82 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



fruit bud, and that so much, that the vine looked in the month of May- 

 as dead as in winter. 



In my vineyard and in the vineyards of my next neighbors there is 

 some damage done, but not to any amount, and if the rot don't take 

 them we expect a very good harvest of grapes. 



Horticulture is an occupation as well as any other, men may en- 

 gage in it, either to make a living- by it or he may use it as a recreation 

 or pleasure just as he likes, if he is otherwise so situated. 



There are many who have to look at it in another light, they have 

 to work their garden to make it more than pay a living, they must 

 make it pay taxes and expenses and even a little more than that. 



Horticulture has to be carried on scientifically, to do that; man 

 must have a thorough understanding of the business and a practical 

 knowledge of it, he must be industrious, economical, and above all he 

 must have perseverance. Horticulture is a noble occupation, and the 

 Horticulturist, in raising and improwing fruit and vegetables is a bene- 

 factor to the human race. The progressive improvement in the culture 

 of fruit and vegetables as a daily health and strength producing nour- 

 ishment to human nature has made a marked sign in the march of civili- 

 zation. And what is the place of Horticulture in civilization f shall be 

 the subject before this meeting. 



Ladies and gentleman, all practical horticulturists of the State of 

 Missouri in convention assembled, I must confess I feel myself unable 

 to do justice to such important a subject as this, though I will try to 

 show that you need to have no fear or be ashamed of the calling, horti- 

 culturists, for horticulture stands in the foremost rank as a civilizer of 

 the human race. 



The use of fruit and vegetables as food is as old as the human race 

 itself, and the creator as the most distinguished horticulturist did 

 nourish his creatures on fruit, and the starving children of Israel on 

 their march from bondage in the wilderness of Arabia on manna. 



Horticulture stands as high in civilization as men stand in society. 

 Now let us see about that. Suppose we take a walk through this 

 beautiful city and near surroundings. Do you see that nice house half 

 hidden by the green and shining foliag-e of shade trees, the well-kept 

 lawn in front of it, now and then a stump of shrubbery, making a lovely 

 contrast to the iiower garden next to it, brilliant in high colored and 

 sweet scented flowers ? Notice the fruit and vegetable gardens, which 

 will bountifully supply the tables. How beautifully everything is ar- 

 ranged, the straight walks, neat and clean, leading to the house, the 

 straight rows of trellises, with grape vines tied to it, scenting in 



