No. 4.] REPORT OF SECRETARY. xvii 



The public winter meeting of the Board was held at Barre, 

 with the Worcester County West Agricultural Society, on 

 December 5, 6 and 7. The program was an unusually fine one 

 and the lectures and discussions of much interest and value. 

 The lectures, with the more valuable parts of the discussions, 

 are printed in this volume. The agricultural society and the 

 citizens of Barre gave an informal reception to the Board and 

 its guests, which was much enjoyed. 



The annual business meeting of the Board was held at Bos- 

 ton on January 10 and 11. Special business meetings were held 

 at Concord and Barre, in connection with the summer and winter 

 meetings, and at Boston on May 3. At the latter meeting the 

 by-laws of the Board were thoroughl}^ revised, especially as to 

 the committees of the Board. 



Agricultural Societies. 

 The fairs of these societies were certainly successful from an 

 artistic and educational standpoint. These exiiibitions are 

 growing better each year and are well worthy of the support 

 they receive from the State and the interest they create in 

 those who attend them. A feature or department of growing 

 importance is that of exhibits by children and youths. Many 

 societies are paying special attention to this line of work, and 

 it is with a view to encourage them and others that the Board 

 introduces the bill to increase the bounty for that piu'pose. In 

 a financial way a number of the societies were handicapped by 

 unfavorable weather, but most of them made a little money dur- 

 ing the year. The following figures may be of interest, as 

 illustrative of the standing and work of the societies. 



Total amount originally raised by contribution, . . $151,413 24 



Total assets, 1911, 1,232,871 86 



Amount paid out for premiums and gratuities, 1911, not 



including purses for trotting, 38,375 29 



Total membership, 23,607 



Number of persons receiving premiums and gratuities, . . 5,431 



The societies responded generously to the request of the 

 Board for assistance for the New England Fruit Shpw, and their 

 contributions were once more of material assistance. 'I would 



