STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY^ 41 



It was in such pictures as these that I learned to appreciate the 

 Stale of Maine, that I learned rightly to estimate Maine joj'S, 

 Maine people and Maine fruits. I learned to realize to the full that 

 Maine was plenty good enough for me. So I heartily and honestly 

 welcome you here to-day. We know what good fruit is because we 

 produce it. We know good fruit growers because we have them in 

 our midst and they make our most thrifty and well to-do people. 

 Again, in behalf of the great class of consumers which I repre-ent 

 do I welcome you here to-day. You are known to us by reputation. 

 You have come to a place where the open hearts of the people 

 prompt an open hand. The land is yours to enter in and possess it. 

 It may not be like the land of promise, flowing with milk and honey, 

 but it is flowing with the milk of human kindness and extends a 

 sincere welcome. It is our wish that your stay here may be so 

 pleasant and profitable that when the hour comes to depart you 

 may be able to say in all sincerity, "It is good to have been here, 

 soon may we come again." 



RESPONSE. 

 Bj- F. S. Adams, President of the Board. 



Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : It is somewhat embarrass- 

 ing to be called upon at this time. I came here to meet you, intend- 

 ing to take no part in the proceedings of the meeting. It is 

 impossible for Secretary McKeen to be here to-day, because of 

 engagements in other parts of the State. I was very glad to listen 

 to the kind words of welcome from our brother. I had not got off 

 the train before 1 was met by Brother Butler, and I realized that 

 you people had warm hearts and extended to us a hearty welcome. 

 The cultivation of fruits is an old and honorable occupation. A 

 man or a woman engaged in this occupation, I find, al*yays has a 

 large heart. It is because they are so closely, in connection with 

 nature and nature's heart that it is impossible to be a fruit grower 

 and a mean man. AVe read in the Bible that the first parents found 

 fruit in the Garden of Eden. It has been an important industry 

 since the creation of the world. People are learning to appreciate 

 fruits. 



There is more consumed now than ever before. The markets all 

 over the world are opening up, so that no man may be discouraged 

 by going into the fruit business. The cultivation of small fruit 



