The record-union., 1892-06-08
THE FARMERS INSTITUTE.
1t is Modelled After the Plan of Teach
ers' Institutes.
Purely Educational in its Methodist
is Non-PoIitical, and not Rival
of the Alliance.

row, arbitrary, law unto himself and
his little flock. By contact with others
of his calling new ideas were developed,
assimilated and practiced, and the Teach
ers' Institute has grown to be an essential
feature of our educational system.
The farmer is far more isolated and the
tendency with him is even stronger to
follow in the rut his grandsire wore. In
several of our most progressive States the
Farmers Institute is as firmly estab-
lished and as highly appreciated as the
Teachers and for similar reasons. 1t is as
purely educational in its methods. Not
that it designs to supply the place OF the
schoolroom or to confer classical or liter
ary skill; it rather deals with the every
day problems of farm life upon which
depend net proceeds of the years work.
These are the ultimate measures OF farm
values everywhere. They depend more
upon practical skill in management than
any other element of production, not eX-
cepting soil, climate, market or capital.
In many sections of the Mississippi
Valley, formerly devoted to wheat-grow-
ing, the credit system, destructive IN
sects and climatic troubles compelled a
change of system. The Farmers Instl-
tute became the principal method OF dis
cussing and publishing ideas relating to
cooperative dairying, scientific selection,
breeding and feeding of stock, ensilage
and other methods of producing feed best
adapted to the dairy, in greater quantity
and at less cost. This has resulted in a
substantial prosperity indicated by gen.
eral advance in values Of property.
A marked instance was given in
HOarPS Dairymdn of two townships
not far from Fort Atkinson, Wis. In
L. i I,
dairy institutes for several years, with re-
suits generally attending them, viz: test
ing of COWS, raising ensilage, winter
dairyiDg, etc. The adjoining township
was settled mainly by foreigners of very
conservative ideas. The County AS
sessor's books showed that for a series of
years the prosperity of the two town
ships, as indicated by production, was
about equal. Finally one township
showed a marked advance, and at the
end of the fourth year was producing
twice the income of it's former equal COM
petitor.
1t is very probable that more striking
illustrations could have been found than
this one, which happened to attract atten-
ton, for 1t was not uncommon for farm
ers TO announce that by selection and
feeding they had increased their annual
product per COW from 100 TO 250 pounds Of
butter per year; or that they were able to
winter four COWS from the product of an
acre of ensilage that formerly produced
grass enough to carry one cow half
through the winter; or that their carefully
made creamery butter netted the farmers
twice as much as the average formerly
received from the stores for farm butter.
In many of the Eastern States the
Farmers Institute has its Secretary who
devotes his whole time to the work of Or
ganizing and planning institutes, and
who has authority TO employ such lee
turers as are needed to make the work
success. The work is supported by the
State on the same principle as our Boards
OF Horticulture, Viticulture, etc.
If the appropriation warrants the hold
ing of fifty institutes the fact will be an
nouneed through the papers, and enter
priSing citizens who desire to have meet
ings held in their town. correspond with
the Secretary, informing him what sub
ject most demands attention in their sec
ton, who have been most successful in
that industry, what accommodations can
be provided for holding meetings and en-
tanning visitors; what efforts will be
made in the way of the local advertising
necessary to attract an audience, etc.
From these applications he selects as
many as he is prepared to accommodate
of those where a meeting seems IikelyEto
be most useful and best attended. From
the State funds the general advertising is
provided for and the two or three pro-
fessional lecturers are sent. Local enter
prise supplies hall, local speakers, at
tracts audience, etc.
Ex-Governor William D. Hoard of
HodrPS Dai1yBGn, William II. Morri-
son, Secretary of aWisconsin Farm In
stitutes, Professor William a. Henry Of
Madison University, and many others,
have gained national reputation mainly
through their efficiency IN this work.
At the annual meeting of the State
Farm Institute work in California was
referred to a committee who arranged
with the Regents OF Berkeley University
to provide lecturers for Institutes when
requested, and assigned Professor E. J.
WicKson to that department. Several
meetings have been held with results
generally encouraging. In all communi-
ties their history has been one of gradu-
ally increasing interest.
Perhaps the most unsuccessful meeting
of all was held at Tulare in the spring Of
'9l, at the close Of County Alliance.
which had consumed almost all the time
assigned to the institute, and had beer. so
poorly advertised that the audience ex-
pected a popular lecturer instead of
practical discussion; on the same princi-
pie that they expected the Culture Station
was to be an ornamental park designed
to boom Tulare real estate, instead of a
school for the scientific study OF local
problems in agriculture.
The meeting TO be held this year is de-
signed for the discussion Of two uues-
tons only, and those two among the most
vital TO the present and future prospects
OF that vicinity.
Perhaps no section enjoys advantages
equal TO those Of the Tulare Valley for
the production of stone fruits. Some Of the
growers are curing the fruit as well. and
others as poorly, as 1t can be DONE Like
store butter, the value of the trash de-
presses the price of the whole. The
various mechanical devices for inproy-
ing the quality or reducing the cost of
production should be exhibited and dis
cuSsed.
We hope Prof Hilgard's ideas upon the
subject OF bath TO take the place of sui
phuring, and remove the objections to
that process, may be fully represented.
and that all machines for pitting, curing.
grading or cleaning dried fruits will be
on hand.
On the subject of packing the value of
reliability needs to be impressed. Ii is a
question for broad discussion whether we
pack at home in manner designed To
reach the consumer in original packages.
or save freight by shipping in bulk, to be
IeuahuIeu at Inc distributing market
Some OF the san Jose packers, now
heavily interested in pulare, have had
much experience in this direction. All
admit that future prosperity demands A
more economical contact between pro-
ducer and consumer. The means Of Sc
curing TINS are open 10 consideration.
Messrs. LubIn and Bancroft. both prac
teal merchants, have advanced yaluanie
ideas on this subject that may become
the basis OF discussion.
1 was much pleased TO learn that Stan
ford University was as much disposed 10
cooperate in the institute work as
Berkeley. President Jordan was bronobt
nm on = IA =
sympathy with farmers. He saws thai
bis faculty. are ready to respond 10 inritaS