Cider Institute : its Origin and Objects. 7 



mated would be required from each in order to defray the 

 expenditure, calculated to amount to some 1,1 OO/. per annum. 

 The Board further made the important announcement that, in 

 the event of the grants in question being promised, the Board 

 itself would be willing to make an annual grant of 300/. 

 towards the scheme. 



Meanwhile negotiations were entered into with the estate, 

 and also with the tenant, Mr. Eichmond Harding, of the land 

 which it was proposed to take. The Committee were met in a 

 very friendly manner, the estate, indeed, agreeing to find the 

 capital necessary to adapt the existing buildings to the new ue 

 to which it was proposed to put them, on payment of interest 

 and the creation of a sinking fund ; and the thanks of all 

 concerned are due to Lady Smyth for the generous way in 

 which their requirements have been met. 



On 28th May, 1903, during the Show of the Bath and 

 West Society at Bristol, a Conference of those interested in 

 cider-making was held, when the subject of the proposed Insti- 

 tute was fully discussed. The scheme was cordially approved, 

 and a resolution was passed commending it to the favourable 

 consideration of the Society for an annual grant. 



Ultimately, to bring the question of the financial position to 

 a close, grants were promised by the following bodies : 







Board of Agriculture 300 



Bath and West Society . .... 100 





Devon County Council 

 Gloucester 

 Hereford 

 Somerset 

 Worcester 

 Monmouth ,, 



100 

 100 

 100 

 100 

 100 

 50 



The scheme is still under the consideration of the Cornwall 

 County Council, while the Wiltshire County Council, who had 

 not seen their way to support a purely Cider Institute (cider- 

 making not being a local industry), on learning that fruit- 

 growing would form an important part of the work, are 

 reconsidering the matter. 



In signifying their willingness to make an annual grant, the 

 Bath and West Society made it a condition that the Annual 

 Meeting of the Members of the Institute should be held in the 

 Show-ground of the Society during the Annual Show ; that any 

 exhibits, educational or otherwise, that it was desired to make, 

 should be made at the Show ; and that the Society should be at 

 liberty to publish any Eeports emanating from the Institute. 

 Needless to say, these conditions were gladly accepted by the 

 Committee, and the hope may be expressed that, as time goes 



