288 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The reports of our fruit crops have been of value to every county 

 that made one, and will hereafter ^row to be more so. 



MEMBERSHIP. 



Our membership has grown since our last, and I would recommend 

 that where the society has a correspondent in the county, who is not a 

 a member, he be made one to recompense him for his trouble of an- 

 .swering questions. 



I have sent all such the report for 1885, and believe it well sent. 



Every effort should be made to increase our membership, and all 

 it needs is the earnest co-operation of our members. 



The experiment of placing all members of local societies as mem- 

 bers of our State society is a good one to keep up the interest in them, 

 and help us in many ways. But it makes a membership which does 

 not pay anythirig into our society, yet I believe still that it is the best 

 plan to awaken new interest. 



The report for the last year has been well received, and the 1,00(> 

 bound copies are nearly all gone, only a very few remaining. 



The 500 of those unbound, I will have bound according to the re- 

 commendations of the Society at the June meeting. 



The next year's report will be bound by the State, and the number 

 of copies will be governed by the Printing Commissioners, composed 

 of Secretary of State, State Auditor and Register of Lands. 



How many they will allow us, and when it can be done, will have 

 to be attended to hereafter. It will be necessary for the Secretary to 

 go to Jefferson City, make the necespary arrangements, and correct the 

 proof as fast as printed. 



THE WORK OF THE SOCIEIY 



« 



For the year must still be the aggressive movement, one which will be 

 an onAvard step and an upward step. We must have more county so- 

 cieties organized, so as to get new life in this work of horticulture in 

 many parts of the State where there is no such thing as enthusiasm. It 

 is astonishing how much can be accomplished by the banding together 

 of a few men and women in this work. I will cite you a instance of 

 it: The Missouri Valley Society has been a power among us. The 

 Bates County Society has entered a new existence since our State 

 meeting there. The Holt County Society has built up a record for good 

 work, and enthused life into many a fruit grower, and are becoming 

 known all over our State. The Montgomery County Society, only a 

 few months old, has made itself heard, and has a number of earnest 



