218 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



FJoriculture gives delightful employment to ladies. It should be 

 a field of conquest for them. It is immensely ahead of puppy culture. 

 In this age of widening horizons, it is sad to see the soul of a young 

 woman narrowed down to supreme affection for a little dog. Said a 

 a very small and exquisite dude to a young lady: "Wouldn't you 

 like a little puppy?" "Oh," said she, with a gasp of breath, "give 

 me time; this is so sudden." Another young lady sat stroking her 

 dog. As her white fingers went flashing through his silken hair and 

 he sat there drinking into his dog's soul the deep bliss of such kindly 

 attention, a young fellow, looking on lovingly, said: " I wish I was 

 a dog." "Well, you'll grow." 



The noble science of which we are speaking opens wide possibilities 

 and an endless fund of enjoyment. It permits the young enthusiast 

 to take the blank leaves of nature and fill them up with pictures of 

 transcendent loveliness. He is said to be a benefactor who makes 

 two blades of grass grow where there was only one. What shall we 

 say of the victor, who, in place of the grass, calls out from the unseen 

 forms of loveliness which are a joy to the eye and an inspiration to the 

 soul. "Kindly Mother Nature ever stands before us, and in the in- 

 tensity of her longing would unfold before us the treasures of her 

 store-house. Art unlocks her doors, enters her palace, and brings out 

 her marvelous gifts." 



It should be the mission of this Horticultural Society to demand 

 some rights in the name of this great commonwealth. Having seen 

 the wealth, culture, and energy and enthusiasm displayed in some of 

 our older states, I am impressed with the fact that there is something 

 sadly lacking in Nebraska, so, instead of being content with a crumb, 

 we should now and then demand a loaf. We need a fine conservatory 

 laid out on a generous plan, and hail proof, where our students, where 

 the farmers and the people can come and in a short time become ac- 

 quainted with the treasures of the tropical world. Such a place is 

 needed for some of the more delicate experiments of horticulture which 

 cannot be carried on in the turbulent climate of the outside world. 

 Again, we should have plenty of room and plenty of means for out- 

 door experiments. All the past years we have as a state played a little 

 at horticulture. Now we need to get down to business. Our state 

 has had a hard time, but will emerge from these terrible drouths and 

 show unwonted vigor. This long season of trial has been healthy. 



