J 22 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



"Through the love of the beautiful in both nature and art the indi- 

 vidual is led to embrace higher ideals of those graces which adorn 

 true manhood and womanhood. The cultivation and companionship 

 ot flowers brings the boy or giil who engages in the simplest form 

 of floriculture, into touch with nature whose ever^' form of loveliness 

 in leaf or flower and distilling fragrance, breathes of purity and 

 goodness. 



"To President Pope and Secretar}' Knowlton are due, mainly, the 

 fine arrangement in the floral displaj's which have hitherto graced 

 the exhibition in the pomological department of the State Fair in 

 years past. This new departure which Secretary Knowlton has 

 presented, it is hoped will meet with such a response in the way of 

 verbal encouragement at least, from the citizens of L^wiston and 

 Auburn, whose boys and girls it will directly benefit, that such a 

 spirit of emulation shall be engendered among the children, that our 

 floral exhibition next September shall mark an era of progress in 

 this, the poetry of gardening, hitherto unapproached." 



Arrangements for the distribution of plants were perfected through 

 the courtesy of Superintendents Stetson and Stuait, and June 7th 

 the children received the plants, about 350 in all, each plant bearing 

 the name of some child, a number and directions to preserve the tag 

 and bring it and the plant to the place designated to receive them. 

 The following circular was issued to the children receiving plants : 



WINDOW-GARDEX DEPARTMENT. 



At first the oflScers of the Society were very much in doubt about 

 the possibility of accomplishing very much in a new department — an 

 experiment in Maine at any rate. Friends kindly offered money, 

 premiums and plants, and assurances came that the children of. 

 Lewiston and Auburn would just delight in taking part in this kind 

 of woik. They enjoy flowers, and if they can only have a chance, 

 will show the people of Maine how they can grow plants for the Fair. 

 The Trustees of the State Agiicultural Society readily consented to 

 furnish free tickets for Children's Day to those who bring plants. 



There are three ideas in particular that have especially prevailed 

 in undertaking this department: First, a larger number of platts 

 on exhibition will make the hall more attractive and interesting to 

 the public. Second, the Society is always ready to encourage the 

 growing of flowers, — they are sources of unbounded pleasure to these 



