No. 4.] AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 207 



REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 



[Read and accepted at the Annual Meeting, Jan. 10, 1905.] 



At a meetino; of the committee held at Framingrham the 

 inspectors' reports were read and considered, and those of 

 the Bristol County and Blackstone Valley were by vote re- 

 ferred to the full Board for action at the annual meeting in 

 January. 



The reports of other inspectors showed that the societies 

 had complied with the laws and the regulations of the 

 Board, and generally held successful and attractive fairs, 

 awarding the premiums and conducting the exhibitions with 

 credit to themselves and with profit to the people attending ; 

 that there was considerable difference in the methods used 

 and in the kind of exhibition, being the result of local con- 

 ditions. 



In some societies, cattle, sheep and swine were the main 

 attractions ; in others these were wanting, and the whole 

 exhibition was for flowers, vegetables and horticultural 

 products. In many societies the cattle were given the first 

 day and the horses the second day. In all the fairs it was 

 the purpose of the officers to carry on the exhibitions in the 

 spirit and intent of the law under which they are organized. 



In holding institutes, improved attendance is shown by 

 reports made to the secretary of the Board, and it is be- 

 lieved to be due to better attention to this one of the con- 

 ditions for receiving the State bounty. 



Respectfully submitted, 



WILLIAM A. KILBOURN. 

 0. E. BRAD WAY. 

 QUINCV L. REED. 

 J. F. BURT. 



