STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 9 



have made for our happiness and comfort during our stay in 

 Bangor. It is always pleasant to be assured that you are wel- 

 come, and the words of his Honor, the Mayor, leave no chance 

 for us to doubt that we are among friends. All this gives us a 

 feeling of comfort and content, and we are now prepared under 

 these very favorable circumstances to proceed with the business 

 of this meeting. 



It would, I think, be out of place for me to attempt any 

 extended address. Hence my remarks will be confined to a very 

 brief and general statement concerning the Pomological Society 

 and its function, and its relation to the agriculture of the state. 

 With the exception of the Grange, I think the Pomological 

 Society is the oldest and largest farmers' organization in our 

 state. Its function is the development of the fruit industry of 

 Maine. It does this by means of its annual exhibits and its 

 educational and promotion programs. It also takes an active 

 interest in the protection of the industry and it has had no small 

 share in shaping and securing the legislative acts now upon 

 our statute books concerning the fruit industry. I think it can 

 be truly said that the Pomological Society is one of the most 

 influential factors in Maine agriculture today, that it is aggress- 

 ive and progressive in its efforts to secure every improvement 

 to the agricultural interests of Maine. It is always supporting 

 every move that is likely to bring about encouragement and 

 improvement in our agricultural interests. I think it would 

 need but just a glance about this hall tonight to convince you 

 that the fruit industries of Maine, at least, are developing. 

 Maine has already approximately forty-two per cent of all the 

 apple trees of bearing age in New England, and at least fifty 

 per cent of all the trees of non-bearing age. Maine can there- 

 fore well claim to be the leading fruit growing state of the 

 northeast group of states. She has large areas of soil well 

 adapted to fruit growing. It is unnecessary for me to enlarge 

 upon this fact or to explain the reasons therefor, since they are 

 quite generally known to Maine people and therefore need no 

 elaboration. That this adaptation is being taken advantage of 

 more and more each year is a source of pride to this association. 

 We are glad to see the development of the fruit industry go on, 

 because of its eflfect upon the agriculture of the state and upon 

 the men and the women who are engaged in fruit-growing. My 



