30 AGRICUIvTURE OF MAINE. 



society cannot be limited to the holding of an annual exhibition 

 and one or two field day meetings. Receiving aid from the 

 State it must serve the State in larger measure, as the relations 

 between the grower and the land, and the grower and the mar- 

 ket, become more complex. 



With this thought I have attempted to indicate some of the 

 specific lines of work, and surely some of the opportunities 

 directly in our path. The supreme thought must be the greatest 

 good of the industry and no step can justly be neglected which 

 can foster and promote it. 



The past few years have so jarred old-time standards that the 

 entire system o"f conducting annual fruit exhibitions has 

 changed. This society has entered a broader field where new 

 features must constantly be added to meet new demands. The 

 public awakening to the value of such an exhibition as now 

 adorns this hall, manifested in the grand list of special prizes 

 offered by the citizens of Augusta, and friends of the industry, 

 must be accepted as indicative of a growing appreciation of the 

 possibilities of fruit growing in Maine and the opportunity for 

 this state society to constantly move forward in aggressive work 

 for the greatest good of the entire State. 



The complete success of the second New England Fruit Show 

 at Boston insures regular annual or bi-annual sessions, and 

 exhibitions affording an opportunity not to be obtained in any 

 other manner for substantiating all claims for the superiority 

 of the New England product. If Maine lost in state compe- 

 tition the causes are recognized and will not be met again. 



Failure on the part of IMaine growers to take advantage of 

 and compete for the liberal prizes offered inevitably placed us 

 at a disadvantage. More public spirit must be injected into 

 the great body that the progressive policies adopted elsewhere 

 may be made to enhance the value of the Maine apple. 



What is possible with a live Board of Trade in advertising 

 the industrial work of the State was clearly manifest last week 

 in the complete success of the Corn and Fruit Show at Portland. 

 That these exhibitions will multiply as years pass seems clearly 

 indicated and it behooves the friend of the apple to be alive to 

 each and every opportunity to set before the public the character 

 and quality of the ]\faine product. Rightly organized, this 

 branch of agricultural work may be radically increased in the 

 next twenty years. 



