ANNUAL REPORT. 1 87 



fruit farms where the day could be devoted to a tour and 

 inspection of the orchards and berry fields under the g-uidance 

 of the genial host, a basket picnic lunch at noon, to be fol- 

 lowed by brief addresses and discussion of topics relating- to 

 the farm and its management or other matters of timely inter- 

 est to the growers present. To these features might be added 

 demonstrations of spraying work or pruning and thinning, 

 in charge of Experiment Station men and practical orchard- 

 ists, the testing and scoring of varieties of fruits and an 

 exhibit of seasonable fruits with prizes offered, the entire 

 program to be of an informal nature, with plenty of time for 

 questions and free discussion and social chat. 



Each year as the summer season approaches we have these 

 ideals in mind and plan to carry out as many such pleasant 

 gatherings as possible. But unfortunately all this comes at 

 a time when work is most pressing on every farm, and often- 

 times the season is not a favorable one for our fruit crops 

 and it is difficult to find places for the meetings, consequently 

 our plans do not always materialize. This was more or less 

 so in 1905, and, as has been indicated in the report of the 

 Secretary, but two field meetings were held last season. 



Early in May, in a circular sent out asking for information; 

 on the first crop prospects, the following note was added : 



To the Members of the Society : 



Are you in favor of popular Field Meetings this summer? We 

 believe every member is, and the Society would like to perfect ar- 

 rangements now for several of these very interesting and enjoyable 

 gatherings in various parts of the State. 



Will you not lend your aid in securing an invitation from some 

 fruit farm in your vicinity, or from the Grange? Surely there must 

 be points of interest in your town that we should all like to visit, and 

 there need be very little trouble or expense connected, with such a 

 meeting. Write us at once if you think favorably of the matter. 



No feature of our work has contributed so much to the life and 

 mterest of the Society as these Field Days and we want to continue 

 them. Where shall we hold the first one— "a Strawberry Meeting, 

 in June?" Let us hear from you. 



To this appeal many favorable replies were received, show- 

 ing the hearty appreciation of this feature of our work, but 



