OFFICE OF fi &LETIN NO. 135 (Revised). A. C. TRUE, I #&*»§' J- J J ISLATIOX I RELATING TO FARMERS' INSTITUTES IN THE UNITED STATES BY JOHN HAMILTON, FARMERS' INSTITUTE SPECIALIST [Revised October 15, 1905.] r-Sffig *~tr , , WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1905. OFFICIALS IN CHARGE OF FARMERS' INSTITUTES. Alabama.— C. A. Cary, Professor of Veterinary Science, Alabama Polytechnic Institute, Auburn; <;. \Y. Carver, Director Agricultural Experiment station, Tuskegee. ' ALASKA. -C. C. Georgeson, Special Agent in Charge Agricultural Expert] tent Station, Sitka. ARIZONA. -R. H. Forbes, Director Agricultural Experiment Station, Tucson. California.— E. J. Wickson, Professor of Practical Agriculture, University of California, and Intendent of Fanners' Institutes, Berkeley; D. T. Fowler, Conductor of Farmers' Institul Centra] and Northern California, Berkeley; A. J. Cook, Conductor of Farmers' Institutes in South- ern California, Claremont; W. T. Clark, Assistant Superintendent of Farmers' Institutes, Berkeley. Colorado.— W. L. Carlyle, Dean of School of Agriculture, State Agricultural College, Fort Collins; Fred. P. Johnson, Assistant Superintendent of Farmers' Institutes, Denver. Connecticut.— James F. Brown, Secretary State Board of Agriculture, North Stonington; J. G. Schwink, jr., Secretary Connecticut Dairymen's Association, Merlden; II. C. C. Miles, Secretary Connecticut Pomological Society, Milford. Delaware. — Wesley Webb, Secretary Board of Agriculture, Dover; Arthur T. Neale, Director Agri- cultural Experiment Station, and Superintendent of Institutes for Newcastle County, Newark. Florida.— C. M. Conner, Professor of Agriculture, University of Florida, Lake City. Georgia.— H. C. White, President State College of Agriculture, Athens; Harvie Jordan, Field Agent in Charge of Farmers' Institutes, Atlanta. HAWAII.— J, G. Smith, Special Agent in Charge Agricultural Experiment Station, Honolulu. Idaho.— H. T. French, Director Agricultural Experiment Station, Moscow. Illinois.— Frank H. Hall, Secretary Illinois Farmers' Institutes, Aurora. Indiana.— W. C. Latta, Professor of Agriculture, Purdue University, Lafayette. Iowa.— J. C. Simpson, Secretary State Board of Agriculture, Des Moines. Kansas.— J. T. Willard, Director Agricultural Experiment Station, Manhattan; J. H. Miller, Assist- ant Superintendent of Farmers' Institutes, Manhattan. Kentucky. — Hubert Vreeland, Commissioner of Agriculture, Frankfort. Louisiana.— J. G. Lee, Commissioner of Agriculture, Baton Rouge. Maine.— A. W. Gilraan, Commissioner of Agriculture, Augusta. Maryland. — W. L. Amoss, Director Farmers' Institutes, Benson. Massachusetts.— J. L. Ellsworth, Secretary State Board of Agriculture, Boston. Michigan. — L. R. Taft, Superintendent of Farmers' Institutes, Agricultural College. Minnesota.— O. C. Gregg, Director Farmers' Institutes, Lynd. Mississippi.— J. C. Hardy, President Agricultural and Mechanical College, Agricultural College. Missouri.— George B. Ellis, Secretary State Board of Agriculture, Columbia. Montana. — F. B. Linfield, Director Agricultural Experiment Station, Bozeman. Nebraska. — E. A. Burnett, Director Agricultural Experiment Station, Lincoln. Nevada.— J. E. Stubbs, President Nevada State University, Reno. New Hampshire.— N. J. Bachelder, Secretary State Board of Agriculture, Concord. New Jersey.— Franklin Dye, Secretary State Board of Agriculture, Trenton. New Mexico.— Luther Foster, President Agricultural and Mechanical College, Mesilla Park, New York.— F. E. Dawley, Director Farmers' Institutes, Fayetteville. North Carolina.— S. L. Patterson, Commissioner of Agriculture, Raleigh; Tait Butler, Professor of Veterinary Science, North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, Field Agent. Raleigh North Dakota.— E. E. Kauffman, Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture, Bismarck. Ohio. — W. W. Miller, Secretary State Board of Agriculture, Columbus. Oklahoma.— C. A. McNabb, Secretary State Board of Agriculture, Guthrie. Oregon.— J. Withycombe, Director Agricultural Experiment Station, Corvallis. Pennsylvania.— A. L. Martin, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Harrisburg. Porto Rico.— D. W. May, Special Agent in Charge Agricultural Experiment Station, Mayaguez. Rhode Island.— John G. Clarke, Secretary State Board of Agriculture, Providence. South Carolina.— J. N. Harper, Director Agricultural Experiment Station, Clemson College. South Dakota.— M. F. Greeley, Superintendent of Fanners' Institutes, Gary. Tennessee.— W. W. Ogilvie, Commissioner of Agriculture, Nashville. Texas.— J. W. Carson, Director Farmers' Institutes, College Station. Utah. — P. A. Yoder, Director Agricultural Experiment Station, Logan. Vermont.— George Aitken, Secretary State Board of Agriculture, Woodstock. Yiur.iNiA.— G. W. Koiner, Commissioner of Agriculture, Richmond; A. M. Soule, Director Agricul- tural Experiment Station and Secretary Virginia State Farmers' Institute, Blacksburg. Washington.— E. A. Bryan, President Agricultural College and School of Science, Pullman; E. E. Elliott, Professor of Agriculture, Washington Agricultural College, Field Agent in Charge of Institutes, Pullman. West Virginia.— J. B. Garvin, Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, Charleston. Wisconsin.— G. B. McKerrow, Director Farmers' Institutes, Madison. Wyoming.— B. C. Buffum, Director Agricultural Experiment Station, Laramie. tA U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS BULLETIN NO. 135 (Revised). A. C. TRUE, Director. LEGISLATION RELATING TO FARMERS' INSTITUTES IN THE UNITED STATES BY JOHN HAMILTON, FARMERS' INSTITUTE SPECIALIST. [Revised October 15, 1905.] ion pea \WmBm If WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1 905. OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. A. C. True. Ph. D.— Director. E. \Y. Allen, Ph. D. — Assistant Director and Editor of Experiment Station Record. W. H. Beal — Chief of Editorial Division. John Hamilton — Farmers' InstUutt Specialist. C . E . Johnston— Oh ief Clerk. EDITORIAL DEPARTMENTS." Meteorology. Soils, and Fertilizers — W. II. Beal. Agricultural Botany and Vegetable Pathology — W. H. Evans, Ph. D. Field Crops — J. I. Schulte. Horticulture and Forestry — C. B. Smith. Zootechny and Human Nutrition — C. F. Langworthy. Ph. D. Agrotechny, Dairy Farming, and Dairying — H. W. Lawson. Agricultural Chemistry — W. H. Beal. C. F. Langworthy, and II. W. Lawson. Economic Zoology. Entomology, and Veterinary Medicine — E. V. Wilcox, Ph. D. Rural Engineering — S. M. Woodward. Rural Economics — H. C. Taylor. Ph. D. Agricultural Education — D. J. Crosby. (2) LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. U. S. Department of Agkicultube, Office of Experiment Stations. Washington, 1). C, October 15, 1905. Sir : I have the honor to transmit herewith and to recommend for publication as a bulletin of this Office a compilation of laws relating to fanners' institutes in the United States, prepared by John Hamilton, farmers' institute specialist of this Office. Respectfully, A. C. True, Director. Hon. James Wilson. Secretary of AgricuUurt . (3) CO NTH NTS. Page. Introduction 7 State legislation 9 Alabama 9 Alaska 9 Arizona 9 Arkansas 9 California 10 Colorado 10 Connecticut 10 Delaware 11 Florida 12 Georgia 12 Hawaii 12 Idaho 13 Illinois 13 Indiana 15 Indian Territory 16 Iowa 16 Kansas 16 Kentucky 16 Louisiana 17 Maine 17 Maryland 18 Massachusetts 19 Michigan 19 Minnesota 21 Mississippi 22 Missouri 22 Montana 23 Nebraska 24 Nevada - 24 New Hampshire 24 New Jersey 24 New Mexico 25 New York 25 North Carolina 25 North Dakota 26 Ohio 26 Oklahoma 27 Oregon 28 Pennsylvania 28 Porto Rico 29 (5) 6 State legislation — Continued. page. Rhode Island 29 South Carolina . " 29 South Dakota 29 Tennessee 30 Texas 30 Utah. 31 Vermont 31 Virginia 32 Washington 32 West Virginia 33 Wisconsin 34 Wyoming 34 Federal legislation 35 LEGISLATION RELATING TO FARMERS' INSTITUTES. INTRODUCTION. In order that legislation respecting farmers' institutes might be generally accessible, there were secured from the institute directors in PMC! copies of the laws under which the institutes in the several States were then organized. These laws were arranged and pub- lished as Bulletin No. 135 of the Office of Experiment Stations. The institute laws in a number of the States have since the publi- cation of this bulletin been so modified by subsequent enactment as to make a revision of it necessary. Copies of the old laws were accordingly recently sent to the several State directors of institutes with the request that where changes have occurred copies of the new laws be forwarded to the Office to be inserted in the revised bul- let in. Such modifications, therefore, of the farmers' institute laws as have occurred from August 1, 1903, to August 1, 1905, have been incorporated in this revised edition of Bulletin 135. An examination of the laws of the several States will reveal the fact that while they differ widely in their form and requirements, as well as in the authority which they confer and in the amount of money which they appropriate, yet they are one in their purpose to assist farming people by giving them opportunity of obtaining a better understanding of the application of science to agriculture. Thus far the States have, to a great degree, acted independently of each other in institute affairs. The attention of some has been directed to the improvement of their agricultural people, through institute instruction, by the fact that a large percentage of their population is engaged in this industry and that the farmers have for years been struggling, without avail, to solve the problems that confront them. At length the States were called upon for aid, and in response there have come appropriations for institute work. Other Stales, seeing that their lands are rapidly deteriorating and depreciating in value, have resolved not to wait until their impov- erishment is complete, but have wisely undertaken to husband the resources of their soil by teaching those who till it how to grow full crops and still leave their farms better than before, 8997— No. 135—05 2 (7) It is significant that, without any conference or understanding with each other, the several States have agreed upon the farmers' institute method of disseminating agricultural truth as being the best yet discovered, and have accordingly, by common consent, chosen it as their agent for conducting this important work. The sentiment among thoughtful men in this country, that agri- culture always must be our greatest and most constant source of wealth, is well-nigh universal, and also that our agricultural people must continue to be, as they have been in the past, a great con- servative body in our citizenship, upon which the security, perpe- tuity, and development of our free institutions must depend. Leg- islatures, therefore, are acting with wise forethought in considering the necessities of agricultural people and in making appropriations for rendering their calling, more than ever before, a profitable pur- suit — remunerative to the individual and beneficial to the State. The farmers' institute is now, therefore, a recognized necessity in our system of public education, and will doubtless in the future be supported by the several States with still greater liberality as its work develops and its usefulness becomes more generally understood. STATE LEGISLATION. ALABAMA. The farmers ' institute work in Alabama is under the direction of the Agricultural College and Experiment Station board of trustees. There is no State law of any kind regulating or controlling the work. ALASKA. Farmers' institutes have not yet been established in Alaska. ARIZONA. The legislative assembly of Arizona has enacted a law providing for "improvements and publications of the agricultural experiment station of the University of Arizona and for holding farmers' insti- tutes throughout the Territory. ' ' Sections 1 and 8 of the act con- tain all that relates specifically to farmers' institutes. Section 1. For the purpose of providing for improvements and publications neces- sitated by the growth of the agricultural experiment station of the University of Arizona. and to provide for the establishment of farmers' institutes throughout the Territory, a loan of eleven thousand ($11,000) dollars is hereby authorized to be negotiated and made on the faith and credit of the Territory of Arizona, and to bear interest at such a rate as shall be fixed by the board of regents of the University of Arizona, not exceeding five per cent per annum. Sec. 8. The proceeds derived from the sale of said bonds shall be applied and appor- tioned as follows: 1. For issuing the publications of the agricultural experiment station of the University of Arizona and for providing buildings and equipment for said agricultural experiment station, particularly the date orchard and the station farm connected therewith, the sum of eight thousand and three hundred ($8,300) dollars. 2. To provide for the establishment of fanners* institutes and short courses of instruc- tion throughout the Territory, the sum of two thousand and seven hundred ($2,700) dollars. ARKANSAS. Arkansas has no farmers' institute legislation. The work of con- ducting institutes is assumed by the University of Arkansas and the agricultural experiment station. (9) 10 CALIFORNIA. AN \ hold farmers' institutes, making an appropriation therefor, and prescribing the duties of the controller and treasurer in relation thereto. '/ In peopU "ftfu Stat* of California, represented in senatt and assembly, do enact as foQowe: ion 1. The regents of the University of California are hereby authorized to hold insti- tutes for the instruction of citizens of this State in the various branches of agriculture. Such institutes shall be held at such times and at such plan- as said regents may direct The said regents shall make such rule- and regulations as they may deem proper for organ izing and conducting such institutes, and may employ an agent or agents to perform such work in connection therewith as they deem best. The course of instruction at such insti- tutes shall be so arranged as to present to those in attendance the results of the most recent investigations in theoretical and practical agriculture. 2. The sum of twelve thousand dollars is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the State treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the use of the regents of the Univer- sity of California in discharging their duties, as prescribed in section one. during the two fiscal years following the passage of this act. One-half of said sum. viz. six thousand dol- lars, shall be paid on the first day of July, nineteen hundred and five, and the remaining one-half (six thousand dollars) shall be paid on the first day of July, nineteen hundred and six. Sec. 3. The controller is authorized and directed to draw his warrants for the above sums, payable to the order of the treasurer -of the University of California, and the treas- urer of the State is directed to pay the same. Sec. 4. This act shall be in effect from and after its passage. Approved March 18, 1905. COLORADO. Extract from Senate Bill No. 172. Appropriating Money for the Benefit of the Colorado College and Station. Sec o. It shall be the duty of the State board of agriculture, through its officers and those of the State agricultural college, to organize and conduct a farmers* institute annu- ally in each agricultural county of the State, to instruct the stockmen and farmers and those interested in agriculture and horticulture and kindred industries: and to carry out the provisions of this act there is hereby appropriated the sum of four thousand dollars C$4,000) annually from the amount hereinafter appropriated. Approved , 1905. CONNECTICUT. Connecticut has no special law regulating the holding of farmers' institutes. The State board of agriculture, the Connecticut Dairy- men's Association, and the Pomological Society are all carrying on institute work in the State. These different organizations all draw- money from the State for the benefit of agriculture in general: the Dairymen's Association for the dairying interests, the Pomological Society for the interests of fruit growing. The methods used by these different organizations for carrying out their work and dissemi- nating useful information are entirely in their own discretion. Each, however, has an institute committee appointed to have charge of institute work. Where the citizens in any locality desire an institute, any one of these associations will furnish speakers free of expense. These dif- 11 fereni organizations have all held institutes during the pasl several years. Annual meetings are held in the winter l>.\ each of these organizations. The Connecticut State hoard of agriculture requires " that localities applying for institutes shall Furnish a suitable hall, local transporta- tion for speakers and visitors, music if desired, and entertainment by collation or otherwise, unless there are convenient hotel accommoda- tions." "The hoard pays for printing, traveling expenses, and serv- 1 ices of the speakers." The authority under which the hoard acts in institute matters is through an act creating the State hoard of agricul- ture, which authorizes the secretary "to disseminate agricultural information by lectures or otherwise." DELAWARE. AN ACT providing for farmers' Institutes. Hi it enacted by flu senaU and house of representatives of the State of Delavmre in general in|M-iisation shall n<»t exceed the sum of one hundred dollars per annum, and which said compensation -hall be paid from the fund- appropriated hv the State to the -aid State l><>;iid «>f agriculture." S» 1. F<»r the purpose of defraying the incidental expeosi -of balding the institutes herein provided for the sum of six hundred dollars annually i- herein ap p ro priated, to wit. two hundred dollar- to the institute of each county. re-j)eetivel\ . t<» he paid to the respec- tive treasurers thereof on the oeitifieate of the president and secretary that he is duly authorized to receive the same. Sf.c . 5. Each institute -hall he the judge of the qualifications and regulate the admission of its own members, and may also make and alter rides for the regulation of its own pro- ceedings. The failure to hold an institute as herein contemplated in any one year shall forfeit its appropriation for that year. Passed at Dover March 29. 1889. FLORIDA. The legislature of Florida at its session in 1905 failed to make an appropriation for carrying on the farmers' institute work. Some insti- tutes, however, were held by the superintendent of institutes under the direction of the board of trustees of the University of Florida, who have delegated to the president of the college and to the superintend- ent of institutes the power to make rules for the holding of institute meetings and to expend such funds for institute purposes as may from time to time be appropriated by the board. GEORGIA. The work of holding farmers' institutes in Georgia has been con- ducted under the direction of the college of agriculture of the State university, and up until September 1. 1904. the money necessary for meeting the expenses of the institutes was appropriated by the trus- tees of the university. The legislature of 190-1 in making appropriations for the mainte- nance of the University of Georgia and the various branch colleges under its control inserted the following clause: "To the University of Georgia for farmers' institutes. $2,500." This appropriation went into effect September 1. 1904, and terminated September 1. 1905. The trustees of the university out of funds in their control also set apart the sum of 81,000 for institute purposes. There never has been any separate and distinct act or bill passed by the legislature of Georgia establishing farmers' institutes, the only recognition of their existence being in the item appropriating $2,500 for their maintenance for the year ending September 1. 1905. HAWAII. The president of the farmers' institute of the Territory of Hawaii reports that " there are no laws now in force in this Territory relating to farmers' institutes." * * * " The farmers' institute of Hawaii is now on a permanent basis. Quarterly meetings have been held L3 since the organization of the society, January 25, 1902. Each suc- ceeding meeting has shown a growth in interest and numbers, begin- ning w itli a membership of 1 5 and having n<>\\ oi er 75 persons enrolled as active members. The work of the first year in the history of tin 1 society has been prepared for publication, and, providing the neces- sary funds can be secured from the local Legislature, or elsewhere, the proceedings will he printed for genera] distribution." IDAHO. The only law governing farmers' institute's in Idaho is that which made an appropriation of $2,000 lor the institute work for two years. The control of the institutes and the expenditure of the money are intrusted to the hoard of regents of the college of agriculture of the universit v. ILLINOIS. AN ACT creating the Illinois Fanners' Institute. Be it < naded by flu people of the State of Illinois, represented in the general assembly: Section 1. That to assist and encourage useful education among the farmers and for developing the agricultural resources of the State, an organization under the name and style of "Illinois Fanners' Institute" is hereby created and declared a public corporation of the State. Sec. 2. It shall consist of three delegates from each county of the State, elected annually at the farmers' institutes for said county by the members thereof. Sec 3. The affairs of the Illinois Farmers' Institute shall be managed by a board of direct- ors consisting of (1) State superintendent of public instruction, (2) professor of agriculture of the University of Illinois, (3) president of the State board of agriculture, (4) president of the State Horticultural Society, (.5) president of the State Dairymen's Association, and one member from each Congressional district of the State, to be selected by the delegates from the district present at the annual meeting of this organization: ProcuUd, That the mem- bers first selected from the Congressional districts of even number shall serve for one year, and the members first selected from the Congressional districts of odd numbers shall serve for two years, and that the members selected thereafter to fill expired terms of office shall serve for the period of two years. Sec. 4. The board of directors of the Illinois Farmers' Institute shall have sole care and disposal of all funds that may be appropriated by the State to sustain the organization, and shall expend the same in such manner as in their judgment will best promote the interest in useful education among the farmers and develop the agricultural resources of the State. The Illinois Farmers' Institute shall make annual report to the governor of its transactions, which report shall include papers pertaining to its work and addresses made at the annual meeting of the organization, and a classified statement of all moneys received and of all expenditures made, and twenty thousand (20,000) copies of said report shall be printed on or before September 1 of each fiscal year, one-half for the use of the Illinois Farmers' Insti- tute and the remainder to the secretary of state for distribution. It shall make no appro- priation without funds in hand to meet the same, and the State of Illinois shall in no event be held liable or responsible for debt, obligation, or contract made by the Illinois Farmers' Institute or its board of directors. Sec. 5. There shall be held annually, under the direction of the board of directors, be- tween October 1 and March I following of each year, a public meeting of the delegates from county farmers' institutes and of farmers of this State, at such time and place as may be determined by tin board of directors, of not less than three days' duration, which meeting shall be held for the purpose of developing the greater interest in the cultivation of crops, in 14 t be care and breeding of domestic animals, in dairy husbandry, in horticulture, in farm drain- age, in unproved highway, and general farm management, through and by means of liberal discussions <>!' these and kindred subjects, and any citizen may take pari in these meetings, but only duly elected and accredited delegates from county farmers' institutes shall be permitted to vote in the election of the board of directors. Sec. 6. The members of each new board of directors shall enter upon their duties the next Tuesday alter their elect ion, and hold their offices for one or t wo years, as provided in section 3, or until their successors are elected and enter upon their duties. It shall have power to fill vacancies in the board. It shall organize by the election of a president, vice- president, secretary, treasurer, and State superintendent of fanners' institutes, and such other officers or agents as may be deemed proper for organizing and conducting the work of the organization, who shall hold their offices for one year, unless removed sooner by the hoard, and shall perform such duties as may be required of them by rules of the board. The secretary, treasurer, and superintendent may be other than members of the board. Se.C. 7. Rooms in the capitol building shall be assigned to the officers of this organization by the proper authority, which shall then be under the control of the board of directors. Sec. 8. The board of directors may make and enforce such rules and by-laws, not in con- flict with the laws of this State, as will render its work most useful and efficient. Sec. 9. For the purpose mentioned in the preceding sections, said board of directors may use such sum as it may deem proper and necessary, not exceeding the amount appropriated therefor by the general assembly from the general fund for that purpose: Provided further, That the (1) State superintendent of public instruction, (2) professor of agriculture of the University of Illinois, (3) president of the State board of agriculture, (4) president of the State Horticultural Society, (5) president of the State Dairymen's Association, and the present Congressional representatives of the Illinois Farmers' Institute Association shall constitute the first board of* directors of this organization, who shall have charge of the affairs of the same until their successors have been duly elected and enter upon their duties as provided in this act. AN ACT making an appropriation for the Illinois Farmers' Institute and county farmers- institutes. Whereas, to assist and encourage practical education among farmers and for the develop- ing of the agricultural resources of the State, the thirty-ninth general assembly created an organization under the name and style of the Illinois Farmers' Institute, and entrusted to it the development of greater skill in the cultivation of crops, in the breeding and care of domestic animals, in dairy husbandry, in horticulture, in farm drainage, in improvement of highways and general farm management, through and by means of general discussion of these and kindred subjects, and practical instruction for improving the condition of the farmer by affording a better knowledge of successful agriculture: Therefore, to sustain the same, Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, represented in the general assembly: Section 1. That there be, and is hereby, appropriated to the Illinois Farmers' Institute the following sums, to wit: For the salary of secretary, for clerk hire, typewriter, express- age, postage, office expenses, furniture, etc., the sum of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) per annum for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 1905 and 1906. Sec. 2. For the actual expenses of the members of the board of directors and officers of the Illinois Farmers' Institute in the performance of their duties as said members and offi- cers, for the expenses of the State institute meeting, and for the incidental expenses in promoting the development of the farmers' institute work throughout the State, the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) per annum for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 1905 and 1906. Sec. 3. For the use of each county farmers' institute, for the purpose of holding one or more county farmers' institute meetings in each county in the State, the sum of seventy-five dollars ($75) per annum for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 1905 and 1906; said sum to 15 be paid to the treasurer of each county farmers' institute when such institute shall file with the secretary of the Dlinois Farmers' [nstitute a sworn statement which Bhall sho* thai Said county fanner-' institute has held one or more duly advertised public sessions annually, of not less than two day- each, at -oine easily access il'le location, which shall include an itemized statement of the expense of said meeting, \\ ith receipted rouchen therefor, a copy of jts printed program, and a report of the proceedings showing the title and author of the papers read and by whom discussed, place or places <>f meeting, with average daily attend- ance, and such other information as may he called for by the Qlinois Farmer-' Institute and oecessary to successfully assist this work. I. No officer nor officers of any county farmer's' institute shall he entitled to receive any moneyed compensation whatever for any service rendered the same. .*). That on the order of the president, approved by the director of the Congres- sional district, the secretary of the State farmer-' institute -hall draw hi- warrant on the treasurer of the State farmer--' institute, in favor of the treasurer of the county farmers' institute, for the sum herein appropriated: Provided, That each warrant on account of a county farmers' institute shall show the county institute for whose benefit the same is drawn: Provided further, That the program and report of proceedings of the county far- mers' institute for which warrant is drawn shall show that some of the following topics have been presented and discussed, viz: Grain farming, stock feeding and breeding, dairy husbandry, orchard and -mall fruit culture, farmers' garden, domestic science, and any subject- pertaining to farm life: Provided further, That if the necessary expenses of a county farmers' institute shall not equal the sum of seventy-five dollars ($75), as aforesaid, then said warrant shall only he drawn for the sum expended. Sec. 6. It shall he the duty of the treasurer of the Illinois Farmers' Institute to pay over to the treasurer of each county farmers' institute the said sum of seventy-five dollars 175), or so much thereof as may be received for its use and benefit, as aforesaid, and make annual report to the governor, as provided by law. Sec. 7. The State auditor is hereby authorized to draw his warrant for the sums herein specified and deliver the same to the treasurer of the Illinois Farmers' Institute upon his presenting voucher for same, signed by the president and secretary of said Illinois Farmers Institute, and the State treasurer shall pay the same out of any money in the State treasury not otherwise appropriated. Approved May 12, 1905. INDIANA. ACT relative to farmers' institutes. Be it enacted by the general assembly of the State of Indiana: Section 1. That it is hereby made the duty of the committee of experimental agriculture and horticulture of the board of trustees, together with the faculty of the school of agri- culture of Purdue University, to appoint, before November 1 of each year, suitable persons to hold in the several counties of this State, between the first day of November and the first day of April of each year, county institutes for the purpose of giving to farmers and others interested therein instruction in agriculture, horticulture, agricultural chemistry, and economic entomology. Sec. 2. Such institutes shall be held at such times and places as said committee and faculty may determine, and under such rides, regulations, and methods of instruction as they may prescribe: Provided, however, That such institutes shall be so conducted as to give to those attending the results of the latest investigations in theoretical and practical agriculture and horticulture. Sec. 3. For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this act. paying the salaries of instructors and other necessary expenses, the sum of five thousand dollars is hereby appro- priated, to be expended under the direction of the said committee of said board of trus and they shall annually report such expenditures and the purposes thereof to the governor. Approved March 9, 1889. 8997— No. 135—05 3 16 The above act was amended in 1905 by increasing the appropri- ation from $5,000 to SI 0,000 per annum. INDIAN TERRITORY. Farmers' institutes have not yet been established in Indian Terri- tory. IOWA. Law Governing the Organization of Institutes (Code of Iowa). Section 1675. Farmers' institutes — State aid — Appropriation. When forty or more farmers of a county organize a farmers' county institute with a president, secretary, treas- urer, and executive committee of not less than three outside of such officers, and hold an institute, remaining in session not less than two days in each year, which institute may be adjourned from time to time and place to place in said county, the county auditor, upon proof of such organization and such institute having been held, together with an itemized statement showing the manner in which the money herein appropriated has been expended, shall certify the same to the auditor of State, who shall remit to the treasurer of such county his warrant for not to exceed seventy-five dollars, and there is hereby appropriated a sum not to exceed seventy-five dollars annually for such institute work in each county. No officer of any such farmers' institute shall receive, directly or indirectly, any compensation from said State fund for services as such officer. KANSAS. AN ACT relating to farmers' institutes. Be it enacted by the legislature of the State of Kansas: Section 1. Whenever any county farmers' institute association in this State shall have elected a president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer, and adopted a constitution and by-laws for its government, it shall be the duty of the county commissioners of such county to appropriate annually the sum of fifty dollars, or so much thereof as may be neces- sary, to defray the legitimate expenses of a two days' institute at such place in the county as may be designated by the executive committee of the institute association: Provided, That this act shall not apply to institute associations that have not been in successful operation at least one year. Sec. 2. This act shall be in force from and after its publication in the statute book. Approved , 1903. The legislature has appropriated S2,000 a year to pay the expenses of the members of the college faculty and experiment station who attend institutes. KENTUCKY. Tins State has no institute law, and the commissioner proceeds as he thinks best under a general act of the legislature defining his duties. The institute work is conducted under the authority given by the following extracts from the general law: The efforts of the bureau shall be directed to the promotion of agriculture, horticulture, etc., and the commissioner shall promote and encourage, as far as practicable, societies and other associations in the several counties, and ascertain the agricultural, horticultural, mechanical, commercial, and educational condition of even* county, etc. * * * The commissioner shall put himself in communication with the different agricultural, horti- cultural, and labor societies, etc. 17 The sum of $13,000 annually is appropriated to pay the expenses and salaries of the officials, etc. The discussions and papers read at the institutes are printed by the public printer at low rates under a contract. The director has from S-.000 to 10.000 copies of the report of each institute printed in the form of a supplement, which is distributed by the agricultural papers in the State and by the local papers in the county where the institute IS held. LOUISIANA. Article 306. (Constitution of 1898.) The Louisiana State board of agriculture and immigration shall have the control and direction of all State agricultural organization- and State farmers' institutes, and shall adopt the needful measures for the securement of proper immigration. The State appropriates $2,000 per annum for institute work. The board of agriculture and immigration organized a farmers' institute committee on December 10, 1896, composed of the president of the Louisiana State University, the director of the State experiment stations, and the commissioner of agriculture and immigration. MAINE. AN ACT to create a State department of agriculture. Be it enacted by the senate and house of representatives in legislature assembled, as follows: Section 1. A State department of agriculture for the improvement of agriculture and the advancement of the interests of husbandry is hereby established. A commissioner of agriculture shall be elected biennially by the legislature by joint ballot of the senators and representatives in convention, and he shall take and subscribe the oath provided by the constitution of this State and shall hold his office as follows: The term of office of said commissioner shall be two years and until his successor is elected and qualified, except that the commissioner first elected under this act shall enter upon his duties as such commissioner January first, nineteen hundred and two, and shall serve until his successor shall be elected by the next legislature and qualified. * * * Sec. 3. Said commissioner shall hold or cause to be held two farmers' institutes in each county annually and as many more as the appropriation therefor will allow. The work of said institute shall be devoted to the presentation and discussion of questions bearing upon agriculture and the agricultural interests of the State; and for this purpose said com- missioner is authorized to employ speakers who are qualified and versed in the subjects assigned them, and he shall semiannually publish in the leading agricultural paper of this State a list of available speakers and their subjects, from which lists selections may be made for said institute purposes. He may also appoint and employ assistants, experts, lecturers, a stenographer, and other aids needed in conducting such institute work, and shall fix the compensation of such employees. He may hold such institutes independently or in con- nection with other organizations devoted to agricultural interests, and as far as possible and for the best agricultural interests of the State, aid and encourage agricultural societies and associations in the State: and shall collect and preserve in his office, for public inspection, all valuable data relating to the practical work of such societies and associations. Sec. 4. Said commissioner shall, in connection with, and with the aid of the State Dairy- men's Association, annually hold a State dairymen's conference for the exhibit of dairy products and appliances, wherein prizes for high merit and quality in butter and cheese may be offered, and may employ experts and lecturers to enhance dairy interests, but the expenses of the same shall not exceed the sum of five hundred dollars annuallv. 18 Sec. 5. An appropriation of throe thousand dollars annually shall be made for said institute work and for all other purposes set out in sections three and four. * * * Sec. 8. It shall be the duty of said commissioner annually to make report to the gov- ernor and council, on or before the first day of January of each year, of the work of the department of agriculture in detail, combining in the same a report of the State Pomo- logical Society, State Dairymen's Association, and the State of Maine Cattle Commission, and all other matters relating to the promotion of agriculture; and for the purpose of mak- ing his said report said society, association, and commission shall furnish said commissioner with all necessary data therefor on or before the first day of December of each year. He shall further report all farmers' institutes held and the work therein done, and all public lectures carried on under his authority; and such part of said reports as is of public interest shall be printed for free distribution. Six thousand copies shall be printed and bound in cloth, to be distributed among the agriculturists of the State after supplying the necessary number for libraries and exchanges; and for the purpose of making up his report, as herein provided, it shall be the duty of said commissioner to attend the various agricultural exhibitions in the State and report upon the quality and character of the work of the same. Sec. 9. Said commissioner shall be required to render, on the first day of January of each year, a detailed and itemized account of all expenses of his office, of all institutes held, and of all moneys paid out for employees under the provisions of this bill, also all sums of money paid for prizes on exhibits and for all other purposes. * * * MARYLAND. (Chapter 102.) AN ACT to provide for the formation of farmers-' institutes in the State of Maryland, and to appro- priate a sum of money therefor. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Maryland: Section 1. That a department of farmers' institutes shall be established for the State of Maryland; that the purpose of these institutes shall be to bring before the farmers of the State such information as will effectually remedy many of the existing evils now prevalent in every department of agriculture as now pursued in Maryland, and that at said institutes men competent to instruct shall be present, and such topics shall be discussed as pertain to the principal agricultural interests of the several sections. Sec. 2. And be it enacted, That one such institute shall be held in each year in each county of the State, and an additional one in each county if deemed necessary and desirable. Sec. 3. And be it enacted, That said institute shall be under the direction of a director to be appointed by the trustees of the Maryland Agricultural College, who shall be a person well versed in the profession of agriculture and of practical experience, whose title shall be director of farmers' institutes, whose salary shall be fixed by said board of trustees and paid out of the appropriation hereinafter provided, and whose duties shall be defined by said board; that the said institutes shall be a department of said college similar to the experi- ment station; that all expenses of said institutes shall be paid out of said appropriation, and that said board of trustees be, and hereby is, invested with all powers necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this act, but no expense shall be incurred beyond the amount appropriated. Sec. 4.« And be it enacted, That the sum of three thousand dollars per annum be, and the same hereby is, appropriated for the formation and support of farmers' institutes in this State, and that the comptroller be, and he is hereby, authorized to issue his warrant annually upon the treasurer of the State for the said sum of money out of any fund not otherwise appropriated; that the said sum of money shall be payable to the order of the a By the act of 1904 the sum of $6,000 is annually appropriated, being $3,000 more than the original appropriation. 19 Maryland Agricultural College on or after the first day <>f October <>f each fiscal year, and that the first yearly payment shall be mad* 1 during the fiscal year ending September 30, eighteen hundred and ninety -six. Skc. 5. And hi it enacted, That accurate accounts <>f the expenditures of the money received under this act l>c kept by the registrar of the Maryland Agricultural College, sepa- rate from the general college accounts, and that an itemized and detailed report of such expenditure l» v made annually and published in such manner as the hoard of trustees of the Maryland Agricultural College shall direct. 6. .1//'/ /" it enacted, That this act shall take effect from the date of ita passage. Appro ed March 27, L896. MA SSACHUSETTS. The fanners' institutes of Massachusetts are held under a general law establishing the hoard of agriculture, which authorizes it to " dis- seminate useful information in agriculture by lectures or otherwise." An appropriation of $3,000 was made by the last legislature for the purposes indicated in the above extract from the law r . This included farmers' institutes, the cost of issuing crop reports, nature leaflets, and bulletins. RULES. Rule 15 of the State board of agriculture requires that "each agri- cultural society receiving the bounty of the Commonwealth shall hold within its limits not less than three farmers' institutes each calendar year, and the board shall render all the assistance in its powder to make these institutes interesting and profitable. The secretary of the board shall provide lecturers for farmers' institutes, so far as the appropriation for the object will allow T and a wise expenditure of the money warrant, but he shall not be authorized to pay more than one lecturer for each institute. The secretary of each society shall be required to certify to the holding of each institute on blanks fur- nished by the secretary of the board." MICHIGAN. Act 137, Public Acts, 1899. AX ACT to authorize the State board of agriculture to hold institutes and to establish and main- tain courses of reading and lectures for the instruction of citizens of this State in the various branches of agriculture, mechanic arts, domestic economy, and the sciences relating thereto, and making an appropriation therefor for the fiscal years ending June thirty, nineteen hundred, and June thirty, nineteen hundred one. and to provide a tax to meet the same. The people of the State of Michigan enact: Section 1. That the State board of agriculture is hereby authorized to hold institutes and to establish and maintain courses of reading and lectures for the instruction of citizens of this State in the various branches of agriculture, mechanic arts, domestic economy, and the sciences relating thereto. The said board shall formulate such rules and regulations as it shall deem proper to carry on the work contemplated in this act, and may employ such agent or agents to perform such duties in connection therewith as it shall deem best. Sec. 2. In each county where an institute society shall be organized and maintained under the provisions of this act, the State board of agriculture shall annually hold at least one institute of at least two days in length. When twenty or more persons, residents of any county in this State, shall organize themselves into a society, to be called the — 20 County Fanners' Institute Society, for the purpose of carrying out the objects of this act, and in accordance with rules and regulations furnished by the State board of agriculVire, such society shall Ik 1 deemed an institute society in the- meaning of this act: Provided, That not more than one such institute society in any county shall be authorized by this act. The State board of agriculture shall hold one-day institutes in such counties of the State as it may deem expedient, but not to (.need four annually in any one county. The State board of agriculture may also hold, at such places and times as it may determine, special insti- tutes at which the primary object shall l>e to furnish a school of instruction in the lines specified in section one of this act. Sec. 3. For the purposes mentioned in the preceding section, the State board of agricul- ture may use such sum as it shall deem proper, not exceeding the sum of five thousand five hundred dollars, in the year ending June thirty, nineteen hundred, and five thousand five hundred dollars in the year ending June thirty, nineteen hundred one: Provided. That two hundred dollars of this appropriation shall be available before June thirty, eighteen hundred ninety-nine. Sec. 4. The several sums appropriated by the provisions of this act shall be paid out of the general fund in the State treasury to the treasurer of the State board of agriculture, at such times and in such amounts as the general accounting laws of the State prescribe, and the disbursing officer shall render his accounts to the auditor-general thereunder. Sec 5. The auditor-general shall incorporate in the State tax for the year eighteen hun- dred ninety-nine the sum of five thousand five hundred dollars, and for the year nineteen hundred the sum of five thousand five hundred dollars, which, when collected, shall be credited to the general fund to reimburse the same for the moneys hereby appropriated. Ski . 6. The State board of agriculture is further authorized to publish an annual report, to be known as the " Farmers' Institute Bulletin." of not to exceed two hundred fifty pages, which shall contain, besides statistical reports of the work done and expenditures incurred under this act. such addresses and discussions occurring at the meetings held under this act as the board of agriculture shall deem of sufficient interest to warrant publication. The board of State auditors is hereby directed to print said report and to caus? it to be bound in substantial binding, in the same manner as other reports are printed and bound, and in number sufficient to furnish one to each member of each county farmers' institute society organized under this act, and not to exceed one thousand five hundred in addition for gen- eral distribution by the board of agriculture. The secretary of the State is hereby directed to ship by freight to the secretary of each regularly organized county farmers' institute society a sufficient number of copies of said report to supply one to each member of such county societies. Sec. 7. The board of agriculture, the board of State auditors, and the secretary of State are hereby authorized and directed to publish, print, bind, and distribute a similar report for the year ending June thirtieth, eighteen hundred ninety-nine, as provided in section four, for future reports under this act. This act is ordered to take immediate effect. Approved June 21, 1899. Act 232. Public Acts. 1901. Sec. 3. The State board of agriculture is hereby authorized to hold institutes and to estab- lish and maintain courses of reading and lectures for instruction in the various branches of agriculture, mechanic arts, domestic economy, and the related sciences, which courses of reading, instruction, and lectures shall be conducted, governed, and controlled by act num- ber one hundred thirty-seven of the public acts of eighteen hundred ninety-nine providing for the same: Providing, That not less than seven thousand five hundred dollars shall be expended annually for the purposes provided in said act: but the number of one-day insti- tutes shall be determined by said State board of agriculture. Approved June 6, 1901. 21 MINNESOTA. AN ACT tO establish and maintain farmers' institutes in Minnesota, and to appropriate money * _ therefor. Be it enacted by flu legu&atom of tin 8taU of Minnesota: >i « iion 1. That the 8Um of eighteen thousand dollars (Sl.S,(MM) > shall l><\ and is hereby, annually appropriated, beginning with the fiscal year ending July 31, 1904, for the mainte- nance of farmers' institutes to be held in the several counties of this State as hereinafter provided. S«0. 2. That the avenge OOSl of said fanners' institutes to be paid out of such appropria- tion shall not exceed the sum of one hundred and fifty dollar- s I .">(), . and in such expendi- ture! shall only be included as legitimate and necessary the hoard and traveling expenses of tlie instructors and a reasonable compensation for their services. The salary of the .superintendent and his traveling and needful expenses, together with the cost of the 00068- aary outfit of models, charts, outlines, etc., and the expenses consequent upon doing prelim- inary work, preparatory to the holding of these institutes, shall not be included in calculating this average cost. 81 0. 3. It is hereby provided that none of these moneys shall be expended for hall rent, fuel, lights, local advertising, nor compensation for services of instructors other than those regularly employed. Sec. 4. That a board of administration shall be, and is hereby, created to superintend the execution of this act , and on and after August 1st, nineteen hundred and three (1903), said board shall be constituted as follows : Three (3) members of the board of regents of the University of Minnesota, to be selected by said hoard of regents, the president of the State Agricultural Society, the president of the State Dairy Association, and the president of the State Horticultural Society. Sec. 5. Each member of the board of regents aforesaid shall hold his office for the period of his regency unless otherwise changed by an act of the board of regents of the University of Minnesota. The president of the said agricultural society shall hold his office for three years from the first day of August, nineteen hundred and three (1903). The president of the State Dairy Association shall hold his office for two years from the first day of August, nineteen hundred and three (1903). The president of the State Horticultural Society shall hold his office for the period of one year from the first day of August, nineteen hundred and three (1903). When the periods of office of the president of the State Agricultural Society, the president of the State Dairy Association, and the president of the State Horticultural Society shall have expired, then the presidents of such societies as named who may have been elected as presidents shall become their successors in office, to hold such offices for the periods of three j*ears. Said board of administration may select one of its number as president thereof and one of their number as secretary. Sec. 6. This board of administration is hereby empowered, by a majority vote thereof, to appoint a suitable and competent person as State superintendent of farmers' institutes. The superintendent's term of office shall commence on August first, nineteen hundred and three (1903), and shall continue for two years, subject to the discretion of the board of administration. Sec. 7. The board of administration shall, in conjunction with the superintendent, arrange the institute circuits to be held annually, determining the times and places where such institutes shall be held during each year, and shall audit the accounts as hereinafter provided. Sec. 8. The duties of the superintendent of farmers' institutes shall be as follows, viz: To superintend the several institutes when located as herein provided; to engage competent instmctors therefor; to receive, examine, and report upon all bills for expenses and services payable from established appropriation; and at the end of each fiscal year to make a detailed report of all farmers' institutes held under his direction, with an itemized account of all expenditures, under this act during the year last past to said board of administration. 22 Sec. 9. That the expense of such institutes, together with the salary of said superintend- ent, which is hereby fixed ut fifteen hundred ($1,500) dollars per annum, and the ne< expenses <>f hi- -uperintendenee, and all other money named in this act shall be paid out of said institute fund by the State treasurer upon warrants issued by the State auditor, which warrant shall only be drawn upon the certificate of the superintendent of institutes, approved by the president of the board coadministration. 10. That said board of administration is hereby empowered to act as an auditing hoard, and shall receive and audit reports and accounts of said superintendent a- aforesaid at the close of each fiscal year. Such auditing by said board shall be final. Subsequent to such auditing all vouchers of accounts as approved by said board of administration, includ- ing the report of the superintendent as called for in this act, shall be filed in the office of the State auditor. Sec. 11. The said board of administration shall cause to be published annually a hand- book of practical agriculture for free distribution among the farmers of this State. Said book shall be called a " Farmers' Institute Annual," and the necessary expenses for such publication shall be met out of the appropriation herein made. All accounts for said annual shall appear in the annual report made as hereinbefore provided. Sbc. 12. In arranging for such farmers' institutes, they shall be held so far as possible at times and places when most convenient to the farmers of this State. Each meeting shall continue for not less than one day nor more than three days, with morning, afternoon, and, when practicable, evening sessions. Each shall be free to the public and each shall consist of practical and instructive lectures upon topics pertaining to the farm and home, with incidents and addresses, discussions and illustrations of such methods and practices as pos- sess real merit and are adapted to the conditions of our agriculture, the sole object and pur- pose of these institutes being to disseminate practical knowledge upon questions pertaining to agriculture, horticulture, stock and dairy farming, with the least expense and incon- venience to the people of the State. Sec. 13. It is hereby provided that the expenditure of moneys for institute expenses which may be made prior to August first of any fiscal year from a fund already provided as due August first of the fiscal year following shall not be construed as a deficiency fund: provided, also, that the fund then to be due has already been appropriated by the act of legislature. By this section the needs of the institute*s seasons can be met and be made to harmonize with the fiscal year of the State. Sec. 14. All acts inconsistent with this act are hereby repealed. Sec. 15. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage. Approved April 14, 1903. MISSISSIPPI. There are no laws respecting farmers' institutes in this State, except an item in the act making appropriation to the Agricultural and Mechanical College for farmers' institute work. MISSOITRI. The section in the statutes of the State of Missouri relating to the farmers' institute work is section Xo. 4702. R. S., 1899, defining the duties of the board. Duties of the Board. The State board of agriculture shall be. and is hereby, constituted the body which shall - ipervision of all the legalized departments and institutions of the State which are for the advancement of agriculture. It shall, as a body, or by a committee selected by the board. l>e a board of examiners of the State Agricultural and Mechanical College and Experi- ment Station. While in no way limiting the powers of the board of curators of the State 23 University, the board of examiners Bhall at least once in each year carefully examine into the affairs of the college and experiment station, including the treasurer's account, in refer- ence 1 to the a i in urn i iind sources of the income of the college and experiment station and how expended, the qualifications of those engaged in teaching and those engaged in experimental work, and the character of the work done. The secretary of the hoard of agriculture shall he. furnished with the information thus elicited, together with Buch recommendations as may be deemed necessary for publication in the annual report of the hoard. The hoard of agri- culture shall have charge of the veterinary service of the State, the appointment of t he State veterinarian, and, with the advice of the veterinarian, of deputies, inspectors, and other assistants. It shall he the duty of the hoard, through its secretary, to gather crop and stock statistics, meteorological data, and information as to the best and most profitable means of farming, stock raising, fruit growing, etc., and publish the same in bulletins as frequently as may he deemed expedient; to hold farmers' institutes in different parts of the State for the purpose of gi\ ing instruction in agriculture: to make an annual report to the general assembly of the State, embracing the proceedings of the hoard for the past year, and an abstract of the reports and proceedings of the several agricultural societies of the State, accompanied by such recommendations, including especially such a system of public instruction on these subjects as may be deemed useful. MONTANA. AN ACT entitled "An act to amend an act providing for farmers' institutes, and making an appro- priation therefor," approved March 14, 1901. Be it enacted by the legislative assembly of the State of Montana: Section 1. That section 1 of said act be, and the same is hereby, amended so as to read as follows: "Section 1. The board of administration of the farmers' institutes, as .provided for in this act, shall consist as follows: "The governor of the State and the director of the Montana Experiment Station, both of whom shall be ex-officio members, and the presidents of the following-named organiza- tions: "The Montana Registered Cattle Breeders' Association, The Montana Woolgrowers' Association, The Montana Live Stock Association, The Montana Horticultural Society, The Montana State Board of Horticulture, The Montana Agricultural Association, and the Mon- tana Dairyman's Association, when these last two shall have been duly organized. Mem- bers of such board of administration shall be designated the 'directors of the Montana farm- ers' institutes,' and shall be authorized to hold institutes for the instruction of the citizens of this State in the various branches of agriculture, and shall prescribe such rules and regu- lations as they may deem best for organizing and conducting the same. Such institutes shall be held at least once in each county in each year, and at such times and places as the directors may designate; provided the requirements of the board of administration have been complied with, such as county institutes or local organizations providing a suitable hall, lighting and heating the same, and bearing necessary advertising expense. The direct- ors may employ an agent or agents to perform such work in organizing or conducting such institutes as they may deem best. A course of instruction at such institutes shall be so arranged as to present to those in attendance the results of the most recent investigations in theoretical and practical agriculture." Sec. 2. For the purpose mentioned in this act, the directors may use the sum as they may deem proper, not exceeding the sum of four thousand dollars ($4,000) per annum, and that until otherwise provided by law the State treasurer shall pay, out of any money in the State treasury not otherwise appropriated, a sum not to exceed four thousand dollars ($4,000) during each fiscal year hereafter, on the order of the said board of directors. Each institute held under the authority of this act shall he entitled to a sum not exceeding fifty ($o0) dollars from the amount appropriated under this act. 24 Sec. 3. That section "> of said act be, and the same is hereby, Amended so as to read as follows: "Section 5. Thai immediately upon the passage and approval of this act, the hoard of administration shall meet in the city of Helena and arrange for the first series of institutes throughout the State, and I hereafter such hoard shall meet annual I v on the second Tuesday in September to arrange for such institutes, and they shall again meet on the second Tues- day in March of each year to audit all expenditures and arrange for the printing in pamphlet form, within sixty days of said meeting, of the Institute Annual, and that the cost of said annual shall not exceed one thousand five hundred ($1,500) dollars in any one year." Sec. 4. That all acts and parts of acts in conflict with the provisions of this act be, and the same are hereby, repealed. Sec. 5. This act shall take effed from and alter its approval. Approved March 0, 1903. NEBRASKA. There is no State law under which farmers' institutes are held in Nebraska. The institutes were started through the cooperation of the several State societies interested in agriculture with the Univer- sity of Nebraska. The university will devote $6,000 per year to the work of farmers' institutes during the next biennium. The univer- sity employs a superintendent of farmers' institutes, who is the director of the experiment station, and also an assistant superin- tendent, who has charge of the field work. Except at entirely new points the hotel bills of the speakers are paid by the local organization, which cooperates with the State organ- ization. The local organization also bears the expenses of hall rent, heating and lighting, and local advertising. NEVADA There are no laws in Nevada with respect to the organization and conducting of farmers' institutes. The institutes are held under the direction of the experiment station staff. NEW HAMPSHIRE. Public Statutes of New Hampshire. Chapter 12 Sec. 9. The secretary shall keep a record of all the proceedings of the board, which shall be open at all times to public inspection. He shall aid the board by obtaining all the infor- mation he can concerning the adaptation of the soils and climate of the State to the raising of grasses, grains, vegetables, fruits and other products: the best methods for their culti- vation; the production and rearing of domestic animals: the machinery and implements best adapted to the requirements of farmers and horticulturists, and all other subjects that will increase the prosperity and profit of agricultural and horticultural pursuits in the State. He shall make arrangements for, give public notice of, and, if possible, personally attend the farmers' meetings authorized by the board, and report to the board all the important information there obtained. He shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the board. NEW JERSEY. The farmers' institutes in New Jersey are organized and conducted under authority granted to the State board of agriculture by the legis- lature. The section of the act is as follows: 25 Be it enacted, That in order to collect and disseminate reliable and useful information and to encourage a higher standard in the agriculture and horticulture of the State the executive commit tec arc hereby authorized to cause to l>c made experimental and practical tests of specific remedies or cures of diseases of domestic animate and poultrj and toemploj suitable persons to lecture before the State hoard of agriculture, at its annual OT other meet- ings, and in the counties of the State as far a- the sum herein appropriated will allow. The executive committee of the State hoard of agriculture has dele- gated the management and conduct of the institutes to the secretary of the board. NEW MEXICO. In New Mexico the farmers' institute work has been done by the Agricultural College and Experiment Station Thus far there has been no legislation providing for the organization of institutes. At the suggestion of the station staff and faculty of the college the board of regents appropriated a sum of money sufficient to pay the expenses of the lecturers employed. NEW YORK. Section 2 of article 1 of the New York State agricultural law, chap- ter 338, passed in 1893, defines the duties of the commissioner of agri- culture as follows: The commissioner of agriculture shall be the chief of the department. * * * The commissioner of agriculture shall be appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. His term of office shall be three years. * * * He may appoint a director of farmers' institutes. * * * The bill further provides "that all accounts and expenses of the department authorized by law shall be paid by the treasurer on the warrant of the comptroller after they have been audited." The annual appropriation bill contains a clause which reads: "To the department of agriculture for holding farmers' institutes, $20,000, or so much thereof as may be needed." In the State printing law there is a provision for printing, among other of the public documents, the report of the bureau of farmers' institutes. NORTH CAROLINA. The legislature of North Carolina, by an act which went into effect March 9, 1901, makes it the duty of the commissioner of agriculture, by and with the consent and advice of the board of agriculture, to hold "farmers' institutes in the several counties of the State as fre- quently as may be deemed advisable in order to instruct the people in improved methods in farming, in the beneficial use of fertilizers and composts, and to ascertain the wants and necessities of the various farming communities; and may collect the papers and addresses made at these institutes and publish the same in pamphlet form annu- ally for distribution among the farmers of the State. He may secure 26 such assistant- as may be necessary or beneficial in holding such institute NORTH DAKOTA. Sections 1. • ">. and 5 of the following act creating a State farmers' institute board of directors and regulating the holding of such in.-ti- tuto constitute portions of a Law that went into effect July 1, 190T. Sections 2 and 4 are amendments to the foregoing act and were approved March 15, 1905. Scetion 1. There is hereby established a farmers' institute board composed of the pres- ident of the board of trustees of the North Dakota Agricultural College, the commissioner of agriculture and labor, the director of the experiment station, the professor of agriculture, and the professor of dairying of the North Dakota Agricultural College. Sec. 2. (ORGANIZATION of board.) The State farmers' institute board of directors shall have power to organize by electing one of its members to act as president and one to act as secretary, and it is hereby made its duty to employ a director of farmers' institutes and such other institute lecturers as may be deemed necessary; to authorize the holding of not less than fifty institutes each year, the same to be of such a nature as to instruct the farmers of the State in maintaining the fertility of the soil, the improvement of cereal crops grown in the State, principles of breeding as applied to domestic animals, the making and handling of dairy products, the destruction of noxious weeds and injurious insects, forestry. and growing of fruits, feeding and management of live stock, and in general such instruc- tion as will tend to promote the prosperity, home life, and comfort of the farming population. Sec. 3. No member of this board shall receive any compensation for his services, but shall be allowed his actual and necessary traveling expenses when engaged upon business connected with the proper discharge of his duties under this act. Sec 4. (Appropriation for institutes.) There is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the State treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of six thousand dollars annually for carrying out the purposes of this act. All charges, accounts, and expenses authorized by this act shall be paid by the treasurer of the State, upon the approval of the State board of audit, when certified by the president and secretary of the board of directors. Sec 5. All acts and parts of acts in conflict with the provisions of this act are hereby repealed. OHIO. Law Governing Farmers' Institute Societies in Ohio. [Passed April 26, 1890. and amended April 27, 1896.] Be it enacted by the general assembly of the State of Ohio: Section 1. That when twenty or more persons, residents of any county in the State, organize themselves into a farmers' institute society, for the purpose of teaching better methods of farming, stock raising, fruit culture, and all branches of business connected with the industry of agriculture, and adopt a constitution and by-laws agreeable to rules and regulations furnished by the State board of agriculture: and when such society shall have elected proper officers and performed such other acts as may be required by the rules of the State board of agriculture, such society shall be deemed a body corporate'. Sec 2. Not to exceed four farmers' institute societies organized under the provisions of this act. shall hold annual meetings under the auspices of the State board of agriculture, in any one county in the State, and the State board of agriculture shall have power to deter- mine the number and name the times and places for holding such institute meetings. Sec. 3. When a society organized under the provisions of this act shall have held an annual farmers' institute meeting in accordance with the rules of the State board of agri- culture, the secretary of said board shall issue certificates, one to the president of the farm- ers' institute society and one to the president of the State board of agriculture, setting forth 27 these facts, and on the presentation of these certificates to the county auditor, he Bhall each year draw orders on the treasurer of the count} as follow- ; Based on the last previous national census, a sum equal to three mills for each inhabitant of the county in favor of the president of the State hoard of agriculture, and a sum equal to three mills for each inhabitant of the county in favor of the president of the farmer-' institute society, where bul one society is organized, hut in counties where there are more than one farmers' insti- tute society organized under the provisions of this act, and holding meetings under the auspices and by direction of the State board of agriculture, the --aid three mill- for each inhabitant shall he equally apportioned among such societies, and warrants in the proper amounts issued to the respective presidents, and the treasurer of the county shall pay the same from the county fund: Provided, That in no county shall the total annual sum excel d two hundred and fifty dollars: And provided fu it ha , That the payment to any institute society shall not exceed the expense, as per detailed statement, provided in section four of this act. Sec. 4. With each certificate of the secretary of the State board of agriculture to the county auditor, which certificate shall indicate the number of societies organized in the county and holding meetings by direction of the State board of agriculture, and before the auditor issues his order upon the treasurer, there shall be filed with the auditor a detailed statement of the expenses of the institute for the current year, no part of which shall he foi salaries of officers of the institute society, but this provision shall not apply to the order in favor of the president of the State board of agriculture, which board shall issue state- ment as required in section six of this act Sec. 5. At the annual farmers' institute meetings, held under the provisions of this act and under the auspices of the State board of agriculture, the said board shall furnish lectur- ers or speakers whose compensation and expenses shall be paid by the board. Sec. 6. At the close of each season's institute work, the State board of agriculture shall publish in pamphlet or book form such lectures and papers delivered at the several insti- tute meetings as may seem of general interest and importance to the farmers, stock breed- ers, and horticulturists of the State, copies of which shall be furnished the secretary of each institute society, and the balance issued to be for general distribution; the cost of prepar- ing the matter and the distribution of the pamphlet or book to be paid by the State board of agriculture. Said board shall also publish in such pamphlet or book a detailed state- ment of its receipts under the provisions of this act, and the disbursements on account of institute work. Sec. 7. Said original act, entitled "An act to provide for the organization and support of farmers' institutes," passed April 26, 1890, is hereby repealed, and this act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage. OKLAHOMA. AX ACT establishing a board of agriculture and defining its duties, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the legislative assembly of the Territory of Oklahoma: Section 1. That a board of agriculture is hereby created, said board to consist of six members and the governor of Oklahoma, who shall be an ex-officio member. The six mem- bers shall be elected by annual meetings of delegates from county institutes to be held as hereinafter provided. As soon after the passage and approval of this act as nine county farmers' institutes shall have been duly chartered and organized as hereinafter provided, the secretary of the Territory shall notify the governor, whose duty it shall then be to call a meeting of the delegates elected by such institutes, said meeting to be held at the Terri- torial capital, for the purpose of electing the six members of said hoard, of whom two shall be elected for the full term of three years, two for the term of'two years, and two for the term of one year, and thereafter two members shall be so elected for the full term of three years at each annual meeting. If vacancies occur in the membership from any cause, the governor shall fill the same by appointment, on recommendation of the board, until the 28 next annua] meeting, when such vacancies shall be filled by election for the remainder of (he unexpired term. Sec. 2. Members of the board of agriculture shall be entitled to vote on every propixsi- ( ion with the delegates from the several farmers' institutes in the annual meeting. * * * The secretary slmll perform such duties as may be assigned to him by the board. It shall also 1m> the duty of the secretary of the board to cooperate with the faculty of the agricul- tural and mechanical college and the stall" of the agricultural experiment station in the prep- aration of programmes for institute meetings, and to attend the annual meeting of each county farmers' institute. The powers and duties of the board of agriculture shall include the collection and publication of statistical information concerning agriculture, horticul- ture, animal husbandry, and kindred industries of Oklahoma, and it shall have supervision of the county farmers' institute system. * * * Sec. 4. The board of agriculture shall issue an annual report summarizing the statistics collected as hereinafter provided, detailing an account of the work of the board during the preceding year, reviewing the work of the county farmers' institutes, and containing an account of the proceedings of the annual meeting of the board. Sec. 5. Upon application of not less than fifteen farmers resident in one county, the sec- retary of the Territory shall issue a charter for a corporation to be known as the county farmers' institute for each county. Each county farmers' institute shall hold its annual meeting at the county seat upon a date determined and announced by the board of agri- culture. The programmes of such annual meetings shall include the discussion of matters pertaining to agriculture, and shall be published at least one month before the advertised date of the institute. Each institute shall, at its annual meeting, elect one delegate to the annual meeting of the board of agriculture. Delegates to the annual meeting of said board shall receive compensation at the rate of two dollars per day for not more than three days and three cents per mile for each mile necessarily traveled in going to and returning from such meeting, said mileage and per diem to be paid by the territorial treasurer upon war- rants to be drawn by the territorial auditor. Nothing in this act shall be construed to prevent any county institute from holding meetings at such other times and places as its officers and members may determine. OREGON. The act providing for the holding of agricultural institutes and appropriating money for their maintenance is as follows: Section 1. The board of regents of the State agricultural college is hereby authorized to hold institutes for the instruction of citizens of this State in the various branches of agri- culture. Such institutes shall be held at such times and at such places as said board may direct. The said board shall make such rules and regulations as it may deem proper for organizing and conducting such institutes, and shall employ an agent or agents to perform such work in connection therewith as they may deem best. The course of instruction at such institutes shall be so arranged as to present to those in attendance results of the most recent investigations in theoretical and practical agriculture. Sec. 2. For the purpose mentioned in the preceding section, the said board may use such sum as it may deem proper, not exceeding the sum of $2,500 in any one year, from the gen- eral fund and such amount is hereby annually appropriated for that purpose. Approved , 1905. PENNSYLVANIA. The farmers' institutes in Pennsylvania were established under the act of assembly of March 13, 1895, section 3 of which is as follows: There shall be one deputy secretary, who shall be appointed by the governor for a term of four years, at a salary of $3,000 a year, who shall also be director of institutes. 29 The same act, section 5, provides — Tlrjt it shall be the duiv <>f the superintendent of institutes (<> arrange them in such man- ner as to time and places of holding the same as to secure the greatest economy and effi- ciency of service, and to this end he shall, in each county where such institutes are to he held, confer and advise with the local member of the State board of agriculture, together with representatives duly appointed by each county agricultural, horticultural, and other like organizations with reference to the appointment of speakers and other local arrange- ments. The institutes are supported by biennial appropriations by the legislature made to the department of agriculture. The appropria- tion for the two years of 190") and 190G is $17,500 per annum for institute purposes. PORTO RICO. There has been no legislation in Porto Rico respecting the organ- ization of farmers' institutes. The special agent in charge of the agricultural experiment station reports that an agricultural society has been organized, and institutes will be held under the auspices of this association during the coming year. RHODE ISLAND. Farmers' institutes in Rhode Island are conducted under authority granted by the general assembly in an act passed May 19, 1892, sec- tion 4 of which is as follows: The board shall hold one agricultural institute in each county annually, either independ- ently or in connection with any society or association, or other organization devoted to the same general objects, and may hold as many more as it shall deem expedient, and shall, as far as practicable, encourage State and local associations and societies in the interests of agriculture. The arranging for the holding of institutes is committed by the State board of agriculture to its secretary, and the expenses are paid by the board out of the annual appropriation of $20,000 appropriated for the purpose of carrying out the several provisions of the act by winch the board is constituted. SOUTH CAROLINA. There is no specific law in this State authorizing the holding of farmers' institutes. Institutes, however, are held under authority granted by the board of trustees of Clemson Agricultural College. A committee of this board makes out the programme for the year and appoints an officer to take charge of the work of conducting the meetings. SOUTH DAKOTA. AN ACT to establish and maintain farmers' institutes in the State of South Dakota. Be it enacted by the legislature of the State of South Dakota: Section 1. That there is hereby created a State farmers' institute board, to be composed of the president of the agricultural college and the two members of the State board of regents 30 who are at the time acting <>n the committee for the agricultural college. The term of office as members <>f such institute board shall terminate with the expiration of their term of office, ;i^ above mentioned. ' Sec. 2. Hie State farmers' institute board shall have authority to hold institutes of not to exceed three days, at such times and places within the State as in their judgment the needs of the people demand, which shall be free to the public, and shall consist of practical and instructive lecture-, addresses, discussions, illustrations, and demonstrations on the subject of agriculture in all its branches, and such other matters as are of interest to the farming people of the State. Sec. 3. The necessary and actual expenses incurred in the arranging for and conduct of such institutes, including such machinery, models, maps, chart-, and other apparatus as shall be needed for the proper presentation of the various subjects, shall be paid out of the appropriation hereinafter provided, in the manner provided by law for the payment of other State expenses: Provided, That there shall be no expenditure for hall rent, fuel, lights, local advertising, or local speakers, in connection with the holding of such institutes, except when deemed necessary by the institute board. Sec. 4. The said board shall have authority to engage such instructors as are needed for the proper presentation of the various subjects at such institutes, each of whom shall be a specialist on the subject he is to present, and to allow them a reasonable compensation for their sen-ices, together with their necessary and actual expenses while so employed. Sec. 5. The said board shall have authority to do such advertising and publish such mat- ters for free distribution as they may deem advisable for the best interests of the farmers of the State. Sec. 6. For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the above act, there is hereby appropriated out of any money in the State treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) annually. Approved March 3, 1905. TENNESSEE. Tennessee has no special law governing farmers' institutes. The legislature makes an appropriation to the department of agriculture to be used by the commissioner for institute purposes. The commis- sioner selects the lecturers, arranges the programmes, and decides the places and times for holding the institutes. The appropriation made for 1905 is So, 000. TEXAS. The legislature of Texas in 1903 made an appropriation of So, 400 to the Agricultural and Mechanical College for farmers' institute pur- poses for two years. A member of the faculty was appointed by the board of directors of the college to take charge of organizing and con- ducting the institutes. The director and the president of the college arrange the dates, places, and programmes for institute meetings. All of the local expenses are met by the citizens of the community in which the institute is held. The legislature of 1905 failed to make an appropriation for the institute work. The board of directors of the Agricultural and Mechanical College have, however, made provision for its continu- ance. 81 The director of this department of the college will furnish to any institute, when requested, agricultural, horticultural, and live stock information. He will also aid in organizing county institutes, and will supply those who wish to establish institute organizations a copy of const it ut ion, by-laws, rules of order, and order of business for t heir guidance. UTAH. State Law Providing fob Farmers' [nstttdtes. />< it enacted by flu legislatun of flu state of Utah: Section 1. The trustees of the Agricultural College of Utah, with the advice of the fac- ulty of said college, are hereby authorized and required to hold institutes for the instruc- tion of the citizens of this State in the various branches of agriculture. Such institutes shall he held at least once in each county each school year, beginning July 1, 1890, and at such times and at such places as the trustees and faculty may direct, and they shall make such rules and regulations as they deem proper for organizing and conducting such insti- tutes and may employ an agent or agents to perforin such work, in connection with the faculty of the college, as they may deem best. The course of instruction at such institutes shall be so arranged as to present to those in attendance the results of the most recent inves- tigations in theoretical and practical agriculture. Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of those conducting institutes in any county or precinct in this State, under- the provisions of this act, to encourage and assist in the organization of local agricultural societies. Sec. 3. At the close of each season's institute work the trustees aforesaid will cause to he published in book or pamphlet form, for free, distribution to the farmers of the State, an annual report of the institute work, which report shall contain the leading papers and discussions presented at the institute meetings of the State. Sec. 4. For the purposes mentioned in this act said trustees may use such sum as they may deem proper, not exceeding the sum of fifteen hundred dollars in any one year, and such amount is hereby annually appropriated for that purpose out of any moneys in the State treasury not otherwise appropriated. Approved March 28, 1896. VERMONT. Farmers' institutes in the State of Vermont are under the control of the State board of agriculture as organized by the following act of assembly : Sec. 245. The governor, the president of the University of Vermont and State Agricul- tural College, and three other persons appointed b}^ the governor and confirmed by the sen- ate during each biennial session of the general assembly, and who shall hold their office for the term of two years from and after the first day of December in the year in which the appointment is made, shall constitute the board of agriculture for the improvement of the general interests of husbandry, the promotion of agricultural education throughout the State, and for the discharge of such other duties as are hereinafter set forth. Vacancies in the board shall be filled by the governor. Said board shall appoint from its number a secretary. Sec. 246. The board shall hold one meeting in each county annually, and others if deemed expedient, and may employ lecturers, essayists, or other aid in conducting said meetings, managing its affairs generally and discharging its duties. At such meetings it shall present subjects for- discussion, and among other topics forestry and tree planting, roads and road making. 32 Sec. 247. The secretary shall prepare, on or before the thirtieth day of June, annually, a detailed report of the proceedings of the board, with such suggestions in regard to its duties and the advancement of the interests herein specified as may seem pertinent f and he may append thereto such abstracts of the proceedings of the several agricultural societies and farmers' clubs in the State as may be advisable The report shall show under sepa- rate heads the work of the board relating to the different subjects herein mentioned. Sec. 248. The board shall collect authentic statistical information, as full as possible, relating to agriculture and agricultural products, farms and farm property, the manufac- turing and mining industries of the State, which, under a separate head, shall form a part of its annual report; and such information shall be complete as to unoccupied farms. The board shall also publish such information in separate form, showing, by description and illustrations, the resources and attractions of Vermont; also advantages the State offers, and invitations it extends to capitalists, tourists, and farmers, and shall distribute the same in such manner as, in its judgment, will be most effective in developing the resources and advertising the advantages of the State. VIRGINIA. The original act providing for farmers' institutes in the State of Virginia was enacted in 1893. By act approved May 20, 1903, this law was repealed and the fol- lowing act was substituted : Chapter 295. AN ACT defining the powers and duties of the board of agriculture and immigration, and providing for an election of a commissioner of agriculture and immigration, and for repealing all acts in con- flict with this act. I. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That the department of agriculture and immigration shall be under the management and control of a board of agriculture and immigration, composed of one member from each Congressional district, who shall be a practical farmer, appointed by the governor for a term of four years, and confirmed by the senate, and the president of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, who shall be ex officio a member of the board: Provided, That the terms of members of the board first appointed from districts bearing uneven numbers shall be for two years, beginning March first, nine- teen hundred and three, said members to be selected from the two political parties, so that not more than two-thirds of the members of said board shall belong to any one of the said parties at the same time. All vacancies in the membership of the board shall be filled by the governor. ****** * VI. For the benefit of the agricultural community, the board shall cause to be held farmers' institutes at such times and in such places throughout the State as it may deem necessary for the advancement of agricultural knowledge and the improvement of agricul- tural methods and practices, and publish and distribute such papers and addresses read or made at these institutes as promise to be of value to the farming interests. * * * The board shall annually submit to the governor a full report of its operations for the year, including a detailed financial statement of all its receipts and expenditures made under its direction. WASHINGTON. Section 192 of the session law of 1897 of the State of Washington, in defining the objects and purposes of the Washington Agricultural College and School of Science, declares that "one of the objects of 33 said college shall be to hold farmers' institutes at such times and places and under such regulations as the board of regents may deter- mine." The legislature, at its session in 1903, passed the following act inak- , ing appropriation for the farmers' institutes: For maintenance and conducting farmers' institutes under the direction of the regents of the Washington Agricultural College and School of Science, $'2/M) per year: Provided, That at least one institute shall he held in each county of the State in each year. The Legislature of 1005 failed to make appropriation for farmers' institute purposes. WEST VIRGINIA. The law under which farmers' institutes are held in West Virginia is that winch established the State board of agriculture and pre- scribes its duties. The parts of the act relating to farmers' institutes are sections 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, which are as follows: Sec. 5. It shall be the duty of said board to look after and devise means of advancing the agricultural interests of the State: to promote and encourage as far as practicable the hold- ing of farmers' institutes, the organization of agricultural and horticultural societies and other associations in the interest of agriculture in the several counties of the State. It shall have charge of the preparation in manuscript, the printing, publishing, and dis- tribution, by mail and otherwise, of such documents and reading matter as they may deem best for the agricultural interests of the State. And said board shall include in its publica- tion the methods of farming in use, the variety of stock and crops grown, the special capac- ities and aptitude of the soils to the various products of the latitude and climate, the needs of the farmers, and such other matters as will convey a proper idea of the agricultural resources of the State to practical men. They shall have authority to request of any State official, or any official in any county, city, or town, any and all statistical and other informa- tion the board may desire. It is hereby made the duty of all State and county officers to assist in every way possible, and cooperate with the board, upon their request, to the end that the welfare and interest of agriculture may be promoted. It shall hold farmers' insti- tutes for the instruction of the farmers of the State in the various branches of agriculture. Such institutes shall be held at such times and places, in each year, as said board may direct. The said board shall make such orders and regulations as it may deem proper for organizing and conducting such institutes, and may employ an agent or agents to perform such work in connection therewith as they may deem best. The course of instruction of such institutes shall be so arranged as to present to those in attendance the results of the most recent investigations in theoretical and practical farming. Sec. 6. It shall be the duty of the secretary to attend all meetings of the board, keep a careful record of all their proceedings, in proper books provided by the board, and keep on file all papers relating to the office. To issue, under direction of the board, a monthly, a bimonthly, or quarterly publication, containing crop reports, agricultural statistics, and such other matter as the board may determine. He shall, before the assembling of each regular session of the legislature, com- pile a report giving a general review of agriculture, horticulture, and industrial resources of the State, with brief notices of each county, and the character of the public roads in the several counties, and how and by whom operated and kept in repair: the character of labor generally employed in the cultivation of the soil, and the prices paid therefor, and a report of the various institutes held during each year, and such other information as he is required to gather; and he shall have a sufficient number printed for the use of the legislature and for general distribution, and perform such other duties as the board may prescribe. 34 Sec. 7. The board shall report all its proceedings biennially to the governor, showing in detail the manner of its execution of the provisions of this act, which, together with the publication and report named in Bection 6, and such incidental printing as may be nedessary shall Iw printed by the public printer and paid for Bame as other public printing. Si i v The secretary shall have a permanent office at the capitol, under the control and supervision of the board, which shall be supplied and maintained at the expense <*f the < State. SBC. 9. A sum not exceeding three thousand dollars (.$3,000) is hereby annually appro- priated out of any funds in the treasury not otherwise appropriated for the support and maintenance of the board, including per diem of members, -alary of secretary, necessary expenses of the board and secretary while attending meetings, and all other incidental expenses connected with and growing out of this department of the State government, which shall be paid on the order of the board, signed by the president and secretary. WISCONSIN. The farmers' institute law of Wisconsin as amended in 1887 is as follows : Section 1. The board of regents of the State University is hereby authorized to hold institutes for the instruction of citizens of this State in the various branches of agriculture Such institutes shall be held at such times and at such places as said board may direct. The said board shall make such rules and regulations as it may deem proper for organizing and conducting such institutes, and may employ an agent or agents to perform such work in connection therewith as they may deem best. The course of instruction at such institutes shall be so arranged as to present to those in attendance the results of the most recent inves- tigations in theoretical and practical agriculture. Sec. 2. For the purposes mentioned in the preceding section the said board may use such sum as it may deem proper, not exceeding the sum of 812,000 in any one year, from the general fund, and such amount is hereby annually appropriated for that purpose. Sec. 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and publica- tion. WYOMING. Farmers' institutes were organized in Wyoming in 1903 by the College of Agriculture of the University of Wyoming and the agri- cultural experiment station. The legislature of 1903-4 incorporated in the general appropria- tion bill a section relating to farmers' institutes as follows: Section 47. The sum of $2,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appro- priated for the purpose of holding farmers' institutes and short courses in stock judging, agronomy, and general farming, such meetings to be arranged at such places and at such times as will accommodate the people of the community in which the meetings may be desired. Such farmers' institutes or short courses shall be in charge of the agricultural department of the university, which shall arrange the necessary details of the meetings. In distributing the funds provided for this purpose, the board of trustees of the university shall have authority to provide instructors, lecturers, and equipment, and to provide for any other necessary expenses incident to these meetings. 35 FEDERAL LEGISLATION. Direct. Federal aid bo farmers' institutes began with the act mak- ing appropriations For (lie Department of Agriculture for the fiscal year ended June 30, L904, which provided "that five thousand dol- lars [of the sum appropriated for the Office of Experiment Stations] shall be used by the Secretary of Agriculture to investigate and report, upon the organization and progress of farmers' institutes in the several States and Territories and upon similar organizations in foreign countries, with special suggestions of plans and methods for making such organizations more effective for the dissemination of the results of the work of the Department of Agriculture and the agricultural experiment stations and of improved methods of agri- cultural practice." The same provision has been continued in subsequent appropriation acts. LIST OF PUBLICATIONS OF THE OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS ON FARMERS' INSTITUTES. mi i.i. 1 1 Bui. 7'.>. Farmore' Institutes: History and Stains in the United Stud- and Canada. By I. II. Bailey. Pp. 34. Bui. 1 10. Proceedings of the Sixth Annual Meeting of the American Association of Farm- tnstitute Workers, held at Buffalo, N. Yr, September is and 1'.), l'.xil. Edited by A. C. True, D. .1. Crosby, and (i. ('. Creelman, Pp I Bui. i_o. Proceedings of the Seventh Annual Meeting of the American Association of Farmers' Institute Workers, held at Washington, D. C-, June 24, 25, and 26, 1902. Edited by A. C. True and 1). -I. Crosby for the Office of Experiment Stations, and (i C. Creelman for the Association. Pp.119. Bui. 135. Legislation Relating to Farmers' Institutes in the United States and the Prov- ince of Ontario, Canada. By John Hamilton, farmers' institute specialist. Pp. 53* Bui. 138. Proceedings of the Eighth Annual Meeting of the American Association of Farmers' Institute Workers, held at Toronto, Ontario, June 23 to 26, 1903. Edited by W. II. Beal for the Office of Experiment Stations, and G. C. Creelman for tfo elation. Pp. 119. Bui. 154. Proceedings of the Ninth Annual Meeting of the American Association of Farmers' Institute Workers, held at St. Louis, Mo., October 18 to 20, 1904. Edited by W. H. Beal and John Hamilton for the Office of Experiment Stations, and G. C. Creelman for the Association. Pp. 91. Bui. 155. Agricultural Instruction for Adults in the British Empire. By John Hamilton. Pp.96. CIRCULAR. Cire. 51 (Revised). Last of State Directors of Farmers' Institutes and Farmers' Institute Lecturers of the United States. By John Hamilton. Pp. 23. SEPARATES. Farmers' Institutes in the United States. By D. J. Crosby. Reprint from Annual Report of the Of lice of Experiment Stations for the year ended June 30, 1902. Pp. 25. Farmers' Institutes in the United States. By John Hamilton. Reprint from Annual Report of the Office of Experiment Stations for the year ended June 30, 1903. Pp. 57. Farmers' Institutes. By John Hamilton. Reprint from Yearbook, Department of Agri- culture, 1903. Pp. 10. Annual Report of Farmers' Institutes. By John Hamilton. Reprint from Annral Report of the Office of Experiment Stations for the year ended June 30, 1904. Farmers' Institutes in the United States. By John Hamilton. Doc. No. 711. Pp. 20. A pamphlet prepared for distribution at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. farmers' institute lectures. Lect. 1. Syllabus of Illustrated Lecture on the Care of Milk, accompanied with 44 lantern slides. By K. A. Pearson. Pp. 12. Lect. 2. Syllabus of Illustrated Lecture on Potato Diseases and their Treatment, accom- panied with 47 lantern slides. By F. C. Stewart and II. J. Eustace. Pp. 30. Lect . 3. Syllabus of Illustrated Lecture on Acid Soils, accompanied with 53 lantern slides. By II. J. Wheeler. Pp.28. Lect. 4. Syllabus of Illustrated Lecture on Profitable Cattle Feeding, accompanied with 45 lantern slides. By F. B. Mumford. Pp. 21. Lect . 5. Syllabus of Illustrated Lecture on Silage and Silo Construction for the South, accompanied by 50 lantern slides. By A. M. Soule. Pp. 31. (