258 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The time is coming when our population will need the rich farming lands to 

 raise grain and meat, while the hills and rocky ridges will be set with vines and 

 fruit-trees. In Missouri are millions of acres that may seem almost valueless that 

 will, in time, be covered with choice fruit-trees. 



An example of this is the Olden fruit farm in Howell county. It shows what 

 skill, energy and a true knowledge of horticulture can accomplish. 



Go to any fruit-stand in a large city, and you can get oranges and lemons from 

 the south of Europe all along the Mediterranean sea, from Florida, Louisiana and 

 California; also bananas as plenty almost as potatoes, and cheap enough to be pur- 

 chased by the poor. 



Who will say that we are not progressing in our line equal to any of the arts 

 and sciences, or any of the professions? 



The railroads netting over the country so as to enable sending our fruits to 

 where they are needed. 



Two great features in this line is that plenty of fruit has a tendency to lessen 

 the taste for strorg drink, and conducive to health. 



Lt is an established fact that the lift; of the human race is prolonged within the 

 last half century, and this is one of its causes, that our people consumed more fruit 

 than formerly. 



Now then, for those eng-aged in this noble calling I hope they will press on 

 and keep the progress gaining as it has in the past decade. Science has come to our 

 aid, and now we know how to circumvent the Codling Moth, the Curculio and the 

 grape- rot, scab and rust ; and if the calomel cure will stop the pear blight, we are 

 on the high road to success. 



For me there cannot be much more time, but while here, and able to handle the 

 knife, pruning shears, spade and hoe, I expect to keep in the harness to the end. 



Samuel Miller. , 



