STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 27 



On consultation it was decided to send specimens of as many of 

 our best varieties as could be found suitable for that purpose. From 

 various parts of the State the executive committee gathered speci- 

 mens of fruit which were forwarded to the President, re-packed and 

 expressed to Washington. About thirty varieties were forwarded 

 at this time. 



The reception of the fruit by the Department was acknowledged 

 in the following communication : 



U. S. Department of Agriculture, 



Division of Pomology, 

 Washington, D. C, Dec. 4th, 1888. 



Me. D. H. Knowlton, Secretary, Farmington, Me., 



Dear Sir: — In the continued absence of Prof. Van Deman, I 

 take pleasure in acknowledging receipt of your favor of recent date 

 and shortly thereafter of the barrel of specimens of apples from 

 your society. The fruit is all in excellent condition, and is certainly 

 very fine and a credit to your State. 



Very truly yours, 



C. L. Hopkins, Ass't Pomologist. 



You will see from the report of the Treasurer, that while we are 

 owing a considerable amount to the "permanent fund," we have 

 been very careful not to increase our indebtedness for the past few 

 years. The society is very much in need of more funds, that it may 

 extend its work in many directions. We are now receiving from the 

 State $500 a year, but I think it could be easily proved that twice 

 that amount could be expended to advantage, not only in helping to 

 spread the knowledge acquired bj' practical fruit growers, but to 

 teach others to avoid those errors which have cost many beginners, 

 not only much vexation of spirit, but considerable money. It may 

 not be advisable at this time to ask for a larger appropriation, but 

 we hope the time will soon come when the society will be treated 

 with the same liberality as are kindred societies in other States. 

 Meanwhile let those who have an interest in the welfare of the fruit 

 grower and the fruit consumer, (which should include the whole 

 community) be willing to come forward and assist us pecuniarily 

 by becoming members of the society, and thus assist us in sustain- 

 ing our meetings and exhibitions. It may require considerable effort 

 to attend these meetings, but we shall return from a meeting of 

 energetic, practical fruit growers with a better knowledge of methods 



