396 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



what little grading is necessary, lay out and make the walks, and begin 

 the planting of the trees and shrubs. 



This work of ornamenting railway station grounds is a part of the 

 work undertaken by the Missouri State Horticultural Society, and it was 

 under its auspices that Prof. Kern prepared the design. Kidder Station 

 has the honor of being the first that the Society has undertaken to orna- 

 ment. If other towns desire to have the advice and assistance of the 

 Society in this direction, they should address the Secretary, L. A. Good- 

 man, Wcstport, Mo. — Colinans Rural World. 



OUR FAIRS; DO THEY OFFER SUFFICIENT ENCOURAGE- 

 MENT TO HORTICULTURE .? 



BY L. A. GOODMAN. 



No, they do not, and I speak of horticulture in its broadest sense ; 

 including fruits, flowers, vegetables and ornamentals. 



Yet, you talk to them about increasing the premium list of our fairs 

 in the department of horticulture and their cry is, it does not pay ; it 

 draws no crowd. We know this is true now and here, for, to make a fail- 

 ure, just try a horticultural exhibit here in the west and you will see the 

 crowd it will bring. Even the horticultural exhibit made by the Mis- 

 sissippi Valley Society a few years ago was a financial failure. 



But this failure is not because people fail to appreciate our fruits or 

 flowers or vegetables, for we know that they do appreciate them. 



At the recent exhibition of fruits at St. Louis, it was admitted that 

 we had the most instructive, as well as attractive, dispays in the whole 

 building. 



But this failure is due to a variety of articles for the people to see 

 and admire. Do you believe it } Look at our fat stock shows ; it costs 

 thousands of dollars more than they get for admission. 



