l66 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Mr. Staples, for as a rule he has borne away the sweepstake for 

 best collection of apples. This year were there samples from 

 his orchard, other exhibitions would stand not better than second 

 and third place. 



His beloved companion, who survives him, has furnished the 

 writer with the brief sketch of his life that follows, remarking in 

 closing her letter: "You can hardly speak too w^armly of his 

 love for, and attachment to the Pomological Society." 



Gideon King Staples was born in Temple, Me., on what is 

 now known as the Pond Lot, about three-quarters of a mile east 

 from the spot where his late home is situated, July 13, 1812, and 

 died October 7, 1896. 



When six years of age he removed with his parents, Gideon 

 and Sarah (Oakes) Staples to the farm where he passed his long 

 and useful life. His education was obtained in the public schools 

 of his native town. In the study of music of which he was very 

 fond, and in which he acquired considerable proficiency, he on 

 several occasions rode, (often on horse back) from his home to 

 Farmington, a distance of eight miles to attend evening singing 

 schools taught by the late Wm. Reed, and others. 



Places of trust have been tendered him, some of which he has 

 accepted, selectman and treasurer of his town, administrator of 

 several estates, guardian to fatherless and orphaned children, 

 six children not his own have found homes beneath his roof for 

 a period of from five to twenty years each. 



It may be encouraging to those somewhat advanced in life, 

 to know that Mr. Staples' first apple orchard was set when he was 

 forty-five years of age, but through the discouragement of see- 

 ing them all but two winter kill to the ground, for the three 

 first winters, he continued to labor and hope, and by caring for 

 the best and cutting • off the dead and worthless shoots, he 

 reared a valuable orchard. 



His next venture of the same number of trees, was set ten 

 years later, and from that time on until the year of his death, 

 but one year passed that he did not set more or less trees until 

 now those, with the reclaimed native trees on the place, number 

 between three and four thousand. 



The Maine orchardist's usual discouragements, drifting storms, 

 summer heat, mice or borers, have been his in full measure, 



