CITRUS TREES AND THEIR DISEASES 45 



Dr. Messick's Work Commended 



We will add to this a few compliments upon the 

 Doctor's work through life, together with a piece of 

 poetry written by Mr. Atwood, editor of the "Practical 

 Fruit Growers," Springfield Mo., as follows : 



Introduction of H. L. Messick by G. A. Atwood, 

 Editor of the "Practical Fruit Growers," at Spring- 

 field, Mo., before the Green County Horticultural So- 

 ciety meeting: 



"The founder of organizations, which for the 

 producer have stood; the friend of the tree in 

 affliction; he knows all its sap cells and wood. 

 The man of the million tree record; those trees 

 now wave in the sky and bearing their fruit in 

 abundance, they prove to the passer-by, that he 

 in vain has not labored in studying out their need. 

 When soil is impoverished and lacking, he knows 

 how their hunger to feed." 



THE MILLION TREE MAN 

 Is he a national hero and why. 



Oh, who is the National hero, 



Not he who lives to destroy, 

 Not they with their guns or warships 



Devastating the earth of its joy. 



But he who gives aid to dame Nature 

 And helps her to blossom and bear, 



Rich fruits for her unborn children 



And makes patient earth more fair. 



