28 Missouri State Horticultwal Society. 



other class. To illustrate, go to the premises of that person whose 

 highest aspirations are his pipe, his dog and gun, and you will find 

 his front yard no neater than his back yard, and everything he 

 possesses or offers for sale, presents the same appearance ; he has 

 not enough intelligent pride to desire to make a good show even; but, 

 upon the other hand, go to the premises of a person of refinement, 

 who loves his books and his music, and, no matter how poor in 

 worldly goods, you will find his front yard looking neater than the 

 rear, generally ornamented with a bed of pansies, tulips or other 

 flowers to attract and please the eye of the passer-by. Then go out 

 upon the streets of this beautiful city, take a look at the costly 

 residences, and you will observe that those portions exposed to view 

 have the most beautiful ornamentation and architectural designs, 

 while the rear portion, though just as substantial, and serviceable, 

 are not made as attractive. Consequently when I see a fruit 

 grower making his packages of fruit attractive by exposing the best 

 specimens, I credit him with having a share of that sentiment, 

 which permeates intelligent society, viz : To make a good ajjpear- 

 ance and please the public, instead of charging him with a desire 

 to deceive and defraud as is so often done by those who possess to 

 a greater or less degree the same characteristics. I would not feel 

 that I had done my whole duty without referring to the festive, 

 "foreign" 



TREE PEDDLER, 



who haunts the rural districts. You have all seen him with his 



f 



jars of overgrown specimens of fruit, and heard him tell his story 

 about his ''double-hybrid, ever-bearing, blight-proof, frost and 

 drouth defying" pear, cherry or grape that he will sell you for only 

 13.00 per tree. 



While in attendance at the Missouri Press Association Con- 

 vention, recently held in this city, I listened to a paper in which 

 the author described in one classic word, the newspaper advertising 

 agent, and that word was "cheek." No other word was needed to 

 make the description complete. It has been my fortune to have 

 some experience with both, and to fittingly designate the majority 

 of tree-peddlers, must use the words, 



" CHEEK ENCASED IK BRASS." 



Of course I would not include in this description those agents who 

 represent with proper authority, responsible and reliable nurseries. 

 They are to a great extent a necessity and convenience to the 

 nurseryman and the purchaser, but that class who represent nothing 



