310 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



leys on the south and west, and by the great Missonri and Mississippi 

 valleys on the north and south. These two conditions combined con- 

 stitute an essential element in climate and temperature to the horti- 

 culturist, in this, that the warm air rising frooi the surrounding valleys 

 and wafted by the winds that inequalities of the earth's surface always 

 create, these moist, warm asceading vapors from the lower bottoms 

 incline to spread out as they rise, enveloping the higher grounds and 

 contribute in securing immunity from untimely frosts. Admiting these 

 claims to be well founded, the climatic condition of the Ozarks i& 

 favorable to horticulture. 



We now come to consider the soil and its adaptability to fruit 

 culture. 



It may be questioned if thes'^ gravelly hillsides and rocky ridges 

 possess sufficient fertility and the soil contains the necessary elements 

 to grow fruit in paying quantities. 



We may say to the doubting : Look ! see the record of nature 

 impressed in indellible lines upon the hillsides and on to the hilltops^ 

 up even to the highest range. Behold the great variety of forest trees 

 with stout, spreading branches, sturdy trunks and great roots thrust 

 deep through the gravelly surface far down into the red marley sub- 

 soil below. These trees cover the sides and crown the summits of 

 the highest ridges; below them grow numerous species of shrubs, 

 grasses, plants and flowers, also, several varieties of native grapes^ 

 some tiny and so dwarfed that they could be potted for house plants, 

 others of enormous size climb to the top of the highest trees, embrac- 

 ing their trunks and embowering their branches. 



With this record before us who will deny that nature has decreed 

 that berries, grapes and the larger fruits will grow abundantly on these 

 wooded hills when men with willing minds and strong arms sweep off 

 the forest growth, break up the soil, plant, protect and nourish these 

 good gifts of the Bountiful Creator. 



In conclusion it may be interesting to state some facts that ob- 

 servation and experience have taught us in regard to what has already 

 been accomplished in fruit-growing on the broken lands. It may also 

 be useful to point out instances where mistakes have been made, as 

 we learn wisdom, or should do so, by our failures. It was a mistake 

 in the early settler to plant his best wheat and corn lands in his narrow 

 hollow in orchard when he had plenty of rough land near that was bet- 

 ter fruit land. Again it was a great mistake to plant apple trees and 

 pasture the land without cultivation ; the stock had the best chance of 

 growth in the arrangement. But men that have planted rough lands 

 to orchards and given them proper care and intelligent cultivation 



