122 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



inhabitants of cities, consequently are more inclined to observe and obey her 

 laws. In their midst schoolhouses and churches are reared, not for pride or 

 display, but because these things are the outward expression of the innate 

 principles of an agricultural people. 



Such were the pioneers of this state, and they have left evidence of their 

 lives pnd works to remind us of the debt of gratitude we owe them for having 

 laid the foundation for this grand and beautiful state which is year by year be- 

 coming an ideal land. Following closely the agriculturist comes the horticul- 

 turist. Fruit, trees, vines, and berries are planted, and this is the second 

 stage entered upon toward making Michigan one of the most desirable of lands 

 for the homes of men and women of culture. The numerous orchards which 

 have been planted and improved, the vineyards so frequently found, trained 

 with care, are so many evidences of their love for Pomona's gifts. Combined 

 with the more substantial productions of agriculture the cultivation of fruit 

 leads us to a love for the beautiful — nay, compels us to admire flowers and 

 plants, and this results in the ornamentation of our homes and grounds. One 

 good work begets another, until we find the best elements in a rural people 

 drawn toward each other by similar tastes and sympathies, and this fraternal 

 feeling has resulted in the organization of horticultural and pomological 

 societies, a step which has been fruitful of much good, enabling members to 

 co-operate and undertake still greater improvements. The great work accom- 

 plished in the past, by those who have labored to improve the home comforts 

 and surroundings of the people of their time, is and ever will be, recognized 

 as worthy of the gratitude and remembrance of us all. 



How greatly the beauty of any country is enhanced by the planting of 

 trees along the highways, and how gratifying the shade to the weary traveler. 

 If every freeholder would plant along the public thoroughfare, as far as his 

 lands extend, ornamental, forest, or fruit trees, it would enhance the value 

 of his possessions and confer a boon upon the traveling public. I would 

 particularly recommend the fruit trees inf such places for the use of the 

 public. It is done in some countries — why not here? How refreshing to 

 the thirsty and weary traveler is a handful of cherries or a nice apple. In 

 cases where landowners are not able to purchase, horticultural societies might 

 unite and donate the needed trees and thus leave beautiful and Uocful way- 

 marks to awaken the gratitude of future generations. 



Almost every county has a fair ground near some city's limits. These 

 grounds are usually places of ])ublic resort, and where towns have no other 

 public park the fair ground might be owned jointly by the municipality and 

 the agricultural society, and converted into a public park, through which 

 walks and driveways should be made with regard to convenience and the 

 beauty of the landscape. These, with the trotting course, would furnish 

 pleasant drives for the citizens as well as strangers, upon whom a favorable 

 impression would be made — they would remember such towns as desirable 

 places of residence, where they would be sure to find cultivated society for 

 themselves and families. 



A public park in any town adds greatly to its beauty, and is always sought, 

 for enjoyment, by both old and young. If we educate ourselves and others 

 to love and admire beautiful places, the result will be to turn the attention of 

 the masses to this important factor which does so much to endear us to our 

 homes and the country in which we dAvell. 



When any great change is desired for the better, we should bring an influ- 



