44 



legislature made provision for llic holding of farmers' institutes. The sum appro- 

 priated, however, was so small, §1,400 annually, that the work planned could not 

 have been carried forward but for the self-sacrificing labor and devotion of those who 

 literally "went about doing good," with no thought of recompense. These earlier 

 lectures by the leaders constitute to-day the best agricultural literature of the State. 

 Prior to this date summer meetings for farmers had l)(>en held and much individual 

 work done, without compensation, so that when the regular institute came the State 

 was ready for the movement, and from the beginning good audiences greeted the 

 speakers. 



From the first the secretary of the State board of agriculture has been the captain 

 in command, directing the lines of work by personal contact with the farmers of 

 the State. Both day and evening sessions were planned for, and as the State law 

 requires, at least two institutes have been held yearly in each of the counties of 

 the State. These meetings have gradually grown to be among the most important of 

 any held within our borders. 



The annual reports of the board of agriculture from 1855 to 1902, and of the depart- 

 ment of agriculture since that date, 5,000 copies of which are distributed yearly among 

 the farmers of Maine, have given those who have preserved the volumes an agricul- 

 tural library of inestimable value, and also a complete history of the growth of the 

 industry. The papers and addresses which they contain are by the most able and 

 conscientious men of the State, and for breadth of thought, clearness of expression, 

 and spirit of loyalty to the agricultural interests are unsurpassed. 



In 1901 a complete change occurred in the administration of the agricultural affairs 

 of the State. The legislature abolished the old board and created a department of 

 agriculture, with a commissioner in charge. The new department was given perma- 

 nent quarters in the statehouse, the salary of the commissioner was increased from 

 $600 annually to $1,500, and his entire time was expected to be given to the duties of 

 his office. Along with this, the sum appropriated for farmers' institutes was increased 

 to $3,000 per year. For awhile instead of but two institutes being held yearly in each 

 county, as the law prescribed, an attempt was made to multiply the number by hold- 

 ing single sessions in adjoining towns at the same time that the main institute was in 

 progress. This was soon abandoned. The dividing of the lecture force, which this 

 new method required, weakened the central meeting and did not correspondingly aid 

 the other localities visited. 



About fifty institutes are held each year. The past few years show an annual 

 increase of over 20 per cent in the attendance, and the year 1904 just closed shows an 

 increase of 10 per cent over any previous year. The general custom has been to employ 

 on the lecture corps one speaker from out of the State and two practical, experienced 

 men, of recognized ability and standing, in the State. These, with the commissioner, 

 constitute the teaching force, the commissioner personally taking charge and directing 

 every session. Institutes are held consecutively, county after county being visited 

 until the entire State has been covered. The dates and subjects to be discust are 

 fixt by the commissioner, after consultation with representative farmers in each 

 locality. 



During recent years the Grange in Maine has been growing rapidly, erecting commo- 

 dious and attractive halls in every part of the State, and devoting itself largely to edu- 

 cational work with special reference to the improvement of rural life and to the general 

 upbuilding of agriculture. The result has been that greater interest is being mani- 

 fested in the institutes than formerly, and the institute lecturers now find themselves 

 compelled to make more thoro preparation for their work than was necessary in the 

 past, in order that their audiences may he satisfied with the teaching and the high 

 level of the institutes be maintained. Many of the meetings are held in Grange hads. 

 These buildings are all equipped with dining rooms and kitchens. There are also 

 stables for horses, so that man and team are provided for and made comfortable. The 



