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Huch as the farmers' institute comprises, with pui>ils by tlie ten tliousand, neeilin^ 

 instruction of the most ailvanced and technical character, should have the entire 

 attention of at least one man to plan for it and to organize its work. 



AGKICUI-TUHAL COI.LEOK AND EXl'EKIMENT STATION COOI'EKATIOX. 



The fourth essential in any State farmers' institute system is provision for securing 

 the cooperation and assistance of the agricultural college and experiment station. 



The in.stitute is an educational institution holding a peculiar place in the system 

 of public instruction. Its distinctive work is to disseminate agricultural informa- 

 tion. In this respect it is the field agent of the agricultural college and experiment 

 station. These institutions represent advanced agriculture, and are at the head of 

 the movement for education in agriculture in each State. Their efforts and inJiuence 

 extend into every conmiunity, to the workers in the shops and on the farms; in the 

 orchards, vineyards, and stock barns of the people. Tlieir work and that of the 

 institutes are i<lentical in these respects, and the closest union and cooperation 

 should therefore exist between them. 



THE IXSTITITE A STATE INSTITUTIOX. 



In order that the institute may be most useful to all of th^^p'ople and continue to 

 develop most rapidly, it should be as free as possible from political and sectarian 

 strife. To effect this its officers should l)e elected by men of all political parties and 

 of all religious creeds, and the law fixing its organization should be such as to make 

 such an election possible. 



While it should be as free as possible from political control, it at the same time 

 should be so identitied with the State administration as to make its financial needs 

 a part of the budget presented to the legislature for meeting the expenses of the 

 several departments of the State government, and its accounts should be subject to 

 audit by State officials. It should in this respect be in a position similar to that now 

 occupied by the State system of public instruction, and while receiving maintenance 

 from the State be under nonpartisan control. 



PROPER SIPPOKT. 



No organization of a public character can long exist and properly jirogress without 

 some provision for adequate and assured supj)ort. 



The farmers' institute system that is to serve the purpose of its organization must 

 employ expert specialists to teach, and must have efficient officers to oversee the 

 work. Proper provision for the payment of these lecturers and officers must be 

 made, and this provision should not be of a temporary or uncertain character, but 

 the act providing for the creation of the institute system should also provide for its 

 maintenance and an appropriation should be embodied in the law which will insure 

 continuous and adequate support. 



FUTURE DEVELOPMENT. 



The institutes are in their primary stage of development. Hitherto they have 

 been, for the most part, mere demonstrations or examples of wdiat is possible in the 

 way of teaching scientific truth to farmers. They have not yet settled down to the 

 giving of regular and systematic instruction. This undoubtedly will come as exper- 

 ience is gained and the means for extending the work are provided. 



The future institutes no doubt will, as is now' done by a number of European 

 countries, employ lecturers by the year, to be in the field giving regular instruction 

 in itinerant and local schools and in clubs of farmers. This will necessitate changes 

 in present methods that need to be anticipated and provided for in any form of 

 organization that is to be serviceable through the years to come. 



OUTLINE OF A SYSTEM. 



The legislative act for the establishing of a State system of farmers' institutes and 

 the forms of constitutions and by-laws for State, county, township, and district 

 organization herewith presented have been proposed not with the expectation that 

 either the act or any of the forms will be adopted without modification, but mainly 

 to call attention to a possible system that might he adopted by States where no per- 

 manent organization has yet been effected or in which it is still incomplete, and to 



19983— No. 165—06 6 



