No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 21 



SIXTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIVISION 

 OF FARMERS' INSTITUTES FOR THE SEASON 

 OF 1909-1910 



Harrisbiirg, Pa., January 1, 1911. 



To the lion. N. 15. Critclifiekl, Secretary of Ayriculture: 



Sir: I have the honor to present herewith the Sixteenth Annual 

 Eeport of the Division of Farmers' Institutes. 



INSTITUTES HELD AND ATTENDANCE 



There were held in the season ending June 1, 1910, in the different 

 counties 430 days of institute, divided into 1,001 sessions, a total 

 attendance at which was 128,320. In addition to the regular insti- 

 tutes there were held 17 special institutes embracing 50 sessions 

 Avith an attendance of 16,679. Movable Institute Schools were held 

 in 11 counties continuing from four to six days in each county having 

 an attendance of 16,097. In addition to regular and special insti- 

 tutes and movable schools, the Department supplied speakers at 

 Farmers' Harvest Home Gatherings and Picnics, the attendance at 

 wliich was 31,520, giving a grand total of attendance of 193,216. 



As has been the practice for years past, our Annual Normal In- 

 stitute was held in the citv of Butler. At this meeting more than 

 ordinary interest was manifested on the part of the instructors and 

 the people in the problems that to-day confrtmt agriculture. Not 

 only was this interest deepened in the adoj)tion of approved metho<Is 

 in the various lines of farm operations, but in some of the broader 

 fields of thought, that of Domestic Economy, Home Sanitalicn, 

 Adornments and Surroundings, all of Avhich occupied a prominent 

 place on the program, emphasizing the importance of Women's work 

 and sphere in the Farmeis' Institute. 



MOVABLE SCHOOLS 



The Movable Schools are developing within the farmers of Penn- 

 sylvania a more thorough knowledge of the fundamental and essen- 

 tial principles and practices to be followed in order to succeed in the 

 important branch of Animal Industry as carried on by the dairy 

 farmers of the State in selecting ]»iofitable dairy cows, their feed, 

 care and management. In the Division of Horticulture, especially 

 in apple and peach growing, our institutes and schools have been 

 the forerunner in giving inspiration and encouragement to men en- 

 gaged in this one of the most important industries of the State. 

 We teach by oral demonstration, actual practice and class work, 

 the better and moie approved methods of tree selection, planting, cul- 

 tivation, ])runing, sjiraying, as well as the best manner of j)acking 



