Suuiincr Mcctinz- 95 



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One of the aims of the Society, as shown by reading the programs 

 of the past years, is to pretty well cover the scope of general horticultural 

 work each year; so it will be seen that part of our fruits are given promi- 

 nence at the annual June meetings while others are taken at the Decem- 

 ber meeting ; hence it is necessary to attend both to gather up the strings 

 of the whole year's work. As at the last winter meeting, where much 

 prominence was given the apple, one gentleman said he came just to 

 hear about the strawberry, and they had hardly been mentioned, while 

 so much time had been given to the apple. 



The Secretary replied that it was true, but if the gentleman had at- 

 tended .the June meeting previous, he would have seen that small fruit 

 was most thoroughly discussed and scarcely anything relative to the 

 apple. 



So it goes, and to get all the good possible from the Society's meet- 

 ings, let us attend all that we can. 



We are assured that the location possesses sufficient attraction in 

 itself to well repay us for the time and money spent, and with the pro- 

 gram as already printed, and the discussions that are even better than 

 written papers, all render this meeting one of importance. 



]\Iore especially is it necessary to meet at this time, together with 

 fruit growers from all over this State, and from other states as well, 

 and discuss plans for the great work before us. iWe refer to the Big- 

 Fair, for which plans must be made and work promptly pushed in order 

 to be ready for this "biggest show on earth." 



It is said "there is nothing new under the sun," so it rec[uires a more 

 perfect system and the exercise of our best talent to so prepare and put 

 old things before the world in a new form, and so take and hold the 

 first place in horticultural display in the known world. 



This is a great undertaking and may seem egotistical for "Poor 

 Old Missouri" to aspire to such a position, but judging from past pro- 

 gress, and feeling our courage rise higher with each new difficulty, we 

 feel that we are really modest in our humble aspirations tO' lead the 

 world. 



With our faith strong in the possibilities of our State, with the im- 

 proved methods in orchard work becoming generally practiced among 

 our fruit growers, we need only to properly put before the people our 

 magnificient products to win success. 



Any and all mishaps that have or may yet occur to our fruit crops 

 should only spur us on to greater zeal, and more earnest activity, and 

 will make success only so much more deserving. 



These things all need discussion, not only by members of the 

 executive board, however able, but by each and every fruit grower in 



