Winter Meeting. 281 



business, and I am keeping pretty busy in my own line of work now- 

 adays. I am a member of the World's Fair Commission, which Fair 

 you know will be held in St. Louis in 1903, and I am here to say to- 

 you that the members of the Commission appreciate the possibilities 

 of the industry in which you are interested in this State, and the ap- 

 propriation made by the Commission for Horticulture, I think, will 

 be the most liberal appropriation that will be made by the Commis- 

 sioners. You, of course, understand that it is not possible for tlie 

 Commissioners to do this work alone. 



I am very glad to see such a splendid organization here, and I 

 want to say to you that we stand read}^ to act on any suggestion this 

 Horticultural Society will offer, and stand ready to back you with 

 almost any reasonable expense. We want you to go into this contest 

 against the world and carry off the laurels, just as you have at Buf- 

 falo, and from the Governor on down the line to every member of the 

 Commission, they are just head and hand in this work, and they want 

 your assistance. You are practical in 3'our line of business, and if there 

 is anything we do believe in, it is men who understand the business 

 they are working in. We want them to handle that particular branch 

 of the busines. We want you to take this matter up at this meeting, 

 and map out a plan. It takes time to do work right. Map out your 

 plan and make it known to us, and you will have our, co-operation at 

 every point. 



I wish to thank you, gentlemen. I just came to tell you that 

 we are awaiting your commands, and will try to do the right thing. 



• St. Louis, ]Mo., December 4th, 1901. 

 X. F. Murray, President Missouri State Horticultural Society, Odd Fel- 

 low's Auditorium : 



On behalf of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition I send you greeting, 

 and trust your meeting may have the greatest measure of success. I am 

 confident that when the Exposition is opened and during its continuance 

 the Horticultural interest of our beloved State will be most thoroughly 

 cared for. 



DAVID R. FRANCIS, President. 

 On motion of Air. Irvine of St. Joseph, the matter of the St. Louis 

 Exposition was referred to the Executive Committee to confer with the 

 State Commission. Said motion carried. 



