STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 113 



Canaclas. That convention resolved itself into a permanent organi- 

 zRi'wn with the name of "North American Pomological Convention," 

 and the first meeting held under that title was at Syracuse in 1849. 



Another movement of analogous character was made the same 

 year (1848) b}' a meeting of fruit growers at New York Cit\ . which 

 meeting organized itself into a permanent association under the title 

 of the '"American Congress of Fruit Growers." These two organ- 

 izations were subsequentl}' amicably merged in one, with the name 

 of the "American Pomological Society." 



I was at the meeting in Syracuse in 1849, — went there as a silent 

 pupil, representing only myself. None other there from Maine. 

 I there met for the first time man}' active workers whose names are 

 well preserved, whose works have been approved, and the most of 

 whom have now closed their record. The assembly was mostly made 

 up of citizens of New York, — a small delegation from other States 

 and Canada — more from the West than from the East or South. 

 From the workers of whom I retain the clearest recollection of person, 

 manner and matter presented, I will name J. A. Kennicott, C. Down- 

 ing, P. Barry, C. M. Hovey, David Thomas; J. J. Thomas, L. F. 

 Allen and J. J. Mapes. Dr. Kennicott was a young, active enthusi- 

 ast in the orchard interest of Illinois, and was chosen president of 

 the convention. Mr Mapes was then publishing an agricultural 

 paper at New Y'ork City. Mr. Hovey was publishing a maga- 

 zine at Boston, devoted mainly to horticulture. iMr. Barry then, as 

 now. located at Rochester, New Y'ork, was engaged in one of the most 

 extensive nurseries in this or any other country. Mr. Mapes also 

 had a nursery in New Jersey, and Mr. Hove}' one at Brighton, Mas- 

 sachusetts. It was not convenient for me to attend the meetings of 

 the consolidated societ}' until 185G at Rochester. I there met my 

 young friend, John W. Adams, then conducting a nursery of a few 

 acres at Westbrook. We were there as the sole, self-appointed del- 

 oates from Maine. 



* I have attended none of the meetings of that organization since, ex- 

 •cept one holden at Boston. From the many citizens of our State 

 whose names I can easiest recall as my associates and teachers in 

 this special interest, are those of Holmes, Benson, Foster, Fairbanks, 

 Sears, Little, Noyes, Carr, Weston, Rogers, Adams. I do not repeat 

 for the purpose of saving them from oblivion, for these . with many 

 others will be retained while the industrial literature of the age shall 

 •exist. 



8 



