198 State Horticultural Society. 



the "best that can be done." In the first case it is the best that one man 

 can do, while in the other, it is the best that the combined wisdom of 

 you and your associates can do. I am glad that this society has done the 

 latter. 



THE FRUIT RECORD. 



Up to May ist the prospects for a crop of fruits were never better. 

 Every tree in the land said we will do our best, but on that night the 

 devastating blast of frost passed over the land and not only the first born 

 buds were taken, but the whole number were blasted as by the breath 

 of fire. Trees in their prime with all the vigor of youth, trees in their 

 old age with all of their strength, trees in their decline, trees in their 

 first budding, hardy fruits, tender varieties, productive trees, shy bear- 

 ing; fruitful trees, trees which bring single fruits. Orchards on high 

 lands, where low lands, prairie lands, timber lands, north, south, east or 

 west slopes, on good soils or poor soils ; wherever there were trees loaded 

 with the bud promises of fruits, there the devastating death-angel,frost,. 

 passed by and left not a vestige of fruit life. From the sunny slopes of 

 the Ozarks to the grand Missouri River hills, to the rich north land of 

 our State, nothing was left for the husbandman, with some few excep- 

 tions, but the blackened leaves on our trees. 



When we read of the destructive blast which came from Mt. Pelee 

 and the terrible destruction of life which came in a moment, we can 

 understand this destruction of a night to the fruit buds. We can but 

 stand in awe of the power and forces of nature when thus shown in a 

 moment, and wonder at them, nay stand in utter amazement at her power, 

 but always forget the greater power, the greater force and influence, and 

 the grand results of nature in the growth of plant, leaf, bud, blossom 

 and fruit. Much more should we wonder at the latter than the former. 



The injury to the berry crop was much less than expected, and 

 where the floods did not interfere with the marketing, good prices were 

 realized. The peach crop was virtually a failure. Cherries, only a small 

 part of a crop. Plums, in a few localities, did well. The pear crop, only 

 a shadow of itself. Grapes, in some localities, did finely for second crop. 

 Apples were as bad a failure as was known for years. All these results 

 from just a few hours of blighting frost. 



We found in a few isolated places, a few protected localities, a 

 few specially favored situations, some peculiar elevation, some congenial 

 subsoil or soil, or a combination of all these features have produced a 

 fine crop of apples ; and their owners have reaped a rich harvest if they 

 have been able to reach a good market early. But these are exceptions 



