The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-01-25
ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT HEIKES
 TO HORTICULT LTURAL SOCIETY.

opening the convention of the Ala bama State Horticultural Society yes- terday, w. F. Heikes of Huntsville, President of the Society, spoke as fol- lows. ~
 Ladies and Gentlemen, and Members of
 the Alabama State Horticultural
 Society: s
 In calling this meeting of our soci- ety to order, l am deeply mindful of the impressive and far-reaching his- toric associations of this beautiful city; 1; of it's prominence as the Capital of the State; of the broad culture and refine ment of its citizens, and. not least. of their cordial reception of us, and feel that our stay here will be altogether a happy and memorable one.
 more interesting place in this State could not have been chosen for this meeting, fpasmuch as 1t Is so full of reminders of eminent statesmen--men of both national and international rep utatton-who have helped to make the city famous, and also of its women, who have not only successfully culti- vated the fine arts and social accomp- ltshments, but have also succeeded In the humber, though worthy. task of making two blades of grass grow where only one grew Before, as is evidenced by their fine, lawns, which they have beautified by the cultivation of lovely Towering and foliage plants, which in spring and summer bestow such beauty
 
 ory of it serves to brighten whatever gloom, the fall and winter bring. Thus is shown in the most admirable man. ner how we'll directed efforts and good taste, combined in the harmonious util- iZation of majestic trees. shrubs and flowers. impart an air of dignity. grace and charm to home surroundings, wor- thy of the stateliness of the old colo minds with this typical1y Southern city.
 School Gardening.
 Following this line of thought, per init me to call your attention to the work which is being done by children in school gardening--the gratifying re- suits of which formed one of the strik- ingly novel features of the World s Fair: one which I fear was overlooked by far too many. but which awakened the intense interest and sympathy of all who were fortunate enough to have their steps directed to the spot where was to be seen the class-work of young and enthusiastic pupils from the public schools of St. Louis
 This work. which should begin with the kindergarten period. is the best ,ob- ject lesson the children can receive, for 1t brings them into close commu- nion with nature and awakens their in terest and delight in all that relates to the life and growth of useful and ornamental plants. Moreover, 1t is the best physical culture, furnishing the young gardeners with the exercise and fresh air essential to their best devel- opment, and teaching them the joy and dignity of manual labor; also makin g them observant of insects and birds as friendly. or unfriendly, to the objects of their care.
 It has occurred to me that, in order to help sustain this newly awakened interest, it would be well to encourage on Arbor Day the generous planting by the pupils of the public schools of fruit and pecan trees, along with the shade trees usually selected for that celebratt~n. The children would then be rewarded not alone insthe beauty of the tree and in the comfort of its grateful shade, but also in the delights both of expectation and realization as to the harvest of the fruits and nuts. And now a word more directly con corning our Society, which. after a year of existence, I am happy to say Is still very much alive and growing. There are with us today many mem bers whose faces are familiar. and new CT members with whom I hope to be- come as pleasantly acquainted.fan and tC all present most hearty welcome is extended.
 Interest in Society.
 It is highly gratifying to know that interest in the Society has been so well sustained; although this Is hardly to be wondered at. since we have the en. thusiastic support of men of such abil- as the Hon. R. R. Poole, State Com missioner of Agriculture, President Thach of Auburn, Dr. Cary, Dr. Wilcox and Professors Ross, Duggar and Mack intosh. also the directors of the Dis trict Agricultural Schools. and num- able mention, whose names, for the sake of brevity, I am forced to omit We certainly do not wish to withhold our sincere thanks to the press for