STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 15 



of the useful arts connected with the cultivation of the soil, and 

 had none of the demoralizing influences of horse racing, too often 

 accompanying exhibitions in agriculture and horticulture. He 

 commended the labors of the Horticultural Society in fostering the 

 production of new and better varieties of fruits, flowers and vege- 

 tables, and in the embellishment of the homes of the people, and 

 promised the hearty co-operation of the University, in its educa- 

 tional departments, with the work the society has in hand. 



President Harris returned thanks on behalf of the society for 

 the cordial welcome given us. He complimented the regents and 

 officers of the University for their own advancement in the prac- 

 tice of horticulture, as shown in the improvement of their campus 

 and gardens, and hoped they would continue to derive practical 

 benefit from their association with the State Horticultural Society. 

 "Meet with us, help us in the future as you have done in the past," 

 said he, "and we will continue to do you good." President Harris 

 concluded his address as follows: 



ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT HARRIS. 



Ladies and Gentlemen^ Members and friends of the State Horticult- 

 ural Societi/: 



We meet to-day in the Queen City of the Northwest for the pur- 

 pose of exhibiting the fairest fruit, the most beautiful flowers, 

 and the most useful vegetables of the season, and to discuss their 

 merits, to secure important information, lay plans for the future 

 and recruit our enegies by taking a brief rest from toil and busi- 

 ness. We meet in the most auspicious place in all our wide do- 

 main, the halls of scientific learning, the place of all others which 

 should most elevate the noble calling of agriculture, and I trust 

 that our meeting may bring new interest and greater honors upon 

 the place. 



HORTICULTURE AS AN ART. 



Horticulture as an art embraces three mighty industries — the cul- 

 ture of fruits, culinary vegetables, and of flowers and ornamental 

 plants. It is the oldest and first calling of man. Commenced in 

 Paradise, it stimulates man a lost Paradise to regain. It is cal- 

 culated to afl'ord the intellect abundant themes to interest a long 

 life and make it a perpetual gladness, joy and blessedness. It af- 



