26 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



fruits upon the market, we find that purchasers are seeking for 

 them, that the market is quicker, the demand is surer, and we now 

 full^' believe we can go on increasing it in the same ratio and that 

 in the future we shall find our market still improving, and there is 

 from present appearances no limit to the demand for our special 

 fruits grown here in the State of Maine. 



So we have, as a Society, the encouragement and assurance that 

 we are at work in a good cause ; and we would assure the citizens 

 of this county and the gentleman who has so kindly expressed their 

 welcome, that the Society needs this encouragement. Working as 

 we have been without an}' other reward than the knowledge of 

 earnest work in a good cause, and unless we meet sympathy and 

 receive some encouragement, that work, after a time, tires. But 

 with such assurances and with the knowledge that there is still an 

 appreciation of this work, we can go on, and it is our determination 

 to go on and encoui-age this industry. We have also the assurance 

 that there is at the present time a universal interest in the fruit 

 industry. Those who are producers are not the only ones inter- 

 ested. Consumers, as well, from a different standpoint, are alike 

 interested, and the producer and consumer meet together and en- 

 courage each other, which is one of the advantages derived from a 

 meeting of this kind. 



The fruit exhibited here was pleasant!}' referred to by the gentle- 

 man who gave us this welcome, and this is an inspiration to all 

 concerned ; it is an inspiration and encouragement to the i)rodiicer 

 and a tempting appetizer to the fruit consumer ; so there is a benefit 

 to all accruing from such an exhibition. 



The membership of our Societ}' is more limited than we wish, and 

 we would like to have it understood that the list is open for addi- 

 tions ; and while we do not propose to pursue an}- special canvassing 

 in this direction, we would be glad to enroll still others upon the 

 list. 



There is no particular locality which is exempt from this interest 

 in fruit growing. As the gentleman has referred to the more east- 

 erly part of the State, I will add that we find greater encourage- 

 ment in these border lands of the State in the direction of frnit 

 production than we hardly dared to hope, even the few years ago 

 that this Society was organized. In the County of Piscataquis are 

 to be found as thrifty and productive orchards as are to be found in 

 any section of our State. A better knowledge of the business 



