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MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 45 
We must not cast too lopvg a look behind, but with one retrospective 
glance pass on; the time is short and shall not our hands and minds im- 
prove it, shall we not, spread the lawn with trees, shrubs and flowering 
plants, and tell their names, their language and their uses; shall we not 
labor for the benefit and advancement of the rising generation as others for 
us, have done before? Let us adorn and beautify our homes and make them 
pleasing and attractive, and our children will grow up around us contented, 
virtuous and happy; let us fill our libraries with volumes of useful knowl- 
edge and wisdom, honor and blessings will crown our efforts. 
Next to the influence and instruction imparted at home comes in the State 
as the great educator of her people. Her system of schools is made com- 
plete, as far as liberal endowments go and it only remains for our legisla- 
- ture to carry out, exemplify and perfect. 
We have in operation the common, graded, and normal schools and our 
State University—all working together in training up the child from the 
first rudiments of learning to the highest attainments of knowledge. The 
cause of general education is one that lies very near my heart, but I shal! 
only discuss it at this time in a horticultural point of view. 
Books cannot furnish all that we should know, and feel; to educate alike 
the head, the mind, the heart, is but to rise from nature’s study, up to 
nature’s God. There is a benign influence above and around us, that: 
‘‘Warms in the sun, refreshes in the breeze, 
Glows in the stars, and blossoms in the trees. 
Lives through all life, extends through all extent, 
Spreads undivided, operates unspent.”’ 
Botany is taught in most of the advanced schools of learning in this 
State, yet how many of those institutions have their collections of plants, 
as specimens to illustrate its teachings and define its truths ? Not one, so 
farasI know. As well teach astronomy without the aid of the telescope, 
or theology without the Bible. 
But aside from this, plants, and flowers more especially, have a refining 
influence, that softens down the harsher tendencies of our nature, creates 
within us nobler and more refining sentiments, instills kindness into our 
affections, and warms our hearts with true devotion to the interests and 
weifare of those around us, fitting us to enjoy the social intercourse and 
friendship of the world. There aremany such families in our land, whose 
‘sons and daughters have been reared beneath the enobling and endearing 
influence of flowers and home, who look upon everything as sacred that has 
received the touch of asmother’s hand, and whose hearts have been moulded 
to the nicest degree of sensibility and refinement; when they leave home 
to complete an education, and go to our free institutions of learning, 
whose bare walls and surroundings are barren of all the beauties of nature, 
they feel as if they had been thrust out upon the cold charities of a naked 
world. 
Last winter this society visited the Normal School at Winona, by invita- 
tion of Prof. Phelps, the official superintendent. We found about three 
hundred pupils in attendance, of all grades, from the highest, who were 
nearly ready to receive their diploma, to the lowest who were just beginning. 
Some of them were boys of but three feet high, whom the State with noble 
