Discussion. 187 



Plant the best seeds of all your best fruit, 

 Good fruits to raise that some lands may suit; 

 Fruits which shall live their blessings to shed, 

 On millions of souls when you shall be dead. 



Plant! plant your best seeds — no longer doubt 

 That beautiful fruits you may create; 

 Fruits which, perchance, your name may enshrine. 

 In emblems of life and beauty to shine. 



In conclusion let me quote the words of Mr. Wilder, which 

 he so feelingly spoke, concerning the decease of his friend 

 and co-worker, Charles Downing, as expressing more fully 

 than any I can frame, the sentiment of a multitude of those 

 who lament again, the loss of a noble man and eminent hor- 

 ticulturist. 



" Dead; but his spirit is still with us, and will continue to 

 inspire our souls, and the souls of those who succeed us, as 

 long as a love of the beautiful in nature, of rural pleasures 

 and of domestic comfort, shall have a place in the heart of 

 mankind. His star has now set, but it has left a golden 

 record which shall bring forth the fruits which he so much 

 loved. " 



Adjourned until 7 oclock P. M. 



Meeting called to order at 7 o'clock P. M. 



Pres. J. M. Smith — Since our adjournment! have learned 

 that Mr. Witt was an old friend of Marshall P. Wilder's, so 

 the first thing we will listen to Mr. Witt for a few minutes. 



Mr. Witt — Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: — I was 

 acquainted with Marshall P. Wilder in his early manhood, 

 and knew all about him from his youth until the day of his 

 death. I have never seen a notice of Col. Wilder's life and 

 early manhood. Mr. Wilder was a born leader. In his 

 boyhood and young manhood he took the place among the 

 boys that he did in his mature years among the men. He was 

 a noted boy. He was a person whom every one respected, 

 and everything that was of good report could be said of 



