xviii BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



so diverse in ideas get along without friction? True, it is 

 said that the tree warden is elected every year, and, if an 

 unwise choice is made, it can be remedied at the next election ; 

 but the tree warden in thirty minutes can destroy what thirty 

 years cannot replace. This is simply one illustration of the 

 importance of a wise law. 



We are all in favor of roadside improvement ; the law is 

 needed ; it must be our work to make it as effective, as per- 

 fect as we can. I therefore suggest that the forestry com- 

 mittee meet with the secretary at the proper time, to make 

 such suggestions as shall be a benefit to abutters, to the 

 travelling public and to the State. 



Farmers' Institutes. 



During the year 1900 121 farmers' institutes were held 

 under the auspices of the several societies. All of the 

 societies represented on the Board, except the Massachusetts 

 Society for Promoting Agriculture, held the required 3 insti- 

 tutes and 9 societies held 4 or more. In addition, 6 insti- 

 tutes were held in sections where there was no near-by 

 society. The average attendance at 118 of the institutes, 

 3 not being reported, was 91. At 15 of the institutes the 

 attendance was 200 or over ; at 27 it was 100 to 200 ; at 39 

 it was 50 to 100 ; at 37 it was less than 50. In some cases 

 the attendance was materially decreased owing to severe 

 storms. This oiBce supplied 100 lecturers during the year, 

 at a total cost of $1,627.73, or $16.27 per lecturer. 



This department is largely in charge of Mr. Legate, and 

 has been well and efficiently administered. It is essential 

 that as long notice as possible should be given the secretary's 

 ofiice of date, subject and speaker wanted. Equally impor- 

 tant is it that the public have sufficient notice of such insti- 

 tutes. One or two days' notice is not suflScient, we deem 

 it, for the opportunity of the farmer or the comfort as well 

 as the best work of the lecturer. It is not creditable to the 

 State Board, much less to the society, with such speakers 

 as our list furnishes from this and other States, that the 

 institute lacks attendance because the first notice many inter- 

 ested had of the institute was the report of its proceedings 

 in the press. 



