FOURTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 



5 



One trouble with the Rockville Fair was that there was 

 such a crowd. There were several thousand there each day, 

 and the result was there was a jam all the time. That exhi- 

 bition, however, tauj^ht us this lesson, that it is possible and 

 wise to hold the exhibitions where the people can see them. 

 People, as a rule, take a good deal of interest in exhibitions 

 of fine fruit, and we want to hold these exhibitions where as 

 many as possible can have the advantage of them. 



In conclusion, it is a pleasure to report that our society, 

 as a whole, is in a healthy and prosperous condition. Its 

 institutes have been a valuable means of spreading the infor- 

 mation so helpful and necessary to successful agriculture. It 

 has, however, much more work to do. Many portions of the 

 state have already to feel its influence, and its resources will 

 have to be increased to fully carry out the work which is 

 demanded of the Society. We have faith that this will be 

 forthcoming when a proper showing is made that it is needed. 

 (Applause.) 



The report of the Secretary, H. C. C. Miles, is next in 

 order. 



Secretary's Report. 



Secretary Miles : Mr. President, and members of the 

 Society : I sometimes think, in looking backward over the 

 year's work of the society, that your secretary is very apt to 

 feel that there are a good many matters which he should 

 touch upon, which may not seem of very great importance 

 to you, especially at the opening of the meeting, and I am 

 very apt perhaps to make too long a report. I have w^ritten 

 out a report covering the usual number of matters, and, since 

 there are but very few matters which need your attention at 

 this time, I will leave the reading of most of it until some 

 later time, or you will all find it in print and can read for 

 yourselves. 



Mr. President and Fellozc Me rubers of the Poiiwlogical 



Society : 



The annual gatherings of horticulturists are becoming 



more important every year, not only to those who attend 



them, but also because of their widespread influence upon the 



