The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-01-24
The Farmers Institute.

Last week witnessed the first Farm
ers' Institute ever held in Crawford
county. These gatherings of farmers
have been held in other counties for
years, and have proved to be among the
most interesting and instructive events
of the year. The farmers institute held
at Dow City shows what can be accom-.
plished by few energetic, public
spirited men when they work together
for the good of any cause. Not only
was the institute help to the farmers
and their friends who participated, but
to the people Of DOVE City. for it adver-
tised their town and its hospitable peo-
pie as has not been done for years.
The program was good one, and the
presence of Mr.. Henry Wallace, editor
of the Farmer at Des Moines, was a
great feature of the meeting.
In this connection we must acknow
ledge the spirit of public mindedness
which prompted the executive commit
tee to report in favor of Denison as the
location of the next convention. The
committee was composed entirely of
Dow City people. Theirs was the in
stitute by right of discovery and hard
work. but they were broad minded
enough to forego any advantage which
it might bring their locality, and voted
in favor of locating the next institute
where it would be the most accessible
to the farmers of the county. We must
take off our hats to the gentlemen of
Dow City and acknowledge that they
have done the fair and manly thing and
that without any gracious condecension
or blowing of trumpets.
| OF course it is easy to criticlse, and
we appreciate fully the disadvantages
under which the committee labored in
arranging their first program. We
would suggest however two things, that
more actual farmers participate, and
secondly, that larger part of the time
be spent upon topics more closely re-
lated to the practical work of the farm.
How to do this? How to grow that!
How to care for the stock in certain
cases? How to exterminate pests and
diseases? These are all subjects. which
while giving less opportunity for ora
tory, will be of more practical benefit
to the farmers present. While it would
probably be we'll to devote one after
noon to speeches from outside parties
on subjects correlated to farming and
its interests, still the greater part OF
the time should be devoted to distinctly
farm topics, and in such a way that
every farmer. whether he is used to
public speaking or not, will feel freestc
offer his advice and suggestions.
This is in our opinion the only way
In which the institute can be made a
permanent success.
i We expressly do not wish to be con
sidered as critic1sing the committee
who had the institute in charge for We
feel that no similar committee evel
made greater success in any such un
dertaking in Crawford county than die
the one conducting this meeting.
4 Perhaps we are moving too swiftly
but we would suggest the ACCESSIBILITY
of the Fair Association giving the In
stitute the use of the fair grounds at q
reasonable rental, or co operating with
them in holding summer institute and
agricultural fair
If anything like such an interest
could be aroused as was shown at Dow
City the fall or summer meeting would
bring enough revenue to pay good pre-,
miums for farm produce and to pay all
the expenses of the winter session.