88 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



two topics only and, instead of giving a set talk, have someone to merely 

 explain the apparatus, of which there should be sufficient to thoroughly 

 illustrate the subject. In this way it will become a sort of continuous 

 performance and, as nearly every farmer in attendance will pass 

 through the building in which the demonstration is to be given, there 

 will be few who will not have an opportunity, if they wish, to listen to 

 the demonstration. 



Just previous to the opening of the institute season, plans were made 

 for the holding of a normal institute here at the college. With one 

 or two exceptions all of the regular speakers were in attendance for 

 the greater part of the four days that the meeting lasted. It afforded 

 opportunity for the members of the college faculty to explain some of 

 the more recent discoveries in agricultural science and their adapta- 

 tion in practical farming. The lecturers were also expected to furnish 

 outlines of at least two of the talks they were to give during the com- 

 ing winter and these were presented and then discussed by the other 

 lecturers. It also afforded opportunity for the state lecturers to in- 

 spect the work of the different departments of the college and render 

 themselves better able to reply to questions that might be asked them 

 during the institute season. 



Another special feature of the institute year was the corn train which 

 was run for nine days with the co-operation of the Lake Shore & Mich- 

 igan Southern, and the Michigan Central railroads. This consisted of 

 two passenger coaches in which the meetings were held and a baggage 

 car for the exhibits and apparatus. The Michigan Central railroad 

 also furnished a private buffet car in wiiich meals were served through- 

 out the trip upon that road. Fortj'-nine meetings were held during the 

 nine days. The stops averaged about one hour each and the time was 

 taken up by talks upon corn culture and the selection and improve- 

 ment of corn, and the inspection of the exhibits in the baggage car. 

 These consisted of a collection of typical ears of the varieties of corn 

 grown in Michigan, a model of a drying rack for seed corn, germinating 

 boxes for testing corn and a large number of pans in which corn was 

 growing, the seed having been selected in various ways. The principal 

 points brought out by the exhibits were the importance of thoroughly 

 drying seed corn before it is exposed to frost, and the careful testing 

 of four or five kernels taken from different parts of each ear to be used 

 for seed purposes. 



The attendance at most points was even larger than had been ex- 

 pected and the only places where it was disappointing were a few where 

 the meetings were held at 8 a. m., and others where there was no local 

 manager. 



A rural progress institute was held at Hanover, Jackson county, 

 October 13, under the direction of J. W. Hutchins. The speakers, who 

 were volunteers from among the state lecturers, gave addresses upon 

 the progress that was being made in their respective branches. Among 

 them were Prof. J. A. Jeffery, Agricultural College, upon Corn Im- 

 provement; Colon C. Lillie, Deputy Dairy and Food Commissioner, 

 Dairying; Frank F. Kogers, Deputy Highway Commissioner, The Im- 

 provement of Country Roads; Professors Delos Fall, D. B. Waldo and 

 Ernest Burnham and Hon. D. E. McClure, Education and Social 



