SUMMER MEETING AT BROOKFIELD. 6t 



hibitions. I venture to say that there is not another exhibition in the 

 country where there are such uniformly, perfect and correctly named 

 fruits as there are at our own fair. Few tables, and very few of 

 them will show as many varieties in as good condition as we do. 

 And I can point with pride to this building as the result of our 

 efforts to build up our horticultural shows. We have here the build- 

 ing very nicely adapted to our wants, and the fair association are as 

 glad over the matter as are we; and I And they are willing to give us 

 every encouragement they are able, if we will only take hold of the 

 woik and make it a success. 



You all remember how faithfully we made our displays when we 

 had nothing but a tent, and how we agreed to do the best we could 

 until they could build; and so this year I asked them to allow me to 

 increase our premiums $250.00. Mr. Webster, the secretary, asked me 

 if we could not make our show this year without ; they could not afford 

 it. I told him that we could, and would make the horticultural show 

 the best that could be done this year, and in hopes we could have a 

 better one next year. 



The great trouble, and the only reason why the farmers and fruit 

 men and florists are not recognized in our fairs more, is just because 

 they do not make organized effort to build up their department. I 

 repeat it because it is a fact : if the farmers and fruit men would make 

 one-half the effort that the race-horse men do for their success, we 

 would have no complaint about them, and the gamblers taking posses- 

 sion of our fairs. Let us take hold of this matter in earnest, and we 

 shall see that the fair associations are as anxious to have us help as we 

 are to do it. They will meet us more than half way. 



I have said this much, because I always hear so much complaint 

 that our farm products and fruits are not given half a show among all 

 the other things, and especially the racehorses. 



And now I speak to you in the smaller towns all through our State 

 of Missouri and Kansas. Do not let the fair degenerate into a horse- 

 race. Take hold of it with a vim, interest yourself in the work, bring 

 in your fruits, flowers and vegetables, organize a society and all work 

 with a will, all pull together, and you will be surprised to see how gladly 

 the officers will fall in with your plans. 



I have given you one example of its success in our own fairs at 

 Kansas City. I will give you another in the fair at Springfield, Mo., 

 where the Horticultural society has made a grand step forward by 

 doing just as we have done here, and this fall they will have under our 

 old Secretary, G. W. Hopkins, as Superintendent, one of the best fruit 

 shows ever seen in the southwest. 



