dining-room adjoining, to which everybody was invited. It was a royal farmers' dinner, and was heartily appreciated and enjoyed by all present.

At the opening of the afternoon session Mr. J. Farnum read a paper upon "Leaks upon the Farm," which appears in the report. This was followed by a short paper on the same subject by L. D. Cole, Esq., the village lawyer. Mr. Philbrick delivered an address on milk and feed, which was listened to with the strictest attention throughout. Many questions were asked by persons in the audience, to all of which replies were readily given by the speaker.

The evening session was opened with a paper upon "Sanitary Condition of the Farm," by I. G. Antoine, M. D., of Antrim. This paper was spoken of in the highest terms by those present, and we regret our inability to present it to the readers of this report. The author of the paper will continue the subject at a future meeting of the Board. Prof. G. H. Whitcher then followed, upon the experiment station. Prof. Whitcher was followed very closely by the audience, and the subject was well presented. The attendance during the day was comparatively large, about two hundred being present at the afternoon session, which number comprised representative farmers from Hillsborough, Greenfield, Bennington, and Hancock. The meeting was pronounced very successful by all in attendance, and the credit of this result is largely due to the efforts and influence of Hon. D. H. Goodell.

PETERBOROUGH.

The institute at Peterborough was held in the new town hall building, afternoon and evening sessions being held. Order was called by County Member Farnum, and President Humphrey in assuming the duties of the chair occupied a few minutes in his usual happy manner, and called upon the choir, a quartet comprising Mrs. W. A. Knight, Miss M. Q. Ramsey, and Messrs. L. F. Richardson and A. P. Howe, with Mrs. Leathe as organist. After a pleasing selection finely rendered, Mr. Philbrick was introduced, and discussed the subject of milk and feed. During the address he was asked many questions by the

interested farmers, who gave their undivided attention. His ideas were eminently practical, being based upon individual experience. The figures given as to the comparative value of feed in the production of milk, butter, and cheese, and the raising and fattening of swine and veal were a little surprising to some. Mr. J. S. Perry, member of the Board from Cheshire county, followed on "The Silo and Ensilage," which he handled in an able manner. The choir rendered a song, closing the afternoon session.

The evening session opened with a song by the choir, followed by the presentation of the subject, "Leaks upon the Farm," by Mr. Farnum. After a recitation finely rendered by Mrs. F. A. Hodgdon, Professor Whitcher presented the subject of the experiment station. As at previous sessions, the subject was ably handled, and listened to with marked attention. President Humphrey addressed the meeting on the subject of agricultural improvements. The early systems of farming were forcibly portrayed, and the improvements within the memory of the speaker were interestingly referred to. The address was well received, and elicited frequent applause. This closed the exercises for the evening. Notwithstanding the day was cold and traveling difficult, the neighboring towns were well represented in the audience. The attendance in the afternoon numbered more than four hundred, while the attendance in the evening was but slightly decreased. The unanimous verdict was "A profitable and successful meeting.'

STRAFFORD COUNTY.

DURHAM.

The first institute for this county was held at Durham, February 22. The afternoon session, commencing at 2 o'clock, was called to order by Lucien Thompson, of Durham, member of the Board from Strafford county, who also presided at the following sessions in this county. The secretary first spoke of

the work of the Board and of the encouraging features in the agriculture of the State. The interest manifested in dairying was referred to, and the establishment of creameries in the State was regarded with favor. All great results are accomplished by organization and co-operation, and the farmers of the State should organize and co-operate in various ways for the advancement of the various farming interests.

J. L. Gerrish, of Webster, then discussed the subject of fruit raising. He regarded fruit raising as one of the most profitable enterprises of the farm, and Central and Southern New Hampshire one of the best localities for the business. Mr. Gerrish advocated raising trees and grafting them with those varieties best adapted to the soil. The Greening is preferable for a gravelly soil, while the Baldwin will thrive better on heavier land. Would have but few varieties. He illustrated with specimens the various methods of grafting.

Albert DeMeritte, of Durham, a former member of the Board of Agriculture, asked the speaker numerous questions which brought out various interesting points. Mr. DeMeritte said he regarded the production of the Baldwin apple profitable. Had trees set but ten years that had produced three barrels of apples each in a year.

Chairman Thompson, in answer to a question, said the canker worm could be kept off by the use of Paris green. Had been over an orchard of three hundred trees in a day with aid of a man and team. The Paris green was mixed with water and sprayed over the trees with a force pump.

Mr. Jenkins said his trees were made to bear a good crop of apples every year by pruning and manuring, which he regarded as essential as for any other crop. Had pruned his trees so extensively that he was told they were spoiled, but they continued to thrive and bear abundant crops.

Chairman Thompson presented a paper on the canning industry, which is published in this report. At the close of the paper the subject of ensilage came up incidentally, and the discussion of the same was continued for an hour in a very earnest and interesting manner. The discussion indicated that cut ensilage was preferable to whole, that excessive weighting

was unnecessary, and that the Sanford or some other variety of corn that would mature before put into the silo was better than the large varieties of ensilage corn. Fifteen tons of mature corn were considered equal in feeding value to twenty-five tons of large-size corn composed of stalks and leaves.

Charles McDaniel, of Springfield, member of the Board from Sullivan county and master of the State Grange, was introduced and spoke earnestly for the Grange, presenting the advantages of organization, and discussing at length the results brought about by this organization. He referred to the legislation that has been secured, both state and national, and to the educational, social, and financial advantages of the order. Mr. McDaniel's address is published in full in this report.

At the evening session a larger audience assembled, nearly two hundred being in attendance, comprising many farmers' wives and daughters of this flourishing agricultural town. The subject of co-operative creameries had been announced for the evening meeting, and the recent establishment of Oyster River Creamery in Durham created a special interest in this subject. George H. Dodge, of Henniker, president of the Contoocook Valley Creamery Association, was the first speaker. He spoke of the early methods in the practice of dairying, of the excessive work devolving upon the farmers' wives at that time, and of the lack of uniformity in the product. With the establishment of creameries a uniform article is made, and the average quality largely improved. The average price of dairy butter in the Boston market last year was from fifteen to seventeen cents per pound, while the average price of creamery butter for the year was twenty-two cents. The creamery at Henniker had paid its patrons a higher price for the cream at the farmer's door than those selling milk had realized at the car. He urged the establishment of creameries for the advancement of the dairy interests of the State.

W. S. Meserve, superintendent of Oyster River Creamery, followed, advancing many reasons why the creamery was an advantage to the farmers of Durham. Although just started, there was every reason to expect success. Various questions

were asked in regard to the comparative merits of the Cooley and separator processes.

Hon. J. D. Lyman, of Exeter, member of the Board from Rockingham county, was the next speaker, upon the subject of forestry and improvements in agriculture. Close attention was given to this interesting and at times felicitous address. leading thoughts expressed by the speaker are contained in the paper by Mr. Lyman, published in this report.

Many

The exercises of the evening were enlivened with excellent music by Mrs. Watson, of Durham. The meeting was considered successful and the attendance satisfactory to those who had the arrangements in charge.

ROCHESTER.

The institute at Rochester on the following day was held at Grange Hall, both afternoon and evening sessions being fully attended. The speakers and subjects were similar to those at Durham, except that the ensilage discussion was omitted and a paper on "Commercial Fertilizers and their Application" was presented by Mr. George R. Drake, of Pittsfield. This paper will be found in the report.

A lively discussion was developed by this paper, engaged in by Dr. Pierce, of Bellows Falls, Mr. G. H. Dodge, of Henniker, Mr. F. P. Wentworth, of Rochester, Mr. James M. Hayes, of Dover, Mr. Gerrish, and other farmers. One gentleman thought fertilizers were only stimulants. Mr. Lyman thought that was not the right word. Mr. Hayes thought the fact that the purchases were largely increasing and that they were considered as capital by market gardeners demonstrated their value. Mr. Gerrish said we were wise enough to nourish our children when young and tender, until they grew to reach out and do for themselves. He would assist the young and tender plants in the same way until their roots could expand and grasp their food from the crude animal manures so imperfectly applied to the soil. Mr. Wentworth is entitled to much credit for faithfully attending to the arrangements for the institute at Rochester.