STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIKTY. I23 



for him and for the efforts that he has put forth to assist the 

 fruit growers of Maine. 



Mr. Gilbert : Brothers and sisters : This expression of 

 your pleasure in connection with myself and the service I have 

 done in the interests of fruit growing is a complete surprise to 

 mj^self and I hardly feel prepared to say a word in response or 

 express my thanks for this expression of yourselves in regard 

 to that service. I can only assure you that it is a far higher 

 compensation than any mere pay. I have often thought as I 

 have put in days and weeks of work, especially in this direction 

 and in other directions also in connection with agricultural 

 affairs, I have inquired in my own mind whether I wanted to 

 exchange those days' works with the compensation I have 

 received while performing' them for mere pay — money — and I 

 never have found the time upon any occasion that I have wanted 

 to sell that time or exchange it for money. I have been so far 

 favored in life with compensation for my efforts on my own 

 farm and in my own orchards that I have got a comfortable liv- 

 ing. I could have secured, by putting my labors in other direc- 

 tions, more of money, — I don't know how much more. I never 

 calculated things in that direction. But I have received compen- 

 sation. I have no desire to exchange it for money ; and this 

 expression on your part is a great satisfaction to me, I assure 

 you, that you appreciate those labors and have yourselves 

 thought of the way and the manner in which those labors have 

 been tendered for the cause which they have served. I thank 

 your heartily, and from my heart I thank you for this expression. 



