158 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



C. H. Dennis — I move that this question be referred to the 

 Executive Board, and that we now adjourn. 



Motion carried. 



MISCELLANEOUS OR DEFERRED PAPERS. 



LIFE AND DEATH OF HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 

 BY VICE-PEESIDENT MILO BARNARD. 



Now that horticultural organizations have become the medium 

 or highway through which the knowledge gained by amateurs and 

 professionals reaches the general pul)lic, the words I have chosen for 

 my text are fraught with untokl meaning and importance; for 

 when we ascertain the secret of success in the organization and man- 

 agement of horticultural societies^ and expose the cause of rotten- 

 ness and decay so often witnessed in associations of this kind, we 

 will have made one grand movement toward universal knowledge on 

 this all-important subject of horticulture; for it is a fact apparent 

 to all observing minds, that where a live, progressive society exists, 

 there horticultural knowledge and horticultural products abound, 

 and the standard of morals, intelligence, refinement, and taste is 

 much higher than in localities where individual effort only is exerted 

 in this direction, which is conclusive proof of the useful and dissem- 

 inating power of organizations. 



I have been led to reflect upon this matter by various remarks 

 made by members of the State Society touching its longevity and 

 vitality. It seems to be a foregone conclusion, with some at least, 

 that the days of this Society are numbered, that its end draweth 

 nigh, its life-blood is slowly but surely receding from the extremi- 

 ties, that its feet and hands are growing cold, and that death will 

 soon claim the old pioneer, that the grim messenger is even now 

 knocking at the door seeking admission to our councils. And at 

 f'ormer meetings the excuse for absence on the part of some mem- 

 bers was that they could not bear to be in at the death, — could not 

 witness the death throes of the good old Society. Now, with due 

 regard and reverence for the feelings of those fathers in horticul- 

 ture, I must beg leave to differ with them. I will not say that the 

 days of this Society, as now organized, may not l)e numbered. Tliis 

 may all be true, for change is a universal law of nature. But I will 

 say that a deep interest in horticultural matters, and organizations 

 of some kind for the furtherance of the cause, will not soon fade 



