SUMMER MEETING. 145 



US from the lower part of the State ran up to Jefferson City on the 

 afternoon train to attempt an organization, while the Legislature was 

 in session. The town was crowded, and we had difficulty in finding 

 accommodations, which were at last secured in a large room at the Ten- 

 nessee House, three in a bed. A caucus was held that night. It is so 

 long ago that my memory fails to give all the names present, but as near 

 as I can recollect they were Elliott, Mr. Garnett of St. Louis, N. J. Col- 

 man, Wm. McPherson, Dr. L. D. Morse, Jacob Rommel, Sr., and 

 myself. After looking around the next day, and conferring with the 

 men we considered most likely to favor the plan, we obtained the use 

 of the House of Representatives for the evening, and then the organi- 

 zation was effected, which was the forerunner and parent of your 

 present Society. Gen. James L. Minor, of Jefferson City, in a neat 

 speech, warmly advocated the plan, and Norman J. Coleman was 

 chosen its first president. It may be truly said of this small beginning 

 ''that tall oaks from little acorns grow." Your Society is now spread 

 over the whole State, numbers its members by the thousands, at home 

 and abroad, and may be called one of the most successful and influ- 

 ential State organizations in the country. 



But, with the garrulity of old age, I have already filled more 

 pages and taken up more of your time, perhaps, than you can spare. 

 Yet I have merely attempted to give an outline of the beginning of 

 horticulture in a State in which I have lived for forty years, and where 

 I was initiated into horticulture as a life-long pursuit. There are many 

 of you, no doubt, who are familiar with the pleasant early meetings at 

 St. Louis, the pleasant visits to and from our friends in Illinois and 

 Kansas, the triumphs we achieved at fairs and horticultural meetings. 

 But should it be desired, and health is spared me, a rambling sketch 

 of later days, until I left Missouri, will be furnished for your winter 

 meeting. It is good for the soul to bring up recollections of the past 

 sometimes, memories of friends still living, whose circle is diminish- 

 ing every day ; and of the dear departed, with whom we labored in 

 times gone by. 



Wishing you a profitable and pleasant meeting, I remain. 



Your old friend and co-laborer, 



Geo. Husmann. 

 Napa, Cal., May 28, 1897. 



Song — Our Country. Composed by Prof. Troemel. Sung by Al- 

 bert Ponnitzky, boy soprano. 



H— 10 



