PREFACE

To get the working group off the ground, and given that the last international conference on the peach was held in Verona as long ago as 1965, the Chambers of Commerce of Verona, Ravenna and Forli decided to accept the new organization's proposal to hold an International Conference, the idea being to bring together the major experts from all over the world to discuss the most recent advances on both the horticultural and commercial sides. Over the last 20 years peach growing in Italy has become increasingly more important and there have been a number of radical changes, including the rapid growth of nectarine production, the increase of canning clingstone varieties, and the expansion of peach industry in the south of the country.

During the same period peach production has also increased in other countries and hence serious problems have developed for those commercializing the fruit. The part of the conference held in Ravenna will be integrated with the traditional Romagna Peach Conference which is held alternately at Ravenna and Forlì: the conference has now reached its 17th year.

The region of Campania has also collaborated in the organization, and the conference will, in fact, concludes its week's work with a guided tour of the peach industry in Campania.

The regions of Veneto and Emilia-Romagna and the Italian Ministry of Agriculture helped to finance the conference. The Italian Society for Horticultural Science gave its patronage.

More than 80 contributed papers have been presented at the conference by scientists from all the major peach producing countries.

We are confident that this major event with all the organization and scientific research involved will contribute to a greater knowledge of the problems facing the industry and promote improvement in a branch of agriculture fundamental to Italy and to all countries which have a temperate climate.

C. Fideghelli