78 



I suppose nearly every rlirector believes his State has the most nearly ideal system, 

 and really how many of ns are in a position to say he has not until we have made 

 a thorough study of his conditions and environments? 



What a grand, good plan it would l)e if a uniform system could !>(> devised and 

 put into effective operation throughout all the States. 



Such a svstem would undoubtedly contain a township organization, a county insti- 

 tute, and a governing hoard f(jr the State. With such a system working harmoni- 

 ously and a legislature inclined to be liberal with appropriation the superintendent 

 would have the smoothest kind of sailing. 



In some States, I am inclined to think, such a plan could be inaugurated and 

 carried out very successfully. To my mind the conditions for such a system would 

 be found in the older States, where the farms are nearly uniform in size, the country 

 well settled, and the people all, or nearly all, of one nationality. 



Opposed to this method of organization is what is generally called the one-man 

 system, although rather incorrectly, I think. By this plan the institute work is 

 g'enerally under the management of a board which secures a superintendent who 

 plans and carries on the work without any organized local societies or clubs. Tnder 

 such a system is my own State working, and while it must be admitted there are 

 some drawbacks, yet I am inclined to think it is the better plan for the present at 



With a large alien population of at least six different nationalities more or less 

 suspicious of one another, bonanza farms, and farm houses often miles apart, condi- 

 tions are none the best to attempt ideal methods until institute work is well on its 

 feet and firmly estal^lished. Indeed, I am not sure but what, under the aforesaid 

 conditions, the so-called one-man system would more nearly approach the ideal 

 method of organization. 



The greatest objection that can be brought against that method is that of creatmg 

 sufficient interest locally to make a successful institute. If the superintendent is the 

 right man in the right place he will l)e able to select a local committee which will 

 give the matters of advertising and arrangement as much time and attention and just 

 as good results will be accomplished as when performed by the officers of a local 

 society. . 



Where a local societv is in existence, the president feels that it is one of his pre- 

 rogatives to preside during the institute, and resents the action of the conductor in 

 taking charge of and conducting the meeting. To be entirely successful at all times 

 I believe the institute should be conducted by an experienced man. True, that can 

 be provided for in the by-laws of the society, but it will often be the case that the 

 president will desire to exercise his prerogative, and rather than have any trouble 

 the conductor will step aside and waive his right. 



For the best results the governing board should not be too large. Five, I believe, 

 is sufficient and seven at the most. Where it is necessary to travel long distances a 

 large board is expensive and at the best unwieldy. 



In an organization where the countv societies would send delegates to the annual 

 meeting it would cost in North Dakota from $1,200 to $1,500 to pay the expenses of 

 delegates and board members for a year. The question naturally arises. Could not 

 this amount be spent to better advantage in holding a larger number of meetings? 



With all due respect to those who favor the township, county, and State organi- 

 zation scheme, I must say that in my opinion such a system would not bring the best 

 results in North Dakota, for the present at least. 



With larger appropriations, a larger experience, and a better knowledge on the 

 part of the farmers in the aims and ol)jects of institute work and less rivalry between 

 the different nationalities, conditions will change, and I am not prophet enough to 

 state what would then be the best plan. 



In conclusion, I want to state that I am not antagonistic to any system which will 

 bring aV)out the desired results, and that in our work the farmers are urged to organ- 

 ize local clubs and societies. A few sudi have been formed, some of which have 

 weathered the storm and some have fallen by the wayside. 



Results are the thing desired, and the system that will bring results under prevail- 

 ing conditions is the one to follow. 



The paper by John Hamilton referred t(j by Professor Taft is as follows: 



FORM OF ORGANIZATION FOR FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 



The earlv or formative stage of every great movement is usually a period of com- 

 parative confusion. Whether it be the development of a science or of a political 

 reform, there is always a time when information is meager, views are more or less 



