EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. n 



The apple crop was forecasted at not over twenty-five 

 per cent, of the normal yield, and even this figure was no 

 doubt found to be too high at harvest time. 



This important feature of our work should continue from 

 year to year, for it means much to every business grower and 

 will mean more as the fruit industry grows. 



All that we have said thus far concerns "past perform- 

 ances." We may well take pride in what has been accom- 

 plished and in the splendid organization that we as fruit grow- 

 ers have built up, in many respects second to none in America, 

 I believe. But what should be our aim in the coming year? 

 In a word, to "keep everlasting-ly at it" until we win even 

 greater success in attaining the' objects for which we were 

 organized. 



Fruit growers to-day, like every other class of business 

 men, must stand or fall together. Then, we must impress 

 upon one another, the importance of cooperation, of working 

 together for mutual help and protection and of attacking 

 unitedly the many problems that confront us in orchard, gar- 

 den, packing house and in the shipping and marketing of our 

 products. 



In addition, we have a higher duty, that of educating our- 

 selves and the people around us to appreciate the pleasures 

 of fruit culture and the value of the more extended use of 

 fresh fruits as part of our daily food, and, last, but by no means 

 least, to do all we can to exploit the splendid resources of our 

 good old State and the wonderful possibilities ofifered right 

 here at home for the production of choice fruits, the equal 

 of any grown anywhere under the sun. 



Your officers have worked hard and unitedly for the wel- 

 fare of the Society, and good feeling and a strong faith in the 

 work prevails among all our workers. 



I desire to express my hearty thanks to all who have as- 

 sisted me in the work of my office and for the patience with 

 which you have borne my mistakes. 



May you, each and all, enjoy and profit by the array of 



