650 ' BOAKD OF AOKlCULTUKli. 



holding 'faruiors' iustitutes' to tbeir ri'spoctive societies, and awry tlu'ir 

 action to the State Board proper, was carried." 



At the annual meeting of the State Board of Agriculture in January, 

 1SS9, Mr. R. M. Lockhart made the following report on farmer's insti- 

 tutes: 



"Gentlemen of the Delegate Board— All those that are present with us 

 today that were with us at the annual meeting in January, 1888, will 

 rememlier the interesting discussion of the subject of holding farmers' 

 institutes in this State. The discussion culminated in a motion by Mr. 

 Seybold to refer the matter to the State Board proper, with a request 

 that they should take some action in the matter. On the organiza- 

 tion of the Board a special committee of three was appointed, consist- 

 ing of Messrs. Lockhart, Seig and Otiicer, for the purpose of formulating 

 some plan by which the work could be started in different parts of the 

 State. Your committee prepared what they conceived to be the best 

 plan for immediate work, and had the same published in the Indiana 

 Farmer, believing that to be the best and surest method of reaching 

 every county in the State. The editors of the i'armer published the 

 plan, giving it a cheerful indorsement. By this arrangement it was sug- 

 gested that the work be taken up by the members of the State Board 

 in their respective districts, advising that at least one institute be held in 

 each district between that time and the first of April. 



"This duty having been performed by the special committee, each 

 member of the State Board was notified of the action of the committee 

 and left to do as he might see fit. 



"We are glad to be able to report that a number of very interesting 

 institutes have been -held in the State. 



"Respectfully submitted, 



"(Signed) R. M. LOCKHART. 

 "J. Q. A. SEIG. 

 "V. K. OFFICER." 



In the discussion which followed this report it appears that a number 

 of farmers' institutes had been held the previous year— 1888. On page 182, 

 report of 1888, appears the following statement by the Secretary of the 

 State Board: 



"The history of farmers' institutes in Indiana has been varied. The 

 first attempts to organize institutes in the State did not meet with favor, 

 oi", at least, did not obtain the results that were anticipated by the origi- 

 nators, i. e., bring out the farmers to hear and engage in the discussion of 

 subjects pertaining to agriculture and stock raising. Several institutes 

 were held in different parts of the State during 1887, which, from reports 

 submitted to the Board of Agriculture, were failures, as regards attend- 

 ance throughout. During the year (1888) just closed, hoAvever, success 



