SEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING 25 



most to breaking with beautiful fruit, much of it just ripen- 

 ing. Probably no more remarkable showing was ever made 

 in New England, and it called forth words of praise and 

 delight from all present. 



To be of the greatest usefulness to its members and to 

 the fruit-growing interests of the state, this Society must 

 be progressive, and take advantage of every opportunity to 

 improve its work ; therefore, I take the liberty of offering 

 a few suggestions which, if carried out, would, I believe, 

 result in extending the benefits of the organization very 

 largely. 



Our greatest need is more funds to work with. These 

 can be secured, either by a larger membership, or by an 

 appropriation from the State Treasury. The first is within 

 our reach, as has already been indicated. As for a state 

 appropriation, we are all agreed that the importance of our 

 work deserves it, the only difficulty being a favorable 

 opportunity for securing it. We should certainly take some 

 steps in the matter now, and be prepared to press our 

 demands before the next legislature. With more funds at 

 our command, we could publish the proceedings of our 

 meetings, thus preserving for the use of the members, 

 valuable information contained in the addresses and dis- 

 cussions of the year. This would be an added induce- 

 ment for members to renew their membership from year 

 to year. Much useful information with regard to injurious 

 insects and diseases, the conditions of fruit crops and of 

 the markets, might be gathered and circulated were the 

 necessary funds available. This is a prominent feature of 

 the work in adjoining states. 



Our plan of field meetings should certainly be con- 

 tinued and, if possible, further extended. The culture of 

 fruit for market is so rapidly increasing in our state that 

 there are now many large farms that well repay a visit ; or, 

 where several smaller ones are located near together, a 

 tour of them all may be made in a day, as is done in 

 Massachusetts. Fruit exhibitions might be made a more 

 prominent feature of all our meetings if each member 

 would make an effort to contribute specimens. The good 

 showing at this meeting is very gratifying. 



