Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-12-03
THE AUDUBON REPUBLICAN
nv 4. n. oRsFrITu.
FARneRs' INSTITUTES.

The following editorial from the Sioux
City Journal may be of interest to a
number of our readers. A Farmers
Institute is held in this county each
year, and no doubt the directors are al.
ready arranging for the meeting this
winter:
This is the season for preparation for
the farmers institutes or winter meet
ings. In this portion OF the country
where farming is such an important in,
dustry, these farmers meetings are
among the most valuable Of public
gatherings, and they are becoming more
valuable each year. Farming is a
science. There can be no success in
agriculture with haphazard methods
more than there can be IN other. bust,
nesses. 1t is the purpose of the farm
ers' Institutes to disseminate reliable in
formation among the farmers in regard
to the methods Of farming most likely
to produce good results.
In several states of the west farmers
institutes are encouraged by the laws
Of the states. In South Dakota there is
q. farmers institute director connected
with the State Agricultural college and
he is just now making extensive prepare
tions for institute work among the
farmers Of the state. He will have at
his command the best talent in the
State Agricultural college faculty, and
for the various meetings to be beld
under his direction he will arrange pro-
grams including addresses by prominent
agriculturists and educators. The same
method is pursued in Minnesota, Wis
consin, Missouri and other states with
satisfaction. The members of the agri-
cultural college faculty are we'll prepared
to present information to the farmers OF
great value. The state experiment
stations, partially supported by the gen.
eral government, are in connection with
the state agricultural colleges and all of
the results Of experimentation and in
vestigation at these stations are at the
disposal OF the college professors. In
Nebraska the plan is similar but the
connection between the State univer-
sity and the institutes is not so direct.
The people who never visit these state
experiment stations, nor read any of the
bulletins or publications emanating from
them, do not appreciate the grand work
that is being done for the farmers. It ia
probably true that there is great deal
OF the effort expended in the colleges
and experiment stations that is produc.
tive of no good results, but it is some
times worth knowing where and what
failures may occur. The most of the
experimentation is practical. II farmers
understand it rightly they will be the
gamers. 1t is through these farm in.
stitutes that they may easily become
familiar with the scientific investigations
and their results.
In Iowa we have state aid for the
farmers institutes in another yav. The
state undertakes to pay part of the ex.
pense of holding the Institutes and the
farmers OF each county must determine
for themselves how they will conduct
their Institutes In some counties one
institute is held each year and in Others
there are several Institutes. The pro.
gram is made up of addresses and papers
by farmers OF the neighborhood with
occasionally an address by some person
OF note from distance. The method
has good points but it does not seem tc
De well fitted for producing good re-
suits at all times as the method Of Mac
ing these institutes in charge or stat,
institute director.
AT these farmers institutes it is some
hmes difficult to prevent the discussion
OF political questions. While there is nc
harm IN the discussion of politics at an,
time or almost any place, and while il i,
certain that great many questions 70
latlng to the prosperity of the farmer,
are closely related to strictly politica
questions, it is not in keeping with the
spirit OF the farmers Institute idea to the
doors for political discussion. There
are SO many topics the farmers may dis
cuss with profit that it is not necessar,
10 discuss the tariff and currency ques
lions. The farmers ought 70 maka tb,
most of their opportunity for advance
ment by attending these farmers meet
ings. They can be made successful h,
tne hearty cooperation of the farmer,
and In their success they will prove tina
the farmers deserve surcess.
A favor should never be asked unless
securing 1t be an absolute necessity