24 ■ ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



Realizing that the farmer of to-day, if he would accomplish the full measure 

 of his mission, should of necessity have access to a more complete educational 

 equipment for his life's work. With this object in view we have held one ses- 

 sion of the institute devoted to Educational Questions, urging more thorough 

 equipment of our Country Schools, thus opening the way for the teaching therein 

 to the farmers' children at least the primary principles of agriculture. By so 

 doing we could open up to the young minds many lessons that would better fit 

 them for their life-work, whether engaged in agriculture or some other occu- 

 pation or profession. 



Pennsylvanians have reason to be proud of their farm homes, comfortable 

 farm houses, large and substantial barns. The great inventor, Thomas J. 

 Edison, is reported to have said that after traveling across the United States 

 in his automobile, "Pennsylvania had the best farm houses and largest barns 

 of any state in the Union;" for this condition we all feel a laudable pride, rec- 

 ognizing the importance of farm homes of the State and how closely they are 

 associated with her commercial and moral upbuilding. We have usually devoted 

 one session of the instituTH in considering the interests of the home, its loca- 

 tion, sanitary surroundings, social life on the farm, also the moral bearing of 

 the home life and its relations to the State. This is usually known as the 

 "Women's Session," having for its presiding officer, a lady of standing in the 

 community where the institute is held. Indeed many of the Country Home 

 Sessions are conducted entirely by the ladies, their work accomplished for the 

 betterment of the farm homes of Pennsylvania can not be over estimated. 



Actual work of Institutes began Dec. 3rd, 1906, and continued throughout the 

 winter finishing March 9th, 1907. We held in all 392 days of Institutes at a cost 

 of $37.50 per day and challenge competition. This cost, embraced hall rent, 

 printing programs, local expenses of County Managers, traveling and per diem 

 pay of State Lecturers, three of whom attended all meetings. In addition there 

 was held our Annual Normal Farmers' Institute at Allentown June 4-7, where 

 assembled the entire Institute force both Lecturers and County Managers. 

 These meetings have proved to be a real uplift to agriculture. Here the entire 

 year's work is canvassed, plans for future work is mapped out, instruction 

 given by persons qualified to speak on the various subjects to which they are 

 assigned. Program of this meeting is inserted herewith. 



I should further add that the attendance at the past year's institutes was 146,- 

 915, Added to this the Division supplied one or more speakers to take part at 

 Farmers' Home Meetings, Club Meetings, etc., the attendance at which is re- 

 ported at 15,000 making a grand total of 161,915. There were 56 lecturers who 

 were engaged to give instruction at these meetings, 342 local people took active 

 part on the program, joining with the State force in the work. During the year 

 we held a modified Dairy School at Troy, Bradford county, Pa., at the creamery 

 located there, patrons of the creamery with others becoming members of the 

 class— Prof. H. E. Van Norman and Mr. L. W. Lighty took up the class work of 

 milk testing, butter making and scoring. A dairy barn in the neighborhood was 

 visited and points of the dairy cow and ventilation were discussed. Much in- 

 terest in this order of work was manifested. Other places are asking for 

 schools of like character. 



Much commendation is due to local speakers who took active part at Farm^ers' 

 Institutes the past season. A limited number of the papers there read have 

 been published in bulletin form and commend the writers of said papers, not 

 only for their active interest in building up agriculture in their various com- 

 munities, but demonstrates the higli ideals entertained for rural and farm life. 



A more complete knowledge of the institutes can be obtained from the fol- 

 lowing program and schedule giving in detail the entire work of the season: 



