100 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



To speak more in detail, young and old can unite together in a 

 •Chautauquan Circle or can enjoy the inexpensive luxury of a circu- 

 lating library. In summer and autumn geological or botanical pic- 

 nics may be made a delightful variation from the every-day toil. 

 In winter, if the more abstruse departments of astronomy seem too 

 formidable, a company of country people can pass some of their eve- 

 nings very pleasantly in learning the geography of the heavens, an 

 enjo3'ment their city cousins well may envy. The chief pleasure of 

 companionship in study will, however, be found in the family when 

 parents and children are alike interested in something more than 

 their daily round of labor. Young hearts are neai-est, perhaps, to 

 the great heart of nature, and their childlike enthusiam will do much 

 to inspire their more weary fathers and mothers. The great benefit, 

 too, of their early introduction to scientific truth will repay their 

 parents for any little sacrifice of time and trouble. The child who 

 is early taught to investigate the truths of the natural world has 

 the double advantage of a great gain in time and, better still, of 

 possessing perceptions well trained from the start. 



In conclusion, a knowledge of the natural sciences is of great 

 value to the farmer in making his business successful, his home 

 pleasant, his life happy. This knowledge is most easily and readily 

 acquired by early training at home and in the town school, supple- 

 mented by some months or years at one of the higher institutions of 

 learning ; but those who have not had these advantages need not, 

 on that account, be discouraged ; those who go to it in the right 

 spirit will find a very excellent seminary in the old chimney corner. 

 Mothers and sisters need this knowledge as well as the fathers and 

 brothers. They need it to conduct the household on hygienic prin- 

 ciples, to lead the youthful members of the family in the way of 

 usefulness, to give to home and neighborhood life the agreeable and 

 elevating atmosphere it ought to have. 



Have the public schools and the agricultural societies done what 

 they ought to do to promote so good a cause ? They have done 

 something, but the opportunity has not been fully taken yet. The 

 field is so promising and the results so desirable, they surely warrant 

 a decided effort. We wish the Dirigo State might take a leading 

 step in this direction. 



At the conclusion of Mrs. Keyes' essay, Mr. C. A. Mace of 

 Readfield was introduced, who read the following poem. 



