STATE P0310L0(tICAL SOCIETY. 45 



are surrounded with the best farming lauds iu Xew England, if we are 

 uot the shrewdest mauagiug farmers. 



I know we are not too old to learn and it may be that this potato deluge 

 as some call it, witli the assistance of the Board of Agriculture iu its 

 institute work, and this meeting maj' work a wondrous change iu the 

 methods of farming here in this couuty. 



I wish you could all take a trip to this county in the summer or early 

 fall, we could take j-ou to manj- places of interest, for you know it was 

 in this part of the State that the great bloodless Aroostook war was 

 fought. Houlton on tlie southeastern part of the border had its barracks 

 and soldiers and Fort Fairfield had its block-house, and there was Fort 

 Kent on the northern border overlooking the St. John river, and quite a 

 conspicuous place was Castle Hill in those times ; their fortress was built 

 on a high hill overlooking the Aroostook river where they could blow 

 the Britisliers sliy high if any should happen to float up the river. 



A story is told, although I would not vouch for the truthfulness of it, 

 that at that time they brought a one-horse load of cannon balls from 

 Augusta to that place and when thej' got them there they found that 

 they were a size too large for their guns. But I presume the Ked Coats 

 never found it out, and it may be that that iron in the soil is what makes 

 fruit trees thrive so well in that section. Perhaps you may think this 

 more like an elegy than an address of welcome. 



"But when things don't go to suit you 

 And the world seems upside down, 

 Don't waste your time in fretting, 

 But drive away tliat frown. 



Since life is oft perplexing, 



It is the wisest plan, 

 To bear all trials bravely 



And smile when e'er you can." 



I believe that tliis Society and the Board of Agriculture are becoming a 

 great educator to our farmers throughout the State and I see bright pi'os- 

 pects ahead if they will but heed the admonition given by you each year. 

 And now, Mr. President and gentlemen, in behalf of the citizens of 

 Presque Isle and vicinity, and in behalf of the agricultural societies of 

 this county I bid you a warm welcome to our village and to our homes, 

 hoping that you may spend the time so pleasantly that when 3-ou return 

 home you may say as one did of old, '"the half has never been told." 



PtE^PONSE. 



Secretarj- Knowltou was called upon to respond to the address of 

 welcome. In behalf of liimself and numerous visitors on the present 

 occasion he thanked tlie people of Aroostook for their cordial reception. 

 There were special reasons for holding the Winter Meeting in Aroostook. 

 In years past the farmers have found profit in raising potatoes, though 

 year by year the profit has been growing less, till this season there seems 

 a deficit rather than a profit. If our meeting here shall convince some 



