98 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



And SO we have learned the greatest lesson of all, that we live in a 

 section that need be second to none, and with proper methods at our 

 command and proper application of those methods we can make our fruit 

 take the place to which it is entitled in the markets of the world. 



Thus, by assuring a definite and profitable return on the capital and 

 labor expended, make our country prosperous and more densely popu- 

 lated with the best class of people engaged in the business, the best busi- 

 ness we know of. 



But it takes a man who loves his work and devotes himself entirely 

 to it with a singleness of purpose that will not know defeat and has a 

 great end in view, namely perfect fruit and lots of it. With our present 

 facilities and a great market accessible there is no reason to hesitate and 

 less reason for failure, and success will be rewarded with an abundance 

 that we do not even anticipate or at present realize. 



While we are making progress in the development of horticulture we 

 need continual coaching to bring about the greatest results. 



Horticultural societies, especially those supported by state appropria- 

 tion, have been the greatest promoters and are responsible for the prog- 

 ress being made. Horticultural exhibitions have done much to create en- 

 thusiasm, which means the enlargement and betterment of horticulture. 



Thus we are now better equipped, with the experience of the past to 

 guide us. We hardly give credit enough to the experimental work done by 

 our state colleges, but the tendency is to increase the interest in that line. 



This Central West is an agricultural country, but we must not forget 

 that the demand for horticultural products is increasing every year, and 

 we have a soil and climate that, with proper attention, will produce profit- 

 able crops in horticultural lines equal to any other part of the country. 



The hill lands on either side of the Missouri river will produce abund- 

 ant and profitable crops of apples, grapes, raspberries, blackberries, and 

 other fruits. I speak of the lands along the Missouri river because there 

 is perhaps more of that character of land undeveloped than anywhere 

 else in the state, that will in the course of time bring the greatest returns. 



We have made a great advance in the methods of marketing our 

 crop. Council Bluffs and Omaha have an association whereby they 

 handled last year's crops, mostly grapes and berries, the sales amounting 

 to over $100,000. 



While we have made a decided advance in the last twenty-five years, 

 indications are that greater progress will be made in the future. We can, 

 by encouraging the development of horticulture, increase the wealth of 

 this state thousands of dollars, besides making possible the building of 

 numerous beautiful homes on lands now unattractive and unprofitable. 

 With rich, inexhaustible soil noi country has a greater possibility in this 

 direction, and those who build their fortunes upon it are making the 

 greatest possible provision for the future. 



The President: Ladies and Gentlemen: Our friend Mr. Hess does 

 not- live in this state, and he has come here from Iowa to give us this 

 talk, and has gone to considerable trouble, I am sure, to prepare this 



