se:cretary's report. 



The first in the series of Farmers' Institutes of 1894, under the auspices of 

 the society, was held in the District Court room, Great Barrington, on Febru- 

 ary 1st. On this occasion the society was fortunate in securing Hon. William 

 R. Sessions, Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, who delivered an 

 entertaining and instructive address on the subject of " Obstacles to Successful 

 Farming and How to Overcome Them, with Some Thoughts on the Public 

 Duties of Farmers." The address was followed by discussion, in which M. 1. 

 Wheeler, W. H. Day, B. F. Phillips, C. B. Benedict and F. A. Palmer 

 participated. 



A second Institute was held at the same place, on February 30th, at the 

 morning session of which the subject of "Cattle Hygiene, Housing, Care and 

 Feeding" was presented by Mr. James Cheeseman of Southborough, Mass., fol- 

 lowed by an afternoon session of discussion. 



At each of these Institutes the room was well filled, and marked interest 

 manifested in the exercises. 



On December 6th will be held the third and last Institute of 1894, at which 

 it is now expected that the Hon. S. A. Hickox of South Williamston will deliver 

 the address. Subject — "Dairying as a Business." 



These speakers are sent us and their expenses paid by the State, under the 

 supervision of the State Board of Agriculture. The subjects discussed are of 

 a practical nature, and the meetings prove of value to those who attend them. 

 The benefits would be greatly extended by a more general attendance on the 

 part of the members of the society. 



The society has invested considerable money the past year in improvements 

 at the Fair Grounds. The main exhibition hall, which had stood practically 

 unchanged since its erection in 1856, was lowered to the ground, moved thirteen 

 and one-half feet to the west and enlarged by an extension at the north end 

 forty-eight feet in length. These changes were made after careful deliberation 

 by the Executive Committee under authority conferred at the last annual 

 meeting of the society, and immediate results were recognized at the fair in a 

 marked improvement in the general attractiveness of the hall exhibits. 



The fair this year gave assurance of the fact that there is no abatement of 

 interest in our annual gatherings. The exhibition in the various departments 

 of domestic animals and poultry was up to the standard of recent years, and in 

 the hall exhibits — especially in fruit and in the ladies' departments — advance- 

 ment was made. The weather was good on all three days and the attendance 

 very large. Special attractions were secured, consisting of trick bicyclist, jug- 

 gler, strong man, contortionist, base ball games on Wednesday and Friday 

 mornings, foot-bail game on Thursday afternoon, and numerous kinds of sports 

 and races which contributed elements of variety and novelty to the programme. 



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