48 



much harm. The officers and directors of each local institute are res[ionsiltle 

 for the success of the work of their respective institute districts only. The 

 superintendent is responsible for the work throu.iihont the Province. 



In order to accommodate the farmers two series of institutes are 

 lield — one during the months of January and February and one in 

 October and November. For institute purposes the Province is 

 divided into three divisions, with separate sets of k^cturers for each 

 division. The Dominion department of agriculture each season sends 

 lecturers to assist the local and provincial lecturers in giving 

 instruction. 



A feature of the work in this Province is that of holding held 

 meetings in orchards or fields, where experts give practical demon- 

 strations of the methods which they advocate, Avhether it be pruning, 

 plowing, cultivating, grazing, budding, or planting. OA^er 20 jier 

 cent of the meetings held in 1003 were of this practical character. 



Another peculiarity of the system is that the secretaries of the local 

 institute societies receive compensation for their services. The 

 amount is not very much, varying from $5 to $30 per year. No 

 doubt this salary, small as it is, has much to do Avith insuring the 

 success of the Avork, and gives the provincial superintendent a hold 

 upon the local society that he Avould not have Avithout it. 



In 1903, 102 institute meetings Avere held, attended by 7,149 persons. 

 The membership in the societies reporting ranges from 24 to OA'er 

 SOO. Thirty-six had IjetAveen 50 and 100 members, eleA^en betAveen 

 100 and 200, and three over 200. The average cost per meeting 

 Avas $8.28. 



The sui^erintendent in his report for that year states that — 



The interest in those meetinf;s is constantly increasing, but very much of their 

 success depends upon the local oliicers. If they are active men, interested in 

 the work, and take the trouble to advertise and talk up the institute, the result 

 has always been a good attendance. On the other hand, when the local officers 

 are indifferent the result is generally poor. 



NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, CANADA. 



The farmers' institutes in the NorthAvest Territories of Canada 

 are under the general direction of the territorial commissioner of 

 agriculture, Avho is anthorized to appoint a superintendent of fairs 

 and institutes. The institute AVork is combined Avith that of the 

 local agricultural societies. Where no agricultural society exists the 

 superintendent of institutes gets some jierson in the neighborhood to 

 make such local arrangements for the meetings as may be necessary. 

 In all cases the department pays for th3 adA'ertising and the rent of 

 the halls for institute meetings. 



The objects of a local agricultural society are defined in the terri- 

 torial ordinance to be " to encourage improvement in agriculture, 

 horticulture, manufactures, and the useful arts." 



