664 liOARD OF AGKICULTURE. 



has their sympathy and support, the interest and success of the meeting 

 are often very satisfactory, notwitlistandiiig the laclc of training of the 

 presiding officer in parliamentary usages. The greatest laclc in the local 

 chairman is in conducting informal discussion. It often happens that the 

 discussion rambles somewhat. To check this tendency, in a measure, the 

 senior institute speaker is requested by the State Superintendent to aid the 

 chairman in conducting informal discussions, and in such other ways as 

 may seem necessary or desirable. 



A frequent, though not universal feature of the institute is the question 

 box. As a rule, some one is appointed to take charge of this and in case 

 tliere is a lull in the proceedings, or a speaker does not appear promptly 

 at the time set, the question box is drawn upon for material for informal 

 discussion. The one in charge of tlie question box assigns the questions 

 to dilferent persons to answer. More frequently than otherwise, the 

 questioning is oral in cliaracter and quite spirited. The informal discus- 

 sion is frequently conducted by the institute speakers, some of whom are 

 very happy and successful in conducting this feature of the work. Indeed, 

 it is quite the rule for the assigned speaker to conduct the informal dis- 

 cussion following the presentation of his own subject. 



Reporting the Meetings. — Two official reports of each meeting are re- 

 quired: (1) By the secretary; (2) by the assigned speakers. These reports 

 contain such matter as will inform the superintendent as to the character 

 of the work done, and aid him in planning for future woi'k in the locality. 

 In addition to these official reports, almost every institute is reported to 

 the local press by the secretary, or by press reporters who attend the 

 meetings. These reports often contain an admirable digest of the work 

 done. Sometimes they do not go to the core of the matter, but even then, 

 they serve to call attention to tlie institute work, and thus widen the 

 sphere of its influence. 



The columns of the local press of the State have, as a general rule, 

 been generously devoted to announcing and reporting farmers' institutes. 



Institute Speakers.— Tlie Indiana plan of securing effective institute 

 speakers is unique. Recognizing, from the first, the impossibility of 

 supplying all the meetings with trained speakers and scientific experts, the 

 aim has been to develop practical workers from the ranks of the everyday 

 farmers. Accordingly, an extended list of speakers, with subjects, is 

 printed and sent out each year. This list contains not only the speakers 

 who have acquired considerable facilitj% experience and effectiveness in 

 institute work, but also manj^ who have never addressed a meeting out- 

 side of the home county. The speakers of the latter class are urged to 

 accept invitations and to attend nearby meetings, without charge, or at 

 most for expenses. In this way, they acquire some experience, and if 

 the reports of their work are favorable, the way is open to assign them as 

 regular workers. This plan has been highly successful. The very best 



