NOTES CONCERNING SISTER STATE SOCIETIES. 289 



MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



OFFICERS. 



President — J. C. Evans, Harlem. 

 Vice President — J. A. Durkes, Weston. 

 Secretary — L. A. Goodman, Westport. 

 Treasurer — D. S. Holman, Springfield. 



Secretary Goodman says : 



One of the best meetings ever held by our State society was the one recently 

 held in Lexington. We had a greater attendance and more interest than ever 

 before. A fine display of apples was made, consisting of nearly five hundred 

 plates and a hundred and fifty varieties; the most perfect collection we have 

 ever had. 



The apple question came up in all its shapes, location of orchards, pruning, 

 and cultivation. It was the unanimous opinion that, to secure the best results, 

 we must give our orchards the very best of cultivation, not to crop, necessarily, 

 but after the trees become large enough to bear, to still cultivate them, and 

 not grow any crops between them. Orchards so treated the last year have 

 given by far the best results. 



The best plan of protecting young trees from rabbits, mice, and borers, was 

 the use of the common wire screen. Cut in strips six inches wide, and eight 

 to twenty-two inches long, they are rolled around a broom handle, and then 

 placed on the tree two inches in the ground. The spring of the wire will hold 

 it tight to the tree. 



The berries came in for their just share of discussion. The Crescent, Cum- 

 berland, and Sharpless were the choice of the majority of the members. 



The ornamenting of school yards was an important subject, in the discussion 

 of which, the society recommended every local society to call upon all the 

 school boards in their county and urge them to take action upon this matter. 



Injurious fungi was ably presented by Prof. S. M. Tracy and B F. Gallo- 

 way, of the Agricultural College. 



Entomology was presented in a very able paper by Miss M. Murtfeldt, of 

 Kirkwood, and this subject elicited general discussion as to the necessity of 

 prompt aud united action by every member of the society. 



The flowers and ornamental part was not lost sight of, and the special need 

 of public parks in our western towns was strongly advocated. 



The vegetables, one of the necessities of life, was shown to be not half 

 appreciated by the majority of our people, and especially farmers. 



Delegates were present from Illinois, Iowa, and Kansas State societies, and 

 a very profitable time was enjoyed. 



Premiums were paid on ninety plates of fruits, and a number of bouquets, 

 and the society adjourned, leaving the place and time of the next meeting to 

 the executive committee. 



L. A. Goodman Secretary. 

 3; 



