SUMMER MEETING AT LOUISIANA. 87 



feature just as well as in winter, so let us reach out a little further and 

 grasp some of these subjects of importance. 



At tbe last annual meeting, held in the normal school building at 

 Warrensburg, steps were taken to ornament the grounds belonging to 

 that institution. ^lerabers of the society from various parts of the 

 State, as well as from Kansas^ Iowa, Indiana and Texas, kindly and 

 liberally donated trees, plants, etc., and Prof. Kern, U. S. Commis- 

 sioner of Forrestry, in his kindness toword this society and the normal 

 school, agreed to superintend the planting. 



On the strength of this arrangement the State authorities named 

 April 16 as " Arbor Day," and on that day, all things being ready, the 

 planting was done, and the trees stand as a monument to the memory 

 of the Missouri Horticultural Society as its first effort at ornamenting 

 the grounds of our public schools. 



I trust I am not saying too much when I say that this is only a 

 beginning of that good work, and that each succeeding year will have 

 its arbor day, and it will be celebrated by planting trees and other 

 ornamentals by members of this society and others all over the State, 

 until all school grounds of every description shall have been so orna- 

 mented as to do credit to our State, and stand, as lasting lessons of in- 

 struction to the coming generations who are to be educated in these 

 schools. It has been suggested to me that we might, by calling on the 

 Department of Agriculture at Washington, get some donations to help 

 us on in this work. I am sure Commissioner Colman heartily en- 

 dorses our efforts, and I believe he will do all he can consistentl}" to 

 hel}) us. 



I would recommend that this society, by the adoption of a proper 

 resolution, or otherwise, ask that the Department of Agriculture assist 

 us, as far as is consistent, in carrying out this work. The subject of a 

 jMissouri fruit show has engaged the attention of your executive com- 

 mittee for some time. They have conferred with the fair associations 

 at St. Louis and Kansas City, with a view of making the show this fall. 

 The only difhculty in the way is the want of a necessary amount of 

 money to offer as premiums, and the fair associations do not feel war- 

 Tanted in putting up as much as would be required to make it a success, 

 nor will the limited appropriation to-thc society justify the effort. If 

 we had sufficient means to pay actual expenses, I believe the members 

 would be willing to do the work, and we could make an exhibition of 

 fruits that would be worth to the state ten times the cost; but with our 

 limited means we can do nothing in that direction. I believe if we ask 

 our legislature in the right manner — show them what we are doing,' and 



