xvi BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



to a considerable degi^ee, and makes tbem well wortbj of 

 support from the Commonwealth. The inspectors report 

 that the societies are generally prosperous, with good grounds 

 and buildings, and their criticisms are of details of manage- 

 ment rather than of the general tendencies of the fairs. ISTo 

 objectionable features were noticed by the inspectors. 



The societies generally responded to the request of the 

 Board for assistance for the ISTew England Corn Exposition, 

 the greater part contributing sums ranging from $15 to $250. 

 The Worcester Agricultural Society also gave the use of its 

 grounds and buildings without charge. Altogether cash con- 

 tributions to the amount of upwards of a thousand dollars 

 were made by the societies. Without these contributions it 

 would have been impossible for the exposition to have come 

 out with all bills paid, and the societies are entitled to a great 

 deal of credit for its success. I would recommend that the 

 Board make the same request for assistance for the benefit 

 of the New England Fruit Show, if it shall hold an exhibition 

 during the current year. 



Farmers' Institutes. 

 The institute work has been carried on along the usual 

 lines and with the usual success. One hundred and forty 

 meetings have been held during the year, with 198 sessions. 

 All the societies held 3 or more meetings, except the Hoosac 

 Valley and Oxford societies, which asked and received per- 

 mission to hold but 2. Nine societies held 4 or more insti- 

 tutes, and 24 meetings were given to organizations other than 

 incorporated agricultural societies. The attendance for the 

 year shows a falling off, the average being but 110, as against 

 137 last year. 111 in 1908, 118 in 1907, 127 in 1906, 125 

 in 1905, and figures ranging from 94 in 1899 to 109 in 1904, 

 for previous years. The falling off is accounted for in the 

 main by bad weather at a time when a large number of insti- 

 tutes were held, rain and warm weather following the heavy 

 snows of early winter and making the roads impassable for 

 any distance. These accidents cannot be guarded against, 

 but probably such a general condition will not occur again 

 for several years to come. 



