43 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



must have proper treatment ; so when our trees seem sick and barren, they must 

 not bs neglected. The proper care and attention must be more systematically 

 given to our orchards when they show the need of it by their foliage or their lack 

 of fruit. When we learn that trees can feel and suffer, we will more fully under- 

 stand their needs. 



THE SOCIETY A GROWING ONE. 



The Society keeps growing and the local societies are increasing, notably the 

 last one here in Columbia, with over TOO members. It is the influence of the 

 societies and these workers that helps to make our State known throughout the 

 country. Today we stand second to none in our influence, power and organization. 

 This is shown by the reputation we have among the other State societies, by the 

 growth of our planting each succeeding year, the demand for our reports, the 

 information we distribute, the new fruits we bring into notice, and the opening up 

 of new orchards all over the State. 



INCORPORATION. 



Our appropriation, as you all know, was granted as usual. Three or four visits 

 were made to Jefi^erson City, and after consultation with the Governor, Secretary 

 of State and State Auditor, it was deemed best, even late in the session, to intro- 

 duce a bill incorporating our Society. A consultation was had with our Vice-Presi- 

 dent, the Chairmen of the Committee on Agriculture in the House and Senate, and 

 a bill was introduced. With it was introduced a bill reorganizing the Board of 

 Agriculture. This bill passed, and our incorporation was msde by the act We 

 have now to adopt a set of by-laws and we then proceed as usual. It seems to me 

 that these should be adopted at this time. By this law our membership is confined 

 to those who pay their dollar per year or hold life membership. I suppose we will 

 have no authority to change this clause, as it is embodied in the act incorporating 

 the Society. The act itself gives us a constitution, and our old constitution will be 

 our by-laws as soon as adopted. 



I wish to pay the compliments of this Society to the Secretary of State for his 

 enthusiastic espousal of our cause. To him belongs the honor of saving the life of 

 the Society and of its incorporation. He has long been a member of our Society, 

 since its meeting at Lexington in fact, and has always felt a deep interest in our 

 work, and every member can give allegiance to the Secretary of State. We shall 

 always feel thankful for his valuable help in our time of need. 



PRINTING THE REPORTS 



The work on the last year's report was completed December 15, and the State 

 printers could have begun the work soon after the first of January, had it not been 

 that it seemed to be necessary to incorporate our Society. 



Our Society had to be reorganized and a bill prepared the last moment to get 

 through the Assembly, so that I could not obtain the order from the Printing Com- 

 mission until March 30, because the bill had not become a law. It would be of 

 much more benefit to the members could we get the report printed at once at the 

 close of the year and not be compelled to wait so long for it. 



House bill No. 717 (Sees. 10, 11 and 12), incorporating the Society and provid- 

 ing for it, provides as follows : 



Sec. 10. The Missouri State Horticultural Society is hereby instituted and 

 created a body corporate, to be named and styled as above, and shall have perpetual 

 succession, power to sue and be sued, complain and defend in all courts, and to 

 make and use a common seal and alter the same at pleasure. 



