STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 41 



receive nothing in return but worry and vexation of spirit. There 

 are mines close at home which, it properly worked, would pay much 

 better than the average investment so far away. I beg leave to 

 recommend for the consideration of capitalists the plan of forming a 

 stock company with full power to buy and hold real estate, which 

 shall, through competent officers, secure land and plant orchards 

 upon a scale that will enable them to command the respect of mar- 

 kets both at home and abroad, and not only sell such large lots to 

 better advantage, but all the expenses would be less, the price of 

 barrels lower, and the cost of picking, packing and sorting greatly 

 reduced. None of us here can doubt that such orchardr}-, intelli- 

 gently and honestly conducted, will secure larger returns, combined 

 with a minimum of risk. I do not doubt that stock in such a com- 

 pany would always sell at a reasonable price, and any one wh6 

 wished to realize upon his investment could do so at any time. In 

 competing with other sections of the country, we can claim several 

 advantages, not the least of which is our immunity from late spring 

 frosts, which frequently ruin the fruit crops in other states south 

 and west of us. Land suitable for orcharding is also ver}' low, and 

 Maine apples are popular in the foreign market. 



With the obstacles which we must now encounter, in orcharding 

 as with every branch of farming, we must remember that more intel- 

 lect than formerly is required to make a success, and our people 

 must understand this and train the boys accordingly. Let those 

 who lack the capacity seek employment in the city as salesmen or 

 clerks, and those who have the brains can follow the more indepen- 

 dent life of the farmer and horticulturist. 



The President's address was referred to a committee consisting 

 of Hon. Rufus Prince, Turner, S. G. Shurtletf, South Livermore, 

 and C. H. George, Hebron, who before the close of the meetings 

 presented their report, which was accepted. 



Eeport of Committee on President's Address. 

 Resolved, That we commend to the people of Maine the recom- 

 mendations of the President's address in regard to teaching the 

 rudiments of agriculture in our schools, as we believe it would 

 create a love for rural life, the lack of which is from day to day 

 depopulating our rural towns. 



