SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. l^ 



ence books is increasingly great and no fruit grower should 

 .miss these volumes as they appear, and to which his connec- 

 tion with the Society will entitle him. 



No attempt was made last year to gather and publish 

 fruit crop reports. As there was no peach crop, this omission 

 was perhaps not so important, but it seems to your Secretary 

 that provision should be made for this work, so that each 

 season the growers and buyers could depend upon our crop 

 reports as a source of reliable information regarding the con- 

 dition of Connecticut fruit crops. The value of such a sys- 

 tem is recognized in other states, and the little that we have 

 done in this line in past years has shown its benefits in secur- 

 ing better markets and prices for our fruits. 



It would also be desirable to make a complete census of 

 the fruit-growing industry of the State, that we may find 

 out along what lines our interests are growing and where we 

 have lost ground in the last ten years. Your Secretary hopes 

 this matter will receive attention at this meeting and a Special 

 Committee be appointed with instructions to carry out this 

 important work. 



Finally, along what lines we should direct our efforts the 

 coming year. 1 do not need to speak; older heads than 

 mine among the leaders in this Society can advise as to the 

 future policy of the organization. 



Only permit me to suggest, that fruit growers and the 

 State, as well, are expecting more of us each year, and if we 

 would succeed and grow, and if we hope to retain the respect 

 and confidence of our friends at home and abroad, we must 

 take no backward step, but rather push forward the work 

 along wise and progressive and practical lines. 



Two important phases of organization work, it seems to 

 me, lie before us ; both are necessary and legitimate. 



First, To get closer to the needs of the growers, and 

 foster among them a spirit of co-operation in their business, 

 so that whether it be in spraying, in buying supplies or in 

 advertising, etc., or selling our fruits, we shall feel that our 

 interests are mutual and, as fruit growers, we must stand or 

 fall together. 



