4 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



Early in March last, B. G. Grover, a member of this Society, and 

 a prominent member of the Warsaw Horticultural Society, W3.s called 

 from time to eternity. 



On the nth of the some month, Jonathan Huggins, the honored 

 Treasurer of this Society, heard the Master's summons, " Come up higher," 

 and passed to his reward. In him we have lost a faithful friend, and the 

 Society an earnest worker. 



On the 14th of October, Dr. Wm. LeBaron yielded back to the 

 Giver a life that, by reason of a severe mental disorder, had become a 

 burden. As State Entomologist, and member of this Society, he had 

 made numerous acquaintances throughout the entire State. And the 

 knowledge of the great sorrow of his latter days and his untimely death 

 has saddened many hearts. 



I deem it appropriate for this Society to appoint a committee to 

 prepare suitable resolutions and testimonials of respect, and take such 

 other action as may be thought best, to show our appreciation of the 

 deceased. 



We meet to-day under circumstances that will insure a pleasant and 

 profitable meeting. As the mind reverts to our meeting, at this place, 

 six years ago, and the generous hospitality with which we were received, 

 we are assured that the greeting which we receive to-day is something 

 more than idle words. 



This beautiful city, with its noble institutions of learning, its numer- 

 ous churches, its luxurious residences surrounded with tasteful gardens 

 and lawns, is no stranger to us ; and we rejoice that we have the oppor- 

 tunity to mingle with this cultured people, and shall return to our homes 

 benefited by our sojourn with them. 



And we hope that our coming among them may not be without its 

 compensation, but in years to come it may appear that we have sown 

 some good seed, that has sprung up and yielded a bountiful harvest. 



We also hope to meet here many of the old veterans who assisted in 

 the organization of the first horticultural societies of the West, and have 

 for two or three decades labored incessantly for the advancement of their 

 favorite science. 



We trust that this reunion will be one of great interest to these 

 fathers in horticulture, and cff profit to the younger members of the 

 Society, who will listen with profound attention to the words of wisdom 

 that may fall from their lips. 



