530 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



iustitute lectui-eis and direetoi's one of uormal instruction and con- 

 tinue it for live days in which it should be sub-divided, by drawing 

 from the Experiment Station the very best instructors along the 

 lines of soil fertility, of animal industry, and also of farm opera- 

 tions, and have the farmers' institute lecturers there, as a class, 

 digesting the subjects discussed along certain lines with reference 

 to the most approved and scientific methods in order that they be 

 fully equipped for the work in hand. 



Now, my friends of the State Board of Agriculture, you know 

 that plants feed upon the fertility of the soil by solution and so 

 we expect, as institute lecturers and directors, that we will draw 

 from these Experiment Stations and scientists these facts and 

 figures and conditions and digest them as they are taught to us. 

 It is my opinion that when we go out we should have these facts so 

 considered and investigated as to give to the farmers of the State 

 much important instruction on the various topics outlined. This 

 illustrates my thought , with reference to the direction of these 

 farmers' institutes. 



My suggestion then is that when we meet it shall be as directors 

 of institutes, county chairmen of institutes and lecturers, and draw 

 from the Experiment Station at State College the very best in- 

 structors — let each take their turn along with the scientists which 

 we may secure from other places and spend that week in actual 

 normal exercises giving and imparting mutual instruction. I throw 

 out these thoughts that we may better understand each other. I 

 would like to have the co-operation of the gentlemen, who are chair- 

 men of institutes and who feel disposed to spend five days at Belle- 

 fonte or Clearfield, or wherever you go. In taking up this work, 

 J feel we have approached a time in normal institute work when 

 the man or woman who attempts to instruct others, must be well 

 informed and versed along the lines which he or she proposes to 

 giA'e instruction, and the stimulating power ought to be this normal 

 work which we should supply, fitting us more directly and perfectly 

 for the work. 



Just another thought. The usual time for holding the semi- 

 annual meeting has been about the first or second week in June, 

 which, in my judgment, is a very inopportune time. Institutes close 

 about the first of March and begin about the first of December. 

 This annual meeting ought to occur about the latter part of October, 

 or a month before we begin institute work, thereby affording inspi- 

 ration and equipment to carry forward the work. T present these 

 thoughts, and if they are not acceptable, and the members of the 

 Board think it is not the right thing for the upbuilding of institutes 

 1 want you to say so; but I sincerely believe that the date at which 

 they have been formerly held is an inopportune time because it is 

 on the threshold of the harvest season. As T stated before, I think 



