2 THE CONNECTICUT POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



We have postponed our opening exercises a few moments 

 so as to allow the people to collect. The weather has been 

 a little inclement for getting in from the country towns, and 

 the exhibits down stairs also have attracted considerable 

 attention, so that it has delayed us a little. 



The first thing I suppose is to follow the usual custom 

 with an address from the chair. 



President's Address. 



Members and Friends of the Connecticut Pomological Society: 

 In compliance with the requirement of the by-laws of this 

 society this address is respectfully submitted. In length, at 

 least, I propose it shall be a model for my successors in office. 

 W^e extend a hearty welcome to you all, and, in the excliange 

 of experience and information which our sessions are sure 

 to draw out, we are certain that you will return to your 

 homes feeling refreshed and well repaid for the time devoted 

 to the meeting. 



While the present winter has not been a mild one, still, 

 up to the time these words were written, it has not been one 

 of extremes of temperature, and, as fruit trees generally went 

 into the cold weather in good condition, there is as yet ever}- 

 probability of a full crop of fruit- the coming year. The 

 results of last season's severe weather fully demonstrated 

 the necessity of choosing only the most valauble sites for at 

 least the tender fruits. Perhaps never before has the import- 

 ance of elevation and good air drainage been more perfectlv 

 illustrated. As a rule, orchards located between 250 and 650 

 feet above the sea level escaped severe injury, and in most 

 cases bore fruit, which found a ready and profitable market. 

 Those on the lower levels were seriously damaged, or killed 

 outright. I might say this to you, that I was a good deal 

 surprised that a good many of them came through in as good 

 a condition as they did. Personally, I was very much afraid 

 for a good many of the tender fruits, but I think in most 

 every case they went through perfectly. I mean, of course, 

 those that were on the higher levels. There are indications, 

 though, that we have not yet learned the full extent of injur}'-, 



