STATE POMOr.OGlCAL SOCIETY. 37 



retain a fair share in the combine is the great problem before 

 us. This fact must never be overlooked, that DOMESTIC 

 CONSUMPTION IS A FAR GREATER FACTOR OF THE 

 PROBLEM THAN THE FOREIGN TRADE. 



In accordance with the action of the society at the annual 

 meeting a year ago the officers kept an eye out on the proposed 

 State appropriation in aid of a representation of our State 

 at the St. Louis Exposition in 1904. As soon, therefore, 

 as the legislature at its extra session passed the forty 

 thousand dollars appropriation for that purpose your execu- 

 tive committee made application for a part of the appro- 

 priation to be used in aid of an exhibition of Maine 

 fruits at that exposition. The secretary for the com- 

 mission acknowledged the receipt of the application with the 

 statement that it would be placed before the commission. Up 

 to the present time not one word has been heard from the com- 

 mission in regard to the application. The plans of the exposi- 

 tion commission in regard to the expenditure of the very respect- 

 able appropriation are well known to all. Forty thousand dol- 

 lars to certify to visitors to the great exposition that ^Nlaine is a 

 wilderness and game its principal production and hunting its 

 chief industry ! Shades of the fathers looking down upon us in 

 this enlightened year of 1903 — but I forbear and stop right here ! 



"The v>'orking SAStem of our society is well organized and in 

 good orcer. llut there is room for more gearing. 



"(I.) There should be a statistical attachment that would 

 give us a better knowledge of the extent and increase of plant- 

 'ing, and also more definite and reliable knowledge of the actual 

 crop from year to year. 



"(2.) There should be more of recorded experiments, carry- 

 ing the weight of recognized authority. I respectfully raise the 

 question, whether our fruit industry is getting the aid from the 

 Experiment Station that its importance rightfully calls for. 



"(3.) There is also pressing need for annual and continued 

 authoritative attention to varieties, new and old. as a guide to 

 beginners in the business. There is too nnich mistaken plant- 

 ing." 



These suggestions I lay before you at this time for your con- 

 sideration, and for you to take such action upon as it may 

 appear their importance calls for. Congratulating the society on 



