60 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



The large area of Nebraska which seems peculiarly fitted for timber 

 purposes, as proven by private and governmenital experiments, and which 

 for mere tillage purposes has an uncertain value, affords a splendid field 

 for expansive work in forestry. The formulating and carrying into action 

 plans for this specific work, will depend largely upon the men who 

 are tree lovers, for like all great movements for the ultimate good, the 

 ethical principle is the vitalizing power. 



In this society and in kindred societies there have been those 

 ■ who for many years were apparently "Crying in the Wilderness" but 

 preaching in no uncertain teirms against the prodigal waste of our Nation- 

 al resources, and especially against the greedy devastation of our forest 

 area. The seed sown and the splendid work done by these pioneers in 

 tMs particular line 'has and is bearing fruit, and when one reflects for 

 a moment upon the personnel of the convention recently called by our 

 esteemed president, we see that the thinking force of the nation is 

 aroused and aggressive measures for an all round economy in the use of 

 nature's gifts are being taken. Let us pause and ask the question, "Is 

 this spirit of altruism born of the gross materiality of those who seek to 

 get for themselves alone, and who live just for the pTesent?" No, it 

 is the fruitage of the motive that prompts the planting and conserving 

 for future generations, and yet as we weigh immediate results, both in 

 character and personal enjoyment, they who are governed by the latter 

 spirit are infinitely enriched and those who succeed to the heritage they 

 pass on are made wealthy thereby. 



Before closing let me say that the task of the missionary of beauty 

 is a delightful one, the essence of whose spirit is to provide enjoyment 

 for others; the perfume arising from such service is free from selfishness 

 and the inevitable sequence must be an elevating and refining power 

 amongst our people. 



One of my old friends who recently returned from attending the 

 twentieth reunion of his class at Amherst College, in speaking of the 

 culture and refinement of New England, and the beauty of its Horticulture 

 and Arborculture, said, "It will take a long, long time to get anything ap- 

 protximately like it in Nebraska." Yes, perhaps it will, yet we believe 

 in these fertile soils of this responsive prairie land there exists the 

 ability to nurture and bring to full fruition that which perhaps seems to 

 be a dream of the idealist, and I am optimist enough to believe that in 

 the personality of the people who are scattered over these splendid lands 

 are the elements which will respond to the beguiling influence of the 

 beautiful in nature and art and as the years go on our own hearts will 

 be gladdened in seeing the evidence of an ever increasing culture and 

 refinement accompanied with a personal charm of character which is 

 the crown of all human life. 



The President: We will now be favored with a selection by the 

 orchestra, as this closes our regular program for the evening. And if 



