34 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



cease to learn, and many things that have escaped the attention of the 

 great and wise have been made plain to the lowly and unlearned. Mat- 

 ure loves those who love her, and is a generous teacher to all who 

 seek her as diligent students. By observation and study a man may 

 learn much; but why not in addition to this know all that his neighbor 

 knows, which can be accomplished only by a fall and free interchange 

 of thought, such as will prevail in societies of this kind. 



A man, to be a successful horticulturist, has much to learn. The 

 simple planting of a tree consists of a great deal more than digging a 

 hole in the ground and filling it up again. Men have long since learned 

 that fact to their great advantage. The care and culture of a tree after 

 it is planted would require pages to properly explain, leaving out all 

 that is yet to be discovered in that line ; years of the most searching 

 inquiry have not taught the most successful horticulturists how to 

 guard against the myriad insect and other enemies of the fruit tree, of 

 root, body, branch, foliage, bud, blossom and fruit. Year by year is 

 this knowledge added to, but much is yet to be learned. That man 

 who by experience and study has learned something in regard to this 

 matter that his neighbor does not know, should be generous enough to 

 be willing to impart that information ; and how can it be better done 

 than by becoming a member of a horticultu:al society, and in exchange 

 for something he has not yet learned, impart that knowledge which he 

 has gained. 



Such societies are beneficial in fostering a spirit of generous riv- 

 alry among the members in the production of the finest and best vari- 

 eties of all kinds of fruits. This benefit is not to the fruit grower 

 alone. A fine show of fruits raised in any part or section of our 

 State attracts the attention of strangers seeking homes, of business 

 men looking for a location, and to such is a strong inducement to make 

 a home at that place. It is a good advertisement. 



The organization of horticultural societies will bring our people 

 closer together socially, ; will teach them to know and appreciate each 

 other ; will give them a common ground to stand upon ; will aid in the 

 dissemination of valuable knowledge that is not always to be found in 

 books; will help to improve and beautify aud make more profitable the 

 farm and the garden, and will in many ways richly repay all members 

 for the loss from work of the few pleasant hours spent in such socie- 

 ties. It has been said that he who makes two blades of grass grow 

 where but one grew before is a benefactor to the human race. Is 

 not he a benefactor to the human race who makes two fruit trees 

 grow and bloom and bear perfect, health-giving fruit where but one 

 grew and bore imperfectly before? 



