DEPARTMENT REPORTS 87 



to the County Society to do the advertising, supply the bulk of the 

 program for the evening session, furnish music and supply for the 

 program the local speakers, who serve to give the exercises the local 

 coloring so much desired. Unfortunately, the Secretary of the local 

 society is not a paid officer, and the demands of his own business compel 

 him often to neglect proper and sufficient advertising. I am glad to 

 report that in the vast majority of the counties this matter is well 

 cared for. It is wrong, however, to refer so important a phase of the 

 work to the generosity of individuals. Some arrangement must be 

 made in the near future whereby the burden of this work will be lifted 

 from the shoulders of the local society. 



The State Bound-up Institute was held at the Agricultural College 

 on the three days beginning February 26, 1901. The experiment was 

 tried of having the general session in the afternoon, and dividing the 

 people in attendance in the forenoon in such a way as to furnish separate 

 programs to the women, to farmers interested in fruit culture, and to 

 those interested in general farm work. Such an arrangement made 

 possible a much broader program than could otherwise have been 

 carried out. A reference to the full report of the Superintendent of 

 Institutes, submitted today, will give full information in regard to the 

 Round-up Institute, with a full report of its proceedings. 



The conference of County Secretaries was a very important feature 

 of the Institute at the College. Fifty-three counties were represented 

 by delegates, and plans for the following year were well laid out. 



The Farm Home Eeading Circle, supported financialh^ out of the 

 Institute fund, has again increased in membership and usefulness during 

 the past year. Books are being ordered freely and are being widely 

 read by Michigan farmers and the members of their families as is evi- 

 denced by the answers to questions sent out for the examinations, and 

 as well by the questions coming in, which denote an active interest 

 in the proper solutions of present problems. 



I must call the attention of the Board to the fact that the railroads are 

 contributing generously to the College extension work. They carry 

 our speakers to institutes at half fare and carry the superintendent 

 about the State wherever he is called, whether to arrange for meetings 

 or to deliver addresses, on jjasses. Through these two channels they 

 donate nearly, if not quite, a quarter as much as the whole State. 



The State appropriation for the carrying forward of the institute 

 work was |5,500. 



Respectfully submitted, 



C. D. SMITH, 



Superintendent of Institutes. 

 Agricultural College, Mich. 

 June 30, 1901. 



