14 



committee chosen were W. W. Miller, Ohio; K. L. Butterficld, Michigan, and O. C. 

 Gregg, Minnesota. 



Fourteen States and two of the Provinces of Canada were represented at this meeting 

 by their State or provincial institute directors. 



It was at this meeting that action was first taken looking toward cooperation between 

 the institutes and the National Department of Agriculture at Washington. The sub- 

 ject was introduced by the following question presented for discussion by the com- 

 mittee in charge of the question box: "What support should farmers' institutes have 

 from the United States Department of Agriculture, and how shall such cooperation be 

 secured? " 



After very full discussion the following motion, offered by F. W. Taylor, of Nebraska, 

 and seconded by W. L. Amoss, of Maryland, was adopted: 



Moved that the association at this time appoint a committee of three, consisting of 

 the president-elect (John Hamilton) and two others to he appointed by the president- 

 elect, the business of which committee shall be between the present time and the 

 date of our next annual meeting to gather such facts as are obtainable and get in touch 

 with the Department of Agriculture at Washington, and inquire thoroly into the 

 question of the feasiliility and advisability of a relation and union, such as has been 

 outlined either directly or indirectly with the Agricultural Department of the United 

 States, and submit their report at the next meeting. 



The committee above referred to was duly appointed, and consisted of the president, 

 John Hamilton, W. C. Latta, and F. W. Taylor. 



The association adjourned to meet at Omaha, Nebr., in 1898, the precise date to be 

 fixt by the executive committee. A report of the proceedings was prepared and 

 published by the secretary. 



OMAHA MEETING. 



The third annual meeting of the association was held October 4 and 5, 1898, at 

 Omaha, Nebr. The attendance was quite small, believed to have been occasioned 

 by the fact that the association as then organized, being substantially a close cor- 

 poration, was too limited in its membership to be of general interest. In the absence 

 of the president and the vice-president, Franklin Dye, of New Jersey, was elected 

 to preside. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, 

 Franklin Dye, of New Jersey; vice-president, F. E. Dawley, of New York; and secre- 

 tary and treasurer, George McKerrow, of Wisconsin. 



The committee that had been appointed at the Columbus meeting to consider the 

 question of the cooperation of the United States Department of Agriculture with the 

 farmers' institutes forwarded their report to the secretary of the association. The 

 chairman of the committee and Mr. Latta were unable to be present at the meeting. 

 As a consequence the resolutions do not seem to have been presented, or if they were 

 no action is recorded respecting them. The report, however, had been carefully con- 

 sidered by the committee and would have been urged upon the attention of the asso- 

 ciation if a majority of the members had been present. The report is as follows: 



The committee appointed at the annual meeting of the American Association of 

 Farmers' Institute Maiia,ii;crs, held at Columbus, Ohio, October 27 and 28, 1897, to 

 report upon "The feasibility and desirability of a more intimate relation and union 

 between this association and the Department of Agriculture of the United States" 

 respectfully report that after having conferred with the Hon. James Wilson, Secretary 

 of the Department of Agriculture of the United States, they have agreed upon the 

 following recommendations: 



(1) That the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture at Washington be requested 

 to arrange for a division in connection with that Department, to b<' known as the 

 "Division of Farmers' Institutes," and to appoint a suitable officer who shall be in 

 charge. 



(2) That the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture be requested to arrange 

 for the sending out of s'uitable scientific lecturers to the several States to assist the 

 State managers in the farmers' institute work. 



