STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 37 



autumn, — since our exhibition must be held near the usual time of 

 autumn fairs, — we arranged to hold it independent but concur- 

 rently with the local fair. In this, as in all previous cases, no 

 diffculties arose with the oflScers and managers in carrying out 

 the agreements entered into ; yet the people sometimes gain 

 erroneous ideas as to the arrangements, which lead to disappoint- 

 ments. This was the case to some extent at Waterville. It may 

 as well then, in view of past experience, become the settled policy 

 of the Society to hold its exhibitions distinct in time as well as in 

 arrangements from all local exhibitions. This is a subject which 

 may well claim the attention of members at this meeting. It is 

 believed that the life of the Society and its usefulness require an 

 annual exhibition. How shall it be conducted, and how main- 

 tained, are questions of interest to all. 



A thought here presents itself in connection with our fruit ex- 

 hibitions, which has before been presented to your consideration, 

 and the importance of which is such that it should be annually 

 repeated till it commands more attention that it has yet received. 

 I allude to the work of the standing committees on nomenclature 

 and new fruits. Such committees, if faithful to their duties, may 

 do a vast amount of much needed work, and their reports would 

 be an important and valuable addition to our annual volume. 



Meetings for a mutual interchange of ideas and experiences are 

 most effectual educators. This Society early conceived the idea 

 of emploj'ing this means of carrying on its work. There is no 

 question but the many meetings held among farmers for the con- 

 sideration of special subjects in which they are interested, are the 

 means of diffusing a vast amount of information and in a great 

 degree contribute to the progress now being made in the various 

 branches of agriculture. To no class can such meetings be more 

 directly influential than to the fruit grower. But in order to reach 

 those whom we are trying to benefit we must go where the people 

 are. If the Board of Agriculture would discuss general farming, 

 it must go among the farmers. If the Dairymen's Association 

 would discuss dairying, it must go among the dairymen. So if 

 we would discuss fruit growing, we must go among the fruit 

 growers. The fruit growers do not live in the city, so we must 

 hold our meetings in the country, where the fruit growers are. 

 There the meetings will prove most useful and most successful — 

 for there we shall draw together those who are engaged in grow- 

 ing fruit. These meetings should, as far as possible, partake of the 



