The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-08
COUNTY FARMERS, INSTITUTES.

The annual report of Prof. w. c.
Latta, of Purdue University, as superin-
tendent of farmers Institutes in this
State. furnishes gratifying exhibit of
work done and results accomplished.
The law providing for the organization
and holding of the Institutes was ap-
proved March 3. 1889. At that time there
was not an organization of the kind in
the State, while now there is one in
every county. The law devolves the gen
eral supervision of the work on the
trustees of Purdue University, and the
credit of organizing the Institutes is due
to the president and faculty of that in
stitution, ard especially to w. c. Latta
professor of agriculture who has worked
with zeal and intelligence. The plan of
organization is simple and effective, in
Guiding the cooperation of local insti-
tutes, county fair organizations and
members of the State Board of Agri-
culture. The annual appropriation for
the work has been $4,000. and of this
sum, after paying the salary and ex-
penses of the superintendent, printing,
stationery and clerical work, there was
distributed among the county institutes
last year $3.50 to aid in providing
special speakers and paying other neces-
sary expenses. The Institutes are held
during the three winter months when
farmers have most leisure, and during
the last year from four to five sessions
were held in each county. The lowest
attendance in any county was twenty
nine, the highest 1850, and the average
i'm ninafv-fyCO y,
has been a steady increase of attend
ance and corresponding growth of in
terest. In addition 20 assigned speak
ers on special TOPICS great many pa
pers have been read by local farmers,
and the discussions have taken wide
range. 1t is manifest that such meet
ings as these, held every winter in each
county of the State. must constitute
all educational and social factor of no
mean Importance. The report says:
The wholesome gospel of self-help and
intelligent application of the approved prin-
been so earnestly and successfully pro-
claimed as to enlist very generally the
friends Of agricultural progress throughout
the State Farmers institutes have proven
powerful agency for diffusing a knowl-
edge of the best and most sue
agriculture The setting forth at the in
stituteS of the causes of failure and condi.
tons of success in agriculture by practical
men who have themselves been eminently
successful, affords strong incentive to eff
fort and improvement, which is meet
ing with very general and hearty re-
Spouse ON the part of farmers who have
attended the Institutes From the first it
has been the policy of those in control Of
the institute work to recognize the mutual
ity and independence of all the varied in
terests of the State and foster fraternal
relations among all classes and all indus
tries The business and professional men of
our cities and towns were quick to note this
feature of the work and have given it
their active support from the start AL
though, as rule, the farmers We're not
quick to discern the real merits of the
institute work, they now very generally
derstand and indorse the methods and pur-
poses of this great movement which is
bringing good to all.
That the work of the Institutes is APP
preciated by the farmers is shown by the
fact that in resolutions passed during
last year by siXty-eight institutes nine
favored p continuance of the present
appropriation, twenty-four favored an
increase and thirty-five favored an ap-
preparation of $4,000 year. Wisconsin
appropriates $4,000 a year for her insti-
tutes and Ohio about $4,000. There can
be no doubt that the law has been very
intelligently administered in this State
and excellent results accomplished with
limited means.