The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-07-27
When You Go to the Farmers In
Stitute,


There are some men, we believe.
who have gone to farmers institute
and come away, according to their
own reports, without having learned
anything. These men evidently were
very unfortunate in the institute they
attended, or else they are men who
do not learn things very readily.
We do not say this with any desire
to reflect upon them, either; because
we recognize the fact that the spirit
a man takes with him decides, to a
great extent, whether or not he will
profit by what he hears, at farm
ers' institute or elsewhere. The man
who goes to learn-to get new facts
and new ideas that will be helpful TO
him in his works. pretty sure 70
find out something of value; the man
who goes to criticise the speakers, or
to find out how much they do not
know that he does, is likely to come
away with his conviction that he
knows more than all them scientific
fellers" very much strengthened.
We do not believe, however, that
many Progressive Farmer and Ga
zette readers belong to this class. We
are pretty sure that our folks are 60
Ing to the institutes to learn things, to
acquire knowledge that will enable
them to do better work when they get
home, and that they are then coming
back home to put these things into
practice. That's the kind Of folks
The Progressive Farmer and Gazette
family is mostly made up Of; and
that's why we are so proud of them,
and have such faith in what they are
going to do in the next ten years or
so. That's why, too, we try so hard
to find out where they are not doing
as we'll as they could, and then tell
them about it. When they see that
another way is better than the one
they've been going they are just as
quick as anybody to get into the bet
ter way.
Because they are such really pro-
gressive farmers we scarcely think it
necessary to urge them to go to the
farmers institutes, or to take their
wives and daughters if there is a wo-
mans institute. Other folks may
think they can afford to stay away
from the Institutes and go fishing or
talk politics, but our folks know bet
ter. Why, women went five and ten
and fifteen miles last year to hear
Mrs. Stevens and Mrs. HUT and Mrs.
Hollowell talk in the North Carolina
women's Institutes. And they said it
paid them, too. So, Of course, our
readers won't stay away-nor let
their neighbors stay away. if they can
be persuaded to go.
But having gone, of course You
want to get the most out of your
days attendance, and to do this, there
are needed, in addition to an open
mind, open ears and an "openable"
mouth. When you go to the institute,
II there is any matter about which
you specially wish information, ask
the speakers about it. That's what
they are there for, to tell you. II
they can't tell you, don't conclude
that they are ignOramuses-you don't
know either, remember,-but ask
them to find out for you, and if they
are the right sort, they'll do it.
One more thing: If any of the
speakers-there are a few of that
kind left yet-begin to make little
set speeches about something of no
vital concern to you or your neigh
bors, take matters into your own
hands a little, and by judicinus ques-
tioning draw them down to something
practical. The best institute speak
ers are either men who have made a
thorough and earnest study of some
viz SNpJSNS ci ScOu ~ dStiSdi idi
and either of these classes will be only
too glad to get right down with you
and help you solve the problems that
are bothering you.
If you don't believe it, give them a
trial and see.-PrOgressive Farmer.
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