STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 4I 



iims to become life members, I do not consider the policy of 

 compulsory membership a wise one. 



In many states an important factor in the strength of the 

 state horticultural societies is the auxiliary membership of local 

 societies. It is true that at the present time there are very few 

 such local societies in this State, but I would earnestly com- 

 mend to the attention of this society the advisability of encour- 

 aging the formation of such local organizations and fostering 

 the same in every way possible. 



Owing to the increasing importance of a knowledge of the 

 world's progress along the lines of botany and vegetable physi- 

 ology, as well as in the knowledge of our insect friends and foes, 

 it seems specially important that standing committees be created 

 whose duty it shall be to present to the society each year a 

 resume of the work done along these lines. I would further 

 suggest that a similar report be furnished each year by the 

 committee on nomenclature and new fruits. 



OUR PROSPECTS. 



During the past year the fruit-growers have had much to con- 

 tend with, but the experience of those who have fought bravely 

 the battle against the elements, and against insect and fungous 

 enemies, but more especially against the hold which the customs 

 of the past have upon our practice as orchardists, enables them 

 to see beyond the clouds. The orchardists of Maine are awake 

 as never before to the possibilities of their own calling, and to 

 the importance of doing the right thing at the right time and 

 in the right wav. 



