state; pomologicai, socie;ty. 85 



THURSDAY— 9.00 A. ^I. 



The annual business meeting was called to order by President 

 Twitchell. The secretary made his report as follows : 

 Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: 



On January 13th there was an executive committee meeting 

 at the Elm House, Auburn; Mr. Leland, Mr. Hitchings, the 

 president and secretary being present. The premium list was 

 revised and other business done relating to the coming year's 

 work. 



A committee from the executive committee was chosen to 

 select a place for the annual meeting and to secure special 

 premiums. 



Through the efforts of the president and a committee from 

 the Auburn Board of Trade a long list of fine prizes was secured 

 for the present Exhibition. 



At the present time the Society has a membership of 124 life 

 members and 60 annual members. 



It seems hardly possible that a larger number of fruit growers 

 cannot understand the necessity of joining an organization rep- 

 resenting such a large and important industry as does the 

 Maine State Pomological Society, not only for the influence 

 it would give the Society in many directions of work, but for 

 the education the Society can give the fruit growers. The 

 larger the membership the larger the educational benefits will be. 



There has been no field meeting held during the year, as the 

 officers of our Society thought the State was so well covered 

 with fruit meetings and other gatherings that a field meeting 

 would hardly be necessary. From the inquiries coming from 

 many places I think some means ought to be devised by which 

 we can hold a field meeting at the Experiment Farm or some 

 other place where the fruit growers can see and talk over prac- 

 tical things relative to the industry. If we could meet where 

 the different methods of cultivation and spraying were used 

 the lessons would be more lasting. 



In conclusion let me suggest that as we are about to enter 

 upon the opening of a Legislative session all the members 

 not only use their influence for the enacting of such laws as 

 will be a benefit to the agricultural interests of our State but 

 see that no laws are enacted that will be an injury to our cause. 



Respectfully submitted, 



E. L. WHITE. 



