NINETEENTH ANNUAL MEETING 125 



The display at Berlin was fully up to the Society's usual 

 high standard and showed the progress our growers are mak- 

 ing in the production of perfect fruit. Three hundred and 

 seventy-five dollars and fifteen cents was awarded in prizes, 

 among fifty-three exhibitors. The show formed one of the 

 greatest attractions of the State Fair, and the keen desire of 

 the various fairs in the state to secure our exhibition is proof 

 of its popular value. The 1909 exhibition was of special help 

 in securing exhibits for our display at the New England show 

 later in the season. 



Institute Work. 



During the past year the Farmers' Institute work in the 

 state has received its full share of attention. Our Society, 

 for its part, has carried out eleven Institutes, as follows : 

 Monroe, March 9; Bloomfield, March 16; Orange, March 17; 

 Bolton, March 19; Cheshire, March 24; Wilton, March 25; 

 Danbury, March 26; Milford, March 30; Morris, March 31; 

 Thomaston, April 6, and Northfield, January 21, 1910. In 

 addition we have furnished speakers for Institutes held by 

 other State Societies and have been frequently called upon to 

 supply lecturers on fruit topics for meetings of the Granges. 

 This latter call we have been glad to respond to, as it shows 

 the growing desire for information along fruit-growing line>. 

 A goodly number of Institutes are being arranged for the 

 remainder of the present winter. 



The plan of cooperation in Institute work by the several 

 state agricultural organizations is still in force and has its 

 good features. A closer union of these agencies and earlier 

 and more careful planning of the work is needed to make our 

 Farmers' Institutes what they should be, — one of the most 

 powerful educational forces in Connecticut agriculture. Every 

 thought of friction, every personal jealousy and prejudice 

 must be put aside if we would do our full duty to the whole 

 state in this important matter. 



