166 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



keeping and carrying qualities of the fruit, and last but not least, the 

 hardiness and productiveness of the tree. A thorough knowledge of 

 our profession and close attention to details is the only sure road to 

 success. We are proud to know that we have a School of Horticulture 

 in our State University, the only one so far established on the American 

 continent; and in addition to the regular course and in order to accom- 

 modate the farmers' sons and daughters and those of limited means 

 and encourage them to secure a practical training in horticulture, a 

 short course of thirteen weeks, beginning the first Monday in January 

 has been provided for, free of tuition. In this school not only daily 

 lectures will be given by the most experienced horticulturists in the 

 State, but practical lessons are given in grafting, budding, pruning, 

 grading and packing of nursery stock, growing trees and shrubs from 

 seeds and cuttings ; every county in the State should send one or more 

 students to this school the coming session. Time is too precious and 

 life too short for us to continue to grope our way in darkness ; the 

 world is moving rapidly on and we must keep step to the march of 

 progress, or be left as straglers in the rear to be gobbled up by our 

 enemies. In conclusion we thank you again for this hearty welcome 

 and extend to you a cordial invitation to attend the sessions of our 

 meetings and participate in the discussions, lend us a helping hand to 

 carry this grand work onward and upward 'til all the wild lands of our 

 State are converted into happy homes, fruitful fields and orchards and 

 many thousands are made happy by the increased comforts of life and 

 stout and healthy from easing all they want of the rich luscious life- 

 giving fruits of imperial Missouri. 1^. F. Murray, Oregon, Mo. 



Music — Vocal solo. 



HARDY BULBS. 



When the request reached me asking for a paper on ''Hardy 

 Bulbs," the shadow of a smile hovered around my lips for some time. 



The request seemed to say to me in peremptory voice, "Now^ 

 Madam, let us see you get any sentimental nonsense woven into this 

 subject," and I must say the title did somewhat alarm me, but one 

 evening when all alone in my study, I took in my hand the rough- 

 coated bulb of a Burmuda lily, closed my eyes, put my ear to its shaggy 

 surface and listened for the beating of the life that I knew was hidden 

 away in its white heart. Listening thus, I seemed to see a great gar- 

 den unfold before my vision, and in this garden were only beds of 

 hardy bulbs. It was early spring time, and snow was yet lying in the 

 fence corners, where drifts had been, but close up near the garden 



