HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 69 



to prepare special lists adapted by acclimation to the different sec- 

 tions of our State. When you consider the great difference in 

 climate between the extreme southern and northern tiers of coun- 

 ties, I think it will show plainly to all that whatever recom- 

 mendations we make for each section should be carefully con- 

 sidered. 



It would be well for you to further consider what are the most 

 feasible means and through what instrumentalities can we dissem- 

 minate the knowledge that is so much needed to give encourage- 

 ment and help forward the interests of horticulture in all portions 

 of our state. Also, what particular lines of horticultural industry 

 needs more than all others our present undivided, wise and judi- 

 cious attention. It is apparent to those most intimately acquainted 

 with the needs of the people that we, as individuals and as a 

 society, should give larger scope and breadth to our work, that the 

 masses may derive a greater amount of instruction and benefit 

 from our experience and teaching. You, as members of a pro- 

 gressive organization, should seek always to keep in the foremost 

 educational ranks in matters pertaining to horticulture, and aid 

 and assist with your dearly bought experience in formulating cor- 

 rective laws for guarding the inexperienced and unskilled begin- 

 ners in horticultural pursuits from imposition and fraud and a 

 wasteful expenditure of their substance on worthless nursery stock 

 of no value in this climate. 



There has been a question raised by some of the citizens of our 

 state, (I am happy to say they do not belong to this organization) 

 whether the members of this society were putting forth the energy 

 and effort they should for the advancement of horticulture in all 

 its various forms, and whether the people at large were deriving 

 benefits adequate to the amount of money drawn from our state 

 treasury, and expended yearly for our expenses and printing our 

 annual reports. Healthy criticism or honest critical judgment is 

 all right; but when it comes from professional critics and fault 

 finders, particularly without cause or reason, it gives but little 

 alarm to the members of an organization who are trying to do 

 faithful, effective work in contributing to the development and 

 prosperity of the horticultural interests in an honest and judicious 

 manner. If our efforts for the improvement of these great inter- 

 ests are not appreciated by some (a few — not many) of the people 

 of our state, the commendation and praise we receive from abroad 

 by those rendering the same service in similar lines of duty, and 

 qualified to appreciate the difficulties by which we are surrounded, 

 compensates in a measure for this constant censoriousness. To 

 err is but human, and he who can do or say aught that shall not 

 be criticised by some one, must be possessed with endowments 

 bordering on the divine. Where is there another organization in 

 our state that can show a better, clearer, more effective record of 

 honest purpose and effort, or one that has put forth greater zeal or 

 ambition to overcome the impediments, obstables, difficulties and 

 hindrances that have environed our every action. Our intentions 

 have been honest and upright, if our accomplishment of good 

 results have not been all we could desire. Our members, like 



