SUMMER MEETING AT BUTLER. 119 



to all I said for it, on the limited trial I have had a chance to make of 

 it ; by another seascn I hope to know more fully its qualities. Straw- 

 berries all gone; season very unsatisfactory as to prices and quantity. 

 Raspberries just commencins;; crop of them is very light. 



Truly, etc., 



'W. H. THOMAS. 



Springfield, Mo., June 1, 1885. 



Mr. L. A. Goodman^ Secretary Missouri Horticultural Society: 



Dear Sir : As one of the Committe on Flowers, 1 beg to submit 

 the following : 



The season is at least a month later than usual ; our annual roses 

 are now in full bloom, and they are usually gone by " Decoration day." 

 We had frost, snow and ice the first week in May, but it had no per- 

 ceptible effect on even the tender plants, like heliotropes, etc., except 

 to retard their growth a little. Following the old rule of bedding out 

 tender plants when the fruit trees were in bloom, ours were all planted 

 out, but we did not lose anything. Far greater attention is paid to 

 the care of lawns and gardens than ever before, and our nurserymen 

 report a great demand for plants, especially roses, geraniums, pansies 

 and verbenas, they estimate their sales at double the amount of last 

 jear, and at least $300.00 have been sent from Springfield for roses 

 alone to Qanesfullen, St. Joseph, Miller & Hunt, Dingee & Conard, 

 and others. (This was ascertained from the postmaster). I notice a 

 peculiar little red burr on the roses (bushes) I have never seen before ; 

 it looks something like a strawberry; cannot ascertain what it is. It 

 seems to be a fine season for flowers, if it is late. 



MRS. WADE BURDEN. 



FLOWERING SHRUBS. 



BY J. A. DURKES. 



In accordance with your request, dear Secretary, to write some- 

 thing that would be of interest to those who would attend this meet- 

 ing, what better subject could we present at this season than that of 

 flowers ? 



