THIRTEEKTH ANNUAL MEETING. 



SECRETARY'S REPORT 



Mr. President and Fellozv Members of the Pomological Society: 



We come together in this our thirteenth annual gathering, 

 to Hsten to reports of the work of the past year, to discuss 

 the problems before us as fruit growers, and to plan for the 

 future. 



The year just closed was one full of disappointment and 

 unsatisfactory returns for fruit growers generally, and those 

 of our own State in particular. Characterized by very unfavor- 

 able weather conditions, as well as serious attacks of insects and 

 diseases, it must be recorded as a season of poor crops of most 

 of our standard fruits. 



But the failures of a single season have not discouraged 

 our Connecticut growers ; on the contrary, profiting by such 

 unpleasant experiences, they seem to have taken fresh courage 

 and are planning wisely for the future with the expectation of 

 reaping more satisfactory results and greater profits, yet realiz- 

 ing that the lot of the fruit grower of the present day is far from 

 being one of certain or easily attained success. 



With our Society, however, it has proved a year of continued 

 prosperity and growth. 



Discouragement on the farm and in the orchard has not 

 lessened the interest or enthusiasm of our members in the work 

 of the Society, and I believe we are to-day stronger than ever 

 before, — stronger in numbers, stronger in helpful influence, 

 stronger in equipment for work, and stronger in the respect of 

 the general public of the State. 



I congratulate 3'ou upon the fact that Connecticut has such 

 a splendid organization devoted to her horticultural interests 

 — an organization ready to protect and work for those interests, 

 which are so rapidly increasing in extent and importance. 



It was, indeed, a compliment to our Society that it was recog- 

 nized by the Connecticut Commission of the St. Louis Exposi- 

 tion and that the matter of a fruit exhibition from Connecticut 

 at the Exposition was placed in its charge. 



I have to report to you first, on the condition of 



