240 Missouri State Horticultural Suciehj. 



evolution of Dr. John A. Warder, whose memory is now equally 

 venerated with that of the lamented Downing. 



Sin.ce the auspicious events last referred to, observation, sup- 

 plemented by sound scientific principles, has been brought to bear, 

 at all times and in all directions, on the varied phenomena present- 

 ed in horticultural work. These observations have been regularly 

 and carefully noted and collated ; and, by intelligent study and ex- 

 perimentation based thereon, progress in the right direction is be- 

 ing steadily maintained. The improvements of varieties of fruits 

 by cross fertilization and hybridization — the adaptations of our va- 

 rious classes of fruits to the diversified soils, elevations, aspects, and 

 other local influences of our respective orchard and vineyard situa- 

 tions — the antidotes to our multitudes of insect enemies and fungoid 

 antagonisms^ — the modes of cultivation, and the manurial aids, best 

 suited to the full development of the various fruits under our cul- 

 ture, in size, and forms, and excellence of qualities — in short, all 

 matters affecting the results of horticultural labors, advantageously 

 or disadvantageously, as the case may be, are now being so closely 

 and intelligently studied that those who fail to keep step to the 

 spirit of the age, by persistent observation of all the elements of 

 success and failure, must necessarily fall behind the ranks of the 

 successful horticulturalists of the age. 



But m connection with the foregoing suggestion of some of the 

 perplexing concomitants of horticultural operations, it seems appro- 

 priate to duly recognize the valuable work now being accomplished 

 by certain distinguished laborers outside of the ranks of those who 

 are devoting themselves to fruit culture mainly for its pecuniary 

 results. Last January we had the pleasure of attending, in Kansas 

 City, the annual meeting of the Mississijjpi Valley Horticultural 

 Society. In that unusually intelligent assemblage were many of the 

 most distinguished and successful fruitgrowers of our country ; and 

 also among them there were a number of the learned professors from 

 our various western industrial colleges. There ripe experience and 

 scientific ability were gathered side by side. Carefully observed 

 facts were clearly stated there by the practical members ; and on 

 the submission of these to the scientists, their usually clear elucida- 

 tions were such that we could not but feel gratified at the many tri- 

 umphs of mind over matter therein manifested. But the feature of 

 that meeting that I would call special attention to was the palpable 

 effect of close observation and study as the means of their readiness 

 and clearness in the statements and interpretations of the facts pre- 

 sented. 



