146 THE CONNECTICUT POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



to tell of their successes as well as failures, where chemists and scien- 

 tists disseminate knowledge to aid us to combat fungi and insects, and 

 inform us what fertilizers are suited to certain fruits to produce the 

 best results, — that with all these aids at our command, there can be no 

 reason, as I see, why the outlook is not bright for horticulturists in 

 Connecticut. 



There are other factors that give us a decided advantage over many 

 sections of our vast country ; Our fruit is of the highest flavor, espe- 

 cially our peaches and apples, and our heavy, sterile soil is the home of 

 the apple tree ; and the New York and Chicago markets are beginning 

 to appreciate the fact, so much so that we can compete with the west 

 and beat them in their own markets. As for peaches, we are near the 

 northern limit of successful culture ; the crop often fails in Massachu- 

 setts when we are blessed with a crop ; southern peaches are nearly 

 gone when ours are in their prime, and, being so much inferior in flavor, 

 our natives drive them from our markets. 



Connecticut is the best market for fruit in the United States. The 

 manufacturing interests will always stimulate our home market. I can 

 see nothing but the stupidity of our Legislature in repealing the peach 

 yellows law, to discourage us in the successful raising of peaches in this 

 state. May we not hope that some time wiser counsels will prevail ? If 

 not, the time may come when the luscious peaches of the last few years 

 will seem like a dream of the halcyon days that have passed into 

 history. 



Eternal vigilance to combat disease and insects, perseverance in cul- 

 tivation, wise selection of varieties, judicious pruning, are factors that 

 must enter into successful orcharding in Connecticut. 



Mr. Morrill, at our last annual meeting in Hartford, told us of 

 intensive culture, and was brimful of useful suggestions, but he could 

 not see how we could raise anything but children on these rugged New 

 England hills. We will admit that our Connecticut sons and daughters 

 are the best fruit we have, and, like our apples and peaches, are of 

 superior quality to those of any other state, We are proud of our 

 noble birth. 



Allow me to digress for a moment, and mention a few among the 

 •many worthy names : 



Here's Hale, happy, and full of brains. 

 Makes ventures as well as gains ; 

 Piatt and Barnes, of lesser fame, 

 Yet bearing a most worthy name ; 

 Old Gold, eighteen carats fine. 

 Makes the Cornwall hills to shine ; 

 Hoyt's Sons it would greatly please 

 To plant the whole state with fruit trees, 

 And combine to sell the fruit. 

 But this many would not suit ; 

 Butler and Jewell fain would run 

 Our minds aground upon the plumb ; 



