36 



local arrangementw. Each speaker is furiiished with an itinerary and orders for rail- 

 road tii-ki'ts at half rates. 



In addition to the usual topics relating to the science and practice of agriculture, 

 special attention has been paid to the subjects of "schools," "forestry," "good 

 roads," and the teaching of agriculture in the public schools. The placing of the 

 facts regarding these matters l)eforethe farmers of the State has brought a))<)ut legis- 

 lation permitting the centralization of schools, the creation of a forestry commission, 

 with a State forester and forest wardens, together with a forest reserve, the teaching 

 of the elements of agriculture in the State normal scliool and the county normal 

 schools, and an amendment to the State constitution permitting the appointment of 

 a State highway conunission, and a system of State rewards for the l)uilding of roads. 

 In the way of new work, plans have been made for the holding of a State normal 

 farmers' institute, and a series of railroad institutes that will reach some fifteen 

 counties. Something has also been done in the way of field and orchard institutes, 

 with demonstration lectures in pruning and spraying. 



MINNESOTA. 

 By O. C. Gregg, Lynd. 



During the year we held 105 institutes, all being of one day only, with a total 

 number of sessions of 227. The total attendance was 52,125, estimated according to 

 the plan suggested by the American Association of Farmers' Institute Workers. 



The appropriation for the year was $18,000, which amount covered the entire 

 expense of the institutes and the cost of publishing 35,000 copies of our Annual No. 

 17. We employed 14 speakers during the year, some for long and some for short 

 periods. Very few local speakers were used. Our general plan of work has been 

 the same as heretofore, with the exception that we have held one-day meetings 

 entirely. This has been done in order to meet, as far as possible, the many calls 

 which we have received for institutes. We have given some special work to help the 

 women's institutes organized two years ago. We have had two special workers visit 

 these institutes during the year, gathering such information as will help us in fur- 

 thering the work of that department. 



MISSISSIPPI. 



By J. C. Hardy, Agricultural College. 



The number of meetings mapped out for the past year was 200, but on account of 

 quarantine not more than 100 institutes were held. Twenty-four speakers were 

 employed, and the work for the year was carried on at a cost of 13,000. The general 

 plan of campaign was much the same as in jirevious years. The principal new lines 

 of work have been to have the second day for a practical day, in which to do some 

 practical work, such as building roads, making terraces, judging c^ittle, etc. 



MISSOURI. 



By G. B. Ellis, Colunibia. 



The principal institute months in this State are September, October, November, 

 and December. On account of the great interest in the World's Fair which was held 

 in St. Louis in 1904, the amount of institute work done in the State was considerably 

 curtailed. There were held 58 one-day meetings, 44 two-day meetings, and 2_^ three- 

 day meetings; the total number of sessions 25fi, with a total attendance of 2,560, an 

 average of 100 per session. The amount of money appropriated for the year was 

 $5,000, but on account of the curtailment of tlie work, as above stated, only $3,100 

 of this appropriation was used. On account of a technical ruling of the State auditor 

 the balance of the fund reverted to the State. It had been exjVected to use this bal- 

 ance during the winter months, but on account of this /uling it could not be done. 

 There were 30 speakers eni]>loyed during the year. About half of them were from 

 the agricultural college and experiment station. Three speakers were employed 

 from other States. No material change has been made in the general plan for the 

 work in this State. The traveling institute which was inaugurated two or three 

 years ago has been continued with success. The plan of having the institute lec- 

 turers visit the schools in towns where n.eetings are held and deliver lectures has 

 been extended, and we think l)y this method we are reaching hundreds of young 

 people of the State. In a number of places where high schools are in session the 

 classes are dismissed for one session of the institute, which is attended by the students 

 in a body. Lectures especially prepared for the pupils are given. 



