SOCIETY OF NORTHEKN ILLINOIS. 337 



making, through their representatives, their own laws, and living in 

 a fruitful and bounteous land, have a love for their country utterly 

 unknown to the subjects of a despotic government. If enemies 

 from a foreign land, or treason at home, attempt to overthrow their 

 temple of liberty, a million of brave hearts with nerves of steel will 

 rush to the scene of danger to defend that temple " with their lives, 

 their fortune and their most sacred honor." Thus whatever adds to 

 the value of a country increases the patriotism of its people; and 

 horticulture does both; it adds fuel to the fire on Liberty's altar and 

 keeps it brightly burning. 



Horticulture being a rural occupation, is, under certain condi- 

 tions, favorable to the development of man's greatest power. The 

 names of Washington, Lincoln and Grant are inshrined in the heart 

 of every American patriot. Cincinnatus left his })low to save Rome; 

 but we need not extend the list. The pages of the world's history 

 record hundreds of names of men and women distinguished in art, 

 science, literature, war and statesmanship, that were reared in the 

 country. 



The horticulturist should certainly be a happy man. He has no 

 great fears of getting rich, and if he labors diligently he need not be 

 poor. Cares and anxieties which often harass merchants and specu- 

 lators disturb not his mind. 



The broker, after an exciting day, comes home and retires; 

 "sleep that knits up the raveled sleeve of care," often fails to visit 

 him until the small hours of the morning, and he rises unrefreshed 

 from his slumber; but the horticulturist, after a day's labor of love 

 among his plants and vines, enters his dwelling as night throws her 

 sable curtain over field and woodland. He communes with his fam- 

 ily and the spirit of undisturl)ed rest takes possession of his quiet 

 home as he " wraps the drapery of his couch about him and lies down 

 to pleasant dreams." 



DISCUSSION. 



Prof. Budd — The forests of the eastern slopes of the Rocky 

 Mountains have been cut and burned off, making it the most deso- 

 late-looking country in America. The consequence resulting from 

 the destruction of these forests is that the rainfall and the supply of 

 water has been greatly reduced. The clouds coming over the moun- 

 tains from the Pacific coast east do not particijtate their moisture 

 until they have reached well over into Nebraska and Kansas, which 

 accounts for their having more rain in those sections than a few 

 years ago. When the mountain slopes were covered with forests the 

 clouds gave up their water while passing them, and it ran down the 

 mountain streams into the country below. The snow that falls in 

 winter time melts rapidly under the rays of the sun, floods the 

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