78 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



samples of fann products, come to the fair and take i)art in the exhibition 

 aud I will guarantee that you will all be well paid and that the Agricultural 

 Society of Mecosta county will be a grand success. Now, these being some of 

 the objects, briefly stated, for which the Institute was organized, it is gratify- 

 iug to nie to see so good an attendance here to-night. When I see so many 

 eminent men from home and abroad assembled here to assist the farmers in 

 the discussion of matters pertaining to farm economy, I for one am greatly 

 encouraged, and when I see the ladies here ready to cheer us on, as the ladies 

 always are in every good work, we are indeed a very singular people if we are 

 not encouraged, and gratified. And now, ladies and gentlemen, and especially 

 those of you who are hero from abroad, and those who are not engaged in the 

 business of farming, I can assure that your presence and your efforts here will 

 be received with gratitude by all, and as president and in behalf of the fai'mers 

 of Mecosta county, I bid you welcome to the Institute, trusting as I do that 

 your indulgence here will be a source of pleasure to yourselves, as it will benefit 

 and. encourage us. 



The remainder of this session was occupied by John T. Frazer, V. S., who 

 gave his lecture on the "Care and Structure of the Horse's Foot." (See lec- 

 tures given at more than one Institute.) 



FORENOON SESSION. 



Mr. R. F. Kedzie gave a lecture on *•' Superphosphates." (See lectures 

 given at more than one Institute.) 

 L. G. Palmer read an essay on 



BOYS ON THE FAIOr. 



Boys on the Farm ; and I may add, how to keep them there. Not forever, 

 but until they have learned lessons of industry and economy, fitting them for 

 any position in life. The boy sliould be kept well employed, otherwise he loses 

 interest; and when that is gone, he might as well go, for everything on the 

 farm will profit by his absence. How to create in him, and maintain that in- 

 terest, is the question. A few practical hints as to what may be considered 

 the ''improved method" of procedure: First of all, let the home be made 

 attractive, and as comfortable as circumstances will permit. If the boy could 

 have a room or corner of his own, fitted up for his especial benefit, no matter 

 how small, — no matter how cheap the furniture, a small table, and perhaps a 

 shelf or two for his books and papers, a few pictures to adorn the walls, and 

 any other little fixtures which might add to his comfort and convenience, — he 

 could then entertain his companions in a manner pleasing to him, and with 

 no inconvenience to the rest. Of course the boy can get along without making 

 all, or in fact any of these provisions for him ; but just ho2o he gets along, is the 

 matter to be considered. Let the boy actually feel that "there is no place 

 like home;" but that sentiment may be true, either on account of its sun- 

 shine, or its shadows. It is a sad truth that many a boy, even of tender age, 

 is content to take his chances in the world, even among strangers, because he 

 in fact believes that *'Thre is no place like home;" and he is heartily glad of 



