SUMMER MEETING. 121 



geologist, or chemist, or horticulturist, to occupy a prominent position 

 in the land, and to help make the intiuence of our Society felt, and 

 appreciated, and honored. 



I look to see this Society take possession of the different horti- 

 cultural organizations of the State. We will have our Society repre- 

 sented in the colleges of Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas. We will be 

 the foremost in the future as in the past — first ia horticulture, first in 

 the sciences, and first in the application of all these to the use of our 

 countrymen. 



SCHOOL OF HORTICULTURE. 



One of the most important steps for the advancement of the 

 knowledge of horticuliure was the establishment of this " School of 

 Horticulture." It was my pleasurable duty to meet this class of eight 

 and give them some instruction in the growing of orchard and small 

 fruits. I went to Columbia and the Agricultural college with some 

 misgivings, although I seldom undertake anything with that feeling ; 

 as to the result, it was an agreeable surprise to me when I found wait- 

 ing there these earnest young people ready and eager to take all the 

 information they could get and make it part of their own. 



I found that Mr. Murray had given them a good start and had 

 them well enthused on this subject of nursery growing, grafting, prop- 

 agating, etc., so that my work taken up here carried them on to matters 

 of greater interest and greater importance, if one fact can be consid- 

 ered greater than another. The work alone by these young people 

 lead me to believe that much good will come to them and the school 

 by this course. I look to see 40 there this next winter, each trying to 

 get something out of this school that will make him or her a practical 

 fruit-grower or a successful gardner. 



The work consisted of discussions and illustrations, and facts 

 given as concisely as I could give them, so that they could comprehend 

 and grasp it all. I often thought that there was a great deal of detail 

 work that need not be outlined or explained, but invariably it came to 

 the point where it became necessary to go still into minute detail and 

 explain every step in the plan. To this instruction was added three 

 times each week some out-door practical application of the instruc- 

 tion in the pruning the grape, peach, pear, apple or berry bushes, 

 or the planting of the same, or the propagation of plants might be the 

 topic of discussion and the illustration was part of the practical work. 



At the best I found myself enjoying every moment of time with 

 these young people and thought myself back to the school life once 

 more. I believe I am safe in predicting a large and successful school 

 for the future. 



