Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-25
INSTITUTE WORKERS
CONTINUANCE OF SESSION AT
THE NATIONAL HOTEL.
Farmers Representatives Discuss
Matters of Interest to Their Con-
stituents-Papers Read.

|
| ton of Farmers Institute Workers, which
| first met in the east hall of the National
| Hotel yesterday afternoon, called to
order promptly at $3.50 o'clock this morning
by President W. l.. Amoss. There was a
good attendance of out-of-town members
of the association and the session was re-
garded of great interest and profit.
| the discussions being entered into with en-
thusiasm.
The presenting of reports from the vari-
Gus states and provinces, which was con-
tinued from last nights session, was first
taken up and the following members re-
ported on the farmers institute work in
their respective localities: Mr.. A. l.. Mar
tin, Pennsylvania; Secretary G. c. Creel-
man. Ontario, Canada; Mr.. j. E. Tindal,
South Carolina; Mr.. ]. o. Thompson West
Virginia; Mr. George McKerrow, Wisconsin.
The general tenor of all these reports in
Dictated that interest in the farmers insti-
tute movement in the states and provinces
is growing, and that the farmers are now
desiring scientific men to address them on
farming subjects, and they are realizing
the value of scientific knowledge in agricul-
tural pursuits
DIR. a. c. True of the Department of
Agriculture also spoke of farming condi-
lions in Porto Rico and other of our new
possessions. In reference to the Philip
bureau of agriculture, which will be estab-
lshed in the Philippines by the govern
ment, includes not only government expert
ment stations, but provision has also been
made for farmers institutes in the island,
and he predicts that splendid system Will
be in operation among the farmers there
within few years.
The Work in Maryland.
President Amoss told of the work in
Maryland. and said interest in the project
is steadily increasing. He said he had
found that farmers institutes can be con-
Quoted profitably without amusing enter
tainments during the session, statement
which met with the general approval of
those present. 1t was formerly believed, he
stated, that without music and some sort
of entertainment the farmers would not at
tend the meetings, but ne had found that
such was not the case, inasmuch as the
aSriculturists now preferred instruction
along lines of scientific and practical farm
ing
Upon the conclusion of reports the read
ing and discussion of papers was taken up.
Mr.. John Hamilton. secretary of the state
board of agriculture of Harrisburg, Pa,
presented a paper on THE Farmers Insti-
tute as a Factor in Creating Desire for an
Agricultural Education" He said that
apathy in agriculture is the result of either
ignorance or stupidity. The Farmers 1nstl-
tute awakens interest in the subject and
creates a desire TO know the scientific rea-
sons for results, and when interesting and
intellectual programs are presented there is
a stimulus given to the desire for knowl-
edge. He declared that farming is fast be-
coming a high intellectual pursuit and this
is aided by lectures at the institutes by
scientific men who are qualified to instruct
in agricultural matters.
The paper was discussed at some length
by members of the association from the
various states.
DIR. F. B. VOORHEES, of New Brunswick,
n. J., spoke on The Farmers Institute as
a Promoter of a Closer Intimacy Between
Farmers and Experiment Stations and
after discussion the morning session ad-
journed to meet at o'clock this evening.
when Secretary Wilson will address the
convention and papers will be read.
The members of the association and d
number of friends went on an excursion 10
Mt. Vernon this afternoon at 1 80 and viii
return late this afternoon by boat.
Session Last Night.
At the session held last night w j. Spill
man of the Department of Agriculture read
a paper entitled The Farmers Institute
Worker-Subject and Methods" in which he
urged the Importance of having persons
with practical ideas on farming matters to
conduct the institute meetings He also
spoke of the manner of conducting these
gatherings in vogue in the state of Wash
ington and commended the railroads IN
Oregon, Washington and other western
states for the assistance they have given
the institutes.
Addresses on institute work and on the
subject of Mr.. Spilman's paper Were made
by the following: w. W. Miller, secretary
of the Ohio agricultural bureau q. II. Nc
kerron of Wisconsin. A. l.. Martin of Penn
sylvania, E. b. VOORHEES, of New Jersey, G.
c. Creelman of Ontario. Major ]. G. Lee of
Louisiana and 5. l.. Patterson of North
Carolina.