ROUND-UP MEETINGS 



The followiug program of the Albion, Orleans County, three- 

 daj roiind-iip meeting will give an idea of the character of the 

 work done at similar meetings during the winter, where a day each 

 was assigned to soils, livestock, farm crops and horticulture, with 

 a definite time at the close of each address for discussion while 

 the topic was fresh in the mind, and the evenings given over to 

 addresses on broad themes. This plan seems to work admirably 

 both from the standpoint of giving instruction in a logical way 

 and centering the thought along one line, as well as enabling those 

 who cannot be present at all the sessions to attend those devoted 

 to the particular line in which they are interested. 



Albion has a record that deserves special notice, this being the 

 twenty-fifth consecutive meeting held there. An institute was 

 held at Albion the second year after the institute movement was 

 inaugurated in the state. The same correspondent, Mr. John 

 Bidelman, served as efficiently at this meeting as he did at the 

 last, he having been in continuous service. Of the twenty-five 

 meetings held at Albion the present Director of Farmers' Insti- 

 tutes attended twelve and conducted eleven. 



Albion is in one of the best farming and fruit sections in the 

 state. Nowhere are men more intelligent or more successful 

 farmers, and the support given this meeting would seem to attest 

 to the value and practicability of the institute work as a whole. 

 In the early years no other institute was held in the county, and 

 the attendance has always been large. Later other institutes were 

 held in adjoining towns. This year there were seven 

 places in the county that had regular institutes. Unlike most 

 places under similar conditions, instead of the interest decreasing 

 at the central point, it has steadily increased. The meetings have 

 usually been held in the court house, the capacity of which has 

 often been taxed to accommodate those present. This year it was 

 held in the Catholic hall, a building seating between five and six 

 hundred, and during the afternoon sessions there were many 

 standing. The total number in attendance, including women's 

 and poultry sessions held in the lecture room of the Presby- 

 terian Church, aggregated 2,755. 



[1619] 



