24 STATE rOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



meeting are also indebted to these gentlemen for efficient services 

 rendered by them in working up the local details for the meeting. 



The exhibition of fruit was large and arranged with excellent 

 taste by the committee. The fruit shown was of good size and well 

 colored, but in quality was inferior to our best apples grown in ordi- 

 nary seasons. It was gratifying to the society to note the rapid 

 advance of fruit raising in Lincoln and Knox counties. The quality 

 of the fruit shown was a sufficient guaranty that conditions there, 

 when understood, will prove very favorable to profitable fruit culture 

 in the future. 



The society assumes no responsibilit}' for the ideas advanced in 

 the several papers and discussions found in this volume. They 

 represent individual opinions of fruit growers and are presented as 

 such. 



OPENING EXERCISES. 



In behalf of the Board of Agriculture, Maj E. W. Stetson of 

 Newcastle called the opening public session to order, stating the 

 objects for which the meeting had been arranged and the local inter- 

 est that had been generallj' shown by citizens. He also made briet 

 allusion to the condition of fruit culture in Lincoln county and the 

 rapid progress of recent 3'ears among the farmers. He was grati- 

 fied to have the State Pomological Society meet with them, and in 

 behalf of the citizens introduced the Rev. J. H. Parshley of Dam- 

 ariscotta, who extended a most cordial address of welcome to the 

 representatives of Maine agriculture and fruit growing. 



In behalf of the Pomological Society and the State Board of 

 Agriculture, Secretary Gilbert responded to the address of welcome. 

 He was grateful for the cordial words of the speaker and thanked 

 him and the citizens for the welcome so gracefullj- extended. 



Mr. Charles S. Pope, President of the Pomological Society, was 

 then introduced and delivered his annual address. 



