178 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTUEE. 



ill the "world as the peers of its wisest and best? Education I To cultivate 

 more and better our own immortal natures, and kindle within them that sacred, 

 intellectual. Promethean fire, whose glow will illumine the human features with 

 its electric light which comes of swift intelligence and expanded thought, and 

 crown with this royal diadem the brow moistened by the perspiration of honest 

 toil, and mould into a nearer semblance to that Supreme Intelligence who is the 

 fountain and source of all knowledge and wisdom. 



Dr. Thomas was followed by Prof. Geo. T. Fairchild, who gave his lecture on 

 Education. (See lectures and addresses following this record of the Institutes.) 



J. K. Hendryx made the folloAving remarks, which were replied to by Dr. 

 Kedzie : 



In behalf of the people of Decatur and the farmers of Van Bureu, I thank 

 Dr. Kedzie and the other distinguislied professors from the Agricultural College, 

 for the rich entertainment which they have given us during the past two days. 

 Great anxiety has been felt by many members of this community for the success 

 of this institute, and I think that all will agree that their highest anticipations 

 for good have been realized. While I am aware that some will go away without 

 being practically benefited because they will not make use of the valuable inform- 

 ation they have heard, still a majority will put in practice these experiences and 

 teachings, which have not only benefited them socially, but will also repay them 

 in dollars and cents. I, for one, feel greatly remunerated for all the time and 

 trouble I have taken in arranging for this institute ; and I move a vote of thanks 

 to the professors of the Agricultural College who have contributed so largely to 

 the success of this Institute. 



The vote was unanimous, and in response Dr. Kedzie said : 



In behalf of the professors of the College and myself, we consider the thanks 

 due from us, and ought not to come from the people of Van Buren county who 

 have so generously received us, for we all feel richly repaid in coming to Decatur. 



EOCHESTEE INSTITUTE. 



Tlie Institute at Eochester followed immediately the one at Armada, com- 

 mencing on the evening of January 13, and was attended by the same repre- 

 sentatives of the Agricultural College, who on arriving by the train from Detroit, 

 a few minutes after 7 P. M., found the commodious hall in which the sessions 

 of this Institute were held, beautifully decorated and densely filled. Hon. 

 Lysander Woodward ably presided, and Mr. T. S. Sprague was chosen as 

 secretary. A quartette choir was in attendance during both the day and evening 

 sessions, and contributed much to enliven the meetings by their excellent music. 

 Hon. J. Webster Cliilds, who was present at this Institute and took part in the 

 proceedings, made the following 



OPENIJS'G- ADDEESS. 



Ladies and (jcnthmen : — A Farmers' Institute is a novelty, but we hope none 

 of our friends not immediately associated Avitli us in occupation will think we 

 are "jjutting on airs " by designating our gathering by so high-sounding a title, 

 and one that seems appropriate only to a meeting for educational purposes: for 



