SUMMER MEETING AT LOUISIANA. 67 



EEPORT OF SECEETAEY. 



Westport, Mo., June, 1886. 



Members of the State Society : 



Another semi-annual meeting are we glad to greet you. Coming 

 here where some of the oldest and most notable horticulturists of our 

 State have lived, we are glad to see many new faces. This very city 

 is the place where lived one of the foremost horticulturists of our 

 State, and one of its most earnest workers. The first time I met with 

 this society I can well remember the form and appearance of Mr. Stark 

 among them, and his earnest labor for the advancement of our cause. 



Horticulture has marched forward with many strides since then, 

 and yet it has just opened up a field that has hardly been entered. 

 We have the insect life to grapple with, to learn which are our friends 

 and foes, as well as how to destroy one and preserve the other. We 

 are testing the use of poisons on them to learn their efficiency, and with 

 very satisfactory results. 



The growth of our troubles and discouragements have kept pace 

 with the advance of civilization, and we have to adopt new methods and 

 plans, and we have to study closely these troubles in order to over- 

 come them. 



The use of Paris Green for our worst apple foe, the codling moth, the 

 jarring process for our curculio and gouger. The pyrethun powder 

 and the spraying with tobacco for many forms of insect life are efficient 

 and very efficient remedies. 



The birds of our State need a careful study to be sure whi«h are 

 our friends and which our enemies. Prof. Forbes has made a special- 

 ity of this work, and we are beginning to see the great value of our 

 native birds to the fruit growers. The birds always considered friends 

 are now much more so, and are a necessity to every fruit grower. 



We can raise our voices earnestly against the wholesale destruc- 

 tion of these valuable friends in every neighborhood, not only by the 

 •careless boys who shoot for fun, but by those who kill for money and 

 the adornment of our ladies' hats. Let us protest against this wanton 

 destruction. Let us ejiforce the law we have, and allow no one to 

 shoot, in our neighborhood, any 'of the native bird kind, at any time. 

 Let us talk it and preach it at all times, keep it continually before the 

 people and put a stop to this massacre. 



