The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1894-12-12

previously dumping their butter on their
local merchant at a loss to all concerned
were then shipping their butter to the
large cities and getting the best prices
AMBITION AROUSED.
me SOUND and wholesome doctrine of
self help which has been persistently en-
phasized from the first in institute work
is bearing fruit in the aroused ambition of
thousands of farmers who have come to
realize that in the language of Shake
speare, The fault, dear Brutus is not in
our stars. but in ourselves, that we are
underlings.
The inspiring example and practical in
struction of such persons as T. B. Terry
). A. Mount. Virginia c. Meredith, Theo
LOUIS and scores of others that might be
named are leading multtudes of their fell
low farmers to higher plane of effort
and achievement. In the first two or three
years of the institute work in this state
croaklng was not uncommon feature
at institutes and in a few instances the
Key note was croak. Happily that has
passed and 1t is a rare exception to find a
croaker at a farmers institute. The far
mers are coming to understand more and
more that, THE gods help those who
nelp themselves" They are beginning to
understand that the heaviest tax to which
they can be subjected is that imposed by
ignorance, slip shod methods and despon-
dent waiting for better times and they
are resolutely and successfully demon
stratlng that intelligence, improved meth
ods and strict attention to business will
pay on the farm as elsewhere. This fea-
ture alone of the institute work has been
well worth its entire cost to the state.
PUBLIC SPIRIT AWAKENED.
From the very outset our towns and the
business and professional men have shown
great interest in the institute work and
nave contributed very largely to its sue
cess. me meager appropriation for farm
ers institutes furnished both the occasion
and reason for extending a helping hand
winch they were not slow to do. This feel
ing was not shared by the farmers to
very great extent at first, although there
We're several striking exceptions.
Now in many, if not most localities Of
the state, the farmers coming to feel a
commendable pride in the work, and the
county associations are vying with each
other in their efforts to hold the largest
and most successful institute. At first it
was very difficult to get many farmers to
take place on the program. Now there is
no difficulty in securing an ample corps of
nome workers, whose carefully prepared
papers bear the stamp of study, observation
and substantial success on the part Of the
writer's. Although slower to rally to the
help of the institute work than the men of
the cities and villages, the farmers are now
in many localities, taking the lead in push
ing the work actively forward.
AGRICULTURE DIGNIFED.
The expression, only farmer which
in the past frequently greeted ones ears, is
now seldom heard. Farmers are coming to
realize and appreciate the true dignity and
worth of their calling. They are rapidly
learning that with intelligent study, obser-
walton and reading, the farmer may be the
peer of his fellow men in other pursuits.
Agriculture is coming more and more to
be esteemed at it's true worth as it was
in ancient times. The influence of this
changed attitude is momentous, and its eff
feet upon the rising generation cannot be
overes timated. AS natural and nevita Die
result, a larger per cent of the bright, am
bilious farmers sons will engage in agri
culture. Thanks to the Institutes, they are
learning that brains and study are of value
on the farm, and that engaging in agricut-
ure will neither debar them from success,
intelligent society nor political preferment.
The farmers home is also coming in for
share of the benefits of the institute work
as is plainly seen in the increased number
of papers, periodicals and books takeH and
read. and in the formation of family farm
ers' clubs, and reading and literary circles.
THE STATE HONORED.
Farmers institutes are doing much, if
not more, than any other single agency to
elevate Indiana to her rightful position in
the sisterhood of states. The time was
when the term "HoOsier'' was one of re-
proach That time is fast passing away,
never to return. The prominent institute
workers have been indefat igable in their
efforts to awaken people to a just apprecia-
ton of the magnificent resources. favora bic
raphical location and great possbili-
ties of our state. Farmers Institutes are
fastening the day when the material re-
sources of the state will be duly appreciat ted
and fully developed, and the time is not far
distant when Indiana will forge her way to
the front. Already the thorough institute
work which has been performed in this
state during the past five years is receiving
the attention of prominent officials in other
states. Inquiries relative to the institute
work have come to the writer from Penn
sylvania, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan,
South Dakota, Illinois, Kansas and Mis-
souri,
GREATER RESULTS TO FOLLOW
We are yet, as it were, only on the TIRES
hold of the institute work. The more in
telligent and public spirited farmers and
other citizens of the state have been
reached and aroused to action. While
there are thousands of farmers who have
been aroused from lethargy and we'll
started on the sure road to success by
farmers Institutes, there are thousands of
others who have not yet been reached.
A little leaven has been hidden in the lump
the leavening process is going on. The sue
ces already achieved will not permit the
friends of the institute work to rest on
their oars" 1t would rather encoura ge
but the lump is not all leavened, although
them to redouble their efforts in behalf of
and the elevation Of the farming classes.
Let all who have felt the kirdling touch of
farmers institutes become agricultural mis-
sionaries and in turn strive to impart to
their fellows the benefits which they have
received. With a solid front and With con-
certed and persistent effort, let us strive
to push forward the car of progress with
increasing momentum as the years pass
Every county in the state has, through
it's local organizat ton. Endorsed the insti-
tute work. A majority of the counties
have favored an increased appropriation
for the work. 1t is believed by the writer
that we have reached stage in the devel-
opment of the institute work when a larger
appropriation can be wisely expended and
be productive Of great good to the ma
terial and other interests of the state. He
believes further. that it is necessary to
take an advanced step or retrogression will
result. If the friends of farmers insti-
tutes desire them to grow in usefulness
ognition of the cause by the general as
yorably in this work with New York. Ohio
and Wisconsin.
All that Prof I4atta says of the good re-
suits of farmers institute work in Indiana
and even much more, might be truthfuly
said of the work in Minnesota. The six
volumes of Institute Annual, published by
Supt. Gregg, without cost to the state,
constitute an agricultural library of unes-
TINA BILE value.
The work of Theo. Louis alone has been of
more benefit to the state than the entire