222 State Horticultural Society. 



sickle of success, stored in the broad, liberal minds of the intelligent 

 grower, the joy and pleasure divided with the family and subdivided 

 with friends and acquaintances is the theme sought for. As we have 

 often said, in our talks and writings before the public, ^'of the more 

 than 44,450,000 acres in Missouri, three-fourths to four fifths of this 

 vast area is, by nature, adapted to growing fruit. The undulation of 

 the surface, some places quite abrupt, the main part more gently roll- 

 ing, forming hills and ravines, draining the soil of water, the condensed 

 air falls into the ravines and is carried do^^oi by under currents to the 

 branches and creeks, from thence to the great river systems of the state, 

 which rushes these currents on to the Gulf to cool the sun-parched 

 shores and purify the air of the yellow fever microbes of the far south. 

 These natural conditions not only developed in part the unsurpassed 

 fruit resources, but greatly assists the healthfulness of our beautiful 

 country. In truth and in fact there is no serious disappointments in 

 fruit growing in Missouri, to them who have the sunshine of horticulture 

 in their soul. The practical horticulturalist is ever prepared to find a 

 whole sermon, an hour's study in every tree, shrub and plant, and if 

 perchance his labors are not rewarded in dollars and cents by a fruit 

 product of the orchard or garden, he is able to attribute the cause and 

 proceed at once to continue the lesson in nature study, reading Divine 

 revelations from each leaf, blade and stem. 



PI.UM^ VARIETIES DISCUSSION. 



Mr. Baxter of Illinois. — I lost 300 trees last winter. I want to 

 know what to replace with. 



J. H. Karnes, Buchanan Co. — My experience is with the native 

 plums. Eastern and Japan are not profitable. Wild Goose is always 

 profitable. I have the Wolf, Miner, Mariana, Potawatamie, Marion 

 and I^ewman. Wild Goose has paid best. Wolf is a freestone, it rots. 

 Mariana is most worthless, except Potawatamie. I can not market the 

 latter at all ; too small. The Abundance died this last season. I have 

 Bradshaw, Lombard, Lincoln and other European kinds. ISTone of 



