STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 95. 



Nor will the Americau Union lose on the side of higher sentiments 

 if the states that compose it are typified by their characteristic 

 flowers, those together composed as a national garland embodying 

 both the individualism of state sentiment and the federation of 

 patriotism. 



It is earnestly requested that the members of the Pomological 

 Society engage in the ballot of Maine's flower at this meeting, and 

 it is hoped that an effort will be made to secure as large a vote as 

 possible for Maine's flower, m the short time now remaining. 



Miss Harriet Harmon of Foxcroft read the following poem writ- 

 ten by Miss Julia H. May : 



FOR COLUMBIA'S GARLAND. 



They are weaving a beautiful garland 

 To place on Columbia's bi'ow, 



Tlie West and the South are weaving, 

 And "we must be weaving now — 



A leaf, or a bud, or a flower— 

 Ah ! we need not look in vain. 



Can the land give brighter blossoms 

 Than those in the woods of Maine? 



So many ! O, how can we choose it? 



Shall it be the golden rod? 

 Shall we gather the apple blossom, 



Or the violets fresh from God? 

 Shall it be the star-eyed daisy? 



Shall it be the ripened grain. 

 That we pick for our mother's garland 



Out of the fields of Maine? 



Shall we carry a bud, or a blossom, 



A branch or a tiny twig? — 

 They will need them all in the garland, 



They can use the smallest sprig- 

 Something pure and precious. 



That the rest would not obtain. 

 We must pick for our mother's garland 



Out of the woods of Maine. 



Shall it be the opening rose-bud? 



Shall it be the fragrant pink? 

 They can bring more beautiful roses 



From the Sacramento's brink- 

 Shall it be the water-lily 



Whose petals the snow-flakes stain? — 

 There are lilies .iust as white and sweet 



As those in the lakes of Maine. 



