50 STATE HORTICULTUKAL SOCIETY. 



the comfort of visitiug members, and thanking all who had so generously 

 aided in making our visit a most agreeable and profitable one. 

 Before repairing to convention hall the following poem entitled 



THE APPLE 

 was read by Mr. U. B. Webster, and very pleasantly closed the dinner hour. 



A tribute to this fruit I bring, 



And tune my Ij're its praise to sing. 



O'er all the earth, in cold or heat, 



There's nothing with it can compete; 



For every day throughout the year 



It greets the eye, and gives us cheer. 



From east to west, the world around, 



In every mart this fruit is found, 



And all the nations of the earth 



Appreciate its priceless worth. 



All undisputed and alone 



It sits a monarch on the throne. 



And all the other fruits give way , 



And yield to its triumphal sway. 



To man it comes with blessings rife. 



And peerless as the " stafi'of life." 



The peach may boast its luscious taste ; 



The pear may sound lier clarion notes; 

 The plum may chant her worth in haste, 



And grapes in purple, ruby coats. 

 And cherries sweet, and sour, too. 



And berries brought witli studious care. 

 Their virtues loud may sing to you, — 



But where are they? Oh, tell me! where? 

 Oranges, from the tropics, call. 



And all the foreign fruits by sea; 

 Go search the world — this fruitful ball, — 



And bring its choicest stores to me: 

 My apple will the chieftain stand, 

 A very king o'er all the band. 



Then let us sing the apple's praise. 



And loud the song of triumph raise. 



Fall keepers from the cellar, we 



May place beside those from the tree. 



The Kusset, picked by careful man, 



Extends its hand to Astrachan; 



Or noted Baldwin, kept by you, 



Says to the Primate, "How d'ye do?" 



The early Harvest, sour and sweet. 



Old Cooper's Market come to greet; 



While Kawles' Janet, though worthless here, 



In lower climes will keep a year. 



In "Old Kentuck," Missouri, too, * 



Ben Davis heads the list for you. 



While down in Arkansas, 'tis said. 



They swear by that ^Kentucky Red. 



Old Empire in her hand will bring 



That famous Tompkins County King, 



Or say to us, "'twill keep you nippin'" 



To beat our noted Newtown Pippin; 



And then for cooking, or an eater, 



Rhode Island brings in her " world beater;" 



This apple you will surely find 



Is known to all the womankind, 



* Kentucky Red is a local name for Ben Davis. 



