16 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



216. For the best citron melons, 3 specimens. Austin Bow- 

 man, Watorville, $1. 



Gratuity — to F. E. Nowell, for pop corn, $1. 



Respecting the leading features and general character of the 

 exhibition, the Secretary gladly avails himself of the following 

 full and carefully prepared editorial report which appeared in the 

 Maine Farmer of October 14, 1876. This is done the more wil- 

 lingly as the article embraces the observations of a careful and 

 disinterested observer, and also because it includes a succinct 

 statement of the history and work of the Society and its relations 

 to other societies and the public. For the sake of brevity some 

 parts which are substantially a repetition of what has been else- 

 where said, are omitted : 



" The State Pomological Society — which has during its brief 

 existence made a good record for itself by its fairs and publica- 

 tions — held its fourth annual exhibition at Waterville last week. 

 It occurred at the same time, but was independent of the fair of 

 the North Kennebec Society, a part of whose exhibition was held 

 in the same building. The first exhibition of this State Society 

 was held at Bangor, the second and third at Portland, and the 

 fourth as above. Its first and third fairs were held in connection 

 with those of the State Agricultural Society, its second and fourtli 

 having been held independently. At no exhibition it has ever 

 held has there been a finer display than at the last, although some 

 previous ones may have been larger ; and but once before has its 

 hall been arranged with more taste and skill — that at Portland in 

 1874. While on some accounts it is to be lamented that by the 

 formation of the State Pomological Society, the fairs of our State 

 Agricultural Society have in some departments, been lessened in 

 interest in consequence — yet on the other hand the former Society 

 has by its publications, labors and fairs accomplished a grand 

 work for Maine pomology, one which the old State Society could 

 never have accomplished, because as it was conducted, it could 

 not give that time to the patient detail necessary to achieve what 

 has been done by the earnest labors and intelligent efforts of the 

 workers in the new Society. The tendency of late years has been 

 towards special organizations for special purposes ; as a result we 

 have our fruit, dairy, poultry and horse associations, most of 

 which hold their independent exhibitions ; and while they detract 

 from the interest and success of an old State organization which 



