224 '^^^ CONNECTICUT POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



A Brief Record of Field Meetings, 

 Institutes and Exhibitions of 1904. 



Summer Field Meetings. 



Perhaps no other single feature of the Society's many 

 activities is so popular with the members as the outdoor gath- 

 erings held during the summer months. In 1894 — three years 

 after the formation of the Society — this combination of "Hor- 

 ticultural meeting and picnic," was inaugurated. Thus Connec- 

 ticut enjoys the distinction of being the first State in the East, 

 at least, to successfully carry out this admirable plan of gath- 

 ering fruit growers and lovers about the growing tree and 

 vine for study and recreation. 



Every season since, the Society has made it a point to hold 

 several Field days, each one seemingly more enjoyable than the 

 last, and always productive of the keenest pleasure and profit. 

 Latterly, however, owing to the steady growth of the Society 

 in numbers, it has become no small undertaking to entertain 

 the large membership and only the more extensive fanns are 

 willing to attempt it. We think there is often as much to be 

 learned by a visit to some of the smaller fruit farms, and 

 where several of such places can combine in an invitation to 

 the Society, a splendid meeting is the result. Very often the 

 local Grange may cooperate in these outings, making, with 

 very little effort and expense, a profitable day for both hosts 

 and visitors. 



But whatever the arrangements, the main point is the fact 

 that the gathering is held right in the field or orchard, where 

 all conditions can be seen and studied at first hand. Our ex- 

 periment station workers also are given the opportunitv to 

 demonstrate and point out the work of insects and diseases 

 much better than when the object of the lesson is wanting. 



