No. 6. DEPARTMEN'T OF AGRICULTURE. 255 



modern macliinery and improved methods on their farms, but their 

 results are extended to the people through the Farmers' Institute, 

 and the results, we are sure, will more than justify all our past 

 troubles. 



1 am glad today to have an opportunity to listen to this discussion 

 by the Managers and Lecturers of the Institutes. I expect to learn 

 a great deal; and while you have accomplished much in the past, 

 there remains still greater things to accomplish. Our sun has not 

 reached its zenith. 



The discussion this afternoon is devoted to questions relating to 

 the work of Local Managers, and the Farmers' Institute Lecturer. 

 I want to take a few notes from you men who have been out in the 

 field every.where in Pennsylvania. I want your counsel and your 

 advice. Do not hesitate to speak out in this Convention; you can't 

 offend me by so doing. Our object is the improvement of agricul- 

 ture, and we want to leave no means unused leading to that end, I 

 hope every delegare will take an active interest in it, and help to 

 make the discussions lively and interesting, 



Mr. Hall has been called to leave us on account of home condi- 

 tions. His subject was No, 6. I would suggest that we hear him 

 first, in order that he may be able to leave on the afternoon train. 



I thank you, my friends, I cannot find it in ,my limited vocabulary 

 of language to express my appreciation of the unanimous support 

 you gave me in reference to my reappointment to the position I hold, 

 and can only add that I will try to deserve your confidence. 



IS IT THE DUTY OF CHAIRMEN TO ATTEND ALL MEETINGS 



IN THEIR COUNTY? 



By Hobaci H. Hall, County Ohairman, Potter Oo. 



Mr, Chairman and Members of the Institute: The question as- 

 signed to me is, ^'Is It the Duty of Chairmen of Institutes to Attend 

 All Meetings in Their County?" and I will say to you that I can 

 answer that question in just one way, and that way is "Yes," 



I cannot conceive of any reason why the Chairman should not be 

 present. Now, the Manager of the Institute is the representative 

 of the Director of Institutes, and he should be present to pay his 

 indebtedness to the Superintendent, I don't see how a man can be 

 a Chairman of Institutes in his county, and not know exactly what 

 is going on for the advancement of agriculture, and what is being 

 done at the Institutes, Now, when I came into the position of 

 County Chairman I was a fairly well privileged man in Pennsylvania; 

 but suppose I bad been an average farmer in Pennsylvania taking 

 the position, what would the State have done for me to pay me for 

 the time and trouble of attending these meetings? It would first 

 have paid my expenses to Huntingdon, then to Harrisburg — I have 

 not got them in order, but it is close enough for all practical pur- 



