72 



public education. It is designed to set forth the principles applied to the organiza- 

 tion and conduct of farmers' institutes and agricultural associations; to systematize 

 into (U'tinitc lines the knowledge aciuired by the students in the college to the end 

 that they nuiv render more distinctive service, upon their return home, in the insti- 

 tute work of "their counties and State; and also to inspire within them the desire to 

 become active members of some of the agricultural associations of the State. Lec- 

 tures, assign^Ml readings, parliamentary jjractice, the making out and advertising of 

 institute progrannnes, etc., are leading features of this course. More than 50 

 young men have taken the work each year. 



It is not our aim in this course to pound a lot of knowledge into a boy which may 

 or may not be of anv practical use to him afterwards, but rather to fill him with a 

 boundless enthusiasm and set before him high ideals, intellectual and moral, and 

 thus e(iuipiu-d the young farmer takes his place among other citizens as a public- 

 spirited man. u v i- 



The speaker takes the stand that the very best representative men should be found 

 upon the farms of our country; but so long as they neglect to secure broad, liberal 

 education, just so long must they be relegated to a back seat. The traiinng which a 

 boy gets— if of the right kind— during his S(!hool days, followed by active jiarticipa- 

 tion^in farmers' institutes and kindred associations, will give him the equipment 

 necessary to use these opportunities to the very best a<lvantage. It will encourage 

 and develop the gift of public speaking, and the ability to preside at any public 

 gathering with ease and dignitv. These gifts must be used l)y some one in every 

 community, and happy is that man called upon to play his i)art who has during his 

 younger days prepared himself to do so with ease to himself and satisfaction to his 



neighbors. <• . • ix 



The course in farmers' institute management offered at the College of Agriculture 

 of the Universitv of Illinois affords the very best opportunity possible to cultivate 

 these gifts and gives the voung man definiteness of purpose. A decided mind is a 

 tower of strength in any man's life, and in a general way stands for success. To 

 know the right course, and to be sure that you know it, gives steadiness and accuracy 

 of work. . • J 



While, so far, I mav not have adhered very closely to the topic assigned me, viz, 

 "Boys' and girls' institutes," let me hook to it the other end first and consider insti- 

 tutes for girls and boys. , V TX 

 The ideal or perfect institute must have good learners as well as good teachers. It 

 must develop and strengthen the idea of self-help. This idea of self-help has been 

 prominent in Illinois farmers' institutes from the first. Our local men nmst and do 

 work up the local institute. AVHienever you get a local man interested antl enthused 

 to act and work, there follows the death of " liis institute" or " your institute," but 

 there rules instead the broader conception of its being " our institute," and all feel 

 that they are not onlv welcome but a i)art of it and responsible for its success. _ 



Much "depends upo"n the parents of the young people. The moct difficult institute 

 to arouse interest and enthusiasm in is the one composed wholly of old, gray-haired 

 men, numbering many " retired" farmers. Do not misunderstand me as being dis- 

 respectful to these older members of the farming community. They are all right 

 and needed in the institute, but they should not be there to the exclusion of the boys 

 and girls. There is something radically wrong with the institute management which 

 needs reconstruction if there are no young people in attendance. In every commu- 

 nity there are l)oys and girls who can both entertain and instruct an audience. Urge 

 them to take up a'nd discuss some question of common interest to the locality. Secure 

 a young lady, or several of them, to favor the audience with a piece of music at oppor- 

 tune times. " These young people who consent to take part in the meeting themselves 

 will generally bring a number of young people from their neighborhood to the insti- 

 tute. Short"recitations, reiiuiring but a few minutes' delivery, from a l)oy or girl 

 will not only please and stinnilate the young people, but will often win the i)arents 

 who might otherwise not be in attendance. They will feel a pardonable pride in 

 knowing that their son or dangliter will si)eak at the institute. And, again, any well- 

 or<janized institute could add to its usefulness by offering "awards" or "honors" 

 for special [iroficiency in farming. It is but little trouble to secure premiums among 

 the farmers themselves or the business men of the town in which the institute is to 

 be held. And supplementary to the jirizes, honorable mention could be made for 

 excellence of work; classification could be made as to the best-kept farm; the best 

 arrangement of farm buildings; the best acre of corn or potatoes or other crops; the 

 best garden; the best-kept house yard or grounds about the house; the best yield of 

 eggs; the best butter. Also premiums may be given on culinary products, corn, etc. 

 I am' of the opinion that a decided influence would thereby be given to the institute 

 and consecjuently to agricultural progress. Plans can be made ahead for these fea- 

 tures and inexpensive tokens of merit may be awarded at the institute session at 



