STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 37 



conversation with one of the most intelligent men in a certain com- 

 munit}', he said he never knew before that the caterpillar feeding 

 upon his plants in the garden would ever develop into a butterfly ; 

 he supposed it was once and alwa3's a disgusting worm. At another 

 time a horticulturist of some experience, a man of great intelligence, 

 too, came with a few army worms in a bottle, and with great solici- 

 tude said: "Why, they tell me that they will march across the 

 country at the rate of five or six miles a day, sweeping everything 

 before them \" When told that his field of cabbage was safe, 

 because they rarely attacked plants with netted-veined leaves, he 

 drew along breath, as much as to say, "Saved !^' Another com- 

 munity was afflicted by the same worm, and sent for the Cattle 

 Commissioner. 



While we believe our citizens are as intelligent as the average 

 New Englanders, many of us may be found to be as ignorant of 

 some of the specialties allotted to the speakers at these meetings as 

 those referred to, but I can assure you that the most intelligent 

 know there are yet many important lessons to learn, and they will 

 be your most attentive listeners, for they know 3'ou to be thoroughly 

 in earnest in this work, believing that the diffusion of useful knowl- 

 edge is a help to men and women in a struggle for livelihood. 



In this community he is most entitled to public praise who best 

 cultivates his spot of ground, and whose motto is, "The improve- 

 ment of the mind as well as the soil." 



Mr. Charles S. Pope, President of the Pomological Society, was 

 introduced and presented his 



ANNUAL ADDRESS. 

 Ladies and Oentlemen^ Members of the Pomological Society : 



When we call to mind the lively interest you have always taken 

 in horticultural matters, and remember that this is the home of many 

 noted fruit growers, some of whom have been originators of valuable 

 varieties of pears and plums, we feel confident no better place could 

 have been selected for our winter meeting. The close proximity of 

 the agricultural college, with its corps of professors, with the knowl- 

 edge of, and interest in our department, makes another argument in 

 favor of the present localit}'. 



The officers of our societ}-, on learning of the additional appro- 

 priationsfor the benefit of the State College, took an active interest 



