1884.] WINTER MEETING. 13 



which will return them a fair compensation for their labor, if they 

 will only learn what they can best cultivate, and by intelligently 

 improving their farms, be quite as independent as their western 

 brethren, and enjoy the pleasures of a New England home. 



I suppose that it is one great object of these meetings to learn how 

 to do this successfully. Let us all try to do all in our power to 

 help the agricultural interests of Connecticut. 



When we think of the wonderful progress and development of 

 agricultural and mechanic arts the past fifty years, we can hardly 

 realize that as much may be done in the years to come. 



There is one great problem to be solved, that will be as wide- 

 spread in its beneficial results, as anything of the past, and one 

 that must be solved if we are to become a great and populous 

 nation, and that is, the utilizing of the sewerage of our cities 

 and all populous communities. 



When some one discovers an inexpensive and thorough way for 

 taking back to the soil all the vast waste of fertilizers now pollut- 

 ing all our streams, not only destroying all animal life in them, bat 

 spreading disease and death to all who inhabit their shores, who- 

 ever does this will supply the great need of this age, — and it must 

 be done soon, or disease and death will depopulate faster than we 

 can increase. I hope this subject will receive the consideration its 

 importance demands. It is a vital question, and must be met, and 

 I do not doubt but a way will be found to remedy the evil. Its 

 importance cannot be over-estimated. 



The experiment at Pullman, near Chicago, is reported to be a 

 great success. The results of using the sewerage as a fertilizer 

 paying a good dividend on the cost of carrying it to the land. 



It has always been our good fortune, that each great need of our 

 country has found an inventor standing ready to meet it, and I 

 doubt not this will. 



Congratulating the Institute on the auspicious opening, I will 

 not detain you longer. 



Mr. P. M. Augur, our Pomologist, will now address you, 

 giving his ideas as to the proper manner of growing peaches, 

 under the title of " Peach Experiences." 



