DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 129 



rangements, this being in the hands- of the county institute societies. 

 The work of arranging the institutes falls largely upon the count}' 

 secretaries but, in many of the counties, this work has been shared by 

 the ])resident and in nearly every case where one-day institutes have 

 been held, the township vice-presidents have acted efficiently as local 

 managers. 



In addition to the holding of a two-day institute in each county 

 there was a very noticeable increase in the number of counties desir- 

 ing one-day institutes which made it necessary to lessen the number that 

 could be allowed to the other counties. While in a few cases only 

 one or two one-day institutes are desired, in a great majority of the 

 counties, nothing less than five or six will answer and several of them 

 called for twelve to fifteen. 



In order to do the work required of the secretary of the county in- 

 stitute society and esijecially if a half-dozen or more one-day institutes 

 are held, the expenditure of a considerable amount of time is necessary. 

 While it has not been difficult in most counties to find some one who 

 will take the work for one or perhaps two years, few persons feel that 

 they can give the time required for a longer period. This has necessi- 

 tated frequent changes and as the new officers are not familiar with their 

 duties it has resulted in placing upon this office a large amount of extra 

 work. Even when the secretary of a county institute society is fully 

 infonned regarding his duties and entirely efficient, it has occasionally 

 happened that some of the local managei*s who have been relied upon to 

 look after the woi'k of advertising and arranging for the meetings have 

 failed to do so and the success of the institutes has been greatly re- 

 duced. I am glad to say, however, that in most cases not only have 

 the secretaries been very efficient and conscientious in performing the 

 duties of their position but the local managers also have done excellent 

 wiork. 



INSTITUTE LECTURERS. 



During the year several additions have been made to the corps of in- 

 stitute lecturers and without exception they have shown marked ability 

 and have met with unusual success. The duties of institute lecturers 

 are by no means as easy as they are generally supposed to be. Aside 

 from the physical discomforts to which they are exposed from travel- 

 ing in all kinds of weather often taking long drives in the early morning 

 or late at night and sleeping in a cold room after spending hours in 

 a hot and poorly ventilated hall, the lecturer must be prepared to give 

 two or three talks each day that will instruct and interest a somewhat 

 critical audience. He is criticised if he is not i)repared to give defi- 

 nite answers to all of the questions which may be put to him however 

 remote they may be from the topics which have been assigned him upon 

 the program and those upon which he has arranged to speak. On the 

 other hand he is blamed if he gives the experience of others when he 

 has not himself had practical experience along some of the lines under 

 discussion. 



In the selection of speakers to handle topics along practical farm- 

 ing lines an endeavor has been made to select men who have themselves 

 made a success in farming and wJio are able to present their views in 

 17 



