MAINE STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Transactions for the Years 1887-8. 



As introductor}^ to the present volume of proceedings, justice to the 

 society compels us to state that neither the present secretary or his 

 predecessor was in office during the entire period covered by the trans- 

 actions. The records, however, are complete and in excellent con- 

 dition, but necessarily many items of interest to Maine fruit-growers 

 are omitted, inasmuch as they came only to the knowledge of the 

 former secretar}^, who has so abl}' edited the transactions of the so- 

 ciety during the several years he held the office. 



It is an object of congratulation that our society has been able to 

 do so much for the promotion of the interests which it represents. 

 Since its organization fruit-growing in Maine has developed into one 

 of the most profitable of all the various industries connected with 

 agriculture. Little by little the society has taught the people, first 

 the importance and possibilities of fruit-growing in Maine, and then, 

 through the medium of its papers and discussions, from actual expe- 

 rience, it has been the most reliable and progressive teacher of the 

 science of fruit-growing. Then, again, at its annual exhibitions 

 which have grown in importance and magnitude it has spread out 

 before the people of the State such tables of fruit as can be found 

 in few other States. These exhibitions, quite as much as any other 

 work of the society, have illustrated just what the society is doing. 

 Largel}^ through its influence many a hillside has been covered with 

 apple trees, and the garden acre has increased in importance because 

 of the great abundance and variety of fruit it aflfords the families of 

 thousands of our people. 



The society has also done very much to encourage the culture of 

 flowers, and some of the most interesting papers read at our winter 

 meetings have been upon flower culture. 



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