WINTER MEETING. 



Held at Moberh'i Mo.^ December 7, 5, p, i8gj. 



The winter meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. Mr. Phillips 

 of Moberly. 



Music — Piano solo. 



President J, 0. Evans — There is no better evidence of the condi- 

 tion of the horticultural work in this State that the character and size 

 of the audiences that greet us at these annual meetings in various 

 parts of the State. Guaged by the assembly here before me, I am 

 happy that we are able to say that we are in a better condition than 

 we have been for years. We trust this will be a profitable meeting to 

 you and to us. We know that we are welcome to your beautiful city ; 

 we are already satisfied of this, but we will call upon your mayor for 

 an address of welcome. 



MAYOR WM. J. CAVE'S ADDRESS OF WELCOME. 



Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen — T am somewhat in the atti- 

 tude of the small boy about to make his first speech. Some people 

 th'nk that a lawyer never has such a feeling ; but your President told 

 me that if I would make a good speech he would see that I was suita- 

 bly rewarded for it. As he said this he looked toward those beauti- 

 ful apples over there. So you see why I am afraid of losing the prom- 

 ised reward. 



Technically, I know little or nothing of fruitgrowing ; but T doubt 

 not wonderful progress has been made in the science and art in the 

 last few years, and that fruit-growing is keeping pace with the march of 

 progress in other fields of labor. Many of our people do not know what 

 fine fruit is being grown right here in our own State. I am satisfied that 

 agriculture, which embraces horticulture, is the basis of all true and 

 lasting prosperity. I think that in fruit growing we are not behind 

 any other state. Of course, California always makes greater effort 10 



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