STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 5 



before your analvses. Our people as a nation, by freely crossing, bybri- 

 dizin"-. and grafting from other nations have produced a race which we 

 think there is no boast in claiming as superior in mental, moral, and 

 physic.tl enilowment. So strikingly is this superiority already demon- 

 strated, that we look forward to the rapid revolution of all nations 

 toward us in language, in law. in liberty, antl religion. 



So in Horticulture, by grafting and crossing, by hybridizing and 

 varied experiments, \ arieties of fruits and trees are multiplied, their 

 qualities improved, the ignorance and errors of cultivators eradicated, 

 and the laws of nature and economy of men reduced to simple rules and 

 proces.Nes. Because Solomon in his day, after trying all things in horti- 

 culture, doubtless, as well as in other luxuries, pronounced them all 

 vanity, it is scarce meet that we who are not Solomons should, in our 

 day, look upon Horticulture as a vain thing. In this department science 

 and knowledge is as profound and protitable to the race as in the others. 



The problems of progress and civilization are often difficult to solve. 



Remembering the simple habits and few wants of our pioneer life, 

 and comparing them with the long array of craving desires and modern 

 habits, we can scarce find any measure of our civilization, but in the 

 enumeration of our wants. And in horticultural attainments we some- 

 times suspect the highest standard is found in him who has the most 

 capacious stomach, at least in him who the keenest sense of taste and 

 smell, of touch and sight. 



These generalities are scarce a fitting jjrelude to the entertainment 

 before us, and I will conclude this salutation of welcome with the hope 

 that as "iron sharpeneth iron." and •• a man sharpencth the countenance 

 of his friend," that your friendly faces will greatly sharpen the horti- 

 cultural countenances of this community, for which they will always 

 remember you with thanks. 



The President, Hon. W. C. Flagg, then announced the State Horti- 

 cultural Society to be in session. 



The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. Mr. Bartlett of Gales- 

 burg. 



The Annual address of the President was listened to with interest by 

 a larger number than have ever before been present at the opening of an 

 Annual Meeting. 



PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 



Felloxc Members of ike Illinois State Hortieulfin-al Society : 



We meet to-day, for the purpose of holding our Fifteenth Annual 

 Meeting, in the City of Galesburg. Her citizens, foremost in other good 

 works, have given us a hearty greeting, and secured for us these comfort- 

 able cjuarters during our stay with them. For their kind expressions of 

 good will, on your behalf I tender them our sincere thanks, and express 



