TRIBUTE PAID BY GEORGIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
Colonel John P. Fort
Since our last annual meeting death has removed one of the most honored members of our association.
We not only owe his memory a page in our minutes but the younger and especially the future members, those who shall preserve this valued organization, would name us recalcitrant to the true interests of our society if we failed to pay tribute to this advanced thinker, practical scientist, friend of humanity, evinced by his lifelong devotion to horticulture, and advocate of all rural betterments.
Thus from the mountains to the sea in our State his name will ever be recorded in nature's annals; sung by her fountains and embroidered by her flowers, and men shall remember and repeat his name with thanks when they lift the crystal goblet to their lips, or breathe the perfume of earth's sweetest benefaction,—an apple orchard.
From hidden and unknown depths the divining rod of his vision found and brought the sparkling water to refresh the low lands of Georgia. In common clay, unseen and unknown to others, he found the lusciousness of fruit, the bloom and fragrance of orchards to crown the peaks of Mount Airy.
The mountain elevation of his north Georgia farm, its granite foundation, its copious rainfall he truly foresaw must become the home of the apple industry.
The pioneer makes possible the success of the economist who later benefits from the foresight of the prophet.
Every member of this society appreciated the act of the State University in conferring on him the degree of "Doctor of Science."
It was a deserved tribute, fully earned.
His life's work is done, and this tribute can only be an inspiration to the living.
May it be assigned a page to be set apart in our records, as a memorial to his memory.