30-i Report of Farmers' Institutes 



REPORT OF THE WOMEN'S SESSION 

 Thursday 



Mrs. Harrington presiding. 



Mrs. Harrington introduced Director van Alstyne, who ex- 

 pressed his interest in the opportunity for women's work, stating 

 that the outlook was most hopeful. 



In addition to the man correspondent for each institute a lady 

 correspondent has been selected. This has been most favorably 

 received in all counties, only two women having failed to respond. 

 Director van Alstyne read the following letter which he had sent 

 to each lady correspondent: 



My Dear Madam. — When I notified you of your appointment as lady cor- 

 respondent for your coming Farmers' Institute, I said I would write you later 

 relative to your duties. I am sure you will not find them unduly arduous. 

 They will be — 



First: To interest the people in your community in the institute as a 

 whole by bringing it to their attention before the meeting. DifTerent ways 

 of doing this will readily occur to you, but I suggest particularly by per- 

 sonally speaking of it to individuals; by bringing the matter before your 

 grange or any other organization which may be in your community; by inter- 

 esting your teachers and preachers and whenever possible getting them to give 

 public notices of the meeting and the program, Avliich you should receive at 

 least a week in advance; and by seeing that your local papers call attention 

 to tiie matter. 



Second: By cooperating with the gentleman correspondent in seeing that 

 he secures a suitable place for tlie regular sessions properly warmed and 

 lighted, and a pleasant room for the special women's meeting. If you will 

 send me the name of this room at least a month in advance, I shall insert it 

 in the program. 



Third: I shall have the lady who will attend your institute communicate 

 with you. Write her freely, at this department, concerning the needs of your 

 conmiunity, what subjects you would lilce discussed, and, in short, anything 

 which will help her to serve you. 



Fourth : The strain on men and women engaged in holding institutes, con- 

 tinually on the move, is very great. You will do much to aid them if you 

 will see that they have comfortable places to stay. This is particularly im- 

 portant when the hotels are .poor or tliere are none. If the speakers are fed 

 at the hall, you will add much to their ability to serve you if you will pro- 

 vide a place where they may rest between the afternoon and evening sessions. 



Last year we held 2SS special women's sessions, with a total attendance of 

 12,043. I shall be disappointed if, through the efforts of our lady correspond- 

 ents, our institutes are not better and the attendance -much larger this season 

 than ever before. Very truly yours, 



EDWARD VAN ALSTYNE, 



Director of Farmers' Institutes. 



