lO STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Mary seem to be growing in general favor, while the Loudon is 

 attracting considerable attention among raspberry growers. Of 

 the currants, White Imperial is highly recommended for home 

 use ; but Fay, in spite of its weak habit of growth, remains the 

 leading market sort. 



I wish to emphasize, in this connection, the fact that success 

 in fruit growing comes only as the result of patient, persistent 

 effort, and the three elements to strive after are : More fruit 

 from individual plants ; fruit of better quality, and the applica- 

 tion of business principles in grading, packing and marketing. 



THE WORK OF THE SOCIETY. 



By the act of incorporation, the Maine State Pomological 

 Society was constituted "a. corporation for the promotion of 

 fruit culture." For many years, however, there has been a dif- 

 ference of opinion as to how the interests of fruit growers may 

 best be subserved. Early in the history of the society special 

 meetings or horticultural institutes were suggested, but few were 

 held, and gradually, the policy of spending the larger part of the 

 available funds of the society in the payment of premiums and 

 exhibition expenses, was developed. While the importance of 

 well-organized exhibitions is conceded, the present officers of the 

 society undertook the difficult task of placing the work upon a 

 broader basis, in accordance with the vote of the society at the 

 time of their election. In this task the President and Secretary, 

 upon whom the immediate planning of the work has devolved, 

 have been greatly aided by the sound judgment and advice of 

 their predecessors. 



During the year, the premium list for the usual autumn exhibi- 

 tion Avas thoroughly revised by the executive committee, with the 

 purpose of encouraging the cultivation of those fruits and 

 flowers which merit special attention and excluding those which 

 are only of local interest or are not worthy. A second, abridged, 

 list was prepared for the special winter meeting at New 

 Gloucester. 



Besides the two-days' meeting for discussion at Newport, in 

 connection with the autumn exhibition, special field meetings 

 were held at Greene, at Manchester, and at Camden, and a win- 

 ter meeting and exhibition, at New Gloucester. (The latter, 



