THE STATE FIELD MEETING 



The first State Field Meeting of the Knox Academy of 

 Arts and Sciences was held the 23d and 26 th of August in- 

 clusive. The four days of lectures, trips, outings and study 

 covered literally the whole of Knox county and were at- 

 tended with the most conspicuous success. The long list of 

 well-known Naturalists and Scientists registered and the 

 state-wide press comment only goes to prove that the young 

 Academy has come to make itself felt in the future of the 

 State. 



Members of the Academy came in autos from Portland, 

 Lewiston, Auburn, Skowhegan, Saco, Augusta, Hallowell, 

 and Belfast, while others came by train from Casco, Farming- 

 ton, Phippsburg, and other towns. About 100 members and 

 friends attended the first day's session, which was held at 

 the Knox Arboretum. 



In opening the meeting, President C. Vey Holman cal- 

 led upon First Vice President Rev. C. W. Turner of Bar 

 Harbor, to invoke the Divine blessing upon the meeting 

 and the work of the Academy. Following the prayer, couched 

 in language of appealing devotion, President Holman de- 

 livered a graceful and eloquent address of welcome, pitched 

 to a high key of patriotism, voicing the Academy's mission 

 as not merely the advocate of technical and scientific culture 

 among the people of Maine but as an institute of civics, in- 

 culcating doctrines of true Americanism, based upon con- 

 secration to the ideals of constitutional government and 

 true liberty regulated by law. Moral and Spiritual advance- 

 ment along lines of universal service he pronounced to be 

 as much the business of the Academy as the inculcation of 

 the love of nature and science. In response to the presi- 

 dent's address, Mrs. Sarah Rideout Abbott of Saco spoke 

 charmingly and eloquently along lines of similarly lofty 

 idealism. 



After partaking of a picnic lunch, served by the local 

 members, the assembled members and visitors listened to 

 a very interesting talk by Mrs. Charles W. Alexander, Pres- 

 ident of the Ball Bird Club of Augusta, on "Maine as a Bird 

 Lover's Paradise." 



Mrs. Alexander was followed by Mrs. Winnie Harward 

 Phillips of Washington, D. C, who talked on "Insect Eating 

 Animals of North America," giving many instructive facts 

 regarding toads, lizards and mice. 



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