ffAKMERs' INSTITUTES AND EXTENSION WORK. 347 



and women's institutes. The annual reports of these committees 

 together exhibit the nature and progress of the farmers' institute 

 work since its inception. Their investigations cover quite completely 

 the field of institute activity and their reports are usually followed by 

 recommendations for the improvement of the work. Tliis year the 

 reports may be summed up by the following statements : 



(1) That an efficient, permanent, local institute organization in 

 each county is essential to the best conduct of the work. 



(2) That lecturers equipped with practical experience as well as 

 scientific knowledge are most appreciated and accomplish the best 

 results. 



(3) That the institute is the field agent for the spread of informa- 

 tion that other organizations wish to have the public understand and 

 put into practice. Consequently, the institute is under obligation to 

 cooperate with all other agricultural institutions and societies that it 

 may serve them most efficiently. 



(4) That the movable school of agriculture is no longer an experi- 

 ment, but a method of education to be generally adopted and 

 extended. 



(5) That institutes for young people, particularly those between 

 the ages of 14 and 18, are recommended to all institute directors for 

 organization, and 



(6) That institutes for women have been successful wherever tried 

 and that they should be established in all the States upon equality 

 with those organized for men, both as to financial support and lecture 

 service. 



The discussions at the general session related to plans for "following 

 up" institute instruction; the use of a single topic for presentation 

 before all institute assemblies in the United States and Canada during 

 the coming year; the number of lecturers that should be supplied by 

 the State to each institute; the proportion of State appropriations 

 that should be used for local expenses; and the practicability of hold- 

 ing institute meetings monthly during the year. 



The second group of topics was upon methods of work. Under this 

 head were discussed effective methods for conducting institute trains, 

 the organization for field demonstration work, and the establishing of 

 winter schools of agriculture and domestic science for adults. 



The other group or period was devoted to topics relating to the 

 work and duties of the State directors. Under this head there were 

 three papers, one discussing the organization of a central department 

 of institute control in each State. The next, the duties of the State 

 director and his relation to the local manager. The third topic 

 defined the leading purpose of the annual round-up institute. 



The evening session of the last day was devoted to the considera- 

 tion of the condition of the negro farmers of the South. The discus- 



