farmers' institutes of the united states. 681 



virginia. 



Population 1,854,184. Total number of homes 364,517. Number of farm homes 

 170,412. Per cent of farm homes 46.8. Approximate population in farm homes 

 867,758. 



Director of institutes. — (t. W. Koiner, Commissioner of Agriculture, Richmond. 



The board of aoricultiire of the State of Virginia is required to bold 

 "farmers' institutes at such times and at such places throughout the 

 State as it may deem necessar}- for the advancement of agricultural 

 knowledge and the improvement of agricultural methods and practices, 

 and pu])lisb and disburse such papers and addresses read or made at 

 these institutes as promise to be of value to the farming interests." 



The dutv of arranging for and conducting farmers' institutes is 

 placed in the hands of the secretary" of the l)oard. Last year 72 insti- 

 tutes were held, composed of 144 sessions, attended ])y 18,000 persons. 

 Three lecturers were upon the State force. The agricultural college 

 and station staff's attended four institutes and contriliuted eight days 

 of time. All of the expenses of the institutes are borne by the depart- 

 ment of agriculture. An appro])riation of $3,500 has been made by 

 the State board for the expenses of institutes during the coming 3^ear. 



WASHINGTON. 



Population 518,108. Total imiuber of homes 113,086. Number of farm homes 

 33,931. Per cent of farm homes 30. Approximate population in farm homes 

 155,430. 



Director of institutes. — E. A. P>ryan, President Washington Agricultural College, 

 Pullman. 



The law of the State of Washington, in defining the purpo.ses of the 

 Washinoton Agricultural College and School of Science declares that 

 "one of the objects of the State college shall l)e to hold farmers' insti- 

 tutes at such times and places and under such regulations as the board 

 of regents may determine." An act of the legislature of 1903 requires 

 that "at least one institute shall be held in each count}'^ in each year." 



The sum of $2,500 is appropriated for institute purposes. Twelve 

 institutes were held dui'ing the past season, attended by 1,800 people. 

 Three members of the agricultural college and experiment station 

 staffs were upon the State lecture course and contril)uted thirtv days 

 of theii- time. 



WEST VIRGINIA. 



Pojiulation 958,800. Total iuniil)cr of homes 186,291. Number of farm homes 

 94,566. Per cent of farm homes 50.8. Ai>|)ro.\imate ])opulation in farm homes 

 487,070. 



Director of institutes. — .1. I>. (iarviii, Assistant Secretary of tlic I'oanl of Agricul- 

 •ture, Cliarleston. 



The law of West Virginia ])laces the control of tli<> fariuers' in.sti- 

 tutes in the hands of the State board of agriculture. L'nder this act 



