HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 89 



we shall have to wait until someone can help us step into the 

 whirlpool, seeking state legislation for aid. 



farmers' INSTITUTES. 



Within the last few years there has arisen a demand among 

 the modern agriculturists and horticulturists of our country, for 

 enlightenment and instruction, that will encourage, improve 

 and fortify their minds in guiding the hand of utility on all 

 characteristic and useful poiats, governing mechanical and man- 

 ual employments in all the variable and versatile departments of 

 every day work on the farm and in the garden. To meet these 

 modern ideas and desires, the farmers' institute was created; 

 and through this means there has been opened up to us a new 

 field of opportunity for presenting to our rural population a few 

 of the elementary principles of horticultural art. 



Before this institute teaching was inaugurated, we had very in- 

 adequate means at our disposal for diffusing intelligible instruc- 

 tion in gardening and fruit raising among our farmers, excej)t 

 through our limited supply of annual reports and a few stray items 

 in the agricultural press; and now we could not accomplish much 

 if it were not for the valuable individual services rendered by a 

 few enthusiasts in horticulture. These have rendered helpful 

 assistance, counsel and instruction, such as they in their wisdom 

 were qualified to present on special subjects pertaining to their 

 occupation. 



It is with pleasure that I call your attention to the record of 

 the second year of the institute's work in this state, by our very 

 able and efficient superintendent and his assistants. Through 

 this channel there has undoubtedly opened up a new field 

 for presenting useful horticultural instruction in all its many 

 varied phases to an apprentice farming population. And I 

 would heartily recommend that some action be taken by the 

 members present that will furnish us with means suitable for in- 

 structors which will giv^e greater efficiency to our particular 

 portion of the institute work. 



AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 



There are several matters of vital importance to the interests of 

 the horticulturists and agriculturists of our state, that follow in 

 the direct line of experimental work, and which should be consid- 

 Vol. IV— 12. 



