ANNUAL MEETING AT NEVADA. 179 



Ladies and Gentlemen: 



On bcheilf of the Missouri State Horticultural Society it becomes my 

 pleasant duty, as its presiding officer, to thank you and Mr. Kimball and, 

 through you, the people of Nevada and Vernon County, and also the 

 members of the Vernon County Horticultural Society for this most cor- 

 dial welcome. 



We see in this audience familiar faces of those who have come here 

 from long distances, some of them hundreds of miles. Perhaps some of 

 you who are not horticulturists cannot understand why 'they have come 

 so far. Some may think they have an ax to grind. Not that. They 

 come, as Mr. Kimball has said, ' to learn,' and to teach each other — to 

 exchange ideas and profit thereby. They come to tell each other how 

 to plant and when ; the difference in the soils ; the difference of varie- 

 ties, and how to plant and cultivate them. 



We come here to accept an invitation tendered by the Vernon 

 County Horticultural Society, believing this would be the best field to 

 work in. 



It is not worth while for me to tell you that you have the nicest and 



best city in southwest Missouri. You know that. I need not tell you 



' that Vernon is one of the best counties in Missouri, you all know that. 



I want to say to the people of Nevada and surrounding country that 



we want them to attend our meetings. Their presence encourages us. 



It makes us feel good to have you here." 



When President Evans concluded his remarks, Boyd Graves ap- 

 peared with a solo, assisted by Miss Maud Graves at the piano. 



Miss May Hall next recited " Enoch Arden," in a most pleasing 

 manner. Her effort was received with great applause. 



Deck Graves and Miss Trix Blanton followed with a charming duet. 

 Mrs-. S. M. Livermore, of Carthage, who was on the program for an 

 essay entitled " Love and Flowers," was not present, but her paper was 

 read by Z. T. Russell. 



