The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-05-07
DeLand, Fla, Wednesday. May z. 1890.

duty of every bortculturist to be ready to speak
word for noble cause. When learned last
May that the selection had been made to meet
here at DeLand, 1 said at once no better could
have been made, surrounded here with
beautiful groves of orange trees, of wealth and of
education. 1t is of the finest locations in our
beautiful State. and yet to be made more SO.
We come here among you to-day to exchange
views, to talk upon the subject of making a new
paradise. We learn from Gods Holy writ that
the first parents that were placed in the garden
were horticulturists. 1t is one of the noble call
ings of this world, and he who makes two spears
of grass grow where but one has grown before.
does good for fellow men. We meet here and will
have different views we have had experiences
in different localities and have treated with diff
ferent fruits, and if we have failed in one thing
have succeeded in another. and we will learn from
our neighbor what is best, and from our brother
what to do in order to avoid the evil.
In behalf of the State horticultural Society we
thank the citizens of DeLand for inviting us here
and for the kind welcome which we have received
at their hands.
The president then made the following
address:
Gentlemen of the Florida Horticultural Society:
Once more the Florida Horticulturists of Flor
ida meet in annual council We meet to review
the past and therefrom draw instruction for
future guidance We meet not alone to gather
information but also to impart it. Through our
organization members have been assigned to ex-
plore different parts of the field, and we meet to-
day to receive the result of their researches. We
meet with a main object of doing what we can to
improve horticulture, but incidentally these meet
ings do a more valuable work in improving
horticulturists. fountain cannot rise above
it's source neither can the culture of the gardens
excel the culture of the gardener. Here then is
one of the greatest benefits to be derived from
these annual meetings. They supply to some ex-
tent, the most serious fault of American farm
life; they are oases of social green in the great
Siberia of agricultural isolation. We drink deep
draughts from the spring of social and friendly
companionship, and we are refreshed, nourished
| and stimulated; whether we learn much or little
wego home stronger, happier men, more patriotic
citizens and better horticulturists.
Let us then keep this in full sight that success
| in growing the finest oranges, the largest cab
| bages, the handsomest roses or the biggest bank
| balances is not the end we should have in view
| but should regard such success only as
means to make our homes happier, lives
| higher and our country greater.
1t is not necessary for me to take much OF your
| time in reviewing the past years work in the
| field. That has been admirably done week by
week in the columns of our agricultural and hort-
| cultural journals, of which State may be
justly proud
The Society at it's last meeting passed resolu-
tion asking the legislature to publish (for distri-
bution) it's transactions. In obedience to this
resolution your president wrote to several mem
bers calling attention to theimportance of giving
this to our people, but am sorry to say that
nothing at all was accomplished. In States
younger than ours and whose horticultural in
terests are immeasurably inferior to ours, liberal
appropriations made in aid of horticultural
education. But in Florida the prospect of sue
cess was so poor that no member would even
introduce a bill. SO the work of Society for
last year is now to be found only in the musty
files of old papers
The fruits, flowers and gardens of Florida
have done more than all else to bring her into