The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-12-31
FARMERS, INSTITUTES.

Several of the Journals State ex-
changes received during the last week
have contained reports of the proceed
ings of farmers institutes held in differ
ent counties. These institutes are held
under a law passed in 1889 which makes
1T the duty of the trustees and faculty
Of Purdue University to appoint before
Nov. of each year suitable persons to
hold in the several counties of this
State, between the 1st day of November
and the LIST day of April of each year,
county institutes for the purpose of Civ
ing to farmers and others interested
therein instructions in agriculture, hor-,
ticulture, agricultural chemistry and
economic entomology" The Institutes
are to be held at such times and places
as the authorities Of Purdue University
may determine and under such regula-
tons as they may prescribe The act
Of 1889 appropriated $1,000 for the pur-
pose Of carrying out It's provisions. and
the same sum has been appropriated
in subsequent years.
The law is good one. and if the pol
icy thus inaugurated be adhered to and
the provisions of the law intelligently
carried out. and especially if the farm.
ers will give their support and CO.
the State will be greatly benefited. 1t
is to be observed. however. that the law
evidently contemplates the cooperation
Of farmers. 1t furnishes the nucleus of
county organizations and Institutes, but
1t makes no provision for fhsuring at
tendance. The theory Of the law Is that
when the State furnishes a basis of or
ganization and pays the expenses of
qualified instructors for organizing and
holding county institutes the farmers
ought to take sufficient interest and
show sufficient pride in their occupation
to insure the success of the Institutes.
That they are doing so in some coun-
ties is shown by the reports Of proceed
ings referred to. Several of the reports
show a good attendance of farmers
and their wives and programmes of real
merit, including well-prepared papers on
practical topics. followed by discussions
and interspersed with literary papers
and music The Warren county insti-
tute, after disposing OF an excellent
programme. unanimously adopted the
following: ~ -
As members OF the Farmers Institute
of Warren county and the great agricult-
ural community we respectfully call at
tention Of the general public and our
honcred Representatives to the national
Congress and the state Legislature.
FIrst-To the vast Importance and urgent
demand for a more equitable system of
constructing and maintaining good roads.
Seeona-To the eminent justice and neces-
sity for the extension or the Tree mail ce-
livery system to the rural districts.
Third-To more humane and rational
method OF providing for orphans, ana main
tainlng the unfortunate poor.
F'ourth-To the passage OF an equitable
fee and salary law, that viii pass muster
in the higher courts.
Fifth--1o the continuation OF the 5000
work throughout the State.
The Parke county institute was in
session two days. and some very inter-
esting papers were read This institute
also declared in favor Of good roads. a
fair and equitable Zee and salary law
and urged a continuance Of the -appro-
priation for institute work These reso-
lutions. though not directly connected
with farm work. are intimately con-
nected with the progress Of agriculture
and show that the farmess ef these
counties t,eIonR 60 the proGrepgtve class.