STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 43 



EVENITs^G 8ESSI0N. 



At the opening of the evening session the following original poem 



was read by the author : 



FLAMEN POMONALIS. 



B}'^ J. M. Larrabee, of Gardiner. 



In ancient days of myth and gnome, 

 When gods and goddesses, in Rome— 

 With temples numerous and grand, 

 And altars crowned on every hand— 

 Held sway; when nymphs witli thoughtful care, 

 In human lahors had a share, 

 And loved and were beloved in turn- 

 As human hearts for love's light yearn— 

 Pomona, fairest of her race, 

 Among the fruit-trees held a place. 

 And from her garden, orchard. Held, 



Produced by skill tlie highest yield. 



And wliile she helped with cultured hand 



The growing products of her land, 



Or gathered fruits in garners laid 



For future use : This virtuous maid 



Determined in her heart, tliat she 



A celibate for life would be. 



So sluitting up her garden gate. 



The young gods left outside to wait. 



Vertumnus sought by human guise 

 This virtuous maiden to surprise. 

 And many a cuiuiing scheme he planned 

 To win her virgin heart and hand. 

 Sometimes a reaper lad was he; 

 Again a plowman he would be; 

 Sometimes vine dressing was his plan; 

 A soldier next, or fisherman ; 

 But all in vain : the obdurate miss 

 Would never grant a single Idss. 



Pomona, watching, saw one day 

 An aged woman pass that way. 

 And bade her, with a kindly smile, 

 To stop and rest herself awhile. 



The woman, talkative and gay, 



Eelated in a pleasant Avay— 



As any garrulous woman would— 



