44 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIEXr. 



The gossip of the neigliborhood. 

 Her manners gentle, unrestrained, 

 Pomona's confidence obtained. 

 She, still conversing, did relate 

 The blessings of the marriage state; 

 The joys that crown a loving wife; 

 The evils of a single life. 

 The charming nymph was not amazed 

 To hear the god Vertumnns praised, 

 And then first felt within her heart 

 The painless sting of Cupid's dart. 

 Then saw a transformation strange. 

 The woman to Vertumnns change. 

 The nymph of fruit became with pride, 

 The god of season's lovely bride. 



Pomona's worshipers, with cheer. 



Their sacrifices made each year 



To her, that she in preservation 



Would keep the best fruits of the nation. 



Her Flamen Pomonalis stirs 



The hearts of all her folio weis. 



Fair nymphs and goddesses to-day, 

 As deities have lost their sway, 

 Our "Hamadryads" by their arts 

 Become, each one, a queen of hearts, 

 And placed, each at her fireside. 

 As goddesses at home preside. 

 But still, upon the roll of fame. 

 We find Pomona's honored name; 

 Her pomological relation 

 Is seen in your Association. 

 Pomologists of wintry Maine, 

 The virtues of the nymph retain ; 

 The super excellence of their fruit 

 Proclaims them members of her suite, 

 And manj' a Pine Tree orchardist, 

 Pomona's ''Maiden Blush" has kissed. 



Then "Seek-no-farther,'' "Northern Spy;" 

 Next summer "\V'illiam's Favorite" try. 

 And should you an "Early Harvest" plan, 

 Forget not bright "Red Astrachan." 



And when the "Pumpkin Eussct" turns. 

 And "Sops of Wine" your stomach yearns, 

 When "Moses Wood" is "President," 

 When "Eambo" wins the "Beauty-Kent," 



