1902.] DISCUSSION. 63 



a crowd, but it is also necessary that the true object and pur- 

 pose of the institute should not be lost sight of in placing 

 such features upon the program. I know that Mr. Doyle of 

 New York told me at one time that he seriously considered 

 the plan of hiring two vaudeville actors, and announcing that 

 they were going to sing, and I don't know but dance and 

 speak pieces. He said that he seriously considered that prop- 

 osition in order to attract a crowd, if he could not obtain it 

 in any other way. I do not think he has done it, and I do not 

 believe he ever will, but at one time he was so discouraged at 

 the fact that he could not call out a large audience that he 

 seriously considered that plan and putting their names on the 

 program by the side of the professors. Just imagine such a 

 thing! Just imagine Dr. J. H. Hale, the noted peach king, 

 appearing upon a farmers' institute program by the side of 

 an announcement that John Jones, slipper and clog dancer, 

 will appear tonight. And the unkindest cut of all would be 

 that perhaps seventy-five per cent, of the people present would 

 come to see the clog dancer, rather than to hear the peach 

 king. 



So I say that, while it may be necessary to sometimes put 

 in these entertainment features in order to draw a crowd, yet 

 even then the true object of the meeting should not be for- 

 gotten, but it should be so conducted that those who come to 

 laugh should remain to pray. Those who come simply to 

 have fun should be forced to remain and listen to the facts that 

 are of vital interest and importance to them in their business. 



Now, as I look at it, there are three things absolutely neces- 

 sary and essential, either in Connecticut or in California, in 

 order to provide a perfect farmers' institute. The first is a 

 good speaker, the second a good audience, and third, a good 

 and helpful topic for discussion. It is the speaker, the audi- 

 ence, and the topic that make the successful meeting. Some 

 people think that if they have got a good farmers' institute 

 manager, the whole thing is done. That is a mistake. It is 



