Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-06-01

tFTom Farm institute Press Bulletin.)
This is a time when we hear much
about institutes, teachers institutes,
farmers institutes, art institutes, and
SO on through an almost unending list
of all kinds of institutes both great
and small.
What is meant by this repetition Of
the term institutes? If we analyze
the word by tearing it into its compo-
nent parts even as the chemist or
botanist would analyze a compound or
q flower, we find that Il comes from
two Latin words, in stiture, meaning
to instruct in. Consulting the diction-
airy we find farther that this word III
stitute may mean "a society establish
ed for the promotion of learning"
Good! We have discovered what an
institute really is. Following farther
along this same line Of reasoning We
must come to the only logical conclus-
ion that a farmers institute is a
society established for the instruction
in farming Good, again
NOT a NEW TANGLED IDEA.
If the Latin has the roots of the
we can reasonably assume that this
organization is not new. This is GER
tainly true, for in Illinois the holding
of farmers institutes has for Is years
been an >established method of promot
ing better farm practices. Even
though this method of instruction IS
not a new one there are many farmers
in any county of the state who are
yet unfamiliar with the workings or
the plan of the gospel of permanent.
profitable. agriculture
In some communities the institute
work is still looked upon as book
farming" and is held in contempt be-
cause of this. Those scoffers at the
true gospel" are however. growing
fewer and fewer each year, partially
on account of the example set by the
progressive men who do attend, and
partially on account of the natural dy-
ing OF of the hide-bound, plant-in-the-
moon farmers of a half a century ago.
Occasionally a prejudiced one at
tends a session out of curiosity and
having acquired a little taste, whica
is pleasant, soon desires more, and
thus becomes like all progressive
thinking farmers, a regular attendant
and a worker for better agriculture.
II is sometimes discouraging for a
group of men TO try for years to con-
vert their skeptical brethren with
seemingly no success, but to such we
suggest that they simply urge the
"doubters" to sample the goods for
themselves" We have always had
more admiration than censure for the
awkward lad who when out at a picnic
with a girl for the first time approach
ed an ice cream stand and bought a
single dish Of cream. Eating this hur
riedly, alone, he suddenly noticed that
the girl looked on wistfully. Feeling
that something was not exactly right
he blurted out-"lickin' good Sal, but
don't take my word for it, buy your
self some and see"
We suggest TO any that may be dis
couraged that like this lad you assure
the ''unconverted' that the. institute Is
a good thing. but not to take your
word for it, try it for themselves anu
see," Attendance at one session OF
live, energetic institute or the daily !
contact with q netghbor who is an al. !
tendant and who is trying by all up-to- |
date methods 10 improve his soil, his
crops. his 1--we stock. his surroundings, 1
and his home life. as well az the varl- |
ous interests OF the community that
are for moral. social. intellectual, g.
lancial and political uplift, VIII quick
Y infect the doubter, or scoffer, with 4
he bacteria OF better farming, better
linking, and better living
AIM OF THE WORK.
The whole aim Of the farmers insci.
ute work n Illinois Is 70 better all
conditions that make for comic -.
oyment. happiness and well-beins,
10th by Improvement OF home life
through the household science work