lO THE CONNECTICUT POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



As is well known by all, the various State agricultural 

 organizations conducting institutes have recently combined 

 rheir efforts, and the management of the work is now in the 

 hands of an advisory board. Owing to some delay in per- 

 fecting plans during the season of 1908 a less number of in- 

 stitutes were held than in former years. Again this winter 

 arrangements have but just been agreed upon for the sea- 

 son's campaign, but with the large number of applications now 

 on hand for institutes in rural towns throughout the State, 

 a busy and profitable institute season is assured. Our So- 

 ciety will continue to take an active part in this important edu- 

 cational work. 



The subject of farmers" institutes is a very broad one, 

 and it seems difficult for all interested in it to agree upon the 

 wisest course to pursue. In our State it is largely a volun- 

 tary work on the part of the different organizations repre- 

 senting the several branches of farming, but each organization 

 is striving to make use of a portion of the State funds en- 

 trusted to it for the best interests of the State at large. 



Crop Reports. 



In view of the large pe^ch crop promised last season, 

 the Society made early arrangements for collecting figures 

 and securing an estimate of the probable yield for the benefit 

 of growers and buyers and the railroad people. Our efforts 

 were entirely successful and helpful, materially, in the distribu- 

 tion of the crop and the satisfactory handling, shipping and 

 marketing of Connecticut peaches. The estimate showed the 

 aggregate crop to be about 300,000 baskets, 265,000 of which 

 were to be shipped to markets outside of the State. How- 

 ever, owing to the very favorable demand in the markets near 

 home, the bulk of the crop did not reach outside markets, and 

 prices obtained w^ere generally satisfactory to our growers. 

 The final yield of peaches probably did not reach the estimate 

 figures, the shortage being about 25% with most growers. 



