100 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Dureerystock, and then the blame rests upon the nurseryman. We 

 found there was a difference in roots and the method of treatment 

 they should receive, and what stock was best adapted to many sections 

 of Missouri. 



These lectures prepared the way for the work in orcharding and 

 small fruit. It is surprising how few people really understand the 

 nature of the different plants enough to transplant them properly. It 

 is often asked why it is so hard to make our trees grow. Especially is 

 this true of our ornamentals ; and if the facts were known the roots 

 may have dried, the tree have been injured iu some way, or, as is often 

 the case, the trouble is in the planting, i^ature does her best to pro- 

 tect her children, but man in his ignorance abuses them. 



We learned many other mistakes made in the care of our orchards 

 as we followed the tree from the nursery, saw it properly planted, and 

 learned the care it should receive from year to year until the profitable 

 season is past. The small fruit, as well as the orchards, were thoroughly 

 discussed. Our afternoons we spent in pruning and studing the fruits. 

 One practicum, which was especially inter<^8ting, we spent in a model 

 orchard a few miles out of the city. 



During our last month we had lectures and work in market garden- 

 ing. The vegetables themselves were discussed and we saw how many 

 of them grew in the hot-house and hot-beds. If more of our horticul- 

 turists realized how inexpensive a simple hot-bed is, and understood 

 the care of one, many would indulge in them. 



It was not altogether the knowledge we gained last winter that 

 was of benefit to us, but we gained in enthusiasm and love for the work 

 in horticulture. It means much to a student to be under instructors 

 who are thoroughly interested in their chosen profession. 



Perhaps it would be of interest to know a little of the influence the 

 Horticultural school exerted last winter. During February a young 

 man came to take a few weeks' work in landscape gardening. He 

 attended the lectures on orcharding and small fruit and became so 

 interested in the work that he stayed several weeks longer than he had 

 planned for. After leaving the University he bought a farm which he 

 is setting out to fruit. The only lady that took the dairy course came 

 into the lectures the last of February and instead of the dairy farm she 

 is helping in the work of a fruit farm. 



Missouri is the first State to open a School of Horticulture in her 

 Agricultural College, and the success of the school depends on the sup- 

 port given it by her people. When one sees the neglected orchards 

 and the many farms without fruit for family use over our State he needs 

 no farther proof of a need of such a school. And even those who 



