Mo. Rev. Stat. § 262.040

The leading objects of said experiment station shall be to experiment with the different kinds of fruits, to wit: Apples, peaches, berries of all kinds, grapes and small fruits of all kinds, and to ascertain the varieties that are the best adapted to this state, and to study the different diseases and insects to which said fruits, berries and grapes are subject and the remedies to prevent diseases and insects from injuring or infesting said trees and orchards, with power to destroy and remove any infected trees or orchards if necessary in the judgment of the manager and inspector of said experiment station, to keep the disease or insects or plague from scattering and infecting other trees or orchards under rules herein set out.