TRANSACTION'S IIORTirT'I.TVHAL SOCIETY OF NORTHERN ILL. 2"23 



From the early experience of our agriculturists fruit raising in North- 

 ern Illinois was pronounced a failure, and we were frequently informed 

 that the proceeds from a few acres of wheat would purchase more fruit 

 than could be raised on the same amount of land, but by your persevering 

 efforts in selecting and systemizing in this enterprise, it has developed 

 into a fine fruit region. And who shall say that the next decade will not 

 develop Northern Illinois into a fruit region second to none. 



Gentlemen, allow me to suggest that one of the important questions 

 for your earnest consideration is : The Shipping and Transporting of Fruit. 



Thousands of bushels of apples, the past year, were allowed to go 

 to waste, wlyle there was a demand for them but a short distance away- 

 Some means should be devised to save ^nd utilize this fruit. 



Again I extend to you a most hearty welcome. 



RESPONSE BY THE PRESIDENT. 



Sir : Permit me, in behalf of the members of this Society, to return 

 to you their sincere thanks for this hearty welcome. 



We have met with you here that we might once more enjoy the 

 pleasure of meeting our old friends, the pioneers and veterans in horti- 

 culture in your midst, as well as to stimulate and promote a more general 

 interest among your people in our heaven-born pursuit. Your Whitneys 

 are our fathers, and brothers, in this ennobling work. We honor the 

 names of our venerable ancestors, and their names shall live and be 

 recorded in our annals for generations to come. 



We know that our sojourn here will be a pleasant and profitable one 

 to us, and trust it will be no less so to you. 



Again allow me to thank you for your kind and welcome reception, 

 and generous hospitality so freely offered. 



The President then addressed the Society as follows : 



My Brothers : We feel to rejoice that we meet here to-day under 

 so favorable auspices. The first decade of our existence is about passed. 

 This is the tenth annual meeting of our Society, which has made a truly 

 enviable success, of which we may well be proud ] and I sincerely hope 

 and trust that when our second decade shall be numbered in our annals, 

 the name of the Northern Illinois Horticultural Society will stand second 

 to none in its benefits to the masses of the people. 



We have had many difficulties to surmount, which, thanks to your 

 energy and perseverance, have only tended to strengthen us in our good 

 work. Many of our old friends we were wont to meet, year after year, 

 at these reunions, we observe are dropping away, and others are occupy- 

 ing their places. Their memories are cherished and held sacred in our 

 hearts. 



I trust that all your discussions will be harmonious, and that when 

 our deliberations close we may, one and all, feel that it has been good 

 for us to be here, and that our efforts and labors have been amply 

 rewarded. 



