66 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



selected for discussions and papers, and in mv opinion the Board 

 could not find a better opportunity for useful work. 



OUR AGRICULTURAL GROUNDS NEED DECORATING. 



But we can Uardly expect the Board of Agriculture to engage in 

 this work unless the opportunity is offered them. There are a large 

 number of fair grounds in Maine. Their high board fences mar 

 the beauty of the landscape, and on exhibition days as one ap- 

 proaches the entrance, a policeman peeps up from the inside to see 

 that no ragamuffin is preparing to scale the walls. They remind us 

 ver}" much of the unsightly walls by which some of our State insti- 

 tutions are surrounded. Is there any place where the observance of 

 Arbor Da}^ would accomplish more? Years ago in the earlier days 

 of our agricultural societies it was the custom for the people to 

 gather in some public place durinsf the annual exhibition and listen 

 to an oration and poem prepared for the occasion. But for some 

 reason this custom has given place to the horse trot and other exer- 

 cises within the fair grounds, and now the societies have no public 

 exercises during the entire year, in which there is any effort to dis- 

 seminate by addresses, papers and discussions a knowledge of the 

 art of agriculture. No eff^ort has been made so far as I know to 

 ornamenb the grounds very much, while some of the buildings are 

 just horrid to behold. The excellent president of the State Agri- 

 cultural Society some years since loaded his hay-rack with trees and 

 drove to the fair grounds in Lewiston. These he planted about the 

 park, and they already add much to the attractions there. As 

 the years roll by they will send their roots down deep into the soil, 

 and their outspreading branches will offer grateful umbrage to man 

 and beast long years after the revered planter shall have passed 

 awa}^ There is room for more, and it would be highly gratifying 

 if our State Agricultural Society would lead the way in this as they 

 are doing in many other matters of less importance. 



Let our local societies observe Arbor Day by planting trees and 

 ornamenting their parks. Don't plant all the trees this year, for 

 there will be none to plant next, but let some one of good taste in 

 such matters lay out and sketch an outline of the exhibition grounds 

 and indicate where the trees may be set to the best advantage. If 

 it may be determined what varieties to plant as well, it will serve for 

 the guidance of the society. Plant a few in parts most needed and 

 so on each j^ear, and when the design shall be carried out in all its 



