STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 3 



Who shall gather up the horticultural experiences of these years and com- 

 pute thejr just value? Who shall number the days and hours that thought 

 has been busy in beautifying home and field ; in making the earth yield 

 her rich treasures for the pleasure and comfort of man ? It is not my 

 purpose to magnify the works of horticulturists. I do not stand here 

 with that intention. In classic language, let me say, Si monumenta quceris, 

 cirannspice. If you seek monuments, look around. Yea, more. If you 

 seek praise, behold your works. These shall praise you, even unto the 

 latest generation. 



And as I stand here, in the presence of noble men, I would not for- 

 get the honored dead, who but a short time ago were with us. To the 

 members of this Society the names of a Hull, a LeBaron, a Walsh, a 

 DuNLAP, a HuGGiNS, an Overman, are hallowed names; and their mem- 

 ories shall ever be green in our heart of hearts. Their labor of love is 

 ended. Their work is finished. No more shall we hear their voices, as 

 of yore ; no more shall we be guided by their counsels. Though they 

 are dead, yet they speak to us. Methinks I stand in their presence once 

 more, and can discern their well-known looks. Methinks I can hear 

 their well-known voices, speaking forth wisdom and truth. I fancy that I 

 can see them standing in the open portals of Heaven, urging us on in the 

 grand work of improvement, and beckoning us to come up higher. Thus 

 shall it ever be. The worthy deeds of noble men shall ever be our exem- 

 plars. Let, then, our high aim be to perform life's work nobly, faithfully, 

 fearlessly, grandly ; and the welcome plaudit shall be heard, Well done ! 



RESPONSE BY THE PRESIDENT. 



President HA^LMOND then responded to Prof. Standish's words of 

 welcome, in the following appropriate manner : 



The rapidly moving wheels of time have again brought us to our 

 annual meeting, and as we look back upon the year just drawing to a 

 close we realize that it has been one of more than ordinary vicissitudes. 

 "God has blessed the land," the orchard and vineyard have yielded 

 their burden of fruit, and the "valleys have been covered over with 

 corn." Yet, there has been blasting and mildew, floods and insect 

 depredations. Sickness has come, and been healed in some of our 

 homes, in others it has ended in the '< dark valley." The insatiate 

 " archer" has once, and again, yea thrice, sped his shafts at loved ones, 

 and we shall never more greet them this side the silent river. 



