484 MISSOURI STATE IIUKTICULTUKAL S(JCIETY. 



the investment than will the same in California, and it will not take half 

 the money to begin with, either. But plant enough to make it an ob- 

 ject, and get all your neighbors to plant two or three or four good market 

 varieties of apples and take care of them, cultivate them and don't 

 starve them or choke them with crops, and my word for it, it will be the 

 best investment you ever made." 



Missouri horticulturists have the courage to act on their convictions, 

 and many of them are engaging in the business with commendable vigor 

 and on a large scale. Up at Olden, in this, Howell county, is a notable 

 instance in the Olden fruit farm, containing about 2,700 acres. The 

 first improvements were made there four years ago last spring. At 

 present nearly 600 acres have been planted in peach, apple and pear 

 trees, and in small fruits. Eventually the' entire tract will be an or- 

 chard. The owners of this orchard are already reaping rewards. From 

 June 15 to September 15, of this year, their average daily shipment of 

 peaches was nearly 200 bc»xes. 



Near this farm is an extensive vineyard, owned by a Chicago gen- 

 tleman. The wine made from his grapes is superior to that made from 

 Kelly Island grapes. He expects to colonize his lands in this county 

 with about 300 families from the wine producing districts of Germany. 

 It is not improbable that the vineclad hills of France and sunny Italy 

 may soon have a powerful rival in South Central Missouri. 



But this communication is too long already, and so I'll stop, merely 

 reminding the reader that further information respecting this country, 

 will cheerfully be furnished by calling on or addressing the Passenger 

 Departmejit of the Memphis route at Kansas City, Mo. 



A. D. B. 

 West Plains, Mo. 



