FAKMERs' INSTITUTES. 655 



on Saturday. The same foreign speakers assisted me at each of the above- 

 named places. 



"As you will remember, each one of tli«'se institutes was a success. 

 Within the tirst two j'ears I aided in tlie organization of institutes in 

 twenty-two counties of the State. This was done prior to the placing of 

 the worlv in the control of Purdue University. I was ably assisted in the 

 worlv by a number of the best worlscrs in the State. Among them I will 

 mention a few who toolv part in a number of the institutes: lion. .1. N. 

 Babcock, J. X. Latta, Hon. Aaron Jones, of South Bend; Wm. A. Banks, 

 of Lai)orte: yourself and Prof. Webster, of Purdue; Evan Peed, of New 

 Castle: both of tlie editors of tlie Indiana Farmer— Kingsbury and Tonner; 

 Mr. Billingsley, Editor Metcalf, of Anderson, and many others that 1 

 might mention; all of these assisted in the work without pay for the same. 



"In addition to the places named where institutes were organized in 

 which I took a part, I will mention some otliers: Goshen. Soutli Bend. 

 Laporte. Warsaw, ColumI)ia Citj', Fort Wayne. IVru. Koliomo, Anderson. 

 Muncie and Richmond. 



"I have been informed that there are other parties in the State who 

 claim the credit of first starting the institute work in the State of Indiana. 

 I think from your own knowledge of tlie worlv done Ijy me that yon will 

 admit that the above statements are substantially true." 



From Robert Mitchell. Princeton, Iiul.: 



"Answering your request as to the Institute work before the State 

 took hold of it, 1 don't remember dates, but the Gibson County Agricul- 

 tural Society held four farmers' institutes at Princeton during the four 

 years preceding the beginning of the woi-k under State control. [The 

 work, therefore, must have begun in (Jil)son County in the winter of 

 1884-85.— Superintendent Farmers' Institute.] 



"These institutes were held under tlie management of the fair associa- 

 tion, the society paying all the expenses incui-red. I was President of tlie 

 fair as.«oclatlon at the time and S. Vett Strain, Secretary, with a board 

 of twelve directors. The speakers on the tirst occasion from a distance 

 were: Mrs. Virginia C. Meredith, of Cambridge City, subject: 'Im- 

 proved Breeds of Catttle.' with special reference to 'Shorthorns;' .Mrs. 

 George Tliomas, of Rockport, on 'Poultry for Profit;' Col. Brldgeland. 

 of Richmond, on 'Draft Horses, Especially French Draft:' Hon. John 

 Landrigan, of .\lbion. 111., on 'The Roadster Horse." Mis. A. Smith, of 

 Princeton, dlscus.scd 'Poultry for Profit,' and I had a paper on 'Improved 

 Public Highways.' At that time a paper of that kind was not thougnt 

 much of because of the cost of building the roads, but it had its effect, as 

 our people are demanding good roads now fastei- ilinii we ran Imild them. 

 * * ♦ This institute was a great success, as were also the others. I 

 think you and President Smart attended the .second Institute and spoke 

 of the agricultural work being done at Purdue. These institutes were very 



