The herald., 1897-10-14
FARMERS INSTITUTES

excellent programs arranged Tor the
meetings, the Farmers institutes OF
Southern California are no whit behlnd
in value those of any other state OF the
east. Even Michigan, where regular
persistent institute work originated, or
Wisconsin, where the work has attract
ed widest attention, can not rightly
claim better even If they can claim as
good institutes as can Southern Califor-
mia. The plan in Wisconsin is to call In
almost entirely outside talent to Instruct
at the meetings. California Ia secures al
least one-half the papers read at each
institute from bright, practical, success
y ful men of the immediate locality. This
is sure to give papers Of immediate To-
cal value which will be fresh and timely.
Michigan pursues the same course, but
bright and wide-awake as are the Mich
igan farmers. they are as whole less
able, because less cultured than are
those of our own section. Thus the pa
pers read at the institutes is1 Michigan
are not of as high a starf,arG as are
those of Southern California.
The interest In the institutes is such
that the regents of the University of
California have decided to increase the
number Heretofore there have been
held only twelve each year, south of the
Tehachapi mountains. This year there
will be several more. Ii is decided in
some of the smaller places TO hold sc>-
gle day Institutes, that the Influence and
instruction may be more widely dis
tributed.
CLUBS
One of the unique features OF our
institute plan in Southern California,
which is original with us, is to organize
a Farmers club at each institute. There
are now more than twec-'ty such clubs
which for the most part mold regular
monthly meetings. These are usually
held in the evening just before full
moon. A few bold their meetings in the
afternoon. Ladies as we'll as gentle
men attend atld take part in these clubs
Thus the best information and methods
of the community tend to become gen.
eral.
Or, the go, 4th and 5th of January next
there will be held in the chamber of
commerce hall an institute, whose mem
bership will be made up of delegates
from the several Farmers clubs, Each
club selects a topic wb!ch it thinks i'm
pcrtant and appoicts a committee to
open the discussion on the subject at
the institute. This will secure live top
les, able men TO present them and as
the interests of Southern California are
so nearly the same. every topic dis
cusssd will surely interest and benefit
all present. AS each delegation will
report back to the clubs the irfluence of
the Los Angeles institute will reach all
sections of Southern California. 1t is
confidently expected that this meeting
will be of exceeding interest a nc. value.
The times and places for tbe Farmers
institutes. as far as decided to date, are
as follows: La Canada, Los Angeles
courty, October %; Etiwanda, San Ber-
rardino county, November s; Whittier,
Los Angeles county, November 26-27;
Corona (South Riverside), Riverside
county, December q and %; Highlands,
San Bernardino county, December 80
and 80; Los Angeles, January g. and 5,
1898: Esconddo, San Diego county,
April 1 and .; ComptosA Los Angeles
county, April 4 and 5, and Westminster,
Orange county, April and I.
The Farmers clubs of Southern Cali
forrda men toned above are worthy
more extended consideration. They are
already doing admirable work but
when they become fully orgarIlzed into
one great whole, so that they car work
together in matters of common interest,
can work as one in all that concerns bet
ter culture, more improved methods.
more purity in politics. ard better legis-
lation, then their power for good VIII
be tremendous. In several Of the east
eD states the Farmers clubs are thor
oughly organized, have their annual
meetings and have accomplished won
ders in righting certain wrongs, and
inauguratirg reforms in agricultural
practice and, methods.
1t is hoped that at the Los Angeles
meeting just such a grand uvlon may
be wrought out in Southern California
Such an organization, entirely nom
partisan, bent simply or a higher de-
velopment along all social and educa-
tional liC.es, Will en,argize our whole ag-
ricultural population as nothing else
can.
1t is very desirable that all our COM
munities be included in this movement.
The value of the club, the good COM
ing from the monthly meetings. through
their social and educational influence,
which, of course, is the chief gain. is very
great. This will be vastly increased
when all act together, There are many
localities where no farmers institute has
been held or can be held before January.
but in each of these localities a farmers
club may be formed. know Of several
that are already proceeding In this line
not waiting for an institute. Among
these are Compton. Clearwater. etc. II
is very wise course. Such clubs viii
be just as welcome at the club institute
In January, and will be granted fulles.
privileges in presenting any subject fo1
discussion and in joining in all the dis.
cussionS.
All that is necessary to form a club is
for dozen or mors, including both mer
and women, to meet, decide when ant
where to hold their meetings. appoinr
a committee on music and program ant
arrange in committee of whole for th,
program of the first meetings Most O
the clubs meet in the evening the Tues
Gay Wednesday, etc. before full moon
at private houses. They usually hav,
about three papers read and discussed
one or two of which shall be special,
helpful to the women A mid-meetin,
recess gives opportunity for light re
freshments, if desired which enliven.
the occasion and enhances the socia
benefit of the meeting. Other clubs NEE
In The afternoon, which gives opportuni
ty to inspect orchards, grounds etc, ant
so, where time will be given, have de