146 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOOIETY. 



OUR LOCAL HORTICULURAL SOCIETIES. 



After attending a meeting like this one of the last three days, with 

 the vast amount of information furnished by able and practical horti- 

 cultural workers, a subject like this one might seem to be of little in- 

 terest. Did not we pause to remember that all things have a beginning, 

 and that, in its way, the Local Horticultural Society has just as import- 

 ant work to do as the State Society, towards which we look with so 

 much pride and interest. 



The reports of this Society's meetings are read in many states, 

 discussed by many local workers, and have been and will yet be the 

 means of bringing many good citizens to our State. 



It was the reading of some of the addresses of Vice-President N. 

 F. Murray that decided us to choose the Ozarks for our home, and 

 fruit-raising for our future occupation. 



Our coming here brought several others to see this country, most 

 of whom located in South Missouri, and all came here for the special 

 purpose of raising fruit. 



Many are novices in this work, and to them the Local Horticul- 

 tural Society is almost a necessity. 



In this local work we do not have the array of experience fur- 

 nished by the State Society, nor the scientific and practical methods 

 taught at the University, but we can have the requirements of knowl- 

 edge that make it the average farmer's School of Horticulture. 



Attendance at these meetings creates a desire to attend the State 

 meetings, and to send our children to take a thorough course of study 

 at Columbia. But only a small number of our fruit-growers are able 

 to do either of these. Those who can be present at the local meet- 

 ings, and by taking part in the work, can not only gain valuable in- 

 formation from their neighbors' successes and failures, but can be of 

 benefit to others by telling their own experiences. 



The successful horticulturist of the future must be full of zeal, 

 and improve, not anly upon nature herself, but on the work of past 

 generations. 



Wonderful results have already been gained, and the treasures of 

 knowledge that have been obtained in the last few years give added 

 hope to the coming workers. 



I believe it would be of great value to us were our local Societies 

 to consider themselves auxilliars to the State Society, and be ready 

 and willing to furnish a report of its work at any time. 



