OPENING ADDRESS

As President of the Italian Horticultural Society and Head of the Working Group on Pear of the ISHS, I have pleasure in wishing you all my heartiest greetings and welcome.

The Working Group on Pear, established about 5 years ago, has already held an International Symposium at Angers in 1972, organized by our friend Huet, at which 27 reports were presented. This today is the second International Symposium. Like the first, it takes place in the middle of the four-year period between two International Horticultural Congresses. In this way we have the opportunity of meeting every two years, although of course it is mainly the Symposium devoted to the themes specifically concernning pear growing which are of main interest to us all.

At this Symposium, 49 reports will be presented and be dealt well in four sessions: "Genetics and breeding" - "Rootstocks" - "Control of growth and fruiting" - "Harvesting and storage". You have already in your hands the summaries of each paper. More than 100 persons representing 20 countries are attending the sessions; thus we can expect a wide and useful discussion of the treated themes and this should enable us to give to pear growing the support of an up-to-date technology and ever more valuable scientific research results.

A great honour and help for us are the presences of Dr. Walker and Dr. Pieniazek, President and Past President of the ISHS. We consider of the utmost value, also, the presence here of Dr. Tubbs, Past President of our Fruit Section, in which our Working Group on Pear carries out its activities.

To these Colleagues and to all those present I extend my best thanks, wishing that the background of Florence will also contribute to the success of our joint work. I wish also to thank sincerely the Italian National Research Council and the Tuscany Region for the financial support they have given to the Italian Horticultural Society for the Symposium's organization. Many thanks are due also to the Emilia-Romagna Region, to the Trade Chamber of Pistoia, to the Florence "Cassa di Risparmio" and to the "Chianti Classico" Consortium, who all were invaluable cooperators in the organization of the excursions.

Wishing us all "good work", we declare open the 2nd International Symposium on Pear Growing and I ask our President Dr. Walker to undertake the chairmanship during the first session of the work.