SUMMER MEETING.' 157 



modtl, sunaming np the results of the year. His suggestions are all 

 safe and wise, and if followed will surely add to the welfare of the 

 people. 



In the afternoon Miss Murtfelut's paper on insect pests was read 

 by Prof. Stedman. This gentleman is the entomologist of the Agri- 

 cultural College, and right here, let it be stated, no college west of the 

 Mississippi has a more earnest and elficient entomologist than Prof. 

 Stedman. It is just as true that no other state in all this great west 

 has so strong a professor of horticulture as our Prof. Whitten. The 

 two young men are doing a grand work for the fruit-growers, and are 

 anxious to do all in their ability to help Missouri and her institutions 

 to the front. 



Space will not permit the full record of the busy day's doings. If 

 we could remember what was said in G. A. B. hall yesterday and put 

 into practice, then there would be many transformations among the 

 homes of Missouri, and it would not be long until this Ozark country 

 would be in reality, the orchard, the berry-field and the vineyard of 

 America. 



The event of the last day was the banquet. The ladies of the 

 Horticultural societies deserve great praise for this crowning effort in 

 furnishing a dinner that (so our visitors said) was the best they ever 

 sat down to — a dinner that was prepared by the ladies, not by caterers, 

 that included many of the products that are grown to perfection in the 

 Southwest, including big dishes of strawberries. 



Fully 250 enjoyed the feast. Of course, this success cost work, 

 and many of the ladies worked too hard, but there is this satisfaction, 

 their liberality is appreciated and always will be. 



After the dinner their were toasts. Dr. Hensley acting as master 

 of ceremonies of the feast. It was not dry toast, for it was toast on 

 fruit. 



Col. Evans, N. F. Murray, Secretary Van Houten, of Iowa ; Secre- 

 retary Barnes, of Kansas ; Rev. John Brereton, J. B. Wild and D. 

 McNallie and others responded to the sentiments. 



The regular session was resumed at 3 o'clock. Just before ad- 

 journment the peach-growers present organized an association for the 

 purpose of handling and marketing the present crop of peaches. Col. 

 Evans is president and S. W. Gilbert secretary. A meeting will be 

 held at Mountain Grove the last Tuesday in June to perfect the organ- 

 zation. The object is of the greatest importance. South Missouri has 

 the best peaches in the country this year, and, if properly distributed, 

 will pay up a lot of incumbrances. , 



