536 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



think it would be benefieial to me, up in Indiana county, if I had it a 

 little sooner. Some of us are a little slow and I would have a little 

 more time to consider Avhat I ought to know and do at the coming 

 institute. If. jou don't let me have this information until October, 

 on account of having lots to do at this tim.e, I will have very little 

 time to prepare myself for my dut}^, and, besides, do all that I 

 should do in connection wdth my work. 



The CHAIRMAN: The question is to have the meeting sometime 

 in October, at the call of the Secretary, and to be for one w^eek. 



It was agreed to. 



On motion, adjourned at 12 o'clock M. 



AFTERNOON SESSION. 



The Board met at 1.30 P. M., with Mr. Jason Sexton in the chair. 



The CHAIRMAN : The first subject for the afternoon is the Report 

 of the Pomologist, Mr. Fox. 

 The report is as follows: 



REPORT OF THE STATE POMOLOGIST. 



By Cyrus t. Fox, Pomulogist. 

 ♦ 



Gentlemen: As pomologist of your honorable body, it becomes 

 my duty to present a report at this annual meeting in regard to the 

 fruit results of the past season, and any matters of interest wliich 

 may have ariscm during the year. 



In the first place, it nuiy be stated that the year, as a whole, 

 was unfavorable for fruit in Pennsylvania. The season was early, 

 owing to a comparatively mild winter, and fruit trees blossomed 

 from ten days to two weeks sooner than usual. While they were in 

 full bloom there occurred a rainy period which washed off the 

 polen of the blossoms, rendering them unfertile. Following the 

 rain came a period of drought, which extended throughout a season 

 of 50 days, and was, to a large extent, obstructive to the fertilization 

 of th(^ blossoms which had escaped the effects of the heavy rains 

 of the latter part of March and beginning of April. 



