332 ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



THE MAY MEETING. 



The Society met at the new City Hall, May lo, when, with the usual 

 variety of horticultural discussion, President Hammond read the following 

 essay on 



HOME ADORNMENT. 



Webster defines Landscape Gardening as the art of laying out grounds 

 and arranging trees, shrubbery, etc., in such a manner as to produce the 

 most pleasing effect. 



It is supposed by many that only the man of large estate and ample 

 means can practice this delightful art. But this is an error that our hor- 

 ticultural societies should correct, and prominently set forth the fact that 

 any farmer or owner of a town lot may and should practice something of 

 ornamental horticulture. 



The man who rears his stately mansion, in the midst of his hun- 

 dreds of acres, has the opportunity to display much of taste and skill in 

 the management of his grounds. Here the road winds among groves and 

 clumps of trees, or is overhung b}^ luxuriant vines, or unexpectedly crosses 

 a rustic bridge. Now the visitor loses himself in a miniature forest of 

 evergreens, or stumbles unexpectedly on a pile of moss-covered rocks, or 

 is charmed by the splash of the tiny waterfall. Trees and plants from 

 every clime meet his astonished view, and 'at every turn scenes of new 

 beauty present themselves. But we, in our poverty, have nothing to do 

 with landscape gardening in this sense of the word, but will speak of it 

 in its adaptation to our wants as farmers and villagers. 



The first great act in the history of mankind transpired in a garden. 

 Beneath the luxuriant trees of Eden, God gave to man his "first best 

 gift;" and — sad to relate — in this blissful spot the happy pair listened 

 to the voice of the tempter and fell, and were banished from their blessed 

 home. And in all his wanderings up and down the earth for six thousand 

 years, man has looked back with intense longing to his first estate. And 

 as he advanced in civilization, intelligence and culture, has sought to 

 make his home approach as near it as possible. 



The various stages in the development of any people may be traced 

 by their advancement in agricultural and horticultural science. To pro- 

 vide food is the first great end to be accomplished ; and until this is done 

 no culture of the mind can be thought of. And it is a deplorable fact, 

 that there are many, even in this land of plenty, who can never get beyond 

 the bread and butter struggle, and, therefore, find no time for social or 

 intellectual improvement. 



When assured of his food supply, man begins to provide himself with 

 the luxuries of life, and plant gardens and orchards and vineyards. These 

 things secured, he feels another want. His home is dreary and cheerless. 



