STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 33 



another, when there is a small crop in this section we are liable to 

 think the price must be high, and perhaps hold too long While a 

 system of reports for this State, onW, raa}' be of great value, it is 

 small when compared with what we need. Our Commissioner of 

 Agriculture should organize a sj-stem for the whole countr}-. From 

 his address before the American Pomological Societj', we find he 

 realizes the importance of having reliable reports in this department. 

 Can we not at this time take some action to aid in forwarding the 

 work? I would suggest the appoiniing of a committee to confer with 

 other horticultural societies, and witli the United States Commis- 

 sioner on the subject. 



The planting of shade trees along the highways and about our 

 school-houses, and the ornamentation of our homes, might receive a 

 new impetus if we would take it up in connection with the other work 

 of the Society. 



There is too much truth, even now, in Whittier's picture of country 

 life. 



"The eye and ear 

 And heart are starved ninidst the plentitude 

 Of nature, and how hard and colorless 

 Is life witliout an atmosphere. I look 

 Across the lapse of half a ceiiturj' 

 And call to mind old homesteads, where no flower 

 Told that the spring had come, but evil weeds, 

 >iiiihtsliade and rough leaved burdock, in the place 

 Of the sweet doorway greetino; of the rose 

 And lioiiej'-suckle; where the house-wall seemed 

 Blistering in the sun, without a tree or vine 

 To cast the tremulous shadow of its leaves 

 Across the cnrtainless window." 



Much lament has been made in our newspapers and out, because 

 our sons and daughters leave the farm for more congenial emplo}'- 

 ment the moment they are at liberty to do so. We admit the fact, 

 but believe that in making the home attractive we have an easy and 

 ctTectual remedy. We need not undertake great things in the shape 

 of elaborate driveways, expensive gravelled walks and costly foreign 

 trees and shrubs. A clean, well-kept lawn is within the reach of 

 any Maine farmer, and, at very little expense and trouble, our forests 

 will supply him with shade and ornamental trees, and the woodbine 

 is at hand to festoon his buildings or fences. To these may be 

 added from the nurseries such trees, shrubs or plants as taste may 

 dictate or means permit. 



