13S STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



women feci more free to take part in the discussions, and while at ihe 

 g^eneral session they mip;lit not even ask a question, but the free dis- 

 cussion which is so helpful is common at well conducted women's ses- 

 sions. 



In some counties they have arrani;('d f<»r .a ^Vomen's (.'on<;ress with 

 two sessions, either forenoon and afternoon, or on two afternoons; 

 and in still others, three or four sessions are held durinjj the year. By 

 holdinjx them in different ]iarts of the county it not only enables all 

 of the women to attend at least one of the Conjjresses, but it affords 

 an opportunity for the different localities to come into closer touch for 

 the common jiood. 



Tn the counties where the ad intrr'nii Women's Conjjresses are being 

 held, they ai-e conducted moi'e alonj; the lines of mothers' meetings, 

 community clubs or housewives' leagues. Tn many parts of the state 

 the women are manifcsting'more and moi'c an interest in just sucji meet- 

 ings and the ]»lan is to sup])ly this demand, so far as ]»ossible, and to 

 furnish an outline for each Congress to follow. This part of the work 

 will be more in tlie nature of home study clubs, and will be sui)i)lemented 

 Avith suggestions and helps from this department and the loan collec- 

 tions of books and pictures furnished willunit charge by the State 

 Library. 



EXHIBITS AT INSTITUTES. 



Among the interesting features at a large nuniber of the institutes 

 were the exhibits of com, grains, potatoes and other vegetables, bread, 

 butter, plain sewing, drawings, etc. At several ])laces exhibits of work 

 by school children were made. 



A large proportion of the exhibits were by boys and girls and at some 

 of the meetings the exhibits were made under the auspices of the Boys' 

 Corn Clul). which also held se])arate sessions at which a regular ])rogram 

 was carried out. At other institutes the exhibits were secured either 

 by the secretary, or by a committee on exhibits, a])pointed to take charge 

 of the work. 



Premiums of considerable value were generally arranged for. either 

 from the treasury of the institute society or in the way of cash, farm 

 implements, merchandise, etc., offered by individuals. 



Such exhibits should be encouraged, as they not only add to the in- 

 terest and attendance at the institutes but they are instructive and 

 inspiring and serve to induce a greater interest in farming and fann 

 life, both on the part of those Avho make the exhibits, ami those who 

 view them. 



Tn arranging the lU'ctniuins, those for boys and girls should have 

 particular attention, and an endeavor should be made to have them of 

 an educational nature, such as trips or short courses at the Agricultural 

 College, trips to the State Fair, books on agriculture or home economics, 

 etc. 



The larger ])i-izcs should only be oll'cred for the growing of a half 

 acre or more of corn, potatoes or other crops, and the contestants should 

 not only be required to keep a careful record of the growing of the crop, 

 its yield, etc., as well as make an exhibit of the ]U'(>duct. but the re- 

 ports of those who receive the prizes should be read at the county 

 institute. 



