STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 119 



because some of us, in our peculiar notions, might be modest about 

 asking for what we want. If we do not ask, we ma}- not receive. 



Prof. Cook. I am glad of the opportunity to speak upon this sub- 

 ject because it comes home to all of us. The farmers of Maine are 

 elated for two reasons. One is, that their agricultural college, in 

 which they have so much interest, has lately received funds ; and 

 you well know that funds in the right hands will accomplish much 

 for the agriculture of Maine, and the farmers are looking to the 

 Experiment Station for great results and they will not be satisfied 

 with any ordinary results. They want, thej^ must have great results 

 from that Station, because it is an interest so important to every 

 home ; so important to every farmer in the State. We are elated 

 also at the grand possibilities of fruit culture. These interests are 

 to be increased by work at the Experiment Station. 



Fruits have enemies ; they must be met and overcome. It is the 

 Experiment Station that will help us to overcome these difficulties. 

 We have great confidence in the professors of that institution ; we 

 think they have the ability, and the earnest love for the business, 

 that is worth as much as the abilit3^ itself. We trust and believe 

 that the sons of the farmers will be inspired with love for the grand 

 occupation of the soil. If the professors there have a grand love 

 for it, the}^ will impart it whether they know it or not. Teachers 

 impart to scholars what is in them ; it is imbibed by the student. 

 I have heard it said that boys go there and have but little care for 

 that course. I trust this will be largely overcome by the pro- 

 fessors there. They are going to do their whole duty in this matter 

 and I trust that not only the head professors will be earnest in the 

 matter, but their assistants will be of the right kind. As much 

 depends upon the assistants as upon the head professors. Let us 

 be determined that the college shall have all the funds it needs as 

 long as it uses those funds intelligently. 



I assure the professors that we are perfectly satisfied that we have 

 the right men in the right place ; we have great confidence in them 

 and because of that, we expect great results. 



Mr. Barker. I visited the State College and was interested in 

 going there, though I could not see anything but the buildings and 

 location ; but I thought it was all that could be desired ; there is 

 plenty to develop ; there is room to grow, and experiment and 

 illustrate. 



With what has been said by the gentlemen here this afternoon of 

 the earnestness of the professors, I hope you will back them by say- 



