Np. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 281 



electioneering done for it in our county. This is the fourth term of 

 my service. I have never asked for it, and didn't want it when I 

 got it. 



I think that one of the first duties of the chairmen of institute 

 managers of the county, is to realize that they have a responsible 

 duty to perform, and they have to try and fit themselves and prepare 

 themselves for the responsibility that is resting upon them, and in 

 so doing, they must get in touch with the agricultural men, the 

 farmers and the working class of people of the county in which they 

 live. 



I think one of the important duties of the agricultural society is, 

 to elect a man thoroughly acquainted with the county, acquainted 

 with the different localities, and the wants of the farmers, with the 

 horticulturists, the dairymen, or the educational department of his 

 county. Then the place of holding three meetings would come right 

 in here if he understands the locality and knows what the people 

 want. We never hold an institute two years in succession in the 

 same place. We take our institute from place to place in the county. 

 We have struck a dividing line in the county, like this aisle going 

 over here, the river is the dividing line in our county. We hold four- 

 days' institute, two days at the west end, and two days at the east 

 end of our county, aud we try to get them as far apart as possible, so 

 that we have from ten to thirty miles between the institutes, and 

 sometimes further. We go where the people ask for it, and every time 

 we hold an institute, they always want us to come back to the same 

 place. We don't have any trouble in getting audiences now. 



In regard to holding meetings in court houses, the first meeting 

 I held after I was elected chairman, was in the court house. I made 

 up my mind then, that so long as I remained chairman I would not 

 go to a court house again. Some of the men who come to the 

 county seat, want to go to the different offices or stores on different 

 business, and we don't get them interested in the work that we 

 should have. Some of you may differ as to this, but we cannot do it. 

 The place is fixed by the county institute managers. Our agricul- 

 tural society elects a gentleman to be represented on the Board of 

 County Institute Managers, our Pomona Grange elects a man, a good 

 man, the man that the Pomona Grange has got in that position now, 

 is one of the best men in our county. I am sorry to say that he don't 

 belong to the agricultural society of our county or I would feel like 

 resigning right away and have him elected chairman of institutes in 

 our county. He is a most excellent man, Mr. D. Bayers, able, intel- 

 ligent and honest. 



In regard to the time of holding these institutes in the different 

 counties, the chairman has something to say; and yet, after all, we 

 advised the Department when not to appoint the institutes for our 

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