STATE POMOI.OGICAL SOCIETY. 29 



tion met there came from Europe and America reports that told 

 ns there was an immense crop of apples, and every buyer that 

 came in would pull from his pocket statements prepared on pur- 

 pose for your reading and you could read the; same for your- 

 selves. The result was a panic among Maine fruit growers and 

 thousands of barrels of fruit have been sold for 75 cents and 

 $1.00 per barrel and in some cases even less. 



To-dav we are here in a two-fold capacity. In the first place 

 we come here to learn of you by the exhibition of these fruits 

 and flowers and social intercourse with, your growers. We 

 expect to learn and enjoy much and I am very sure that we shall 

 not be disappointed. Second : We come here for the purpose 

 of helping you and other fruit growers of the State of Maine. 

 We offer ypu an excellent program covering a wide range in 

 fruit and flower interests. We are here to help you and I am 

 sure that every speaker on the program will enjoy being ques- 

 tioned as to what he may say, and I beg you to be: free with your 

 questions. If there is anything in w'hich we can serve the fruit 

 interests of Oxford county it Vv^ill be our delight to do it. 



I thank you for your cordial words of welcome and for the 

 interest taken in our society. We know we shall enjoy being 

 here and we hope that our visit may be fruitful in doing you 

 much good and in helping you to enjoy the fruits of the 

 abundant harvest which this season has brought forth. 



