The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-12-10
THE FARMERS INSTITUTE.

a,E IL
All Three Days of the Institute, Rural
/, Life Day and Rural Contests
n Were Decided Successes.
The Farmers Institute held in
Leon last week was a success. The
number of exhibits in some classes
were not as large as at former insti-
tutes. The interest shown was good,
specially in the rural life department
conducted by tho ladies' committee
of which Mrs. Roy Cannon is super
intendent.
The program was opened by an adj
dress of welcome by Mayor Farquhar
in a few pointed remarks about the
town of Leon being interested in the
formers welfare. F. A. CARRIER re-
sponded in few we'll chosen re-
marks, after which the officers for
the coming year were elected, presi-
dent L. A. Durell, vice president, F.
81 "A. CARRIER, secretary Herman Deck,
and treasurer A. G.. George. The ex-
ecutive committe were to be- selected
by the president and secretary. Dele
gate to attend the State Agricultur-
al convention in Des Moines in 1915
In case that President l.. A. Durell
Is not able to attend is VIM. Crichton.
After the election A. M. Avery OF
Cerro Gordo county made an address
on good farming which was we'll re-
ceived. He outlined in great many
ways how we might save some of the
waste that is taking place on great
many farms; that farmers as a
class were not taking advantage OF
their opportunities.
The management of the Idle Hour
theatre donated the use of their
theatre in order that Prof. Bitten
bender might better illustrate the
subject OF poultry raising by lantern
slides which was greatly appreciated
by those who were able to attend.
Rural Life Day was undoubtedly
success. Two years ago Mrs. Camp
bell lectured on Domestic Science,
and she suggested that there ought
to be ladies' committee of the farm
ers institute. Acting on the sugges-
ton, the president appointed a
committee. If there were any doubts
as to the wisdom of appointing said
committee they certainly ought to be
removed after seeing what the ladies
have accomplished in so short a
time. If the men would take hold
of the work in the same way, it
would be necessary to have build
ing to house the Farmers Institute.
The opportunity of the rural
church by Rev. j. w. Johnson, was
we'll worth going long ways to hear
- wish that it could be published in
full) especially for the country peo-
pie. He told how they might make
the country church social center
and have some attractions to draw
the people to it the six week days as
we'll as the Sabbath.
The Greater Agricultural Develop
ment of Decatur County by j. W..
sCoverdale, agent of the U. S. Depart
ment of agriculture, was fine He
told how Decatur, county might be
benefited in a great many ways by
employing county agent What
county agents were doing in other
counties and states. There are eleven
counties in Iowa that have county
agents now. He told how they were
helping the teachers in their rural
schools to teach agriculture in a
practical way; how they were hold
ing meetings in the school houses
and at the different farms over the
county; also conducting experiments
at the county farms, and lastly help
ing individual farmers that had prob
lens of their own to solve or some-
thing they did not understand.
1t is the intention to organize
County Agricultural Society that will
employ county agent, a committee
consisting of Morris Gardner chair
man, Ed Sharp and M. c.. Freestone,
were appointed that will try and
make an effort to see what can be
done along that. line, if the prospect
Is good Mr.. Coverdale will be back
during the winter to make a thor
sough campaign throughout the coun-
ty. tits to be hoped the farmers over
the country will think over the sub
ject of county agent so that when
the time comes for a thorough can
vass it will meet with favorable
response. The counties that have al
ready taken hold of this work are
very enthusiastic in supporting it.
/ wish to thank the business men
of Leon for their liberal support and
assistance during the three years
that I have been president of the
Farmers Institute. Without their
support it would have been impOs-
sible to conduct an institute with any
decree Of success and that they will
give my successor the same liberal
support have received.
Respectfully,
"A. E. Cotterill.
The Rural Schools contest was in
every way a great success. The
audience was without doubt the larg-
est assemblage of country people ever
gathered under one roof in Decatur
county. and the program the finest
ove,r rendered by pupils of the rural