PENOBSCOT AND AROOSTOOK UNION SOCIETY. J 39 



disappointed and find themselves homeless, penniless and discour- 

 aged in a strange land. 



But the tide of emigration which has caused such a destructive 

 drain, not only of bone and muscle, but of enterprise and intelligence, 

 is now in some measure stayed, and the settlement of our own wild 

 lands is the result. We can now give a cordial invitation to all 

 good citizens to come and buy farms without money and without 

 price. What spot on earth offers a greater inducement ? Our soil 

 is fertile — our climate healthy. To those who like sport, our waters 

 abound in fish, and our forests in game ; and those who seek the 

 sublime in nature may ascend Katahdin's naked summit above the 

 clouds, and there sport in sunshine while storms and tempests roll 

 beneath their feet. But let us look at this society, and see if we 

 are making all the improvement we can. This is our fifth exhibi- 

 tion. It is now time for us to look around and see what are its 

 effects upon the community. Have we made improvements in our 

 modes of cultivation ; have we increased our crops ; have we im- 

 proved our stock ; our seeds ; in our manufactures ; in the shop, 

 and in the house ? We have made a good beginning in improve- 

 ments, but there is much yet to be done. 



In conclusion I would say, let us all improve the blessings within 

 our reach ; make the best of what we have. As the forest is cut 

 away, the climate will become more mild ; we shall have less frost 

 and snow ; our seasons will be longer, and Indian corn, hitherto 

 considered doubtful, will be our surest crop. Let us adapt our 

 seed to our climate and we are sure of success. I would again 

 impress the importance of cultivating fruit ; not only apples and 

 pears, but cherries, plums, currants, gooseberries and grapes. It 

 is said 500 gallons of wine can be made from an acre of currants, 

 worth $1.50 per gallon, and that rhubarb will produce four or five 

 times as much, and equally as good. If we cultivate the fruits 

 adapted to our climate, we may sit under our own vine and fruit 

 tree, so often referred to by the ancient sacred writers as the climax 

 of earthly happiness. We are told by the great Jewish historian, 

 that when man was created. Infinite Wisdom saw that it was not 

 good for him to be alone and created a help-meet for him ; and man 

 Bceds a help-meet now, as much as then. About an equal number 

 are created male and female, whether happy or unhappy they are 

 inseparably connected. They are equally interested in agriculture, 

 horticulture, and every industrial pursuit. Therefore on an occa- 

 sion like this, a part should be addressed to the other sex. 



