The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1885-02-04

bulbs, which have been planted in these
grounds. When | tell you that we have
over 10000 hyacinths in one bed, and
that the entire planting of the enterpris-
ing house which makes this display
amounts to over 230 900 bulbs, you will
agree with me that no such an exhibit
has probably ever before been made.
Among our European exhibits the fine
plantations of rhododendrons, one from
Belgium and one from France, promise
us grand display in due time and the
exhibits of cordon-trained fruit trees
from France and England will claim the
scrutiny of amateurs and professional
gardeners.
Not the least Important of the exhibits
OF this department are those in the di-
vision of forestry, both living trees and
specimens of timber. We have over
5000 specimens of forest, fruit and orna-
mental trees planted in this park, en-
bracing nearly every tree of value on the
North American Continent, from the lit
tie Tom Thumb arbor vitae, not much
bigger than your hat, to young specimens
of those glorious forest giants-the pines,
redwoods and '1big trees" which tower
800 feet in height over the ranges Of Cal
ifornia mountains. Our forestry exhibit
is very valuable in the living trees
shown, and especially in the great wealth
of timber specimens to be seen i'll nearly
all the State exhibits in the Government
Building. No such an exposition of the
forest wealth of nation was ever before
made on earth. But this is wealth
that is fast vanishing, and the lesson for
every horticultural and student of polit-
ical economy to learn here is this: That
our own country has boundless capaci
ty for timber production, embracing all
the most useful woods of the world.
Let every man be encouraged to plant
trees rather than destroy them, by all
this magnificent display.
have never been more certain than |
AM now of the usefulness of this society
of the necessity for the permanent
maintenance of such society. But l
think the time has come when we should
devise some more efficient means for
giving it financial support. 1t seems to
be impossible to support any society OF
this kind and publish an expensive vol
ume of transactions yearly, as we are do
ing, upon its membership receipts alone.
No horticultural society in this country
has been so maintained for many years.
All of our State societies have an endow-
ment fund or receive aid from State Leg
istures. We are doing work of nation
al usefulness, being, as we are, the larg-
est horticultural society in the world. I
am unable to make you what l consider
a practical suggestion, but submit the
matter to your superior wisdom. Of one
thing l am assured; that you should be
able in some way to pay your secretary.
The secretary of this society should be
able to devote all of his time to its great
work, and he should be well paid for his
services. OF one other thing l am as
sured; that you should select man for
my successor who has qualifications
which lack-great energy and wisdom
in directing the work of the society, and
abundant means with which to pay all
the expenses of running it as it should
de done. To such man l desire now
to turn over the responsibilities and the
honor Of this most honorable position,
which have borne all too long.