166 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



and Scott counties are famous for their melon crops. During the ship- 

 ping season the melon yield from this section supplies the entire 

 northwest, and for three or four weeks two solid trains loaded with 

 melons start out daily over the Iron Mountain railroad for their various 

 destinations — St. Louis, Chicago and Kansas City being her three lead- 

 ing distributing points. It must be admitted from the foregoing, which 

 only partly discloses the fruit resources of the State, that we here have 

 something to brag of. 



I will say, in conclusion, that from a number of private letters 

 comes the information that while fruit-growing is generally admitted to 

 be the most profitable feature of farming, it is surprising how badly 

 orchards are neglected — more or less of them in every county in the 

 State. The average farmer is so wedded to old methods it is hard to 

 get him interested in commercial fruit growing. It is clear that the 

 business, favorable as the showing appears, is not yielding near what 

 it is capable of doing, and will not, until that care and labor are be- 

 stowed on it which is devoted to the orchards of New York and other 

 Eastern States. There is a wide and inviting field in Missouri, which> 

 I believe, will soon be recognized by hundreds of enterprising culti- 

 vators toiling in less productive States at present. 



P. M. Keily. 



St. Louis, January 3. 



HORTICULTURAL MEETING. 



[The following is a report of one of our county society meetings, and shows how well 

 we are learning and how much good do our societies socially.] 



It was our good fortune to be present at the first outdoor or lawn 

 meeting of Greene County Horticultural society for the season, at the 

 beautiful suburban home of its President, J. Kirchgraber. A goodly 

 company from the city and country were assembled from 11 to 12 

 o'clock. The character of the meeting was after the order of a picnic ; 

 the baskets were numerous and well filled with viands, which, when 

 arranged upon long tables by the ladies, constituted a magnificent din- 

 ner, which would have been tempting to the fastidious and in "quantum 

 sufficit" for all present, and all were welcome. This first order of busi- 

 ness suggests the wisdom of the society in recognizing a female mem- 

 bership, whose presence and efficient aid render these summer meetings 

 so delightful and well attended. 



