302 ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



very attractive spot. It used to be said that the "king can do no wrong." 

 This must be interpreted : "the king ought to do no wrong; " and this is 

 very applicable to our city government. It ought to do no wrong, but it 

 should set an example of neatness to all the inhabitants. Our parks 

 should be kept in such a manner as to encourage neatness in individuals 

 in the management of their grounds. 



President Standish said : The evening is too far gone to make many 

 remarks, but I would like to talk upon what constitutes the standard of 

 taste, for there is such a standard. But we must not confound natural 

 with artificial taste. What was in good taste among the ancient Greeks 

 and Romans is good to-day. They took their standard from nature, and 

 so when we see a beautiful cluster of trees or shrubs it is our effort to 

 reproduce it in our grounds. Three trees may be arranged with good 

 taste, and a square rod of ground may be made a beautiful lawn. While 

 I agree with Mr. Hale as to neatness of culture, I take issue with him in 

 regard to trimming evergreens. I recollect it was my mother's first care 

 in the spring to get the door-yard in order, and I used to be called out to 

 pick up all the sticks, straws and chips that had accumulated in the win- 

 ter, so as to have nothing but the green grass to be seen. But in regard 

 to evergreens, I would say, don't trim them up from the ground. The 

 lawn ends at the top of the tree and it should have that appearance ; and 

 you cannot have that effect if you trim them. Of course all dead limbs 

 should be removed. 



JANUARY MEETING. 



A meeting of the Society was held at the residence of Capt. Fuller, 

 January 22, 1877. The President, having called the meeting to order, 

 stated that he had invited Judge Lanphere to be present and read a 

 paper before the Society. 



Judge Lanphere, being introduced, said: " I find myself to-night 

 surrounded by people who have very beautiful grounds, much finer than 

 my own, and my appearance here looks very much like ' calling upon the 

 weak to confound the wise.' " He then read as follows: 



SOME THOUGHTS ON PARKS IN GENERAL, AND OUR PARKS IN PARTICULAR. 



What is a park? Webster defines it thus : "A large piece of ground 

 inclosed and privileged for wild beasts of chase." That is not the kind 

 of park I have in mind ; and yet, the park under consideration is often 



