10 THE CONNECTICUT POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



by 58 exhibitors. Premiums were awarded amounting' to 

 $398.75, divided among 54 exhibitors. The exhibition 

 formed one of the most attractive features of the fair, and 

 its increasing value is attested by the fact that offers for next 

 year are coming from several fair associations, and from 

 Rocl<ville again as well. Perhaps in no other way does the 

 work of the Society attract public attention so favorably as 

 through these annual exhibitions, and they are certainly 

 worth all they cost for their educational influence, not alone 

 upon the growers who participate, but upon every person 

 who attends them. 



Along the lines of Farmers' Institute work, this Society 

 has taken a prominent part the past year. Since 1895 ^^'^ 

 have conducted institute meetings in various towns through- 

 out the state each year, and we believe with most beneficial 

 results. In 1904, under the "Consolidation Plan," with the 

 State Board of Agriculture and the State Dairymen's Asso- 

 ciation, the Society took part in 20 institutes held in the 

 towns of Collinsville, Southington, Danbury, Waterbury. 

 Rockville, Trumbull, Wilton, Westfield, Coventry, Plainville, 

 Clinton, Berlin, Cheshire, East Haddam, Winsted, Xew 

 Canaan, Fairfield, Woodbridge. Danielson and Bethlehem. 

 The entire series was very successful and could not help but 

 result in arousing renewed interest and faith in the possibil- 

 ities of Connecticut agriculture. 



Owing to the peculiar conditions existing in our state, no 

 system of institute work has yet been tried that exactly meets 

 the demands of the times. Many are of the opinion that the 

 organizations representing the different branches of agricul- 

 ture can each carry on institute work in their own way and 

 obtain the best results. For my part, I believe we shall not 

 reach perfection in institute work until we establish a central 

 system with a regularly appointed director in charge. But, 

 whatever the system, it is certain that at present the funds 

 available are not sufficient to carry on the work as its import- 

 ance demands. 



It is for this reason that our Society will ask the present 

 general assembly for an increase in its appropriation, to be 

 used chieflv for institute work. We are coming to recognize 



