WINTER MEETING. 179 



might conclade that we were less kiudly dealt with than the people of 

 other lands, but when we compare our condition with theirs, we must 

 conclude that our condition is much better than theirs, and that which 

 might at first, or to the uuthinkiug mind be considered a curse, we find 

 to be our greatest blessing, for our very necessities but stir us up to 

 greater energies, and with our gardens, our orchards, our fields and 

 farms we have opportunity to raise all we need aud to spare for the ne- 

 cessities of others less fortunately situated or less provident than we are. 

 So let us take courage and preserve; let us congratulate ourselves that 

 we were placed iu a place that requires labor and painstaking care to 

 succeed ; let us praise God for the many blessings that have come to 

 us, not the least among which is a stable government and the right to 

 enjoy the results of our labor. 



Geo. H. Van Houten, Lenox, la. 



Wednesday Moening. 



Meeting called to order by President Evans. 



Prayer by Eev. Ward. 



Music — "Swannee Kiver" — By Boys High School Chorus. 



The chorus, accompanied by violin and piano, was enthusiastically 

 encored. 



The President introduced the following delegates trom other states : 

 Wm. J. Barnes, Kansas; J. W. Stanton, Illinois; W. M. Bomberger, 

 and A. Branson, Iowa; L. H. Reid, Wisconsin. 



Glenwood, Iowa, November 5, 1897. 

 To the Missouri State Horticultural Society: 



Gentlemen— This will Introdace to you Mr. W. M. Bomberger, Treasurer of our State 



Horticultural Society. He comes among you as a delegate from our state society. 



F. M. Powell, 



President Iowa State Horticultural Society. 



Ottumwa, December 2, 1897. 

 This Is to certify that Mr. A. Branson Is appointed by the Southeastern Iowa Horti- 

 cultural Society a delegate to the Missouri State Horticultural convention at Moberly, Mo. 

 C. W. BuKTON, Secretary. Fkank O. Harrington, Chairman. 



Barnes of Kansas — Mr. President, my feelings have been wrought 

 up by the singing. I see the "Star Spangled Banner" and hear the 

 strains of "Dixie." It reminds me that horticulture knows no political 

 lines, no state lines or anything of that sort. I can imagine a bird's 

 nest built on the line between Missouri and Kansas, so that the young 

 in one side of the nest would be in one state and those in the other 



