EEPORT OF MrgSOURI VALLEY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 1'27 



Cherries that gave promise of an unusual large crop, have con- 

 tinued to drop until we can hardly expect half a crop. 



Plums are almost a failure. 



Strawberries, while passing through the winter uninjured, and 

 setting a heavy crop, when the picking time arrives are found to be 

 below the usual average size, and deficient in quantity. 



Many varieties which were never known 1o rust before are now 

 badly afl'ected. 



While the outlook for the horticulturist is not the most flattering 

 in this section of the country, let us not despair, but remember the 

 promise which is found in the good book that seed time and harvest 

 shall always come. 



The winter meetings of the society were held in Kansas City at the 

 office of Vineyard & Wilkinson, with the exception of the April meet- 

 ing, which was held at the court-house. 



Owing to the absence of many of the members attending the 

 World's Fair at New Orleans, and the extreme cold weather, some of 

 the meetings were not very largely attended. However, there were 

 always enough members who braved the storms to form a quorum for 

 the transaction of business. To this promptness which has character- 

 ized the members of the society in attending the monthly meetings,, 

 may in a large degree be attributed the success which has crowned the 

 efforts of the organization. 



The display of apples up to the May meeting was unusually fine,, 

 and the society awarded premiums liberally. 



The Society has made an arrangement with the Western Chron- 

 icle, a monthly paper published in Kansas City, by which a complete 

 report of the proceedings of the Society, together with all essays and 

 papers will be published in each number. By this means the ex- 

 perience and observation of the members will be widely disseminated' 

 throughout the surrounding country. 



The May meeting was held at the home of Jesse Ray, east of the' 

 city. It commenced to rain early in the morning, and continued at 

 intervals throughout the day. The members began to drop in about 

 eleven o'clock, and continued to come until quite a crowd had col- 

 lected. 



Mr. Ray had made preparations for a large crowd, and such huge 

 dishes of ham, chicken, cake, pies, etc., we only see at the summer- 

 meetings of the Society. Several ladies were present, and the mem- 

 bers enjoyed a good time, socially, until the hour arrived for business. 



The Society is largely indebted to the ladies for the success of the 

 summer meetings. 



