154 THE CONNECTICUT POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Avas such that the visit to leading farms of the town had to be 

 abandoned. Mr. Willard said seed growing had been the lead- 

 ing specialty here for seventy-five years, but the times are chang- 

 ing and not so many are engaged in the business as formerly. 

 However, stock seeds grown here are still in demand in every 

 section of the country and have an established reputation. 



A vote of thanks to the Grange was passed unanimously and 

 the meeting adjourned. 



Record of Institutes of 1903. 



The last annual report, that for 1902, carried the record of 

 the institute work of the Society up to the end of that year. 



The present record, therefore, covers the season of 1903, and 

 there were held in that period twelve institutes, all very suc- 

 cessful gatherings, both in point of attendance and helpful 

 influence upon the pomological interests of the State. 



This Society has conducted institute meetings since 1895 — one 

 or more each year as opportunity offered. 



The object of such work has been two-fold. To meet the 

 increasing popular demand among all classes of people for a 

 better knowledge of commercial fruit culture as well as the 

 management of the home fruit garden, and secondly, as a means 

 of introducing the Society to a larger mnnber of people than 

 could be reached at its annual meetings, held only once a year 

 in Hartford. There can be no question but that both objects 

 have been attained, as attested by the fact that calls for such 

 meetings have rapidly increased year by year, until in 1903 

 the number held has reached twelve, with nearly as many more 

 applications that we were obliged to refuse on account of lack 

 of funds. 



As stated elsewhere, up to the present time, in the absence of 

 any State law regarding institute work, the matter has been 

 optional with the Society, and there has been no conflict with 

 institutes conducted by other agricultural organizations in 

 the State. 



In carrying out the institute feature, the cooperation of the 

 Grange has been sought and the response has always been most 

 hearty and willing. 



In nearly every case the local Grange has extended the 

 invitation, supplied the hall for the meeting, a collation at 



