Winter Mccfiu^s;. 293 



• 



The attractiveness and the value of the best fruit is often injured 

 by careless handling. A bruised spot dies and discolors. Finger marks 

 made by pickers, graders, and packers, and injuries from the shifting of 

 the fruit in transit or from rough handling, become more apparent as 

 the season advances. In fact, all of the investigations of the Department 

 of Agriculture emphasize the fundamental importance of well-grown, 

 carefully handled fruit in successful storage operations. 



FINAL RESOLUTIONS. 



At this closing session of the ^Missouri State Horticultural Society 

 we desire to thank those who have contributed to make this session such 

 a success. To the railroads for their courtesies in granting reduced 

 rates we extend our thanks, and still look forward to the time when the 

 horticultural society shall have a regular rate of one fare for the round 

 trip for its meetings. 



We desire to thank the president and faculty of the University of 

 Missouri for their kindness and their help, not only at this meeting, but 

 throughout the years. 



We are especially grateful to those who have come from other 

 states to help make this session profitable. The present session has been 

 favored with the attendance of more visitors from outside Missouri than 

 perhaps any the society has ever held. 



To the different institutions of Columbia, the press, hotels, and the 

 colleges which offered their services in the way of furnishing musical 

 numbers we extend our thanks, even though the latter offer was not 

 accepted. 



At this time the society wishes to thank the Legislature and execu- 

 tive officers of Missouri for their liberality in having provided the splen- 

 did building which was dedicated during this session. We scarcely hoped 

 five years ago, when we met in this city and passed a resolution asking 

 for an appropriation of $50,000 for a building devoted to horticulture 

 and the alHed sciences that in so short a time we should have such a 

 building erected and dedicated to this work. We ask that the Legisla- 

 tures of the future will continue to encourage a work which means so 

 much to the prosperity of the great State of Missouri. 



When we compare the attendance at our meetings of a decade ago, 

 we feel that the society is to be congratulated at this time upon the great 

 number of young men who now attend our meetings to reinforce the 

 efforts of those who have stood by the society in the past. The present 



