WINTER MEETING AT CiRTHAGE. 149 



The study of varieties, methods of cultivation and markets constitute the 

 principal topics of discussion in our local meetings. Our Society took $72.50 in 

 premiums at our State fair, while individual members of our organization took 

 premiums aggregating $i;W at the St. I.ouis fair, including lirst premiums on best 

 collection of plums, also grapes, and best and largest collection of fruits. Some 

 papers read before our Society have been published and had an extensive reading. 

 In common with most other sections, we have been unable to supply our local mar- 

 ets with small fruits, even at a sharp advance over the usual prices received. 

 Upon the whole, we do not feel elated over the financial results of fruit-growing this 

 year ; nevertheless, we shall strive in the future to push the business along as pro- 

 gressive a line as possible. Members of the Association are frequently consulted 

 as to varieties to plant, to location and to methods of cultivation ; all of which 

 would seem to indicate a healthy growth in the confidence of the people. Our 

 Society will expend the money now on hand in purchasing a library treating on 

 horticultural subjects. We anticipate issuing a bulletin early in the spring of '93 

 containing notes on varieties and kindred topics, that will be of value to all lovers 

 of fruits and flowers. 



The meeting of the State Horticultural Society in Sedalia one year ago gave 

 an impetus to fruit-growing, and created an interest in the whole subject of Hor- 

 ticulture that has had a most wholesome eflect upon our local Society. 



, G. B. Lamm, President, 



L. T. Kirk, Secretary. 



CALLAWAY COUNTY. 



Fulton, Mo., Dec. 5, 1892. 

 L. A . Goodman : 



Dear Sir — I received a notice of the thirty-fourth annual meeting of the Mis- 

 souri State Horticultural Society to be held at Carthage. Thanks for the same. 

 My work is such that I cannot be with you in person, yet my heart is there. I 

 will send some of my persimmons for exhibition ; they are smaller this year than 

 common, owing to the cool wet season. I have some favorable reports from E. H. 

 Van Deman and others. 



It is named Marion by Judge Samuel Miller. 



I want to say a few words in regard to our feathered friends, the birds. We 

 ought to have a law to prohibit the killing of them. I would suggest that the 

 Society select a few of the best insect destroyers and petition to our representa- 

 tives to protect them for a term of years. Get a responsible man from each county 

 to circulate the petitions and send to their respective representatives. If this is 

 of any importance, put it before the meetlng^for discussion. A similar law was 

 passed in Illinois about seventeen years ago in regaid to quails, which I think 

 proved successful. 



Generally speaking, it is not the farmers who kill the birds ; it is our city gents 

 and boys that "do the gunning," as the Dutchman says. 



Kespectfully, 



J. H. Marion. 



