No. 7. ~ DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 23S 



This is simply a bird's-eye view of the enormity of the work. We 

 shall now consider some of the methods for carrying on or con- 

 ducting these educational gatherings that are so helpful to the aver- 

 age farmer. In the little county of Lackawanna, the youngest in 

 the sisterhood, and in fact not considered an agricultural county, 

 we are holding 12 days of farmers' institutes every year, and there 

 is a demand to-day for more of them at other places in the county. 

 I suppose the reason of this is because we are located among the 

 hills and mountains in a rough part of the State. But a better 

 reason is, that we are near one of the richest anthracite coal fields 

 in the world; and have an excellent market. It pays to farm intel- 

 ligently anywhere, but especially so, when circumstantial advan- 

 tages are all in one's favor. We are running the business for the 

 dollar that is in it, and with us, "knowledge is power." Ours are 

 all two-day institutes. They work the best; give the best results, 

 and proportionately cost the least money. We aim to make the 

 first day equally as attractive in all the exercises, the information 

 quite as practical, and secure a class of speakers who compare fav- 

 orably with those who are to follow. In this way of doing, we get 

 a full house the first day, and especially the very first evening. It 

 requires some work on the part of the chairman and his associates, 

 but that which costs nothing is usually considered worth nothing. 



It is the next thing to an impossibility for the chairman to do 

 all this work alone. He must have some good, well-tried and trust- 

 worthy helpers that are fully interested, in order to make it a com- 

 plete success. These constitute his committees for executive work. 

 They should be located right on the field, and some of them right 

 near the place where the institute is to be held. They should all be 

 well organized; for it becomes necessary for the chairman to meet 

 them a number of times before the institute exercises take place, 

 for special consultation. It is through these committees that the 

 chairman ascertains just what the farmers in each locality mostly 

 want. Where the papers and recitations are to come from, and 

 the character of them; also just how many are needed. Where and 

 how the hall or church will be secured, warmed and lighted, at 

 the proper time. To know whether or not a local choir can be se- 

 cured to furnish all or part of the music. To know if the church 

 pastor will be expected to be present to open the service and give 

 prestige and dignity to the occasion. To know where teams and 

 drivers will be secured to carry speakers and others at the exact 

 time and place; also to know where and when entertainment will 

 be furnished for these. It is largely through these committeemen 

 that the institute will be advertised. The large handbills will be 

 placed in the different postoflSces and most conspicuous places by 

 these helpers. Fifty printed programs are sent out to a commit- 



