The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1919-05-12
THE HORTICULTURAL MEETING


county of Marion have just cause to
be delighted by the recognition &C
corded them by the members of the
Florida State Horticultural Society,
while they were in session in Orlando.
Mayor Chace, for the citizens of
Ocala, and the Marion County Board
of Trade, extended an invitation to
the state society TO hold the next an
nual meeting at Ocala. Daytona,
Lakeland, Miami and st. Petersburg
alsosasked for the honor of entertain
ing the horticultural society members
at their next meeting. The invitations
from these cities were read at the
business sessions and the chairman
announced that he would permit rep
resentatives an opportunity to extol
the merits of their respective cities.
In words as strong as could be Sc
lected by the orators, the attractions
of Daytona, Lakeland and Miami were
told the society. Ocala was next on
the list and when its name was called
Mrs. Caroline Moorhead responded
with words and in a manner that cap
tivated the audience. Each of the
Moorhead were loudly applauded and
by the time she had finishei he re-
marks there was no doubt where the
next convention would be held.
If there was any one there to say
nice things for st. Petersburg, he was
either struck dumb by Mrs. Moor
heads appeal or discreetly remained
silent when given an opportunity to
speak for his city.
1t was with reluctance that Mrs.
Moorhead consented to speak for
Ocala as she had. arranged to return
on an early train, but when persuad-
county by remaining for the evening
session, she "stood by the ship"
The benefits that may accrue to
Marion county by having the meet
ing of the State Horticultural Socie-
| ty held here next year should not be
| lightly considered The society has
membership of over twelve hundred
representative men of the state, who
have their eyes open for better OPP
portunities. They are working earn
estly and intelligently to advance the
4
ests, which are destined to become the
potent factors of this wonderful state.
There is not the slightest doubt
| that we will creditably entertain our
visitors next spring. The spirit of CO.
operation prevails throughout the
county and when a common work Is
| to be done, there are no "slackers."
1t is reasonable to expect about 800
| guests at the meeting to be held at
Ocala and the date will be perhaps
about the middle of April. After we
have demonstrated our ability to
properly entertain this meeting we
place our town in the eligible list for
consideration by national associations
of various industries.
Why not start the preparation now
by lending our might to the good
work proposed by the civic ladies?
Mrs Moorhead closed her remarks
with the following, which she read
without any apologies to Longfellow:
lOcala with it's grand old like oaks,
Decked with Spanish moss of gray,
With its forests rich in tree life,
From the tall pine to the bay,
With its fields of native grasses,
Whispering gently one by one,
won't you hold your meeting with US
Ocala wants you. Won't you come ?"
Ocala with its lands so fertile,
High and rolling, unsurpassed,
/ Where the farmer and the stockman
Know their country is the best,
There the birds sing from the tree
/ tops,
AS they guard their tiny nest.
won't you come and visit with us?
Ocala wants you. Won't you come ?"
Ocala with its lovely driveways,
With its famous Silver Springs,
Where the brilliant glistening waters,
Rainbow tints complete the scene;
There the magnolia towers above you,
Offering you their snowy bloom.
| Won't you come and visit with US?
Ocala wants you. Won't you come?
/ Ocala bids you hearty welcome,
Be you from North. East or West.
We have many things to show you,
Nature gave to US the best.
Come and hold your meeting with US.
| 1t matters not from whence you come.
Ocala bids you welcome, welcome!
I L. a.