NINETEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 5 



the towns to the east and west, I must confess that I agree 

 with Mr. Hale that we have got many places that look as 

 if the owners had simply sat still for three or four genera- 

 tions and let nature wear out the buildings, the trees, and 

 let everything go to ruin and fall to pieces. Now if they 

 will all take a dose of Mr. Hale's ginger and get to work, 

 and not leave it all to sunshine and to nature, I believe 

 that we can produce crops of apples which will compare 

 favorably with those raised elsewhere. All that seems to 

 be necessary is to let the work be intelligently directed 

 by our agricultural college and by our societies, and we 

 will then have a product that cannot be beaten anywhere 

 in the world, our people will be supplied at reasonable 

 prices, and the men who do the work, who produce, will 

 receive compensation for their labor, which will add to 

 the wealth of the state of Connecticut, and to the happiness 

 of all. 



I thank you very much. (Applause). 



President Gold then responded to the Mayor's address 

 in a few well-chosen words. 



President Gold: Mayor Hooker: AYe have enjoyed 

 your remarks, and appreciate them. I wish to call your 

 attention to one very conservative point which the Mayor 

 reserved, and that was you noticed that he very carefully 

 refrained from offering us the keys of the city. However. 

 I know that if he had offered us the keys he would have 

 been safe. Also, I trust that he will not believe that we 

 are all hot air, because if he will stay at our meetings. I am 

 sure he will find out that we have some good things to 

 offer in the course of the meetings to-day and to-morrow. 

 I assure you, sir, that we are all much pleased to come 

 here to this beautiful city. We know that we always re- 

 ceive a welcome, and that it is a good city to come to, and 

 we hope that we shall not abuse your welcome. 



I will not take your time by any further response to 

 the address of the Mayor. I have a few words which 1 



