8 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The great lament of the day is that our cities are overcrowded and 

 that the young men are fleeing to the cities at their first opportunity, 

 seeking to enter commercial and professional careers, as affording en- 

 larged spheres of usefulness and power. The explanation of this is 

 found in the slavish toil of the pioneer, and the probability that when 

 the necessity for the self-denial and pinching has passed, that the same 

 hard lines are exacted of the children and greater care is exercised in 

 regard to the comfort of the Jersey and the Xorman than in giving 

 opportunities to the eager minds of girl and boy. How much of misery 

 and crime may be traced to this, none call tell ; but certainly many men 

 and women make shipwrecks of life from this cause, who might other- 

 wise have led lives of usefulness "away from the maddening crowd's 

 ignoble strife." 



The Latin poet, Horace, who was also a soldier, a statesman and a 

 horticulturist, with a varied experience in each, sings thus of the de- 

 lights of rural occupation : 



"Happy the man, in busy schemes unskilled, 



Who, living simply, like our sires of old, 

 Tills the few acres which his father tilled, 



Vexed by no thoughts of usury or gold ; 



The shrilling clarion ne'er his slumber mars, 



Nor quails he at the howl of hungry seas ; 

 He shuns the forum, with its wordy jars, 



Nor at a great man's door consents to freeze. 



The tender vine-shoots, budding into life, 



He with the stately poplar tree doth wed, 

 Lopping the fruitless branches with his knife, 



And grafting shoots of promise in their stead ; 



Or in some valley, up among the hills, 



Watches his wandering herds of lowing kine, 



Or fragrant jars with liquid honey fills, 



Or shears his silly sheep in sunny shine."' 



We therefore welcome you as those engaged in a calling which 

 cools the fever of the blood, increases no man's care or pain, and the 

 product of whose labors delight the senses of man in sickness or health. 



Again, and with the hope that your deliberations may be harmonious 

 and helpful, I welcome you to our city. 



Mayor Pettijohn was responded to by Vice-President Murray, as 

 follows : 



Ladies and Gentlemen, members of Linn county Horticultural Society, 



and Citizens of Brook field : — 



On behalf of our worthy president and the State Horticultural 

 society, I take great pleasure in thanking you for this hearty welcome- 



