ELEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 223 



that will bring us satisfactory returns, when we can place them 

 in cold storage steamers, and consign them to a cold storage 

 house on the other side, so that they need not be sold at auction 

 or forced sale. We have much to learn about packing our fruit 

 so as to gain confidence and meet the demands of their trade, 

 then success is assured. The world moves, and he who will not 

 keep pace with it, is sure to be caught under the Juggernaut 

 wheels of progress, and ground to atoms. 



To meet the demands of progress we have to be vigilant, and 

 meet foes at the threshold and give them a bold fight before 

 their forces are too strong. Science and experience go hand in 

 hand, and success depends upon our alertness, and ability to 

 grasp and conquer the problems as they arise ; conditions change 

 with each year ; shall we falter or be dismayed ? I say no ! 



Our soil and climate are favorable and congenial for the 

 apple, the buds are rarely injured by frosts. Our market is the 

 world, since this fruit can be shipped long distances. 



Orcharding may be much extended, and would at the same 

 time increase our opportunities to sell at a profit. The larger 

 the business, the more systematic it becomes, and a reputation 

 becomes established and the buyers' confidence in our fruit 

 becomes established. I fancy if we could raise ten times as many 

 apples as we do now, the markets would be still better. It is 

 the volume of business that enhances dividends ; it is so in all 

 lines of industry; business sagacity believes in combination of 

 capital. It may not be practicable for the fruit growers of 

 Connecticut to combine to market their fruit, but I do believe we 

 can hold up a standard of excellence in the sorting and packing 

 of our apples that will enhance their value. Of the small fruits 

 our opportunities are perhaps better than in many other states ; 

 our manufacturing population provides us with the best market 

 in the country. Strawberries, particularly, are our best fruit, 

 and will continue to please the eye, and tickle the palate, for 

 generations to come. I will not take your valuable time to go 

 into detail. It is an old story, yet improvement must keep step 

 with the march of time. 



Brother horticulturists, I came here not to teach you, but to 

 inspire you with renewed confidence in your business ; to enthuse 

 into your lives a love for the work, with heart and hand, mind 

 and soul. Above all, let us carry home with us the thought 



