:M6 MISSOURI STATE IIUKTICULTUKAL SOCIETY. 



MORE LAND THAN IS NEEDED. 



We all know that 6oo acres i.s more land than the institution, doc- 

 tors, stewards and all their patients can conveniently and profitably cul- 

 tivate. Supposing 50 acres devoted to the front and ornamental grounds 

 of tiie institution, and 150 acres to pasture and farming lands managed 

 by the officers of the asylum ; this would leave a surplus of 400 acres of 

 the finest land. What should be done with it ? Rent it out or put it 

 down in grass or have it mismanaged in some other way ? Suppose, 

 on the other hand, the society's plan adopted, and groves and blocks of 

 trees arising, and the timber lands already there judiciously preserved 

 and harmonized with the whole design ; would not the people and the in- 

 stitution be benefited alike .' One decade hence the grounds would he a 

 landmark of progress of which old Missouri might well be proud. 



Imagination has carried the writer far enough in this direction. To 

 return to the realities of the question, let it be said that this scheme is 

 well worth the consideration of the State Horticultural Society, and like- 

 wise of the enterprising people of Nevada. Let a combined effort be 

 made at least to prevent a reckless mismanagement of this valuable tract 

 of land owned by the commonwealth. The legislature of our state 

 should listen, as in duty bound, to advice offered by a society fostered 

 for many years by the government of the state, the members of which 

 should surely be considered competent to suggest a feasible and pro- 

 gressive plan. 



One more point in this connection may briefly be alluded to. What 

 will 



THE U. S. EXPERIMENTAL STATION OF MISSOURI 



do for horticulture, forestry, or arboriculture in general .'' Let us hope> 

 at least, that it many be more than the Agriculture College has been do- 

 ing in the past. Fortunately there is a "silver lining" to the dimness 

 surrounding still the future usefulness of the Experimental Station re- 

 cently created. The liberal appropriation of congress to each state will 

 probably have to be expanded under certain conditions and restrictions. 

 Congress has wisely created a new division of the Department of Agri- 

 culture, a 



BUREAU OF CORRESPONDENCE 



with the Experimental Stations of the Union, by which a harmony of 

 action and a strict accountability of results will soon be brought about, 



