STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. \2J 



at the sessions of the Massachusetts Fruit Growers' Association 

 at Worcester. This association freely set apart one session and 

 to further the interest provided the leading speaker, Prof. Craig 

 of New York. The result of the discussion was to intensify 

 interest in the subject, while urging conservative action. The 

 importance of more critical grading, packing and branding and 

 of such legal enactments as will insure this was freely admitted, 

 yet everyone felt that the one thing to do was to make haste 

 slowly, to be certain that when legislation is attempted it will 

 be such as will claim the earnest support of individual growers 

 all over New England and insure lasting benefits. If there was 

 fear of impulsive action on the part of any, it was dispelled at 

 once and complete unanimity of sentiment characterized the 

 deliberations of the entire session. The consciousness that this 

 coming together of delegates from different societies had in it 

 possibilities, far reaching in effect to our fruit interests, was 

 apparent from the first and before the hour of closing the wish 

 was expressed that these conferences might be continued. Sec. 

 Knowlton grasping the situation cordially invited the societies 

 represented to send delegates to this meeting of our State Pomo- 

 logical Society and the invitation was most heartily accepted. 



I desire here to express my personal obligations to the officers 

 of the Alassachusetts Fruit Growers' Association for assistance 

 in arranging for the first conference and for setting apart so 

 much of their valuable time to its deliberations. Without this 

 the work of your representative would necessarily have been 

 greatly delayed. 



As the consciousness of the possibilities resulting from yearly 

 meeting together and discussing subjects vital to the interests 

 of all has grown in my mind, the significance of the step inau- 

 gurated by this Society assumes larger proportions. Wisely 

 fostered these gatherings may be made of great practical value 

 to every man in New England who is turning his attention to 

 fruit growing. While Maine produces the larger crop of 

 apples each and every State is directly interested in the perma- 

 nent success of the purpose of this conference, and while years 

 may elapse before legislation is attempted these gatherings may 

 be made the means of stimulating a deeper interest in fruit sub- 

 jects all over New England in kindling enthusiasm for insight 

 into the mysteries which envelope the industry in arousing 



