8 
FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 
back home, and that you will want to 
come back and stay here for good. 
In closing my remarks. I am going to 
read you a poetical invitation to Palm 
Beach. It may not be entirely appropriate 
because you are all Floridians. It is en¬ 
titled : 
AN EPISTLE 
FROM THE PEOPLE OF PALM BEACH TO 
THEIR LESS FAVORED BRETHREN 
IN THE NORTH 
All you who dread winter, with what ic 
implies, 
In the far away realms of Jack Frost; 
And you who are stricken when Dame 
Nature dies, 
And would fly from her snows at all cost; 
And you, too, who toil, yet are tired of 
the strife, 
And think you’ve earned leisure to spare; 
And you who are seeking a new lease of 
life 
But can find no environment fair; 
Oh say, won’t you come to our City of 
Flowers— 
To our homes amid greensward and 
bloom; 
Where, while o’er your bleak land the 
blizzard cloud lowers, 
We are basking in bowers of perfume; 
Oh say, won’t you come where the palms 
whisper low, 
And the tall oleanders wave free; 
Where the royal poincianas, in scarlet 
aglow, 
Are bowing and beckoning to thee? 
Oh say, won’t you come and enjoy, while 
you may 
The enchantment of tropical skies; 
And see the famed sunsets that hallow our 
day, 
And the love-storied moonlight we prize; 
Oh say, won’t you come and breathe 
zephyrs of health, 
In a bourne where youth ceases its flight; 
Where the days creep upon us with un¬ 
perceived stealth, 
And we dream away care in a night? 
Oh come, and be charmed with our red- 
bird’s bright wing, 
With the plumes of the lovely bluejay; 
And list to the songs that the mocking¬ 
birds sing— 
Feel the throb of the whippoorwill’s lay. 
Oh say, won’t you come and be clasped in 
the brine, 
Of the Southland’s warm billowy wave, 
As it flashes and glints in the merry sun¬ 
shine, 
Or breaks at our feet as we lave? 
Won’t you come and hook “kings” from 
our ocean-swept pier? 
Won’t you troll for lake trout as we sail? 
Won’t you follow the fawn in our Ever¬ 
glades near; 
And encamp on the Seminole’s train? 
Or come, if you will, and be one at the 
feast 
That we offer of grapefruit and pine; 
Of the orange and banana and mango— 
nor least, 
Of the pear avocado divine. 
Oh say, won’t you come—or if Fashion's 
the wile 
That must lure you from Boreal Blast; 
