53 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. 



as the power of that mighty empire. Solomon sang of his 

 most divine communings through the type of the garden, showing 

 it to be the one place sacred to mingled meditation and comfort. 

 It is said that the profound writings of Socrates, Plato and Aris- 

 totle were composed among the trees and flowers of the 

 Academia. Our Savior was wont to retire to the mountains 

 for meditation and prayer, and it was in the " garden " that he 

 spent the last quiet hours of his life in the flesh, in that mighty 

 struggle for victory, and there he uttered that memorable request 

 that his followers " might all be one." This intimate association 

 of great mental and spiritual activity, with the garden, is no pic- 

 ture of fancy. There is something of inspiration in the quiet yet 

 unceasing activity of the vegetable world which inspires in us the 

 best thoughts and purest motives of life. 



Horticulture is the fine art of agriculture, and a necessary ad- 

 junct of its onward progress. Civilization demands a different 

 dress from barbarism. The farmer of primitive ages could clothe 

 himself with the undressed skins of the flock, and feed upon their 

 half-cooked flesh. But the farmer of today must have fabrics of 

 many skillful hands and busy spindles to clothe himself and 

 family, and be fed with the varied products of his own and other 

 climes. In this expansion of idea and scope of life, horticulture 

 comes in to do its part, supplying the fruits of the orchard and 

 garden, which otherwise would be imported from other climes. 

 It furnishes the home with rare and beautiful plant life, making 

 that home attractive, both for its inmates and visitors. My own 

 love of flowers and knowledge of plant life has often furnished a 

 ready passport to the best society and homes of strangers, a key 

 to unlock the bars of social life. 



Horticulture, as an art, has received the fostering care of all 

 civilized nations, and dates back (says our Mrs. Lewis) to the 

 garden of Eden, where " the first horticultural society was formed," 

 according to the instincts and aspirations of mankind ; " and the 

 same writer says further, " here the love for a garden germinated, 

 and this love has been by nature kept burning ever since ; and 

 we alone are responsible if it does not continue until our whole 

 lives are gladdened and beautified by its presence." 



