Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-03-23
A New England Fruit Show.

4
The work of the New England Rnra
Progress organization promises 10 de
yelop into something at once necessary
and essentially helpful for all OF New
England. The discussion of live prob
lens relative TO rural life by live mer
has brought, what always follows
earnest effort, an organized movement
the good of which will be limited only
by the individual interest manifested by
those who might reap the harvest oi
gain.
AT the sessions held in Boston recently
the discussion centered about the pro
posed fruit and corn exhibition to be
held in October and to include all OF
New England. The fruit interests start
ed their movement some months age
and naturally we're prepared to act while
the champions of the corn met without
any fixed plan. The Massachusetts
Horticultural Association rendered Its
| fine hall to the fruit men for seven-day
exhibition, but unfortunately the space
| is not large enough for combined show
with the corn and, after full discus
sion, il was wisely decided to center all
interest on the fruit exhibit this year
and next year give way to the corn.
This, in fact, seemed the only thing to
do in view of the lateness of the season,
the magnitude of the problem and the
lack of any concerted movement, in any
of the New England States, in corn
breeding or development.
Some of those most interested have
for some time been urging this or, at
best, only very conservative attempt at
an exhibition, it being believed that the
first thing to do is to create lively in
terest in corn growing in every state, 80
that the exhibition, when held, may be
of such magnitude and quality as to pro-
woke enthusiasm everywhere for this
staple New England product.
This being settled the organization for
the fruit exhibit was completed by the
choice of Hon. j. l.. Ellsworth, Secre
tary Massachusetts, Board of Agricul-
ture, President and Wilfred Wheeler,
Concord, Mass, Secretary, with one
from each state as member of the execu-
tive committee.
A full canvass will be made of all in
terests that the premium list may be
complete and generous. Here is an op-
portunity never before offered the fruit
growers of New England and it is now
up TO the orchardists of the several
states to put up or shut up. We OF
Maine have been claiming superiority in
quality of product from our trees, and
here will be a chance to prove good.
Failing to do so, our mouths will be
closed for all time. Believing the fact,
we must meet the growers of other
states and hold our ground. 1t Is our
opportunity and also our necessity.
The exhibition will be held from
October 10 to "a in Boston, the most
central city of New England for such a
purpose and admission will be free.
The possibilities of such an exhibition
in establishing the quality of New Eng
land fruit cannot be imagined to-day and
vet we must be searching for these If the
fact is to be recognized by the public.
Professor Sears of Massachusetts, Agri-
cultural College discussed the plans for
a fruit show, as did Mr.. Wheeler.
Professor Gardner of Maine discussed
the student judging contest. Professor
Gulley of Connecticut the place of that
state in the show and Mr.. French OF
Massachusetts, Agricultural College, the
benefits from the standpoint of the agri-
cultural student.
Now the next step with all interested
in promoting our fruit and corn interests
is to 90 to work to help build sentiment
for the perfecting of these two impor-
tant crops. IL we want more life and
energy in New England We must inject
more into our individual lines of work.
The sum total is but that Of individual
effort. Let us prepare to show apples
in October and corn next year and prove
that this little corner of this great coun-
try is the best, has the best, and can
produce the best, whether of apples,
corn, or boys and girls.-Geo. NJ. Twitch-
ell in Maine Farmer.