STATE HOKTICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 287 



with it glowing pictures of j)0ssibilities to be found within the 

 realm of Nature and her gifts; it clothes the home with all the 

 loveliness of spring, adorns, beautifies, and fills the land with all 

 the luxury of choicest fruits and flowers. What fields are opened 

 for investigation; what varied conditions to be studied, learned, 

 and practiced: what changeful climate; how much depend on 

 heat and cold, seed time and harvest, selection and care, rain 

 and drought, machinery, markets, protection from insects, cul- 

 ture, economy, and skill! All these and many other things must 

 be considered within the realm of horticultural knowledge and 

 investigation. 



It is the aim within the limits of the present volume to give a 

 somewhat brief and at the same time faithful outline of the work, 

 transactions, j)lans and x>urposes of the associations whose re- 

 ports are found herein contained; to group in a convenient form 

 for ready reference, such other information as we may, that all 

 who scan its pages in present or in future time, may find some 

 food for thought, some facts of value, the whole to constitute a 

 work to be esteemed of use, and worthy to be given to a friend. 



We would enlist in this important work the humble cottager, 

 the sturdy farmer, the skillful artisan, the busy merchant, the 

 thoughtful student, all of every character and calling, to join 

 hands with us in earnest effort to advocate, sustain and push our 

 worthy cause. Especially do we invite our lady friends to join us 

 in our work and teach us by their skill, their well known love 

 for all that's beautiful and true, to emulate examples of the use- 

 ful and the good, and gain that plaudit of success which finds 

 expression in the words "well done." 



' ' I know not which I love the most, 

 Nor which the comeliest shows, 

 The timid, bashful Violet, 

 Or the royal-hearted Rose; 



" The Pansy in her purple dress, 

 The Pink with cheek of red, 

 Or the faint, fair Heliotrope, who hangs. 

 Like a bashful maid, her head. 



"For I love and prize you one and all, 

 From the least low bloom of spring 

 lo the Lily lair, whose clothes outshine 

 The raiment of a king. " ' 



