I *: tf ' l 11 I % 3&eto J9orfc >tate College of Agriculture &t Cornell ©ntoersitp Stftaca, M. |9. Hflbrarp ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE Society of American Florists and Ornamental Horticulturists, AT ST. LOUIS. Ladies and Gentlemen, Members of the Society op American Florists, and Friends : Custom makes it a duty for your Presi- dent to make you an address — a sort of President's message, if you will. Well, then, first let us congratulate ourselves, on this our 9th anniversary, as to our healthy, vigorous condition, which the reports of your officers will show. You will permit me to ask a question, asked, I know, at some previous conventions, but of a different character from this one, however. What are we here for ? My answer is, we are here to increase and diffuse a knowledge of ornamental horticulture, in all its various subdivisions, among the sons and daughters of men. A higher mission hath no one. To elevate the esthetic soul of a people, to place before them things of beauty, joys for- ever, as Keats has grandly phrased it. The occupation is worthy of the intellect it has secured. The genius of a Thorpe, the intellectual powers of Craig and Hill, the enthusiasm of May and Jordan, the business tact of Norton and Dean, our prede- cessors in office, would add lustre to any profession. There are many others, but time will not permit us to mention them. As we look back through the short vista of ten years, what noble men have left us to find their reward in a higher evolved con- dition ! The image and shadow makers receive due praise and profit of which we grudge them not ; but now the workmen and artists who present to the mind's eye of the people the beautiful reality — the thing itself — are they not entitled to more credit than they have ever claimed? Ralph Waldo Emerson, one of America's greatest thinkers, says, " Flowers were made for the service of the soul." What food for thought there is in these words ! We all know that there are many minds so dull inihe esthetic part of their nature that, as Wordsworth says, "A primrose by a river brim, a yellow primrose was to him, and it was nothing more," We once had occasion in our official capacity to escort through the conservatories at Washington a party of our selected great men sent to Congress. One of them, a narrow utilitarian crank, when he came to the Orchid House, said, "What are the darned things worth anyhow?" Our r.emark was, "My dear sir, if the Great Architect of the Universe had been studying econ- omy when he made you, he would have put you on four feet and fed you on grass." My friend James A. McKenzie, of Kentucky, then in Congress, now our Minister to Peru, carried the joke somewhat further, but we will leave that to the imagination. We have but little sympathy with the purely utilitarian school. We pity those who live but to eat, but glory in those who eat to live, and find their soul's food in the beauty of the Daisy and the Heatber, the Shamrock and the Eose, the Crysanthemum and the Carnation, the Lily and the Orchid; not that the latter should be behind iron bars, as was suggested at a previous meeting, un- less it be a silver or even a golden bar to confine it on the breast of beauty's self — lovely woman. Buckle says in his " Influence of Women on the Progress of knowledge " that " Women, by encouraging in men deductive habits of thought, have rendered an immense though unconscious service to the progress of knowledge, by preventing scientific investigators from being as exclusively inductive as they would otherwise be." He also says, farther on, " Those among you who are interested in botany are aware that the highest morphological generalization we possess respecting plants is the great law of metamorphosis, according to which the stamens, pistils, corollas, bracts, petals, and so forth, various parts of every plant, are simply modified leaves. It is now known that these various parts — different in shape, different in color, and different in function — are successive stages of the leaf-epochs, as it were, of its history. The question naturally arises, who made this discovery 1 Was it some induc- tive investigator, who had spent years in experiments and minute observations of plants, and who, with indefatigable industry, had collected them, classified them, given them hard names, dried them, laid them up in his herbarium, that he might at leisure study their structure and rise to their laws 1 Not so. The dis- covery was made by Goethe, the greatest poet Germany has pro- duced, and one of the greatest the world has ever seen. And he made it, not in spite of being a poet, but because he was a poet. It was his brilliant imagination, his passion for beauty, and his exquisite conception of form, which supplied him with ideas, from which, reasoning deductively, he arrived at conclu- sions by descent, not by ascent. When the discovery was an- nounced by Goethe, the botanists not only rejected it, but were filled with wrath at the notion of a poet invading their territory. What ! a man who made verses and wrote plays, a mere man of imagination, a poor creature who knew nothing of facts, who had not even used the microscope, who had made no great experi- ments on the growth of plants, was he to enter the sacred pre- cincts of physical science, and give himself out as a philosopher? It was too absurd. But Goethe, who had thrown his idea upon the world, could afford to wait and abide his time." The transmutation of parts as indicated in the foregoing extract tells us how, and by what means, Madam Nature rewards Madam Industry with those double flowers which fill with de- light all lovers of the beautiful. We are fortunate in having selected as our place of meeting the city of St. Louis — a city adopted as his home, many years a go> by a young Englishman who, by patient, honest industry, guided by good judgment, gathered a handsome fortune in its midst. He, with patriotic ardor, intelligence, and gratitude in his heart, selected this city for the establishment and liberal en- dowment of the Missouri Botanic Garden. It is hoped men of means in other cities will follow his illustrious example. When deliberating on the matter he called to his counsel two great men of whom this country will always be proud — Prof. Spencer F. Baird, of the Smithsonian Institution, and Dr. Asa Gray, of Cambridge, Mass. It was my privilege to share their friendship for nearly forty years. Words fail me to express my exalted opinion of them both. Among other good advice given to Mr. Shaw, they recommended Prof. Trelease as Director, and I am satisfied from what I have seen that our kind, genial Vice-Presi- dent is the right man in the right place. " If departed ghosts are e'er permitted to review the world," Mr. Shaw will be at Tower Grove on Thursday next, and return delighted to that heaven where go the spirits " that love their fellow-men." An erudite and extra-well-read friend of mine says, "It is written in the books that next to the Christian religion the study of the vegetable kingdom has done more, and is calculated to do more, for the civilization of mankind than any other pursuit of knowledge." By a little use of the imagination, viewing the subject in its various correlations, we can better appreciate the value of Mr. Shaw's great gift to the people of Missouri — and to the world, for that matter. One of the rulers in Rome, just before the advent of Christ, asked Virgil to write a poem to popularize agriculture — hence the Georgics. Thinking rulers everywhere have since desired the same thing. We have a suggestion to make on this subject, viz: Remove the compost heap from the front yard ; introduce in its stead a little ornamental horticulture. Feed the esthetic nature of the inmates of your home. Tour brightest boys and girls will not be so anxious to leave it if the nobler part of their na- ture is fed. If they do leave home, they will have the fondest recollection of their earlier days, and in all probability will return to rural pursuits in the afternoon of life. The child that smiles so sweetly on its mother's knee becomes a picture of delight as you offer it a flower ; the urchin on the street who begs one shows the latent love for the beautiful, which, alas ! is too often neglected. How much of this is due to heredity, how much is innate, we will leave to Dalton and other scientists to determine. I presume most of you have read the able essay of Mr. Far- quhar, in our last year's report, about missionary work among children. We sometimes hear of a glut in the flower market. We would like to suggest that flowers be given to the children and the hospitals — to those who can't buy, rather than to those who won't. We had hoped- and fully expected to conduct this meeting under the inspiriting influence and guidance of a national charter, but "the best laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft aglee." With a unanimous vote in the United States Senate, and many of the ablest men in that body taking a warm, kindly interest in its passage ; with the chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, to whom the bill was referred by the House, actively and earnestly trying in every way to pass it, backed by his committee, it nev- ertheless failed.. This Society is under a deep debt of gratitude to Eepresentative Wm. H. Hatch, of this great State, for his un- tiring efforts hi our behalf. It is only a question of time, how- ever, before we have a charter, and necessary arrangements for the change to a chartered society must be made at this meeting. A few statistics will show how important an industry the Society represents. The census report for 1891 shows that there are 4,659 floral establishments in the United States, employing 16,847 men and 1,958 women. There are 1,323 floral societies, florist clubs, and horticultural societies in the various States and Territories of the Union. Their fuel costs over $1,000,000 ; their advertising about the same — that is, independent of catalogues ; they pay for postage $767,438.21 ; for freight and expressage, $1,088,612.41. The sales of cut flowers, hardy shrubs, roses, and other miscel- laneous ornamental plants amount to $26,211,805.77. It is safe to say there is an increase of 20 per cent, on the above figures since then. The report prepared by J. H. Hale for the Census Office has many other interesting items on the subject of com- mercial floriculture. It does full justice to the S. A. F. We made application to the State and Treasury Departments at Washington for correct information as to imports. We acknowl- edge the kind courtesies of the officers of both Departments, but owing to imperfect classification of subjects, no proper divis- ion being made between ornamental and useful articles, this in- formation could not be obtained, but sufficient data was fur- nished, however, on which to base the statement that we send to the Netherlands, Germany, England, France, Belgium, and Ber- muda over $1,750,372 for bulbs, plants, and seeds. It becomes a question for every patriotic American to consider how much of this sum can be retained on this side of the Atlantic. We seek no special protection. Intellect and industry with cheap land as against cheap labor should be our agents. This Society, socially, and by the aid of printer's ink, diffusing proper information as to what is wanted and how to. grow it, will soon secure the desired result. California has already taken up the subject of producing such seeds, bulbs, and plants for which her climate is suitable. On Long Island, in the State of New York, we saw, two weeks ago, on one estate alone, ninety acres of fine, healthy gladioli — mil- lions of bulbs. To the Long Island florists, we are told, is'due the credit that the gladiolus has been changed from an import to an export item of trade. Ten years ago they were all imported. Their price has been reduced to $10 per 1,000. I am told by experts that many millions of tuberose bulbs are grown in North Carolina and several other Southern States for domestic and ex- port business. A few years ago they were all imported — their price $10 per thousand. I would like to call the attention of growers to the millions of Eoman Hyacinths used, and ask, Can't they be grown somewhere on this side of the Atlantic ? The character of the buildings erected is another evidence of the progress of floriculture. A leading firm has informed me that they have erected 40 ranges of greenhouses during the last twelve months, embracing 250,000 square feet of glass surface. I would earnestly recommend a Committee on Statistics to be formed, to consist of five or more members, and that each State Vice-President be ex officio a member of the same. The value of such a committee cannot be overestimated. A high official in the State Department made the suggestion that we prepare a set of interrogatories, and the Department would send them to our consuls for the much needed correct information as to what we purchase abroad. Your committee could do this, and gather other valuable statistical information, particularly as to the general progress of the profession, etc. Your Committee on Nomenclature has been of great advantage to the trade ; it has greatly purified the catalogues ; its very ex- istence has a beneficial result. "A chiel's amang you takin' notes, and, faith, he'll prent them," acts as a deterrent to many an exaggerated description. A word about Chrysanthemums. Whether the society of that name should be an allied but separate organization or a section of the chartered Society of American Florists should receive your thoughtful, serious consideration. The society has done wonders. When Mr. Thorpe wrote me a friendly letter, about nine years ago, telling me, in his usual enthusiastic way, that the Chrysan- themum was, as he styled it, "the coming flower," I was a doubting Thomas, continuing so for some years, until I saw at Madison Square Garden a vase with six flowers of Iyory. My enthusiasm led me to visit that vase again and again, with friends and without them. I invited Mr. Wm. K. Harris, not then but now President of the Chrysanthemum Society, to take a look at it, when he, blushing modestly, informed me that he was the raiser of it, — that it was his child. Never will the memory of that beautiful vase pass from me ; it will forever be a day- dream. We all like to ask questions, as witness our question-box. Is it not possible to reduce the long list of Chrysanthemums 1 Say by dropping some no longer near the standard, and those so near alike that they are hardly entitled to a separate name ? This is simply a suggestion. Think of these things. We would like to make the same suggestion to the newly formed Carnation Society. Make every effort to keep your list as short as possible. Whether you form yourselves into a separate allied association or become a section of our chartered Society, it is our duty to help you, our little infant, along ; you are a child of great promise. For the Hail Association we would like to say a word. It has had lively agents in the shape of large hailstones doing sad work amongst plants and glass lately. Such as are not insured should consider the subject. You will learn all about the Florists' Pro- tective Association from the address on that subject to be delivered at this meeting. We are under great obligation to the press of the country, es- pecially to those journals which disseminate correct information on our topics. To them we make a polite bow, and say, Thank you. To the papers connected with the trade and those devoted to ornamental Horticulture in its various departments we would say, God speed you ; may you live long and prosper. We come now to the subject of subjects at present engrossing public attention — the World's 'Fair, now being held in an adjoin- ing city. Not having been there yet, I cannot speak of my own knowledge, but I have an abiding faith in the skill and ingenuity of Mr. Thorpe. Mr. Craig, than whom there is no better judge, says : " The Directors of the Exhibition showed a just appreciation of the importance of decorative Horticulture when they provided the magnificent building known as Horticultural Hall, which, with the ' Wooded Island,' has been a source of the greatest in- terest and delight to the throngs of visitors ; no part of the great Exhibition has been more constantly crowded, and every feature has been enjoyed. First, the Chrysanthemums, last fall; then, the winter months, when the other Departments were almost desolate, were cheered with grand displays of Primulas, Cyclamens, Cinerarias, Calceolarias, etc., etc., in rapid succession, and the interest will continue until the Queen of Autumn again presides over the closing festivities." I have said nothing as yet about the great work our Society has done since its organization. As artist and cultivator the florist of to-day is so superior in most things to what he was ten years ago that the only comparison I can find is as light is to darkness. For me to go back forty years and describe the bouquet, — flowers lashed to a stick — next came broom-straws, paper frills, tooth-picks, etc., — how all this change came about would take too long too tell. We can but say, I think, that the peculiar people living in Boston had something to do with it. To-day the artistic presentation of flowers to customers receives the most careful study. The men in the advance on this subject have, by pen and pencil in the horticultural press, rendered great service to art in its highest sense. All over the country this change has taken place. It is partly — I may say chiefly — due to the annual gathering of the S. A. F. Those members who stay at home thinking they get all in the report are very much mistaken. The intellectual side dishes are rich and rare — the opportunity to glean ideas from intelligent men on the excursion who would shrink from writing an essay ; the aside discussion of the subject up for debate ; the grand opportunity to see face to face those with whom you deal, whose books or articles you read from time to time. An old adage, quoted by President Craig in his Chicago address, I will repeat : " When you go from home you go to school." He adds, " Those who travel with open eyes can al- ways learn something." "What visitor to the Philadelphia meet- ing but recalls with pleasure his trip to the beautiful home of Mr. Childs at Wootton? How many artistic asides, what valu- able cultural information from his gardener were quietly ob- tained — about Caladium, for instance, in the cultivation of which he has no superior. At Chicago, sickness prevented my attend- ance ; but the visit to the parks there, I have no doubt, proved instructive. At New York, our sail up the beautiful, majestic Hudson gave us a grand opportunity to study nature, and human nature, in various moods and aspects. The parks of Buffalo and the visit with congenial friends to view the indescribable grandeur of Niagara will never be forgotten while memory lasts. At Boston the two exhibitions were simply grand. I doubt if ever before in this country, and not often in any other, has there been exhibited such a rare, interesting, and instructive collection of plants. And who but remembers with delight the trip to Mr. Hunnewell's Place at Wellesley to examine the ornamental hor- ticultural wealth of that unique home, its owner, a landscape artist and botanist, acting as guide to all interested in his rare treasures, and the gardener, Mr. Harris, a cultivator of rare ability, ever willing to tell you all he knows about plants and their cultivation? At Toronto the stay-at-homes missed a good time and the opportunity to see many interesting places and a beautiful city. At Washington, I will not say much about what they missed, except one thing — the opportunity to study landscape gardening as practised during the latter part of last century by Gen. Washington at his home, Mount Vernon ; the list of his books on this subject, and the place itself, the list of trees and shrubs he ordered from Bartram's nurseries, all show that that subject received studious attention from that great man. I have, perhaps, said enough to induce the stay-at-homes to change their minds in the future. To the young men of the profession, I would say, never miss these golden opportunities 8 to measure yourself. Self-examination is a grand improver of the mind ; confess one to another ; seek as companions those who will improve you or be improved by you ; enjoy the feast of reason and flow of soul these occasions always present. They are red- letter times in my memory, devoted, as I have been, from child- hood's early days to my profession. I never come to our meet- ings without deriving great benefit from them. This age of specialists makes it especially an age of progress. The orchid, the rose, the palm, the fern, and the many other plants and flowers that have been made specialties of by many different men, present an opportunity for improvement for young and old that I, for one, would dislike to lose. I love my occupation. I think no one should engage in it who does not. It is, as I have said before, one of the grandest pursuits on earth. The occasional sneer of gilt-edge mediocrity that " he is only a gardener " has been grandly answered by a gardener's son, my prophet, priest, and king — Eobert Burns — in his glorious declara- tion of independence, — that '■ The rank is but the guinea-stamp — The man's the gowd for a' that. ****** The honest man, though e'er sae puir, Is king o' men for a' that. * * * * * * Then let us pray, that come it may, As come it will, for a' that, That sense and worth o'er a' the earth, May bear the gree, and a' that." Young men, look to it. You have a grand, elevating, and en- nobling profession. You can aid in " preserving the dignity of man with soul erect." The American gardener of the future, if manly in his charac- ter, will stand up a " Triton among the minnows," engaged in pre- paring the soul of the people for that higher evolution where hope points to eternal bliss and happiness. It shall soon cease to be the boast that ancestors were successful robbers or butchers of men, but that the glory of our ancestral tree, past, present, and future, will be that we advanced the love for the beautiful. Our creed is, "This world is full of beauty, as other worlds above. O, if man would do his duty and fill it full of love," then would come the millennial period, when, in the words of the grand poet-prophet, Isaiah, they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks ; nations shall not lift swords against nations, neither shall they learn war any more. When beauty, love, and truth are the supreme rulers, then this earth will be an Eden. W. E. SMITH, Botanic Garden, Washington, D. C. SB 403.A5O7a UnlVerSi,yLibrary A^ress of the president at St. Louis. 3 1924 002 969 032 u :|: