FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 



REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT. 



Introductory-— The increase in the appropriation for Farmers' Insti- 

 tutes, voted by the General Assembly of 1901 became available in May 

 of that year on the publication of the acts of said Assembly. This act 

 placed $2,250 at the disposal of the Institute management for the balance 

 of that year ending October 31st, 1901. This sum was expended in holding 

 four District Institutes and a Women's Conference in August, and the 

 State Conference of Institute Officers and Workers in October of that 

 year. 



Beginning with November, 1st, 1901, $10,000 per annum became avail- 

 able for institute worlj. After mature deliberation and conference with 

 many prominent institute workers and chairmen, it was decided to expend 

 the increased appropriation largely upon Supplemental Institutes, the 

 same to be held at outlying points, in the several counties, as nearly as 

 possible midway between the places of annual meeting. Accordingly a 

 series of supplemental Institutes was conducted in November, 1901, and 

 another series in February and March, 1902, in addition to the regular 

 series of annual Institutes. Seventy two-day supplemental Institutes were 

 held in sixty-two counties; twenty-three one-day supplemental Institutes 

 were held in eleven counties. Of the latter, twelve were special Dairy 

 Institutes, attended by the Dairy Instructor of Purdue University. 



Although some difficulty was encountered in arranging for supple- 

 mental meetings, owing to misunderstandings as to the real nature of the 

 work, and to the inexperience of local officers, the supplemental Institutes 

 were, on the whole, as successful as could be expected. In a number of 

 instances they rivaled many of the annual meetings in interest, attendance 

 and efficiency. A more detailed account of the year's work follows under 

 appropriate headings. 



DISTRICT FARMER'S INSTITUTES. 



District Farmers' Institutes were held at Plymouth, Orleans, South 

 Bend and Huntington. These were special in character. The first was 

 a Dairy meeting, the second and third Horticultural meetings, while the 

 fourth was for the benefit of farmers interested in the meat-producing 

 animals of the farm. The character of the discussions will be indicated 

 by the outline programs given below: 



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