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SEMI-CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY. 



Perhaps the most important feature of our work in recent 

 years is the securing of the State Fruit-Breeding Farm from 

 the State Legislature, which was brought about in 1908 during 

 the presidency of Professor Green and largely by his efforts. 



As a matter of history this was not the first fruit-breeding 

 farm established by the state at the request of this society, as 

 in 1878 the legislature purchased a tract of land adjoining Mr. 

 Gideon's farm for fruit-breeding purposes and made him super- 

 intendent of it at a salary of $1,000, which position it was hoped 

 he might retain through life. This, however, was lost later to 

 the society and Mr. Gideon. Others will undoubtedly speak of 

 this. 



This very imperfect review has permitted mention of only 

 a very few of the veteran workers of the society. Others will 

 speak at greater length of these, and of many others whose 

 names I have not mentioned. We cannot give too much praise 

 to these veterans the fruits of whose labors we are now enjoying. 



Peter M. Gideon— originator of the Wealthy apple. 



