228 The Connecticut Pomological Society 



The session closed with the reading of a paper by E. R. 

 Newell, of Southington, on "Birds of Interest to the Farmer." 



EVENING SESSION 



The exhibition was open to the public Thursday evening 

 and a delightful meeting was held, the presence of many promi- 

 nent people of the city adding greatly to the pleasure of the 

 occasion. 



President Merriman called the company to order and in well- 

 chosen words called upon ex-President J. H. Hale to preside 

 during the evening. 



Mayor F. P. Burr, of Middletown, was introduced as the 

 first speaker, and he gave a very pleasant address of welcome. 



Mr. Hale, in responding, thanked the mayor and the people 

 of Middletown for their interest in this meeting, and said 

 further: "We must have the cooperation of the city folks. 

 You need to understand the value and usefulness of these fine 

 fruit products. That is the aim of this Society — to aid in the 

 development of the fruit-growing interests of our state and to 

 educate both those who are the producers and those who are 

 the consumers of fruit products. The Society stands, as this 

 exhibition well illustrates, for perfection in fruits. To attain 

 this perfection we have many difficulties to overcome, and co- 

 operative efifort is of the utmost necessity. Our fruit seasons 

 are changing. Fresh fruits of almost every kind are to be found 

 in our markets the year round. The trade and the demand, 

 too, are changing and the people are being educated to a finer 

 knowledge and appreciation of good fruit. No small part of 

 these changes are due to the influence of horticultural societies." 

 Mr. Hale then referred to great fruit-growing interests of other 

 sections of America, notably the mountain regions of West 

 Virginia and Maryland, where the peach and the apple are lead- 

 ing crops. 



A pleasing vocal duet was rendered by Mrs. Carroll and Miss 

 Tucker, of Middletown. Hon. J. M. Hubbard, of Middle- 

 town, spoke next, followed by Prof. W. O. Atwater, of 

 Wesleyan University. Mrs. Carroll and Miss Tucker responded 

 again and sang very sweetly. 



