12 THE CONNECTICUT POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



for other fruits at blooming- time. This was followed later 

 with a request to each grower for exact figures on the peach 

 and apple crops, which was pretty generally complied with, 

 and which enabled us to issue an accurate estimate of the peach 

 crop. In addition, the Committee on Markets and Transpor- 

 tation arranged a conference with the railroad people, resulting 

 in a satisfactory agreement as to shipping facilities, rates, etc. 



By means of the figures gathered for the crop report we 

 were able to furnish the railroad, commission houses and buyers 

 generally with reliable information, that was of the greatest 

 help in handling the crop. I believe no one will deny that all 

 this was of direct benefit to everyone concerned, and but for 

 the bad weather conditions that prevailed during a part of the 

 peach harvest, even better results would have been accom- 

 plished. 



This is only one more instance of what may be accomplished 

 by organization. 



Institute Work. 



The Connecticut Pomological Society has always put a 

 broad interpretation on the scope of its work, and especialh' 

 in the matter of institutes has it aimed to supply the real needs 

 of the farmers of the State, rather than confine its efforts 

 entirely to one branch of the work, believing that by so doing 

 the best possible use is made of the funds given it by the 

 State. The institute continues to offer the very best medium 

 for carrying instruction, information and inspiration directly 

 to the farmers of the State, and the past year has been an 

 active one along institute lines. Following the annual meeting 

 last February, nine institutes were held in the towns of Hig- 

 ganum, Whigville, Wilton, Milford, Wethersfield, Bristol 

 East Canaan, Fairfield and East Haddam, the local grange 

 in each case cooperating. These were all very profitable and 

 well attended meeting-s. In addition, the Society cooperated 

 with the State Dairymen's Association to the extent of furnish- 

 ing speakers at several institutes held by them, eand in a num- 

 ber of instances the dairymen reciprocated at our institutes. 



The last General Assembly having granted us an increase 



