eeded them.

My personal connection with the society began the third year of its
existence, so that I had the high privilege of enjoying personal
acquaintance with practically all those earlier workers in the society,
and indeed most of them were still alive when I came into the
secretaryship twenty-five years ago. It will not be out of place to
speak here particularly of a few of those who are no longer with us:
John S. Harris, that staunch friend, one of the original twelve, whose
medallion hangs on the wall of the horticultural classroom at University
Farm; Peter M. Gideon, whose self-sacrifice gave us the Wealthy apple,
now of worldwide planting--he in whose memory the Gideon Memorial Fund
was created; Col. John H. Stevens, that large hearted man of
unquenchable public spirit; P.A. Jewell, searcher for new fruits and
founder of the Jewell Nursery Company; Truman M. Smith, seven years
president during many dark days; Wyman Elliot, one of the original
twelve, well called by one "King of the Horticultural Society"--so
recently taken from us. The institution of learning conferring this
distinction upon us has contributed a full share of workers now no
longer with us; W. W. Pendergast, first principal of the University Farm
School, and for many years president of the society until stricken with
a fatal illness; and Prof. Saml. B. Green of blessed memory, whose loss
we shall never cease to mourn. There are many others who did great
service to the society that I should be glad to speak of here if space
would permit.

In the list of those who are still with us and have served with such
self devotion and courage in advancing the interests of the society, and
that for which it stands, are to be found the names of many men
prominent in various walks of life in our state. It would be out of
place for me to select from this list a few and give them special
prominence where hundreds have contributed to the life and growth of the
association all these many years until the present enviable place now
occupied by the association has been attained. To the executive board of
the society, most of whom have been members of the board for a long
period of years, of course the success of the association is especially
due. Men of initiative in an ambitious and unselfish way working for
the success of the association, they have had very much indeed to do
with its progress.

As I endeavor to recall the personality of those who have been of