21 



of the State was proportionally wide and warm. This result was directly diu^ lo an ini- 

 tiative on the part of the regents of the university. At the meeting on June 9, 189(j, a 

 special committee of ways and m(>ans, composed of Regents Rein=tein, Black, and 

 Rodgers, submitted a report embodying, among other important propositions, a plan for 

 promoting the agricultural interests of the State, which was adopted l)y the board. The 

 following reference to the institutes was made: 



The board of regents of the University o( California has arranged to hold thruout this 

 State fifty meetings of those engaged in occupations dependent on the soil, at wliich 

 meetings the representatives of the University of California will seek to l)ring about such 

 a relation between that uiiivi>rsity and the agricultural interests of the State as shall 

 minister to the welfare of all concerned. 



These meetings are expected to strengthen the farmers' institutes already organized 

 and to further the creation of new farmers' institutes and local farmers' chilis, the 

 eminent utility of which is universally admitted. 



A liromincnt jiurjiose of these meetings is to obtain the opinion of those interested in 

 agriculture thruout the eiuire Slate as to the best means of sj)reading and ])ractically 

 applying the scientilic teaching and knowledge of the University of California on agricul- 

 ture and other industrial subjects. With the aid of such opinions it is expected to plan, 

 as soon as possible, the system best calculated to accompli.sh that result and thereby 

 increase the value and variety of the products of the soil of this State. 



The superintendent was instructed to carry out this plan for the extension of farmers' 

 institute work. Edward F. Adams, of Wright's, was appointed organizer for the portion 

 of the State north of the Tehachapi Mountains; and A. J. Cook, of Claremont, was con- 

 tinued as organizer in his district. The result was a notable increase in the number of 

 institutes and in the interest awakened thruout the State, After a year of very effective 

 service Mr. Adams retired, as his time was fully required by other pursuits. 



The success of the first year's work under this broader plan induced the regents to 

 make provision for wider and more systematic work during the fi.scal year 1897-98. 

 On July 13, 1897, a new university department was created under title ''The Depart- 

 ment of University Extension in Agriculture," of which Professor Wickson was desig- 

 nated "superintendent," and two assistants were provided, to be known as "con- 

 ductors of farmers' institutes." D. T. Fowler was chosen for the region north of 

 Tehachapi and A. J. Cook continued for the region south of Tehachapi. 



In March, 1903, the institute work, which had been carried on since 1891 by the 

 University of California by appropriation from its general funds, was taken up by the 

 State and direct appropriation made for its maintenance by the enactment of a law 

 appropriating S6,000 per year I\)r two years. 



In that same year Mr. W. T. Clarke, who had served as field entomologist of the 

 experiment station, was chosen assistant superintendent of university extension in 

 agriculture, to assist in the farmers' institutes and to have special charge of reading 

 and correspondence courses which were formally established. 



This work was begun in June, 1904, and during the first year 175 students were 

 registered in the course. These students were scattered thru 29 of the 57 counties of the 

 State. Eighty per cent of the students (140) were directly engaged in farming, while 

 the other 20 per cent wore found in other pursuits. The work done by these students 

 showed an intelligent and healthy interest. 



From many points of view institute work in California has been pronounced very 

 effective and satisfactory, and a growing demand has been manifested for it. The 

 most tangible measure of this is shown in the average number of institutes from year 

 to year, as follows: 1891 to 1895, 12; 1896, 52; 1897, 78; 1898, 86; 1899, SO; 1900, 81; 

 1901, 82; 1902, 71; 1903, 74; and 1904, 113. 



Attendance has also increased, the annual average from 1898 to 1903 being esti- 

 mated at 23,000, and the record of attendance, according to the method suggested by 

 the American A.'ssociation of Farmers' Institute Workers, yielding a total for 1904 of 

 43,680. 



