INBIANA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 243 



aging, I think, something over one hundred for the five sessions held, the 

 interest has been admirable, and we are hopeful that much good will be 

 the result. We have no question as to the outcome of these meetings held 

 in this center; and with such admirable local co-operation as we have 

 already had, I feel entirely safe in prophesying that we shall have a 

 pleasant and profitable meeting. 



One of the gi-atifying things in regard to these meetings is that, not- 

 withstanding the fact that ladies have hardly had representation on the 

 programs at all, so to speali, yet ladies have been conspicuous by their 

 presence, and in some cases, perhaps, exceeded the gentlemen in num- 

 bers. That, to me, is one of the encouraging things— that the women are 

 talking an interest in these meetings, and an interest in agriculture and 

 horticulture, live stock and dairying. The time Was when it was very 

 different. I don't know how it was in this particular county, but I know 

 I went into county after county, when institute work began, a little more 

 than a decade ago, when the attendance was made up almost exclusively 

 of gray-haired men; no young men, few middle-aged men, but a lot of old 

 men in the reminiscent stage of life, and frequently not a woman to be 

 seen. 



What a change has been wrought in these years! How much it offers 

 for the future! To me it is a very gratifying thing that the ladies come 

 out to these meetings, and that the young people are showing themselves 

 in greater and still greater numbers. 



I should like, before taking my seat, to make this appeal to you. Per- 

 haps it is not necessary, and yet it is in my heart to say this: That the 

 good, or permanent good, to result from this meeting, will be its effect 

 upon the rising generation. The older people will not be able, even though 

 they may desire, to change their methods appreciably. With them, things 

 will still go on in very much the same way as they have heretofore. We 

 look to the young people for the adoption of the new and the better 

 ways. And so I would like to ask that you see to it that the young boy, 

 that the young girl, that your children find a place at these meetings. I 

 am sur^ that they will be interested. You do not know, perhaps, how 

 much interest a boy ten or twelve or fourteen years of age will take in 

 matters of this kind, if he is present; so I bespeak for the boys and the 

 girls that they have a chance to attend this session; I know they will 

 be interested and profited, and I know that through them will come the 

 lasting benefits that we hope to secure. (Applause.) 



President Hobbs: We are indeed very glad to have with us Prof. S. 

 H. Fulton, of South Haven, Mich. Mr. Fulton has charge of the experi- 

 ment station at South Haven, and is very capable, indeed, of instructing 

 us on the subject for which he is on the program this afternoon; that 

 is, "The Apple and Pear; Planting and Growing Them." I have the 

 pleasure of introducing to you Mr. S. H. Fulton. 



