Ray Upson Plant, a prominent farmer and horticulturist of Branford, was born on the old Plant homestead which he now owns and occupies, a half mile west of the center of the village of Branford, his natal day being February 26, 1890. He acquired his education in the old Canoebrook school near the Plant homestead, in the Branford high school and in the Boardman Manual Training School at New Haven. He also attended a business college in New Haven and thus became well qualified for life’s practical and responsible duties. He began farming on the old homestead after his school days were over and has here since remained. In order to put the business of growing fruit and vegetables on a business basis, the Plant brothers, Albert B. and Ray U. Plant, incorporated an operating company under the name of the A. E. Plant Sons’ Company, Incorporated, of which Albert B. Plant is treasurer and Ray U. Plant, secretary. This company does not own any farm land but cultivates the farms owned by Albert B. and Ray U. Plant and also leases farm land. The company is engaged in the growing of fruits and vegetables for the New York, New Haven and Boston markets and they produce only the finest quality of farm products. Their strawberries especially are in great demand and they have also won much more than local fame for their tomatoes. Their berries are sought by the best trade and their patronage is exacting but appreciative.

     On the 14th of July 1917, Ray U. Plant was united in marriage to Miss Mildred Valetta Hotchkiss, of Guilford, Connecticut, who was there born and educated. She attended the Guilford high school and the Guilford Institute and afterward continued her studies in Smith College at Northampton, Massachusetts, subsequent to which time she became a teacher of mathematics
in the Branford high school. She is a daughter of J. Henry and Anna (Pardee) Hotchkiss, who were natives of Guilford and representatives of old Connecticut families.

     In politics Mr. Plant is a stalwart republican, always supporting the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He belongs to the Congregational church and to Widows Son Lodge, No. 66,  F. & A. M. He is a member of the Connecticut Pomological Society and of the Connecticut Vegetable Growers’ Association and he keeps in close touch with all improved methods of producing fruits and vegetables. He is thoroughly informed concerning the most advanced scientific methods of crop production along those lines, and his own labors enable him to speak with authority upon many questions having to do with the raising of vegetables and fruit.