330 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



terest on the grounds. The strawberry experiment plots, 

 where over one hundred and fifty named varieties were in 

 fruit and about the same number of seedlino's were fruitino; 

 for the first time, were visited. The varieties were studied 

 and tested, but, as no one could test all, conclusions as to 

 the best necessarily varied. The orchards and vineyards 

 were examined ; the latter, containing two hundred varieties 

 of grapes trained to the one-arm renewal system, attracted 

 much attention. The greenhouses, the largest glass struct- 

 ures and containing the most complete and extensive col- 

 lection of economic and commercial plants to be found 

 connected with any agricultural college in the country, were 

 visited, and the methods of construction, ventilation and 

 heating were especially inspected. The grounds about these 

 buildings, planted with a very large and complete collection 

 of the more choice ornamental trees and shrubs, were also 

 examined. The farm department, including the new and 

 spacious barn, was visited, as was also the experiment 

 station, with its laboratories and experiment plots, after 

 which the meeting adjourned, the memliers expressing them- 

 selves as having passed an unusually pleasant and profitable 

 day. 



The first annual meeting of the association was held at the 

 hall of the Worcester Horticultural Society, March 12 and 

 13, 1896. 



Thursday — Morning Session. 



The meeting was called to order by President Draper, 

 who called on O. B. Hadwen to give the address of welcome. 

 The reports of the secretary, treasurer and auditor were 

 presented and accepted. It was voted that standing com- 

 mittees on nominations, legislation, new fruits and member- 

 ship be formed. 



After these preliminary exercises were disposed of, the 

 first topic for discussion was taken from the question list. 



First question : Apple orcharding^ — will it pay to in- 

 crease 2)l<^iniing of the apple ^ and, if so, what sorts? — The 

 discussion took a wide range, all agreeing that there was as 

 much profit in apple growing as in any crop grown. Mr. 

 E. "VV. Wood considered the Baldwin the most profitable 



