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LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND THEIR POSSIBILITIES 



interest to us, and then we ask him questions, so that much informa- 

 tion is gained. The gardeners have become well acquainted through 

 these meetings, and a spirit of good fellowship and a desire to help 

 one another have resulted. Our annual banquet held at some good 

 hotel, to which the ladies are invited, good speakers and entertainers 

 being provided, is one of our best social features." 



Such meetings, field trips, and banquets are becoming regular 

 features in many producing sections. 



THE STATE ASSOCIATION AND LOCAL SOCIETIES 



Now, we have been talking about local organizations. The 

 question is, how are we going to carry these forward? One of the 

 objects in the organization of the New York State Vegetable Growers' 

 Association has been to encourage the development of these local 

 associations. The question of securing speakers for meetings has 

 been suggested. You want two kinds of speakers. You want some 

 men from the college, men who have given these special subjects 

 lifelong study, men who can come to you and present scientific prin- 

 ciples in workable form. Such men you can get from the College of 

 Agriculture at almost any time. All you have to do is to arrange 

 for a meeting, and write to the Extension Ofiice or our office in this 

 College. The other class of speakers that you want are men who are 

 in the field, growing crops. These men are not employed by the 

 College. The State Association has undertaken to make it possible 

 for organizations to have these men. You might call it a sort of 

 little lyceum bureau. We have planned for circuits. We would 

 like to engage practical growers that are good talkers to spend, say, 

 a week in the field. Mr. White visited the Newburgh and the 

 Syracuse organizations under this plan. We have help from the 

 Extension Department of the College of Agriculture in this work. 

 As a result, these two organizations shared the traveling expenses. 

 It amounted in this case to about $7.50 apiece. Where there is a 

 six-day stretch, the figures will be a little lower, and the per diem is 

 divided between the Association and the Agricultural College. 

 We hope to put out one or two more men this spring, and get that 

 thing thoroughly established; and if there is a possibility of holding 

 meetings in your neighborhood, let us hear from you. 



I think I am not premature in mentioning work that was done 

 last night by the Executive Committee. As I said, one of the prime 



