DECEMBER MEETIXG. 219 



locality in the State the most intelligent fruit growers, and now we have enrolled 

 a large number of experienced pomologists, avIio arc willing to impart from 

 their storehouses of knowledge, and at the same time are glad to receive the 

 information from otliers. wliicli our society brings to the front thi'ongh its 

 (piarterly sessions. 



AVhetiier it has as fully accomplished the objects yon had in view in tiie 

 organization, as you might desire, remains for you to decide. We can all 

 observe a considerable progress in our endeavor to get hold of the citizenship- 

 of the State. But as we look aliead and survey the ])ossibiIities of our future 

 it seems but little that we have already accomplislied. AVe shall never reach 

 that point where we can say, Ave have done our work. The field opens broader 

 to us as we advance into it. Our Avork increases Avith our exertions. The art 

 of horticulture and the science Aviiich underlies tlie art (I use the term horti- 

 ture rather than pomology, because it is more applicable to our real Avork) form 

 the very poetry of agriculture. Embodying all the principles of agriculture, 

 Ave can say that horticulture is more than a branch of tlie tree, it permeates 

 the Avliolc structure, beautifying and ennobling it. 



We come back to you after years of absence, not for the purpose of showing 

 off our capabilities, but the rather to imbibe ncAv strength and vigor from the 

 place of our nativity. 



We do not forget that horticulture and commerce in Western Michigan are 

 intimately related, and that Avhilc by our efforts Ave aid in the development of 

 the latter avc are giving support to the former. We are not assuming too nuich, 

 I believe, in saying that Ave have as a society materially increased tlie value of 

 investments in Western Michigan, and Avithout any disparagement to other 

 parts of the State, I am free to remark that our AVork Avill largely center in the 

 Avestern i)art of the State, and the major part of our support Avill come from 

 here. 



Let me bo understood, then, tliat while avc give no preference to any locality in 

 the State, still Avhere fruit growing makes up the greater part of the occupa- 

 tions of the people, there our influence is the most largely developed. 



Trusting that Ave Avill find you readv alwavs in the future as in the past to 

 second any Avorthy enterprise in Avhich Ave may engage as a society, Ave put our- 

 selves in your hands for a season, to be encouraged and enliA'ened for that Avhich 

 is waiting our efforts to accomplish. 



The next exercise of the evening Avas an essay by Mrs. Sophie IT. Knight of 

 Lansing, on 



THE HARTFORD FERN IX HOME DECORATION. 



Another brief, joyous season of buds, blossoms, and foliage has passed away; 

 the frosts of another autumn have broAvned and dried the leaves, Avhich the cold 

 AA'inds of November have shaken to the ground ; soon they Avill be covered, in 

 their graves, by the snoAvs of Avinter, We clung, Avith anxious care, to the few 

 hardy pets of our summer gardens: verbenas.chrysauthemums, and dark-eyed 

 pansies braved the frosts and cold ; but, at last, Ave haA'e bid them also 

 "farcAvell" — till Spring, Avith her balmy air and Avarni sunshine, shall once 

 more avoo them to Avaken from their long sleep. The birds flitted to "summer 

 climes" Aveeks ago, and now the dismantled flower-beds, " naked woods, and 

 meadows brown and sere" afford only sad and retrospective thoughts; aa'O are 

 therefore glad to turn our attention indoors, and iu looking around our warm 



