Ko. 4.] EEPORT OF SECRETARY. xxiii 



Farmers' Institutes, 



The 3() societies represented on the Board of Agriculture 

 held 128 farmers' institutes during the calendar year 189o. 

 Lecturers were furnished by this office for 96, 25 ot" these 

 lecturers being meml)ers of the Board, at a total cost of 

 $1,294.67 for services and expenses, an average of $13.48 

 per institute. All of the societies but the Massachusetts 

 Society for Promoting Agriculture, which holds no insti- 

 tutes, held the required 3, and 13 held 4 or more. Lecturers 

 report an increased interest in these institute meetings, 

 which is shown by increased attendance and a general desire 

 to secure the very best talent attainable. In November, 

 1896, a pamphlet was issued, for the use of officers of soci- 

 eties and institute committees, containing the regulations of 

 the Board of Agriculture concerning the holding of farmers' 

 institutes, with a list of available lecturers and their subjects. 

 It is believed that the issuing of this pamphlet has been pro- 

 ductive of much good. 



Gypsy Moth {Ocneria aispar). 



The Legislature of 1896 appropriated $100,000 for the 

 continuation of the work of exterminating this pest. The 

 annual report of the committee of the Board in charge will 

 be found printed on pages 349-433 of this volume. A 

 special report on this insect, prepared by Messrs. Forbush 

 and Fernald. has already been referred to under "Publica- 

 tions." At the annual meeting of the Board, Jan. 13, 1897, 

 no changes were made in the committee in charge of the 

 work of extermination, so that the committee for 1897 

 remains unchanged. 



Dairy Bureau. 



There has been no change in the personnel of the Dairy 

 Bureau during the past year. The sixth annual report of the 

 Bureau to the Legislature will be found printed on pages 

 435-454 of this volume. 



