The herald., 1897-04-25
FARMERS INSTITUTES
written for The Herald.l

growth than the farmers Institutes
They are now a thoroughly established
fact wherever agriculture is making its
best and truest progress. The rationale
of this quick and sturdy development is
not far to seek. Isolation and want of
social and intellectual contact with 9th
ers of like habit, thought and work has
ever been the farmers worst foe. As
sociation, which has given the ready
hand to every other industry, long held
aloof from the farming class. The farm
ers institute, in breaking the reign of
isolation, in bringing the glad presence
of social and intellectual privilege, in
handing freely over the full blessing Of
helpful association, confers rich favor
which farmers everywhere recognize ana
appreciate.
Zach community in rural life, as
among the trades and professions, has
it's master minds; its tillers who culti-
vate with exceptional excellence. What
ever makes the methods and practice of
the best the habit of all, comes freighted
with rich blessing. The farmers insti-
tute is just such good friend, and so
gains hearty regard from all alert to see
and quick to recognize valuable bene-
faction. And thus the institutes were
quick to win popular favor in all local.
tiles where intelligence held sway. Gov.
Hoard is authority for the statement
that farmers institutes in Wisconsin,
for one winter alone, raised the quality
and consequent price of butter several
per cent. 1t is everywhere admitted
that the best morality and the highest
possibilities of physical development
and mental acumen are born of the
I~,.t., 81
ities to the front, by fostering acquaint-
ance and wrestling from society the sus-
picion and envy which isolation breeds,
not only heightens civilization but is the
greatest helper towards a higher ideal
of politics and Christian craftsmanship.
To increase the influence of the rural
class then, by broadening their intel
lectual grasp and outlook. is to work in
the line of the highest patriotism. Thus
the whole country is wise in it's thank
full appreciation of the great institute
movement which is working in power
full way to refine and elevate the whole
country.
HISTORY
If we exclude some spasmodic AMI
transient work of this kind in Illinois,
and, think, some of the New England
states. especially New Hampshire think
Michigan may claim to have inaugural
ed this valuable system of instruction
and improvement in our rural communi
ties.
In 1875 the Peninsula state established
q system of institute work which she has
maintained with ever broadening reach
and influence until today. At first ap-
propriations were small-only $5O0-and
.f l1Il oo1l
season was limited. From the first the
plan in Michigan-an admirable scheme
was to have about half the addresses
from members of the faculty of the agri-
cultural college and the others from sue
cessful farmers of the locality where the
institute was held. Thus the best that
science and practice could give was join
ed to form a mighty agent for good.
Michigan also adopted from the first the
very wise and economical plan of send
ing an expert in advance of the insti-
tutes to help arrange a strong program
and inaugurate influences that would
insure large attendance. Thus valu-
able papers and large audiences were
always secured, and great good was A
necessary result. Rarely was an insti-
tute held that ringing resolutions were
unanimously that another institute be
granted at the earliest opportunity
Another valuable feature of the Michi-
gan system was a plan, carried out with
varying success to make the institutes
perpetual. At first only six institutes
were held each season, but it was urged
that each county arrange for carrying
on the institute annually to be aided by
ha ip
be justly granted Thus several coun-
ties held annual institutes, although the
college men could come perhaps only
once in three or four years. The presi-
dent of the Michigan institute was al
ways from the place where the institute
was held This had the advantage of
putting a man in the chair who was
well acquainted but often gave poly
officer who deadened terribly the inter-
est of the institute 1t is doubtful II
such a risk can ever be wisely taken.
For years the Michigan plan secured
five sessions for each institute. The
opening session was held in the after
noon and the institute closed with the
evening session of the second day. Thus
It wac possible to hold three institutes
a week. And by a wise location, great
economy was secured in the way of rail-
road expenses. More lately longer
four day-instiutes are held which are
very popular.
Ohio-This was the next state think
to organize a system of institute work
which it did in the seventies. Ohio held
more institutes than Michigan and de-
pended more upon experts and lees upon
local talent. The state board Of agricul-
ture-practically its secretary-ran the
Institutes. Under such able men as w.
I. Chamberlain and L. n. Bonham it is
unnecessary to say that great energy
and ability We're brought to the work.
Ohio expends from $4,000 to $4,000 an
nually in the work. and holds institutes
In nearly every county each winter.
Wisconsin-In 1885, ten years after
Michigan inaugurated her institute eys-
tenn, Wisconsin organized her system
Of Institutes under the management OF
the late w. l. Morrison, whose great or
ganizing ability and energy at once
brought Wisconsin and her institute
system into general notice. Indeed
many think that Wisconsin and Farm
ers' Institutes are synonymous terms
The characteristic features Of the Wis
consin system were large appropriations,
$4,000 annually, which is the plan OF
New York, Minnesota, and as we have
seen, of Ohio; large number of insti-
tutes, ninety, were held the first