392 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



you will have an abundance of the choicest fruit to set before your "bet- 

 ter half" and your "little ones." 



[The stenographer's report contained no discussion of this subject.] 



The President: The next subject on tlie program is "Advantages 

 of the Local Horticultural Society," by Mr. Royer. 



ADVANTAGES OF THE LOCAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



BY E. E. ROYER, WOODRUFF. 



This subject naturally divides itself into four principal phases, viz.: 

 Social, literary, educational and practical. We are living in an age when 

 mutual interests and mutual desires must be carefully considered. We are 

 taught that "No man liveth unto himself," but that his duties are of a 

 three-fold nature, viz.: to his Creator, to his fellows, and to himself. Our 

 business relations of the present demand co-operation and united effort. 

 It is not only a privilege but an imperative duty that we should unite in 

 common interests, not for self-aggrandizement, not for filthy lucre, but for 

 the elevation of our occupation and those who are engaged therein. Our 

 State societies can do much to enhance common interest in our cause. 

 Our district societies may enthuse the leaders, but our local societies must 

 reach the masses. It must come into the home and draw from the "sons 

 of toil" thoughts, ideas and practical suggestions. For upon the common 

 people of any cause rest the push, energy and prosperity of that cause. 



The social feature of our local societies is of much and lasting benefit 

 to its members. The hospitality of the farm home outrivals all others. It 

 is informal and unassuming, a true expression of the inner life. Not arti- 

 ficial and superficial, but deep rooted and well founded. The words of 

 welcome, the kindly smile, the hearty shake of the hand and the ladened 

 board, bespeak in stronger terms than all the pomp and gayety of the 

 world. Those homes desire and welcome friends, visitors and companions, 

 and companionship is a boon to tlie human race. It is that which en- 

 coin-ages, cheers and consoles. Many lives are brightened, many path- 

 ways are made smoother, by the companionship of humanity. Its desire 

 is universal. It is found in the most degraded beings of creation, lodged 

 in the hearts of the sturdy peasantry of the world, and is not lacking in 

 the most cultured and refined. This desire had its origin when man was 

 placed in the garden of Eden, and it will remain until he ceases to exist. 

 Its culmination is in the home of the horticulturist and farmer. It is 

 not sham, but genuine worth. We often think of the world as being 

 cold and formal, and many times we are judging rightly, but in these 



