24 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



intelligent people ; with comely and pleasant Christian churches ; with 

 well-kept and prosperous hotels, and with substantial and beautiful 

 business blocks ; but they all went down in one night, and in those 

 ruins (for the time being) were buried the hopes and ambitions of a 

 lifetime. But, thanks to the recuperative power of this people, we 

 pledge 3'ou here to-day, if 3'ou will re-visit this place at some time in 

 the near future, we will show you above those ashes, houses more 

 costly and beautiful, churches more modern and complete, hotels more 

 commodious and prosperous, business blocks more substantial and 

 imposing, and a larger and more flourishing business. Hail to the 

 possibilities of Maine ! 



The response to the above address was made in behalf of the So- 

 ciety, by the Secretary, Samuel L. Boardman. 



D. J. Briggs, Esq., first Vice President, then assumed the chair, 

 and introduced Charles S. Pdpe, Esq., who proceeded to deliver his 

 annual address. 



ANNUAL ADDRESS. 



By President Charles S. Pope. 



Ladies and Gentlemen : It was with pleasure we received the in- 

 vitation to hold our annual meeting at Farmington, as we had for 

 years desired to meet with the fruit growers of Franklin County. It 

 is particularly fitting that we should hold a meeting at this time, here 

 in the center of one of the finest fruit-growing sections of the State. 

 We cannot wonder that the early settlers thought this a goodl}^ land 

 to possess, when we take into account its great beauty of scenery, 

 happily combining mountain and intervale, and its fertilit}-. Their 

 descendants have added orcharding, for which the land is admirably 

 adapted, to ordinar}^ farm pursuits, and have carried it on so suc- 

 cessfulh^ that the region is now widely and favorably known for its 

 orchard products. Among so many thoroughly conversant with the 

 theory and practice of fruit growing we anticipate an unusually 

 pleasant and profitable meeting. 



Since our last meeting death has removed from our midst one of 

 our most earnest and enthusiastic members, Hon. R. H. Gardiner of 

 Gardiner. For three years President of this Society, he was one 

 whom we shall truly miss, with his read}' counsel and sympathy. He 

 was ever ready to advance the best interests of the Society, either 

 by his purse or his own personal efl^orts. I need not dwell upon this 

 subject, as it will receive the more extended notice it merits from 



