FIFTY YEARS OF A SHOWMAN'S LIFE 



facilitated an interchange of thoughts and ex- 

 periences which was very helpful. 



It need hardly be said that our visit was full 

 of suggestiveness, and that we brought away with 

 us much information well worth going over to the 

 Continent to obtain. It enabled the Society to 

 develop and improve upon the methods it had 

 already adopted, both our own and the French 

 Society having the same end in view : to make 

 the work upon which each was engaged as educa- 

 tional as possible. 



It is worthy of note that this visit occurred at 

 a time before the institution of the entente cordiale, 

 and when there was friction in the foreign depart- 

 ments of both countries. At that very moment 

 English newspapers were saying that so strong 

 was the feeling in France against our countrymen 

 that they had better take holiday elsewhere, and 

 were complaining of studied discourtesies offered 

 to English travellers. Yet we experienced nothing 

 but the kindest consideration and a most evident 

 desire to make our stay as agreeable and as 

 useful as possible. 



The Society, having carried on its practical 

 and research work in cider -making for some 

 years, and having shown the Government and the 

 country generally how an admitted want could 

 be met, joined with the State and various public 

 bodies, representing fruit-growing and cider - 

 making counties, in establishing the National 

 Fruit and Cider Institute at Long Ashton, where, 

 under the direction of Prof. B. T. P. Barker, 

 M.A., and a staff of experts, experimental and 

 research, as well as practical, work, is actively 



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