8*.H) HKPORT OF OI-MMCK OK KXPERIMKNT STATIONS. 



Cntllc I^i-codcrs' Associnlioii. tlio Monfnna ^\'()()1 (Irowors' Assoria- 

 lioii, (he .Molilalia Li\»' SlocU Association, (lie Molilalia Ilorliciildiral 

 Society, the Montana State Board ol" llorticiiltiirc, llic Montana 

 A«i:riciillui"al Association, and tlie Montana Daii'vnicirs Association. 

 The odiccrs of the hoard consist of a j)rosid(Mit and sec ri'tary, elected 

 by the hoard for two years. 'Hie ineinhers of this hoard of adminis- 

 tration arc desi<rnated "directors of Montana fanners^ institutes," and 

 are ''authorized to hold institutes for the instruction of the citizens 

 of the State in the various branches of agriculture and j)rescribe such 

 rules and r(\c:ulations as they may deem best for orijanizing and con- 

 ductin«2; the same." At least one institute is re(juii"ed to he held in 

 each county each year. Thedirect(n-s are authorized to desitrnate the 

 times and places for holding the meetings. The rules of the board 

 require that — 



The State shall bo divklod into tlistiicts comprising several counties which 

 may be reached by a party of institute workers without unnecessary expense. 

 In one or more districts, which shall be varied «»:icli year, a coi'j)s of institute 

 workers shall attend and hold a two or three days' session in each county. This 

 deputation shall l)e accompanied by a stenographer, who shall make a full report 

 of their meetings for the farmers' institute annual. The jjo.nd shall endeavor 

 to encourage by all means in its iK)\ver the formation of local farmers' insti 

 tutes, organizations, or farmer.j' clubs in the various counties or communities 

 of the State. It shall lend such aid as is in its power toward maintaining these 

 organizations and toward helping to make their work efficient and helpful to 

 the communities in which they are organized. It shall also, as far as possible, 

 recognize and use those local organizations in arranging for institute meetiugs 

 in any locality. 



It is further directed that — 



The secretary shall be superintendent of farmers' institutes and shall have 

 immediate charge of and make all arrangements for the farmers' institute work 

 over the State. Such plaus and arraugemeuts he shall submit for the approval 

 of the board. 



The local county organizations are required to provide suitable 

 halls, and must furnish them with light and heat and bear all neces- 

 sary advertising expenses. 



Four thousand dollars was appropriated for the purpose of con- 

 ducting institutes this year. Under the new act of March 6, 1903. 

 each institute held under the authority of the board is entitled to a 

 sum not exceeding $50 from the amount appropriated. An institute 

 annual is authorized to be published, at a cost not to exceed $1,500 in 

 any one year. Five thousand copies of the proceedings of the insti- 

 tutes of the past year were published and distributed. Forty-seven 

 institutes were held during the year, composed of 100 sessions. Six 

 thousand nine hundred and forty-six persons were in attendance, and 

 18 lecturers were upon the State force, 10 of Avliom were supplied by 

 the agricultural college and experiment station. The director of 



