348 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



sion of this topic was directed by the association at its meeting in 

 Washington in 1910. Eight papers were presented treating different 

 phases of this question. The general view expressed was that the 

 condition of the negro farmer, while far below what is desired or 

 what he is capable of accomplishing, was gradually impro\dng and 

 census data as well as specific instances were given to sustain this 

 declaration. 



The reports from the States and Provinces showed increase in 

 attendance and interest everywhere during the year; also that the 

 demand for additional institute service has been so insistent and 

 general that the directors are greatly embarrassed m endeavoring to 

 meet these numerous requests. The only relief seems to lie m larger 

 appropriations by the States and Provinces and a considerable 

 increase in the number of well equipped and experienced lecturers. 



A complete stenographic report of the meeting was made to be 

 used in preparing the proceedings for publication. 



The officers elected for the coming year were: Franklin Dye, of 

 New Jersey, president; F. H. Rankin, of Illinois, vice president; John 

 Hamilton, of tliis department, secretary-treasurer. The executive 

 committee are J. H. Miller, Kansas; W. J. Black, Manitoba; and ]\irs. 

 F. L. Stevens, North Carolitia. 



FARMERS' INSTITUTES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 



Institutes for young people were held in 6 States for a total of 199 

 days. The attendance in 4 of the States reporting was 25,737. 

 These States are Florida, 32 sessions, attendance 3,000; Kentucky, 

 70 sessions, attendance 8,750; Nebraska, 37 sessions, attendance 

 8,484; Soutl^ Dakota, 24 sessions, with an attendance of 5,500. 



Four States conducted 23 movable schools for young people, con- 

 tinuing through 75 days, or an average of a little over three days to 

 each school. The attendance is given by only one and in that the 

 number was 244. 



It is difficult to understand why institutes for young people are not 

 held by the directors in all of the States. The need is certainly great 

 for work of the kind that the institute offers and the phenomenal suc- 

 cess of the corn and garden demonstration work wherever it has been 

 conducted shows that young people are responsive to efforts for their 

 improvement in agriculture if opportunity is presented. 



There is danger that the old-time institute, owing to its routine 

 character and the ease with which it can be conducted, may stand in 

 the way of its owti development — of the extension of the work to 

 include other forms of effort and grades of rural people. It is impor- 

 tant that the institute directors realize that unless their work is 

 constantly expanding to meet the new demands and the new condi- 



