STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 9 



such gatherings, as naturally the larger the city the more people 

 to view the exhibits and thus the more probability of creating 

 still further interest in our industries and resources. 



We people of the State of Maine, to a certain degree, know 

 what we have, but the principal idea is to have others know it 

 so they may become interested with their capital and energ}\ 



The City of Portland is particularly favored with railroad and 

 water connections, but the increasing traffic is pushing them to- 

 still wider expansion. 



This State is destined to more advancement and to my mind 

 the railroads have made but a mere scratch on the surface on 

 what is to become a vast commercial area. 



Our harbor also demands further attention as ocean com- 

 merce is taking enormous strides and tonnage is becoming 

 greater and greater. While we have had ocean liners running 

 from Portland to European ports for many years, the steamers 

 are gradually becoming larger, and today some of the very 

 largest are coming to Portland and loading with our apples 

 and products, together with grain, cattle and in fact all farm 

 produce from the far West. 



It may be said that we are just commencing to grow, and 

 this probably is due to the fact that Boston and New York and 

 the large Atlantic ports are fast becoming congested and the 

 expansion of trade is seeking new ports to facilitate shipments. 

 In conclusion, it is not for me to enter into the science of 

 fruit culture, store housing and the care of your products as I 

 notice there are other speakers to follow me who are far more 

 capable of enlightening you on such affairs, but will say that 

 Portland is in a position to offer you all the facilities necessary 

 for your expansion process and for the widening of your field 

 of advertising. We are always open to suggestion for it is our 

 desire to have this and similar organizations come here as often 

 as possible and we wish to extend to you every courtesy within 

 our power and trust this visit will be so agreeable and profita- 

 ble that you will decide to again hold your meeting here in the 

 immediate future. 



I wish you all success at this and all future meetings wher- 

 ever they may be and hope that they will inure to the benefit of 

 the State and profit to its people and your society. 



