STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 63 



for something higher — forgetting that this was the original 

 employment of man, and that all other occupations are sustained 

 by it. They held that the position of a farmer was not very 

 honorable, albeit Holy Writ said to them "The profit of the 

 earth is for all; the king himself is served by the field." 



The results were so satisfactory and gave such promise of 

 success that the members were induced to apply for an act of 

 incorporation, which was granted by the legislature of Massa- 

 chusetts February 21, 1818. 



I hope you will not deem it arrogance when we claim to be 

 the pioneer county and town in forwarding the great work of 

 agricultural pursuits. 



Winthrop was the first town in New England and second in 

 North America to form an agricultural society, somewhere 

 about 1787. 



It is no trivial honor to enjoy the merit of being the parental 

 stock from which indirectly sprang into being the Maine State 

 Pomological Society which you, gentlemen, represent here 

 to-day. 



We very well remember that in this very hall, in the good 

 old town of Winthrop, what proved to be the society which you 

 represent, first saw the light. 



The State Board of Agriculture (always solicitous for the 

 advancement of the interests entrusted to its care,) took the 

 matter into serious consideration. 



It was found that there was need of a permanent, active and 

 thorough organization, which should operate by systematic 

 agencies in all parts of the State, and upon all classes of the 

 people; teaching them that while the successful cultivation of 

 fruit may require more skill, care and patience, and a higher 

 degree of intelligence, than that of ordinary farm crops, yet that 

 the requisite attainments are within the reach of all cultivators 

 of the soil. 



All these considerations and needs of the farmer being in the 

 minds of the members of the Board of Agriculture of the State 

 led them to present the expediency of the attempt to organize 

 such a society to the people of the State, with more than usual 

 formality. 



