Winter Meeting. 159 



always been controlled by the missionary spirit. We hold our meetings 

 over different parts of the state to awaken an interest in horticulture 

 in the parts of the state which we visit. We have been very successful 

 in this work, as there are now over fifty county and local horticultural 

 societies in the state. While our work seems slow, it must be remem- 

 bered that we have had to work under many difficulties, and different 

 conditions. If we will look back and take a careful review of the 

 progress in horticulture in recent years, we have every reason in the 

 world to feel proud of our success. We have numerous medals to show 

 that Missouri fruits have always carried off the highest prizes at all 

 the great fairs and exhibitions. This could not have been done without 

 organization. We are soon, if we are not now, to be recognized as the 

 greatest horticultural state in the union. West of the Mississippi we 

 have twenty states and four territories, with twenty million people. 

 This vast territory has been developed from a wilderness into a fertile 

 land. As the country grows older conditions change. It requires 

 30,000 acres of land to support a savage; 10,000 for a cattleman; 

 1,000 for a wheat grower; 160 acres for a mixed farmer; while ten 

 acres will support a fruit grower and his family. 



We meet this time under unfavorable circumstances ; we have 

 had dry years, wet years and cold years. This has been very discour- 

 aging to the fruit grower. But we must not give up. It is said that 

 Henry W'ard Beecher, after a storm gave thanks. When asked why 

 he did this, he gave as his reason, "We shall now have better weather." 

 So many trees were killed by the past cold winter that I doubt if there 

 are enough trees in all the nurseries in the country to replace them. 

 The demand for fine fruit is constantly growing. I believe this is a 

 good time to go forward, to plant more trees and to care for them better. 

 We are now down in the valley of adversity, but we are going up higher. 

 I believe it will pay to enlarge, replant, and take better care of the 

 orchard. In 1800 there were only two nurseries in the country; in 

 1850 there were thirty-two; in 1895 there were more than 

 4,000. Our markets are growing; especially in the export 



