24 THE CONNECTICUT POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



Since entering upon the duties of this office a year ago, I 

 have received and paid over to the Treasurer 58i, and have 

 drawn orders for the payment of bills to the amount of 

 $44.20. The work of the Secretary's office has been carried 

 on at an expense of $12.55. 



In 1897, four meetings were held, including the annual 

 winter meeting of two days in February. The latter was a 

 decided success, and far eclipsed any previous efforts of the 

 Society. The attendance on both days was large, and the 

 interest shown in the excellent programme and many practi- 

 cal questions was gratifying. 



March 19th, by invitation of Vernon Grange, an institute 

 meeting was held at Vernon Center. This meeting was 

 marked by a good attendance and a lively interest in all the 

 addresses and discussions, which were of a very practical 

 nature. Much credit is due to the members of Vernon 

 Grange, and especially to our good brother, E. H. Lathrop, 

 now deceased, for efforts to make this institute a most suc- 

 cessful one. 



The next gathering of the members was at the famous 

 fruit farm of our honored President, at South Glastonbury, 

 June 15. Doubtless that red letter day is still fresh in the 

 minds of all who were so fortunate as to be present. We can 

 easily recall that remarkable trial-plot of forty-three varieties 

 of strawberries, the large berry fields, the mammoth peach 

 orchards, the thousands of young peach and plum trees, the 

 experiments in chestnut grafting, the system of irrigation and 

 intensive cultivation, the pleasant and well kept home- 

 grounds of our genial host, the bountiful lunch under the 

 trees, and the informal gathering when we listened to words 

 of wisdom from many of the distinguished horticulturists 

 present. Nearly 400 attended this field meeting, and at 

 least eleven states were represented. It is safe to say that 

 the experiences of that day will not soon be forgotten among 

 our members. 



The fourth meeting of the year was held at the fruit farm 

 of the Messrs. Butler & Jewell, in Cromwell, August 11. 

 Nearly 150 were present at the meeting, and were well repaid 

 for attending. We were treated to the novel sight of a big 

 orchard of Japan plums, the trees of which were loaded al- 



