G80 KEPORT OF OFP'ICE OF EXPKKIMKNT STATIONS. 



trustoos and faculty of the aji'i'icnUnval oolloop may direct. Tho sum 

 of ^1, .')()() is appropriated for institute purposes, to be expended l)y 

 the board of trustees of the college. Under tho provisions of this 

 act it is made the duty of those conducting- institutes to encourage 

 and assist in the organization of local agricultural societies. The 

 course of instruction must be so arranged as to "present to those in 

 attendance the results of the most recent investigations in theoretical 

 and practical agriculture." 



Forty institutes were held during the year, consisting of forty 

 sessions. Three thousand two hundred people were in attendance. 

 Ten lecturers were upon the State institute force, all of whom Avere 

 members of the college faculty or experiment station staff. Five 

 thousand copies of the reports of proceedings are printed and 

 distril)uted. A committee of the faculty, under the direction of the 

 president, arranged for all institute work. The dates, places, and 

 programmes are fixed by this committee. All of the local exi:)enses 

 incurred in holding meetings are paid out of the State appropriation. 



VERMONT. 



Population 343,641. Total number of homes 81,462. Number of farm homes 

 32,871. Per cent of farm homes 40.4. Approximate population in farm homes 

 138,830. 



Directoi" of institutes. — C. J. Bell, Secretary State -Board of Agriculture, East 

 Hardwick. 



The farmers' institute work of Vermont is under the control of the 

 State board of agriculture. This board is composed of the governor, 

 the president of the University of Vermont and State agricultural 

 college, and three other persons appointed Ijy the governor. They 

 hold office for two years. The board is required to ''hold one meet- 

 ing in each county annually, and others if deemed expedient, and ma}'" 

 employ lecturers, essayists, or other aid in conducting* said meetings, 

 managing its affairs generally, and discharging its duties. At such 

 meetings it shall present subjects for discussion and, among other 

 topics, forestry, tree planting, roads, and road making." 



Forty-one institutes were held last year, consisting of 108 sessions. 

 Sixteen thousand four hundred persons were in attendance. Twent}^- 

 six lecturers constituted the State force, and $5,000 was appropriated 

 for meeting the expenses. The ))oard publishes annually 3,000 copies 

 of its report, which includes the proceedings of the farmers' institute. 

 The dates, places, and programmes for institutes are arranged b^^ the 

 State director. The free use of hall is required to be provided by the 

 community, the State board defraying the other local exj^enses. A 

 number of independent institutes were held, having an estimated 

 attendance of about 500. 



