6 
SEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE 
they deprived their captives of the right hand—the hand that 
guides the plow. We may bond our cities and dig out our 
rivers; we may pave our streets, beautify and adorn; we may 
erect immense buildings, and go on with great improvements; 
we may borrow and spend, boast and display, but no com¬ 
merce will float on our rivers, the owls and bats will inhabit 
our buildings, and serpents and toads will dwell in our streets, 
unless the soil is made to bring forth fruit. So I say this 
work needs to be made attractive, and needs to be made prof¬ 
itable. In Florida we have an unsurpassed climate, we have 
splendid natural advantages; nature has dealt bountifully with 
us; to render our harvests abundant and our products prof¬ 
itable, obstacles must be met, and difficulties overcome. It 
is for you to solve these problems.” 
Continuing, the speaker touched upon some of the more 
serious questions which confront the producers of this state, 
notably, transportation and marketing. In his opinion the 
legislature had made a great mistake in allowing the small 
appropriation asked for the Horticultural Society to fail. 
He believed, poor as the state was, it could afford “a few 
thousand dollars to assist in destroying the insects which kill 
the trees; in proving that new plants may be cultivated, new 
fruits grown; in demonstrating the value of new materials, 
new methods and the like.” Concluding as follows: “Now, 
gentlemen, wishing this society abundant success, and hoping 
that you will be able to accomplish much benefit to the 
people by your efforts and deliberations, I again extend to 
you a hearty and cordial welcome.” 
Response to the Address of Welcome, 
BY C. F. A. BIELBY. 
“Mr. President—As you have asked me in behalf of your¬ 
self and the society, to reply to the address of welcome 
which the mayor of the city has so cordially extended, I 
beg to say that I am more than willing to comply, because I 
feel a personal as well as a society pride in our being here 
to-day; for it is a fact, as you will perhaps remember, Mr. 
President, that I have always advocated that the State 
Horticultural Society should hold its meetings not simply 
to-day, but always, in this metropolitan city of the state. 
