S The Bulletin. 



use which, could be raised in the State, to an amount equal to the money 

 received for its cotton crop. 



In 1910 North Carolina imports were $59,000,000 while the cotton 

 crop was $54,000,000. The farmers took notice and in 1911 the imports 

 of feeds had declined to $39,000,000, and in 1914 to $20,000,000. The 

 fact that our fanners had produced the amount of feed that our report 

 shows caused the N^orth Carolina farmers to be able to weather the 

 storm caused by the decline in price of cotton last year with less incon- 

 venience than those of any other State. There was exported last year 

 $3,000,000 in feed and cattle. 



Institutes.' 



Mr. T. B. Parker is dii'ector of this work. In 1903 there were 17 in- 

 stitutes in 16 counties; in 1914 there were 501 institutes in 98 counties; 

 attendance, 35,000 men and 36,000 women. Total, 71,819. The attend- 

 ance of women is double that of any other State. 



Besides the regular tours of institutes, lecturers are furnished when 

 desired to any other assembly on any subject wished to be discussed. An 

 effort is made to form a permanent association at every point where an 

 institute is held. 



An institute party consists of speakers from the force of the Depart- 

 ment and the A. and M. College, representing at least two of the objects 

 embraced in the Department's work, a woman lecturer and a farmer who 

 has achieved success in his work. The time to discuss the good in book 

 farming has passed ; those who attend do not need information on this 

 line. The attendance has been gradually increased ; in the beginning 

 20 or less was about the number present. I^ow a famiers' institute is 

 the most popular assembly in the State and 100 or more usually attend. 

 The addresses are in language which all can understand. The speaker 

 must have something to say, say it and stop. "A never-quit" does the 

 cause much harm and so does the scientific man who must by manner 

 at least express his disgust at the simplicity of the question asked. A 

 man who has nothing to say generally "hollers." 



There is usually a prize offered for the best five ears of seed corn, the 

 best loaf of bread (corn meal or flour) or the best cake, for girls and 

 one for women ; also some years there is a premium for the boys for the 

 best pig. 



The dinner hour is usually the most important of the day. The 

 speakers mingle with the people and those who may be too timid to 

 speak in public have opportunity to seek information along any par- 

 ticular line they may wish or to ask that this subject be discussed in the 

 afternoon. After institutes have been held a few times the number wil- 

 ling to ask questions increases and this is most valuable; the object of 

 th6 institute is to have the audience take part in the speaking. Wher- 

 ever questions from the audience relate mostly to the same subject, 

 although some other question may have been slated for the hour, it is 

 thought best to discuss what the people seem to be interested in. 



