WINTER MEETING. 215 



The list of varieties we now have on exhibition Is a very long one, from the first of the 

 Red June to the last of the (ieniting The earlier varieties are all now removed to make 

 room for the later, and yet there are over one hundred varieties of as fine specimens as can 

 be found anywhere The Immense twenty-ounce Pippin, the large Alexanders, line Fall- 

 water, Pound Pippin, Northern Spy, Pewaukee, R. I. Greening, WillowTwlg and Ben Davis 

 give an inkling. Such grand specimens of Jonathan, Grimes' Golden, Maiden's Blush, 

 Mother and others have not been seen of late, nor their qualiiy surpassed, for they are 

 among the best that grow. 



Here, too, are apples for profit as well as for quality; apples that will pay to plant by 

 the hundreds of acres— not perhaps such ones as the observer would select from the speci- 

 mens shown, but such as the experienced fruit-grower would tell you was the most profit- 

 able. 



The extent and completeness of our exhibit of fruit can onlj' be realized when you 

 take into account the fruits in the glass .Jars. Here we can show you -10 varieties of straw- 

 berries, 24 varieties of raspberries, 18 of blackberries, l.s of gooseberries, 16 of currants, 11 

 of cherries, 17 of native plums, 14 of plums, seven of apricots, four of nectarines, five of 

 quinces, 67 of grapes, 29 of pears, 76 of peaches, 168 of apples and 213 .jars of corn, aspara- 

 gus, peas, beans, cucumbers, beets, turnips, melons, egg-plant, cabbage, celery, toma- 

 toes, peppers. Add to this the more than 600 plates of fruit on the table, and you can see 

 tliaf Missouri here shows a tithe of what she is capable of doing in the fruit industry. 



The displays by counties reflect great credit upon the indefatigable and earnest mea 

 who undertook the work of collection and shipping; the men who do work for loyalty's 

 sake, who think of the plan and work w^hen many of us sleep. The counties thus repre- 

 sented will benefit by the display, for many inquirers have closely and critically examined 

 the fruit and diligently sought information as to where they could get such for home use, 

 for local trade and for that of distant cities. The legend over the exhibit tells the story In 

 good part when the name of the county is displayed. 



What all this means to the men of ]Missourl, to the State and to men of other states, 

 to our railroads, express companies, to trade generally, we can well understand If we but 

 think of the results. Some people think when I answer such questions I am too enthusias- 

 tic, but the facts speak for themselves. It means a higher education and increased intelli- 

 gence; happy homes, fruits in abundance and Increased business In many ways, by the 

 growing of such fruits and the settlement in our midst of those who, by rare Intelligence, 

 produce them. It means more : A busy season from June until October, and healthful em- 

 ployment for those engaged in It; a diversity of employment adapted to the aged and young 

 alike. In gathering, sorting, packing, barreling, hauling to town and the like.^The cultiva- 

 tion of fruit lends Immensely to the diversity of our crops, attracts a desirable class of peo- 

 ple, adds value to land, builds schools and churches, and is calculated to benefit the local 

 community, the county and the State. 



The assistance of the railroads and other transportation companies Is a question of the 

 highest moment, and I will embrace an opportunity later on to give you my views and to 

 ask yours. 



We are more than satisfied with the work done at the Exposition and the displays 

 made, and have no fears of the results to follow. To our enthusiastic fruit-growers we ten- 

 der our best thanks for faithful, hard and honest work, without which our efforts would 

 be fruitless. The display shows what can be accomplished by a State society working in 

 harmony itself and co-operating with the fruit-growers of the State for the good of all. 



L. A. GOODMAX, 



Secretary State Horticultural Society. 



A Great Fruit Display. 



Editor Journal of Agriculture : 



Our fruit display at the Exposition has Increased very much In size and quality since 

 my last. Some five or six more counties have sent In small collections of fruits, but they 

 have been very fine and perfect specimens. The late apples are coloring very beautifully 

 and are making the tables look very tempting. As one lady expressed it, "I think It Is a 

 sin to offer such temptations to the people of a city;" and I answered her, "moi'e of you 

 city people should have homes in the country where you might enjoy these fruits." 



