6 SECRETARY S REPORT. 



Hon. Avery P. Slacle, Hon. John B. Moore and A. W. Cheever, 

 editor New England Farmer, were present and addressed the 

 meeting. The success of this meeting is attested by the num- 

 bers present and the interest manifested. We trust that more 

 of our farmers will try the same experiment of field meetings, 

 as we believe they are by far the most instructive Institutes held. 



The society has met in the last year with a great loss in the 

 death of two of its former presidents, Stephen Shepley and 

 Thomas Billings. At the annual dinner, a committee consist- 

 ing of E. P. Loring, chairman, John F. Brown of Lunenburg 

 and Dr. George Jewett, was chosen by the president to prepare 

 suitable resolutions in memory of the deceased, and have them 

 printed in the annual report. 



There seems to be a feeling among some of the members, 

 that the smaller Farmers' Clubs of the neighboring towns, will 

 at no distant day, result in the dismemberment of the Worces- 

 ter North. Your Secretary, however, takes a more hopeful 

 view of the subject, and believes that with the growth of these 

 societies, some way may be devised to create an earnest rivalry 

 among them to exhibit their very best products. Why not have 

 special premiums offered for the best town exhibit, and thus 

 awaken new interest .-' 



This idea was suggested by a former president, and it may 

 be well to consider how this matter can be utilized for the ben- 

 efit of the society. 



The thanks of the society are due to Chief of Police Whit- 

 ney and his associates, for their services during both days and 

 nights of the fair. To Chief Marshal Wright and his aids for 

 the promptness with which each part of the programme was 

 carried out, to the Fitchburg Band for their excellent music, one 

 of the chief attractions of the fair, and especially to the several 

 committees for tlieir interest and painstaking in their several 

 departments. 



The secretary would return his thanks to Ex-Treasurer 

 Knowlton, for his counsel and advice, always cheerfully given ; 

 to the individual members of the committee of arrangements 



