i8 
FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
map of the State will show the splendid 
geographical situation of Key West as 
entrepot of the commerce of the West In¬ 
dies, of South and Central America, and 
the far-off Pacific Coast via the Panama 
Canal. It requires no prophet to foresee 
the prosperity and the development that 
will follow the completion of this enter¬ 
prise, and that it will be completed, and 
within the lifetime of its great originator 
I have no doubt. Where has that brain 
expended itself for the betterment of a 
locality, for the accomplishment of a 
great purpose—and ever failed ? On that 
progressive escutcheon only the word 
^‘SUCCESS” is engraved. In that great 
heart only sentiments of generosity find 
a lodgment. That ample purse is always 
open for the development of new enter¬ 
prises and the addition of new resources 
to the commerce and industries and en¬ 
lightenment of the age. 
Mr. Chairman: I know not what the 
generous people of Jacksomdlle have pro¬ 
vided in the way of entertainment-for this 
society, but if the experience of the past 
is tO' be the prophecy of the future that 
entertainment will be ample, delightful 
and worthy of the guests and of the hosts. 
On behalf of the Society I extend to the 
people of Jacksonville a cordial invita¬ 
tion to attend our sessions, to partake with 
us in the deliberations that shall come be¬ 
fore our Society. We are here, not alone 
for entertainment, and pleasure, but for 
work. In the every-day experiences of 
the Horticulturist there are problems to 
solve, questions to answer, that call for 
the wisdom of all of our members and in 
the solution of these problems will be 
found the key to our success. It will 
afford us extreme pleasure to see as many 
of the ladies and gentlemen of Jackson¬ 
ville present at our meetings as can con¬ 
veniently attend. 
Mr. President, in conclusion I desire to 
thank most cordially the people of Jack¬ 
sonville through their distinguished 
Mayor, and the business interests of Jack¬ 
sonville, through the President of the 
Board of Trade, for the cordial welcome 
they have g'iven us; the words of cheer 
they have spoken, the high and noble pur¬ 
poses to which they have called us, and 
when the Session of 1905 shall have pass¬ 
ed into history, we trust that the work 
done in this meeting, its joys and its pleas¬ 
ures will endure as a memento of the Pres¬ 
ent and a prophecy of the Future. 
