190 Missouri State Horticultural Society: 



Xew Orleaxs, La., Dec. oth, 1884. 

 L. A. Goodman, Secretary Mo. State Horticultural Society. 



Deae Sir : — Your call for matter suitable to the meeting of 

 our State Society, and to my own official relation with the society, 

 recalls me to a sense of my duties in my own state — duties which I 

 had almost lost sight of in the whirl and rush of the big Exposi- 

 tion. 



I can only crave the indulgence of the officers and members 

 of our organization, asking you to be equally kind with the Uni- 

 versity Board in granting me ''leave of absence." 



The work here has so grown upon our hands that what seemed 

 a considerable undertaking last spring has now assumed colossal^ 

 proportions, and working early and late accomplishes only enough 

 to heighten by contrast the importance of the things that remain 

 undone. 



As soon as the carpenters leave a building the grounds about 

 it are in our hands ; but the carpenters linger like snow in the val- 

 leys, and we grow as impatient of their delays as we do of the 

 slow coming spring-time of the north. 



It is difficult to fancy your sitting in solemn conclave with win- 

 ter at your doors, when here the air is soft and balmy, the roses 

 are crowded with bloom, the orange trees with their brilliant green 

 leaves and bright yellow fruit, making beautiful pictures on 

 every hand. 



We have had so far little rain ; not enough to retard appreci- 

 ably the work of planting, which, while it makes haste slowly, is 

 really becoiAing quite a feature of the exposition grounds. 



Exhibits of all kinds — state and individual — are crowding in, 

 and the sound of axe and hammer is indicative of busy industry 

 inside the various buildings. 



Since the state exhibits began to assume shape miscellaneous 

 visiting has been prohibited, but some of us who have a way to 

 get in are watching with great interest to see which state at least 

 shall unpack "the big pumpkin." Ex-Gov. Furnas, of Nebraska, 

 has pushed his work with more apparent zeal than any other state 

 commissioner, having the advantage of being early upon the 

 ground, and deserves great commendation for skill and persever- 

 ance. Others are already here, however, and are pushing for- 

 ward their several departments with a will. Maj. F. F. Hilder, 

 state commissioner from Missouri, is here, and hard at work. 



Our state exhibit promises to do us great credit. The space 

 assigned to Missouri is to be found in the Government building, on 



