ELEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 7 



ard of previous years. Fifty-three members contributed exhibits 

 and the awards amounted to $397.25. An excellent speaker was 

 provided, but unfortunately the attendance was far below what 

 such an event should call out. 



It is becoming a serious question with your officers as to 

 w^hether these fall exhibits really pay. The last one cost the 

 Societv about $148 outside of the premiums paid. Was it worth 

 what it cost ? Educationally, yes ! but otherwise probably not. 

 Some different plan must be considered if we are to continue 

 these exhibitions in the future. 



Lastly the recent institute with ]\Iiddlebury Grange, January 

 29, rounded out a year of activity and usefulness. 



The Society has not undertaken any new lines of work the 

 past year, except to gather data for a fruit crop report, which 

 led to our publishing a forecast of the apple yield for 1901. 

 Both this and the work of the Markets and Transportation 

 Committee in trying to bring about a better and more profitable 

 distribution of the peach crop, are certainly steps in the right 

 direction and if begun earlier in the season would result in a 

 big financial help to our members. I would suggest that this 

 Society follow the example of fruit growers' associations in 

 other states and pay more attention to helping its members in 

 a business way. If the fact that we, as fruit growers, are 

 organized and mutuall}- bound together, gives us any power, 

 then why not make use of that power in marketing our products, 

 in treating with transportation companies and in purchasing 

 needed supplies? 



Let us realize the advantages our organization gives us and 

 utilize them to their fullest extent in advancing our business 

 interests. 



Another suggestion in conclusion, and that is that our county 

 vice-presidents be asked to visit noteworthy orchards and fruit 

 farms in their respective sections of the State, and report to 

 the Society such facts in relation to culture and management 

 as may be of general interest. 



This has been a year of activity in the Secretary's office, and 

 the correspondence has grown month by month. The number 

 of inquiries received from other states (and even foreign coun- 

 tries) would indicate that Connecticut pomology excites the 

 interest of a wide circle. We have sent out upwards of 5.000 



