100 State Horticultural Society. 



Our report has been delayed, as is usually the case when the Legis- 

 lature is in session. We have just received some of the first books, and 

 they are here for distribution. 



The report is a valuable one, as much so as any one we have ever 

 issued. I have asked the Executive Committee to meet once or twice 

 to decide on some things which pertained to the welfare of the Society, 

 and what shall be included in this report. What it is, it is with their 

 hearty approval and consent. 



It has been sent to every State Horticultural Society and every 

 Experiment Station in the United States and a number in Europe, Asia, 

 Africa and Australia. It testifies strongly that we are alive, alert, en- 

 thusiastic in what we are doing, and hearty compliments come to us from 

 all sides. 



The World's Fair medals and awards have not yet been sent out, but 

 from the letter from Secretary McGibbons of the Jury of Awards we 

 see that they will soon be ready. I have sent him the corrected list of 

 awards as I now have it and hope soon to see the certificates sent to you. 



As you will see from his letter, the World's Fair Commission do 

 intend to send out medals (gilded and stamped, to represent bronze, silver 

 and gold) to every one to whom award has been made. Of course, if you 

 want the real thing in gold or silver, you will have to pay for it — $75.00 

 for gold and $5.00 for silver. 



I was in hopes our Missouri Commissioners might see their way clear 

 to pay for these medals so nobly won by our fruit men. No such event 

 has ever taken place in our history as this World's Fair, and its grandeur, 

 its magnificence, its accomplishment, will go down into history as the 

 greatest the world has ever known. The pictures of our fruit show, given 

 in our report, give but dimly an idea of its remarkable beauty and extent. 

 No other fruit exhibit will ever be attempted that will surpass in design 

 and artistic setting, variety of display, and in extent of exhibit, this single 

 exhibit of Missouri at the World's Fair. Forty-eight hundred bushels 

 of apples, 300 bushels of peaches, besides the many thousands of plates of 

 other fruits on the tables, embracing over 650 varieties, 500 bushels of 

 apples, 500 bushels of peaches, given away on apple and peach day. And 

 added to this, 3,000 jars fruit, 430 varieties, 21 kinds, which kept a con- 

 tinual exhibit for 7 months. 



The following compliment paid us by Prof. L. R. Taft, Superintend- 

 net of Jury Awards, is the most gracious and valuable one we have 

 received and is worthy of our attention : 



"Of all the states making exhibit, Missouri easily takes first rank 

 upon its general exhibit. As might be expected, the display of apples 

 from this State far surpassed these from any other in the size of the 



