2G2 ILLINOIS STATE HOR'lICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Having taken a glimpse of the past, the future lies before us. And 

 surely we have learned many important lessons, as well as made many 

 mistakes, which may be of vast beneiit to beginners, especially our mis- 

 takes, many of which are recorded in our transactions. 



Following in the footsteps of my predecessors, I cannot urge too 

 strongly the vast importance of forest tree planting. Our forests are fast 

 receding before the ax man, and the future supply should be provided for. 

 And all eyes are turned to you and other horticultural organizations for 

 instruction and examples in this great work, 



I am aware that it is seemingly a hard matter to induce people to 

 plant forests, but if we can bring an influence to bear upon them which 

 will lead them to consider the importance of planting live posts for fence 

 in the North, where the Osage orange does not do well, we will have 

 accomplished a part of our mission. I hope the subject will receive your 

 consideration. 



I trust, also, you will consider the importance of selling fruits by 

 weight, instead of measure ; the terms boxes and barrels have become so 

 meaningless that one might as well say "as large as a piece of chalk." 



I would recommend that each member be careful to maintain the 

 integrity of the Society, and not mar the good name it has hitherto sus- 

 tained and so justly deserves, by coming too hastily to conclusions ; for 

 our doings go before the world to be criticized, and they should stand 

 the closest scrutiny. Therefore, when any measure of importance comes 

 before this body every member should vote understandingly. 



Man's ingenuity is great ; he can build a gunboat, take a city, or 

 conquer a nation ; yet after all a tiny insect sometimes baffles all his skill 

 and whips him out ; at least so it seems to be with the codling moth ; but 

 I hope our State Entomologist is building the gunboat which will aid us 

 in gaining the victory over the hosts of our insect foes. 



We have had another severe trial of our faith; we have had a three 

 years' drought, though there has been sufficient surface moisture to bring 

 forth cereals and two good crops of fruit. But when old Boreas comes 

 down from the north with his extreme cold breath, and finds the earth too 

 dry to withstand him, the result is fearful to the horticulturist. 



It is written, " in the sweat of thy face thou shalt eat bread ;" and, 

 as my friend Hammond says, " we must fight it out on that line." 



I feel encouraged about our horticultural bill now before the Legis- 

 lature, as the Governor has recommended its passage in his message ; and 

 I talked with some prominent members of the House of Representatives, 

 when at Champaign, attending the meeting of the State Horticultural 

 Society, who last winter opposed the bill, but who, after learning its 

 nature and importance from Messrs. McWhorter and Galusha, promised 

 to support it this winter. 



I am not aware that any of our brethren have fallen by death during 

 the past year. I would recommend that a record be kept of our de- 

 ceased members. 



In conclusion, allow me to call your attention to the fact that the 

 American Pomological Society will hold its next biennial meeting in 



