FARMEKS' INSTITUTES. 203 



of f raits and other products of the farm were arranged in front of the platform. 

 A choir of singers from Gilead, Batavia, Girard, and Coldwater furnished excel- 

 lent music. The following representatives of the Agricultural College attended 

 this Institute and took part in the proceedings: Pres. T. 0. Abbot, Profs. R. 

 C. Kedzie and A. J. Cook, Secretary R, G. Baird, and C. L, Ingersoll, fore- 

 man of the College farm. 



The first session of the Institute was opened by President Abbot, by an address 

 on ''The Agricultural College." (See lectures and discussions following this 

 record of the Institutes.) 



President Abbot was followed by Mr. Luce. (See addresses and discussions 

 as above.) 



THURSDAY EVEOTNG. 



In the evening Prof. R. C. Kedzie lectured on "Plaster" and "Lightning 

 Rods." This, Avith the discussions which followed (for which see addresses and 

 discussions as above), occupied the first evening session. 



FRIDAY FOREXOOX. 



After singing by the choir, the chairman, Mr. Luce, introduced Prof. Cook, 

 who gave his lecture on "The Three Worst Insects of the Farm." (See lec- 

 tures as above.) 



AFTERNOON SESSION. 



After opening exercises by the choir Mr. C. L. Ingersoll was introduced, who 

 gave his lecture on " What stock shall we keep?" (See lectures as above.) 



After the' discussion which followed Mr. Ingersoll' s lecture, A. J. Aldrich 

 gave the following address on 



THE farmer's duty TO HIMSELF, TO HIS FAMILY, AKD TO SOCIETY. 



In the consideration of this subject we must remember that the conditions of 

 the farmer's life are different in this country from what they are in Europe or 

 elsewhere. Here the farmer is his own laborer. In Europe we find few who 

 are called farmers, while there are multitudes who act simply as machines, 

 working under the will of the master. Here each must exercise his own genius 

 and ability. There the laborer puts forth brute force, which is guided by the 

 knowledge and skill of another. Population is not so dense, nor land so costly 

 in this country, but that every man may possess and manage his own little farm. 

 The result is, the ratio of laboring men to farmers is much less here than in the 

 more thickly populated countries. Farms are small, and each plantation, how- 

 ever limited in extent, is supposed to have its guiding spirit, which calculates, 

 prepares the soil, sows the seed, harvests the grain, carts it to the market, 

 receives its equivalent in an exchangeable currency, votes, and pays his taxes, 

 and if, indeed, he be fortunate enough to have any left, spends the remainder 

 according to his own sweet will and pleasure. We have a class of gentlemen 

 farmers who are making great investments, and who, because of their ostensible 

 interest in the profession, receive much attention, solely on account of the mag- 

 nitude with Avhich they are conducting their enterprises. But these are not the 

 typical farmers of the country ; they are only a kind of saplings which thrive 

 on others, but bear little fruit. 



