116 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Miss Dixie Smith, a daughter Mr. C. L. Smith, editor of the 

 Farmers' Tribune, then recited a graceful and beautiful little 

 poem entitled "The Birth of the Rose", receiving well-deserved 

 applause. 



President Underwood: Whom shall we call its champion? 

 "The Rose, the Queen of Flowers." I ask that Mrs. Morrison 

 respond. 



The hostess of the evening, Mrs. Dorilus Morrison, then 

 stepped forward and after the applause which greeted her had 

 subsided, read the following very interesting paper. 



"THE ROSE-THE QUEEN OF FLOWERS". 

 Mrs. Dorilcjs Morrison, Villa Rosa, Minneapolis. 



Mr. President, members of the Horticultural Society and friends: 



It is a long step from the amateur to the expert, and I have not yet 

 bridged that chasm, as you will quickly perceive. 



Nevertheless, I am pleased to see some among you here who are not un- 

 acquainted with my zealous devotion to the rose, and, possibly, the surest 

 evidence of that interest to all who pass our portals, is the inscription 

 "Villa Rosa," which stands as the insignia of our home. 



In the invitation of long standing, extended by this honorable society 

 through your secretary, Mr. Latham, requesting that I speak before you 

 upon "The culture of the rose in' private grounds," I have ever been 

 mindful of the high compliment paid me, but our absence from home at 

 the time of your sessions has prevented acceptance, and a natural reluct, 

 ance to speak as an amateur before professionals has not hastened the 

 overcoming of hindrance which stood between your kind invitation and 

 my earlier response. 



But, while it is quite true that in studying the history of horticulture in 

 the United States, covering a period of the last thirty years, we find it has 

 rapidly advanced, and that its progress is largely due to the horticultural 

 societies, especially those of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, I am fast 

 growing into the belief that more value for the promotion and success of 

 town rose gardens, at least, may follow the experiences and discriminations 

 of an amateur, than where the pursuit is adopted as a business, which is 

 not often conducive to enthusiasm. 



In this delightful pastime and recreative pursuit an amateur finds 

 much time to talk about roses, to experiment with them, to read about 

 them; and what a special literature has sprung up pertaining to horti- 

 culture and floriculture! Not only have the leading agricultural journals 

 a horticultural department with a competent editor, but special period- 

 icals, like the French Journal "Des Roses," which is given over exclusively 

 to the consideration of th's regal flower, are now delightful ayenues to 

 more practical acquaintance with the first lady in Flora's court. 



It comes to me that any message I am privileged to bring to you this 

 evening should be mainly through the door of my own experience, and 

 though that history covers much of defeat and something of success, and 

 will be unattended with anything especially new or startling to advance 

 to you who are so much wiser than I, it is a genuine pleasure to open 



