ANNUAL WINTER MEETING AT WARRENSBURG. 253 



pie entertained as to their agricultural value — dispelling quite speedily 

 the idea of the existence of a great American Desert. 



The early efforts in ornamental planting and artistic improvement 

 of grounds made in leading cities, have generated the rural tastes of 

 our country, whose evidences we meet around the homestead of refined 

 people. 



The metropolis of our State has done some noble work in this di- 

 rection, the educational influence of which is felt in many progressive 

 rural districts. 



Our State, however, needs a conspicuous and convincing illustra- 

 tion of practical and successful timber culture, by which the people 

 would be made acquainted with the most profitable timber trees, 

 suited to the soil and climate of the country, and by which not only 

 the possibility but more especially the ease and rapidity of lumber 

 growth would be demonstrated. 



A-Ssistance to this important interest, if given by the Government 

 of our State, would be a wise investment of public funds for public 

 good. An opportunity of rare advantage presents itself for the ac- 

 complishment of this worthy end, while the improvement of a valu- 

 able tract of land recently purchased by the State is being discussed and 

 begun. This tract is situated in the vicinity of the thriving city of 

 Nevada, in Vernon county, and embraces 500 acres of land, both 

 timberred and open prairies, which has been selected for the erection 

 of a new asylum for the insane, an institution to be established and 

 maintained in accordance with the most enlightened ideas and expe- 

 rience of our day, by which the necessity of grounds harmonious to 

 the object is fully recognized. 



In consultation with the Board of Commissioners in reference to 

 the design and planting of the grounds, I have presented an urgent 

 plea for a broad basis on which to plan the improvements of the 

 .future, securing sheltering and pleasant groves*to the surroundings of the 

 stately buildings, from whch a wide spread panorama of smiling prairie 

 scenery is visible in all directions. 



The greater the sway of arboriculture and landscape gardening 

 the more attractive and curative will be the aspect of the grounds 

 gracing this model institution of our State. The plan, however, aims 

 at an object greater still than the mere embellishment of an asylum 

 ground. It contemplates the creation of a medium for the education 

 of the people, a public arboretum of forest culture, through which 

 much useful information in tree culture and rural taste might be dis- 

 seminated throughout the southwestern portion of the State, the won- 



