20 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



the sound, smooth fruit, entirely free from worm holes and blemi- 

 ishes. The export and sale of the apple will be largely facilitated 

 if packers will establish these grades and adhere honestly to 

 them. A large fruit dealer in our city informs me that he will- 

 ingly gives twenty-five to fifty cents a barrel extra for apples 

 grown and packed by the Messrs. Perley of Naples and Bridgton, 

 because their fruit is known, and the quality can be relied on ; 

 and that he never thinks of opening a barrel of their apples for 

 inspection any more than he would a barrel of granulated sugar. 



May we not reach this high standard for all Maine apples? 

 Then No. 1 or No. 2 apples of any variety could be sold by the 

 hundred or thousand barrels, without further inspection, precisely 

 as No. 1 and No. 2 mackerel are sold. 



The freight on apples from Portland to Liverpool is fifty cents 

 per barrel ; from Boston seventy-five cents, and from New York 

 one dollar, all in ' gold. This gives Portland an advantage of 

 twenty-five cents a barrel over Boston, and fifty cents a barrel 

 over New York ; an advantage we surely should appreciate and 

 improve. 



Gentlemen, whether we take into consideration the general im- 

 portance of fruit culture, its relation to the labor question, the 

 adaptability of Maine to many varieties, especially the apple, the 

 profit of the crop, the unlimited market open to us, or the charm 

 which the orchard and garden throw around the farmer's cottage, 

 we are alike convinced that your work is one of great value to 

 yourselves, and of significance to Maine, especially at this present 

 time, when apples are imported into this apple State. I hope and 

 believe, that the garden and orchard of every pomologist and hor- 

 ticulturist present will be a model for all the country round about 

 his residence ; and that each will help on the good cause in his 

 community. 



But this isolated, individual action is not sufiBcient. Man is a 

 social being. "In union is strength," Our State needs your 

 united, concerted action. You, yourselves, need the stimulus of 

 these meetings, discussions and exhibitions, where the wrong is 

 corrected, the right strengthened, and where the experience of 

 each becomes the property of all. 



The State, and yourselves, gentlemen, need just such societies 

 as you have formed. I bid you grow not weary in well doing, but 

 go on until our farm-houses are surrounded by tasteful gardens, 

 and embowered with choice and well kept fruit trees ; until Maine 



