36 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETr. 



some money is needed to carr}' on the work, and we ask all who are 

 pleased to do so to lend their aid in this way to the extent of a mem- 

 bership. If this is not your pleasure we are still glad indeed to have 

 you encourage b}' your presence and assure us ot your interest by 

 words of welcome. 



Fruit growing in our State has a grand outlook. Only a year ago 

 some faint-hearted fruit growers felt that the business had been 

 overdone and that we should never again realize profitable returns. 

 How quickly this idea has been dissipated, with our best apples 

 selling now at four dollars per barrel ! 



We have heard much of the advantages of Southern California for 

 fruit growing and many from among us have been led to flock there 

 with their means for investment in the business. The luscious 

 grapes of that region have sold this year at only fifteen dollars a 

 ton and the price never goes above twenty. What inducement can 

 there be to emigrate to that region when we can get two or three 

 times as much per pound for Maine apples? Some of the land 

 suitable for orange groves in California is held at $3,000 per acre. 

 In my own town are acres of land covered with beautiful apple trees 

 that could have been bought for five dollars per acre before the trees 

 were set. Fifteen years of time brings an orchard worth $300 per 

 acre, and in that fifteen j'ears it will yield fruit enough to pay every 

 cent of the outlay. 



It is one purpose of a gathering like this to encourage confidence 

 in the business and acquaint the public with what has been done, 

 and what can be done in the future. If we are in any degree 

 influential in carrying out this purpose certainly the Society should 

 receive encouragement. While we believe it can justly claim that 

 its influence has been in a measure effectual, still an increase of 

 means to go with individual effort would enable us to accomplish 

 much more. Our only source of receipts is from membership. 



We are especially glad to meet the fruit growers of Oxford count}' 

 and of this town of Norway, and to be assured of your interest in 

 this work ; and we heartily thank you for the words of welcome so 

 happily pronounced. 



Mr. Charles S. Pope, President of the Maine State Pomological 

 Society, was then introduced and delivered his annual address. 



