STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 125 



For many years Mr. Thomas was a regular contributor to The 

 Cultivator and since 1853 associate editor of the Country Gentle- 

 man. The readers of this valuable paper, whose publishers have 

 kindly furnished us with an excell«nt portrait, have been exceed- 

 ingly fortunate. Much that is written on rural affairs is not worth 

 the reading, but what came from the pen of Mr. Thomas was not 

 only conscientiously prepared but could be depended upon as sound, 

 both in theory and practice. His standpoint was that of a practical 

 fruit grower and farmer. He knew what he was writing about as 

 well as what he wrote for. The journalist, who has to write so 

 much and so often, has far greater influence than many suppose. 

 In these days men read, and more than anything else the reading 

 forms the habits of the man and often shapes his whole career. 

 The words penned by this conscientious student and observer in 

 fruit culture have been found helpful to thousands. 

 " "Tis so with thee — thy spirits gone abroad. 



And the glad earth teems with what thou hast doue. 

 And sous of toil with thee iu accord — 



A thousand arms round out the plans which thine begun.'" 



But Mr. Thomas did not limit his work to the periodical for there 

 are two volumes prepared by him that have had a wide reading. 

 These are the "American Fruit Culturist," and "Farm Implements 

 and Machinery." The former of these has probably had a wider 

 sale than any other work in fruit culture published in the United 

 States, and we are glad to learn that a revised edition is now just 

 published. Another work in nine volumes — Rural Affairs — was 

 written by him in accordance with his own ideas. It has been found 

 helpful in many ways and will be read and studied by the student 

 of agriculture in years to come. 



Although Mr. Thomas lived to a good old age, and enjoyed a 

 particularly useful life, it is pleasant to think that his work is only 

 begun and that the seed he sowed will spring up and bear still 

 more abundantly in the years to come. The fruit growers of 

 Maine join with others in paying grateful tribute to the memory of 

 his useful life. May the many lessons he taught be long remembered, 

 and may his quiet, untiring efforts to advance the interests of 

 American pomology inspire us to similar work, while with grateful 

 hearts we rejoice in the useful life of such a man as Mr. Thomas. 

 He was the last of a trio, notable for their work in promoting fruit 

 culture in America, Downing, Barry and Thomas. They are 

 greatly missed in pomological circles, but their works live to enrich 

 the lives of others. 



