55 



the time of year unseasonable for making a representative col- 

 lection of agricultural products, the Farmers' Institute con- 

 sented to take part and succeeded in getting together a small 

 but creditable exhibit of fruits. The Hawaiian Agricultural 

 Experiment Station and the Bureau of Forestry also made ex- 

 tensive exhibits. 



(The classes under which the exhi1)its were entered, and the 

 list of prizes offered, together with the names of the winners, 

 have already appeared in the Forester and are therefore 

 omitted.) 



From the interest shown in this little exhibition and the 

 expressions of commendation made at the time, it is believed 

 the Farmers' Institute could extend its influence for the ad- 

 vancement of a better and more diversified agriculture if it 

 would take the initiative in establishing an annual agricul- 

 tural fair at a season when farm and orchard products are at 

 their best. Such a fair should include exhibits of dairy prod- 

 ucts, livestock and agricultural implements, as well as the 

 domestic arts and rural interests generally. Naturally, some 

 time and expense would be attached to such an enterprise, 

 but doubtless the various agricultural bodies would give freely 

 of their time to such a work, and if the matter were rightly 

 presented to the Legislature they, too, would no doubt make 

 an appropriation sufficient to defray reasonable expenses. One 

 or two thousand dollars per annum for this purpose would 

 create a profitable promotion work at home and extend its in- 

 fluence well beyond our shores. Of the amount needed as 

 stated above, about one-fourth should be set aside for cash 

 prizes for best exhibits. 



Acting upon a suggestion from our Delegate to Congress, 

 which was presented before our last annual meeting, it was 

 advised that a special meeting of the Executive Committee 

 of the Farmers' Institute be called to consider the recommen- 

 dations of Delegate Kalanianaole regarding the requests that 

 soil surveys be inaugurated and a tobacco expert be provided 

 by the U. S. Department of Agriculture for these Islands. 



Accordingly, a meeting was called for February 13, wdiich 

 resulted in drafting two letters, one to the Honorable Secre- 

 tary of Agriculture and the other to our Delegate, earnestly 

 soliciting their aid in securing the desired assistance. 



Copies of these letters follow : 



(Copy of Notice Sent to Executive Committee, Feb. 10, 1906.) 



Honolulu, February 10, 1906. 



Dear Sir : A special meeting of the Executive Committee 

 of the Farmers' Institute of Hawaii, to consider the recom- 

 mendations of Delegate Kalanianaole regarding soil surveys 



