l86 THE COXNECTICUT POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



Institute Work in 1908. 



A report of this feature of our work is included in the 

 Secretary's report on page 9, and it is only necessary to 

 add here that during the season of 1908 this Society, as in 

 the past, performed its share of the Farmers' Institute work 

 of the State. 



The total number of Institutes held in 1908 was less than 

 usual, owing to the fact that arrangements between the sev- 

 eral State organizations were undergoing a change, and the 

 readjustment was not completed in time for an extended 

 winter's campaign. 



However, a number of successful meetings were carried 

 out, those held by the Pomological Society being as follows : 

 February 19, 1908, at Woodbridge, with Woodbridge Grange ; 

 February 28, at Ekonk, in co-operation with the State Poultry 

 Association; March 3, at Milford, with Indian River Grange; 

 March 27, at North Haven, with North Haven Grange, and 

 co-operating with the State Board of Agriculture; March 31, 

 at Naugatuck, with Beacon Valley Grange, and on January 

 29, 1909, at Southington, in co-operation with the Dairymen's 

 Association. 



Practical and timely subjects of particular interest to the 

 several localities were discussed at these meetings, the speak- 

 ers comprising workers from the Experiment Stations and the 

 State Agricultural College, as well as experienced fruit grow- 

 ers from this and other States. In every case the attendance 

 and interest shown was fully up to the standard of former 

 years, proving conclusively the value of such work in our 

 State. 



Concerning the future of farmers' institute work in Con- 

 necticut, it is difficult to speak, although the matter is most 

 important and deserves careful consideration. The subject 

 of farmers' institutes is a very broad one, and it seems impos- 

 sible for all interested in it to agree upon the wisest course 

 to pursue. In our State it has been, and is, largely volun- 

 tary work on the part of the different organizations represent- 



