34 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



out restraint to freely accept tlie profiered hospitality of our citizens. 

 We assure you, gentlemen, that we ap])reciate your laudable aims as 

 shown by your prospects and foreshadowed by your prooramme for 

 this occasion. We recognize the fact that the horticultural interest of 

 our State has been to a large extent neglected by the most of our citi- 

 zens, and we hail with gratification your organized effort to bring this 

 interest prominently before our people that they may be impressed 

 with the importance of proper attention to the cultivating of llowers, 

 garden and orchard products. 



We are naturally and by education an active, stirring business 

 people, our determination to excell in business aifairs, like an extra 

 head of steam propels us with such power that obsticles rear them- 

 selves in vain before us. We may be temporarily checked, but while 

 none of this nationality would be bemourning this fate and nursing 

 their bruises, the American either returns to the attack with renewed 

 vigor, or his quiet, mental faculties suggest to him a way of avoiding 

 the obsticles, and still continuing in the path that leads to natural suc- 

 cess. But while this is true and our achievements stand before the 

 world as a lasting monument to our energy, industry and intelligence, 

 the rheumatic tinges, the failing eyesight,'the shattered neives and the 

 final stroke of appoplexy admonish us that we overtax certain of our 

 faculties while others are entirely neglected. Would it not be better 

 for us if after our day of manual labor was over — our shops and offices 

 closed — if we would give some attention to the cultivation and enjoy- 

 ment of those beautiful flowers with which nature was so lavish in her 

 primitive forests and on her broad prairie, and which, since man has 

 taken possession of these domains can be propogated and grown with 

 so much more elegance and splendor in cultivated soil? The eye that 

 has been straining all day over the myriad of figures on the ledger 

 would be releived by gazing on a bed of beautiful pansys ; the nostril 

 that has for these hours been enhaling the fumes of the factory would 

 be delighted by taking in the delicate perfume given out by the frag- 

 rant tea rose ; the mind that has from early morning been managing 

 and controling a large business would be relaxed and take great 

 pleasure in watching the development of green house plants and the 

 successful propogation of some new spices. Thus would our minds 

 and muscles obtain needed rest— our aesthetic faculties be cultivated, 

 our better nature developed and strenghtened and we, though a con- 

 templation of natures wonders and beauties be led to look through 

 nature up to nature's God. Again, the importance of fruit and vege- 

 tables as article of diet is almost entirely overlooked by our people. 



