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STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



that it is our home. It is not necessaiy, therefoie, that I should 

 say much at this time in regard to our Society and its general pur- 

 poses. 



We meet here again, as we have done before, to exhibit the pro- 

 ductions of our orchards and gardens (so far as we can at this sea- 

 son of the year), to talk over our experiences, to see what we can 

 learn from each other,— what lessons of practical wisdom in fruit 

 culture can be drawn from the results of the operations of the year, 

 and to do what we can, by this public meeting and the publication of 

 its proceedings, to advance the material interests of our State. 



Thei'e is a special pi-opriety in the selection of this city as the 

 place of our meeting. Its people are hospitable, its facilities ample, 

 and its location favorable ; but still more so because it is the centre 

 of a community in which the special interest represented by this 

 Society has long been prominent. It is remembei'ed by some of us 

 that there was held in this city, about thirty years ago, the first State 

 horticultural exhibition in Maine, by a Society organized in this 

 county, but embracing the whole State, and with objects similar to 

 those of this Society ; and that in this immediate vicinity, favored in 

 soil, situation and climate, fruit culture has, from the earliest period 

 of its history, ranked among the foremost employments of an in- 

 telligent and prosperous population. 



Again thanliing the citizens of Gardiner for their kindly welcome, 

 we invite tham to participate with us in the deliberations of our 

 meeting, and hope the occasion may be mutually beneficial. 



OPENING ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT, 



Charles S. Pope, of Man cli ester. 



Ladies avd Gentlemen : The few remarks which I have to make at 

 this time will be mostly in the form of suggestions or queries. 



It seems fitting at the close of the year to take a retrospect of 

 our doings, and consider what plans may enhance our future uselul- ' 

 ness. 



Thirteen years ago a few of the fruit growers of this State met 

 and organized this Society. Have their hopes been realized ? Let 

 the increased interest in fruit culture in all parts of our State an- 

 swer. Not only has the apple product increased wonderfully during 

 that period, but the smaller fruits have won a place in nearly every 

 garden, and have become a source of profit to many of our people. 



