58 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



the forty-two stars that decorate our national flag, is not the eastern 

 star the most steadfast in its light? Consult the daily press at any 

 season of the j'ear. Shall we not find floods, tornadoes, cyclones,, 

 blizzards, malaria and deadly heat doing their dire work in all the 

 other states, while the dear old State of Maine moves on the even 

 tenor of her way unmolested by any such destructive agencies. 

 Even the winter storms are now tallied of as old fashioned. The 

 Maine people, the original stock, were exceedingly- practical, and 

 we, their descendants, are apt to question au^- departure from the old 

 wa}' with — Will it pay? Will this education in flowers pay? If 

 this life were all, perhaps not ; but if this existence is given in 

 which to develop capacities for a higher and broader life, yes ! a 

 thousand times, yes. Very little original work in botany has been 

 done in the State. There remains a vast field as yet unexplored ;. 

 our extensive coast line with its variety of algae, our broad foiests 

 where new plants are springing up with the changes constantly tak- 

 ing place, our numerous lakes and streams, all await the coming: 

 specialists who should be native born and trained, that they may 

 love the work and unfold to us in all its richness our native florae 

 In order, then, that we as a people may be intelligent in plant study 

 the home should lay the foundation of the work, the school should 

 continue and give direction to it, and societies like this should foster 

 and encourage it 



THE DIETETICS OF FRUIT. 

 By C. D. Smith, M. D., of Portland. 



If he who makes two blades of grass grow where but one grew^ 

 before, be hailed as a public benefactor, how much more deserving^ 

 of praise are they whose efforts are directed toward increasing and 

 improving what has always been esteemed as one of nature's best 

 gifts to man. It is, I believe, a recognized truth, that in any- 

 business or profession, the best collective results are obtained frora 

 combined effort in the direction of certain special lines, and in 

 accordance with this fact, societies such as yours have multiplied 

 themselves, doing work not yet appreciated by the public as it should 

 be, but of infinite benefit to themselves and all who profit by their 

 enterprise. It is, therefore, because of sympathy with this method 

 of work, and a desire to render such assistance as I may be able, 

 by placing before you some facts which may enable you to feel an 



