INTRODUCTORY. 



To the members of the State Pomological Society, and those 

 persons who have been attentive readers of its published Transac- 

 tions, this volume needs no introduction. But for the information 

 of other readers, it is proper to say that the Society is not to be 

 held responsible for the correctness of statements, either of fact 

 or opinion, in the papers and discussions presented ; but under- 

 takes simply to report them, or the substance of them, correctly. 

 The same remark applies, so far as matters of opinion and gener- 

 alization are concerned, to the portion constituting strictly the 

 report of the Secretary. 



The proceedings of the Winter Meeting, comprising the larger 

 part of the contents of this volume, were reported by Messrs. L. 

 F. Starrett and W. G. Moore, the accomplished stenographers of 

 the Society, and revised by myself; and it is confidently believed 

 that nothing of material importance has been omitted. 



To all persons concerned in the production or presentation of 

 this report, I would express my obligations for their uniform 

 courtesy and prompt co-operation. 



G. B. SAWYER, Secretary. 

 WiscAssET, June, 1877. 



