THIRTY-FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING 



HELD AT CARTHAGE, MO., DEC. C, 7, 8, 9, 1892. 



Carthage, December 6, 7 p. m. — Meeting was called to order by 

 the Presideut, J. C. Evans, and Secretary L. A. Goodman at his post. 



The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. F. E. Butler. 



Mayor Shannon being absent, the address of welcome was deliv- 

 ered by H. L. Shannon. 



WELCOME ADDRESS. 



Members of the State Horticultural Society of Missou7-i : 



1 have made a hasty examination of the reports of your Society for the years 

 1885, 1889 and 1891, in order that I might so broaden my knowledge of the labors 

 and investigations of the horticulturist as to be able to voice an intelligent wel- 

 come to you. Hasty as this examination has been, it has disclosed to me something 

 of the scope and difficulties of your labors, and something of the intelligent atten- 

 tion and skill required of you in order to conduct the tender plant along the line of 

 its precarious existence till it becomes a flowering and fruitful tree. 



There is something more in your lives than the mere routine of seed-time and 

 harvest. The panorama of your experiences comprehends more than scenes of 

 peace and plenty. It is true that the seed-time is followed by the harvest, but 

 planting the seed is a declaration of war against worm and canker and mildew and 

 a multitude of other depredators that would overwhelm the courage ot any but 

 the stoutest heart. It is truly in the sweat of your faces that you do eat your bread. 



How well you have accomplished your labors is only measured by the differ- 

 ence between the wild crab and the Golden Pippin ; between the clambering grape 

 of the forest fastness and the luscious Concord. 



We are not able to comprehend the magnitude of your contributions to our 

 basket and store. If we could call back the centuries and go with our forefathers 

 into the heart of an unexplored continent, and there behold the fair form of 

 Mother Earth wrapped in tangled wildwood, and there subsist on nothing but 

 wild fruits and feast our eyes on nothing but wild flowers and foliage, we should 

 be able then to extend to you an intelligent and appreciative welcome. 



Members of the Horticultural Society of Missouri, you and your co-laborers 

 have given to the world a'great many of its richest treasures ; you have multiplied 

 the sources of subsistence. By multiplying and improving the fruits of the earth, 

 you have exempted multitudes from the toil of the fields that they might devote 

 themselves to housing, clothing and educating the race. We may say that for the 

 thorn you have given us the grape, and that for the thistle you have given us the 



