40 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



bestow, experiment can demonstrate, and observation can 

 classify. There has, heretofore, been too Httle intellect and too- 

 much luck in the processes of agriculture ; too little live investi- 

 gation, and too much following in the rut made by others." 



Granting the desirability of giving our young men and young 

 women a college training as a preparation for their calling in 

 life, we must still meet the fact that the vast majority of such 

 young people, and the older ones as well, cannot avail them- 

 selves of such advantages. In order to reach those most in 

 need of help, we must go where the people are. It is the old 

 case of Mohammed and the mountain. If the Board of Agricul- 

 ture would discuss farming and dairying, it must hold its insti- 

 tutes among farmers or dairymen. So if this society would aid 

 the fruit-growers of the State, it must provide educational 

 means within reach of the class it seeks to benefit. 



The attention of the society has heretofore been called to the 

 need of disseminating horticultural influence and information 

 through the State. During the past year your executive com- 

 mittee have undertaken certain work along these lines. Special 

 field meetings were held at Greene, and in conjunction with the 

 State Board of Agriculture at Manchester and at Sagamore 

 Farm, Camden, where the subjects of orchard culture and man- 

 agement were discussed and practical demonstrations of the prep- 

 aration and application of insecticides and fungicides were 

 made. 



The officers have planned to extend this educational work as 

 far as the funds will permit, by means of "horticultural schools" 

 in various parts of the State. At these schools both principles 

 and practical problems connected with the management of fruit 

 plantations will be discussed by men thoroughly conversant with 

 their subjects. 



RECOMMENDATIONS. 



One of the serious problems in the history of any organiza- 

 tion is that of membership. In our own case the great weakness 

 has been in the custom of drawing mainly upon those who take 

 a certain amount of money in premiums at the annual exhibi- 

 tions. While a few dollars may be saved to the treasury by 

 requiring exhibitors who are awarded more that $io in premi- 



