FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
15 
from one side to the other, is very much 
better and more pleasant than chopping 
cotton or plowing corn out in the open, 
where the unobstructed rays of the sun 
beat upon you, and no prospect pleases. 
There can be few things more impor¬ 
tant than this great industry you are de¬ 
veloping and fostering. As we recall in 
1899, the value of the fruit products of 
the United States was $131,000,000 and 
the vegetable products, not including po¬ 
tatoes was $131,000,000, and we exported 
over $9,000,000 worth during that year. 
The life of the Horticulturist is one of 
the most joyous and free allotted to man. 
If we did not have any freezes, or if we 
could avoid the consequences of them; 
or if we were not troubled with foot rot, 
and if the white fly would leave us alone, 
and if it rained when it should and ceased 
when it ought, and if we had satisfactory 
transportation, and if we could hit the 
market right, and if we were given proper 
treatment by consignees, and if a few 
other things happened, or didn’t happen, 
your meetings would partake more of the 
nature of an annual celebration and you 
would be touring the country in automo¬ 
biles. 
Now, this is the reason you are here; 
the purpose of this organization is to sur¬ 
mount the obstacles of this little word, 
“if.” There can be no better or higher 
purpose of any organization. To solve 
the questions how to preserve for the 
human race the necessary food products is 
a work worthy the brightest minds, the 
greatest skill, the most persistent industry. 
It demands the highest and best activities 
of the most gifted men and women. It 
calls for the exercise of judgment. It 
l)roceeds upon inve.stigation and study. 
It must have the knowledge born of ex- 
])erieuce. 
We read of the great scientists and 
statesmen who have won distinction and 
whose names will be known as long as we 
have history, but I would ask you wheth¬ 
er Copernicus, Gallileo, Michael Angelo, 
or Isaac Newton accomplished more for 
the world than the men who have made, 
developed, and placed on our tables our 
fruits, flowers and vegetables in their 
perfection. Of these great scientists who 
have won distinction, is there any one 
more entitled to fame than the man who 
introduced and developed the potato, ap¬ 
ple, peach, rose, or made the white black¬ 
berry and the spineless cactus. Is there one 
more entitled to fame or to whom man¬ 
kind is more indebted than to Luther 
Burbank, the American naturalist? 
Our Legislature meets every two years 
and passes laws affecting the welfare of 
the people of this State; there is no more 
important matter which can command the 
attention of our law makers and officials 
than the requests of this Society. I can 
conceive that you might be aided in your 
efforts by legislation along certain lines 
and surely there will be found patriotism 
and public spirit sufficient to give a hearty 
response to your appeal and a generous 
support to your work. There is no more 
important organization in this State than 
vours, and your work for the industrial 
development of Florida and for the 
material welfare of her people should 
meet with every encouragment from 
every quarter. 
It is a great pleasure to welcome you 
here—peculiarly wholesome and joyous 
and an honor to come in touch with the 
noble men and women from all portions 
of the State, who live nearest the fountain 
of life in the Divine Economy! 
Jacksonville recognizes that whatever 
makes for the prosperity of any portion 
