88 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



bcin<T too dry to learn mucli by way of experimenting with new fruits. 

 I am unable to report much that will either interest, instruct or encour- 

 age. Therefore with your indulgence I will present a few thoughts pre- 

 liminary to my report. 



When we duly consider the subject of small fruit culture we find it 

 of vast importance to the masses. We can hardly find an individual 

 who does not consider small fruits one of our greatest luxuries, and if we 

 should find such a one, who did not, we would all be ready to pronounce 

 him wofully depraved. No production of the soil is more conducive to 

 good health, yet it is a fact that about one-half of our people are destitute 

 and the other half but poorly supplied with these delicious fruits; hundreds 

 of people in Missouri never saw a well cultivated berry patch, or had as 

 many strawberries as they could eat. What is the matter.^ It is not 

 the climate, although it gets very cold, and very hot, very wet and very 

 dry, yet we have varieties of all kinds of small fruits that succeed with all 

 these climatic extremes. 



It is not the soil that is at fault, for our fruit exhibits abroad have 

 won for the state an enviable reputation. Our soil is peculiarly adapted 

 to the production of fruits, but our people in their rage for corn and 

 hogs have overlooked this, and many other industries which would bring 

 better returns. There is great ignorance in regard to the intrinsic value 

 of small fruit for family use, of its culture and its market value. 



• If this was well and generally understood it would require ten times 

 as much small fruits as is now grown to supply the home demand. Why 

 not grow even twice that amount.'' 



We could thereby feed a hungry multitude and give employment 

 to thousands of the dependent poor in the berry fields, dry houses and 

 canneries; no danger of overproduction if wisely managed. The sacri- 

 fices made, the gratuitous services rendered by the busy members and 

 friends of this society who are here to promote the interests of this and 

 kindred industries are highly appreciated, and we greet you not only as 

 fraternal workers, but as public benefactors. A grand field is before us, 

 and we are heartily glad to see so many live men and women on duty. 

 Success to the State Horticultural society and all her auxiliaries. 



STRAWBERRIES. 



We estimate the strawberry crop at about one-third an average 

 crop; the old plantations were all killed by the drouth and a heavy frost 

 on May 14 destroyed most of the berries on low lands. 



The kinds that were least affected by the drouth were Bubach, 

 Crescent, Mount Vernon, Gandy's Prize, Cumberland and May King. 



