Northern Illinois: 



The only apology I have to offer for attempting to address you 

 in this formal manner is, that the constitution says it shall be done. 

 I, therefore, trust you will bear the infliction cheerfully, knowing it 

 to be constitutional. 



Nineteen years ago our Northern Society was organized, and it 

 has run the usual course of similar organizations; sometimes up, 

 sometimes down; sometimes a very good meeting, and then, again, 

 a slim attendance; sometimes the members buoyed up with hope and 

 success, and then, again, cast down with discouragement and partial 

 failure. 



The last two years have been rather discouraging; mainly, no 

 doubt, on account of the wholesale destruction of the apple orchards, 

 which has cast a gloom over the fruit business and blasted the hopes 

 of many plants. And so low and weak has our Society become that 

 a report by some means got spread abroad that it was dead, had 

 actually ''kicked the bucket." Now, we are forced to admit that it 

 has l)een very sick and has shown some symptoms of dissolution; but 

 this weakness and prostration has been brought on by poor food and 

 lack of nutrition. 



Why, my dear friends, this Society for the last ten years has 

 been fed almost wholly on strawberries, gooseberries and currants, 

 with perhaps a few cherries and grapes. Although this kind of food 

 is good in its place to mix with other kinds and for dessert, for build- 

 ing up a strong, vigorous and healthy Horticultural Society we must 

 have stronger food; must hate apples. And the imported article will 

 not answer the purpose; they must be home-grown. It is the exer- 

 cise necessary for their ])roduction that gives life, strength and 

 longevity. 



We are not going to let our Society die! We would be poor 

 doctors in horticulture to let it give up the ghost now, right in the 

 prime of manhood. Aiul after the council now being held, we shall 



