STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 35 



best fruit States of the near future. Its work should be appreciated 

 and sustained. 



None are too old to plant trees. The grandsire may outlive the 

 grandson. It is a beautiful thought that we may leave a legacj' of 

 beneficial fruit trees behind us ; that they may wave their green and 

 golden benedictions over our graves, and over the old homesteads 

 long after we are known on earth no more. 



If such lands, in quality, price, contiguity to all that blesses life 

 in our own New England, lay in Florida, California, or the far 

 west, it would only be necessary to advertise them liberally to draw 

 their present inhabitants, almost by an exodus, to their land of 

 promise. It is said familiarity breeds contempt. The fairest por- 

 tions of the earth are inhabited by the most indolent and inappre- 

 ciative people. Shall we, here in this good old State of Maine, 

 close our eyes to the wealth beneath our feet or the beauty over our 

 heads? Shall we go to miasmic Florida, the cyclone swept west, 

 the arid lands of the Pacific slope, to raise fruit we can equal at far 

 less expense? God forbid ! 



The introduction of establishments for, and the {u'acticeof, evap- 

 orating apples is adding much to the revenue hitherto derived from 

 our orchards. The product is enhanced in value one hundred per 

 cent, and not only this in both price and quality, but a class of 

 apples hardly salable before, comes into demand. It opens up' 

 encouraging prospects for raising those kinds of apples that are 

 hardy, prolific, and of low value for dessert. The evaporating busi- 

 ness has obtained such a foothold, and been such a success where 

 tried, that we may reasonably regard it as one of those innovations 

 that are improvements, and that has come to stay. There is little 

 danger that the markets will be overstocked with a good product, and 

 should such an event occur, it is not likeh' to be of long duration. 

 It is wise policy to encourage good evaporating operations in our 

 midst. 



Living here, pleasantly situated amid all that makes life desira- 

 ble, surrounded b}' all the facilities the temperate zone afl^ords, or 

 the others contribute, in quick and easy communication with all the 

 world, with the best of markets at our very doors, why shall we 

 not thank God and take courage in the production of more and bet- 

 ter fruit year bj* year ? It would seem to be flying in the face of a 

 most kind and beneficient Providence not to do so. No branch of 

 the old home farm has more of promise or of profit in it. The 



