No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



WOKK DONE BY THE DEPARTMENT 



BUREAU OF FARMERS' INSTITUTES AND FARM ADVISERS 



As an educational agency, the Bureau of Farmers' Institutes has 

 made plieiiominal advancement in the past fifteen years. At the 

 opening of ilie Twenti(Mli Pentury. tliere was in the State a pro- 

 nounced apathy conceniing the institutes lield under the direction of 

 tlie Bureau. Thousands of farmers, at first, failed to see the im- 

 portance of scientific and practical instruction in the maintaining 

 of the soil and the cultivation of agricultural products, hence they 

 did not see tlie necessity of attending the meetings of institutes, 

 claiming that they knew as much about farming as the speakers 

 furnished by the Department. They followed the traditions handed 

 down by their fathers, farmed in the old way until their acres pro- 

 duced less and less of the staple crops, having practically worn out 

 their land, depleting it of the .constituent elements that go to make 

 good soil. 



Because of this indifi'erence manifested to learn new methods, the 

 early institutes were but meagerly attended and the interest shown 

 by those who did attend was correspondingly indifferent. However, 

 the Director of Institutes did not become discouraged, but continued 

 his progressive and aggressive policy and supplied the best men who 

 could be secured to go before the people with a newer agriculture, 

 based on scientific standards, practically expounded in language and 

 terms that could be comprehended by the average farmer. 



And what is the result of this persistent endeavor upon the part 

 of the Department through this Bureau? So great has been the up- 

 lift along all lines of agriculture, that everywhere in the State there 

 is a gratifying demand for institutes and movable schools; and where 

 the attendance fifteen years ago were by the hundreds, to-day the 

 thousands throng the buildings where tlie meetings are held, in many 

 instances, to their fullest capacity. The roughest weather or dis- 

 tance does not dampen the enthusiasm of the farmers of the State, 

 but, with their families, the}' sit for hours listening to the corps of 

 efficient men employed by the Department to impart instruction. 

 In the progress of the work, instructors who did not measure up to 

 the standard were taken from the force and men more active, who 

 kept in advance of those who were to be taught, were supplied. These 

 instructors, students in up-to-date agriculture, entered upon their 

 work thoroughly equipped to perform their duties. They were se- 

 lected for high standard of efficiency, men of such mental caliber and 

 training as to quality them to discuss the various subjects assigned 

 and answer all reasonable and proper questions along tlieir special 

 lines. 



As an evidence of the mighty uplift in agricultural education, 

 the demand for institutes cannot be met with the present appropria- 

 tion, and from several of the counties the farmers are asking addi- 

 tional institutes from one to four days. 



