statf; pomoi.ogtcai, socie:ty. 25 



thf: annual meeting. 



Early in the season the society received an invitation to hold 

 the annual exhibition and winter meeting at Norway. Not 

 having held a meeting for some years in this section of the State, 

 the Executive Committee decided to accept the invitation and 

 accordingly notice was given and a program and premium list 

 issued for a meeting, which we think proved to be one of the 

 most profitabJe ever held by the society. 



At the appointed hour, November 13, the meeting was called 

 to order by Vice President D. P. True, and in behalf of 

 the citizens of Norway and vicinity, Hon. J. A. Roberts gave the 

 following 



ADDRESS OF WELCOME. 



Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: 



We are exceedingly glad to have the Maine State Pomological 

 Society meet with the people of Oxford county. Our people 

 know something of your purposes and your work. They believe 

 in them, and they are willing to help the cause along. 



I believe there is no part of the world where fruit of a higher 

 order can be raised than right here with us. On this account 

 the world is looking to us more and more for fruit. For a few 

 years past caterpillars and other insect enemies of the apple, 

 coupled with fungous diseases, have very much discouraged our 

 apple raisers and this has resulted in neglected orchards. Many 

 had almost come to the opinion that there would never be raised 

 again in Maine such fine apples as had been grown in the past. 

 This year's crop of fruit shows us how foolish were our opinions, 

 how weak our faith in an overruling Providence, and how short- 

 sighted we were to neglect our trees. 



While in the last few years nature has seemed to conspire 

 against us and aid and abet our enemies, we see her stepping in 

 this year, brushing aside all obstacles in our way and giving us 

 an old-time crop of fruit. 



The lesson of these events is that we should never lose faith 

 in our work, but should press forward, having faith that in time 

 there will be sure to come a solution of our difficulties. 



