50 



them in their homes and looked into the methods used by them. It was also found 

 possible to enlist in the work a number of the faculty of the State University and normal 

 schools. For the first year the per diem of the regular speakers was §3, in addition to 

 railroad and hotel Ijills, but one year later tlae sum was increased to $4 per day for those 

 who acted as conductors of institutes, and it has since been increased to $5 after a speaker 

 has spent one season in institute work. Contrary to the custom in many other States, 

 no one who is in the regular employ of the State of Michigan can draw a per diem for 

 institute work. 



The increased appropriation made it possible to hold some 50 institutes annually, in 

 addition to a four-day round-up. Several one-day institutes were also held. These 

 were attended by but one speaker and were frequently arranged in connection with a 

 farmers' picnic during the summer months. Finally, in 1899, the annual appropria- 

 tion was increased to $7,500, and this made it possible to still further increase the num- 

 ber of one-day institutes. In 1903-4 some 70 two-day institutes and 221 one-day 

 meetings were held. For the most part the two-day institutes were held in some town 

 near the center of the county or at some point that could be readily reached by the 

 railroads. In some counties it has been thought advisable to hold a meeting at the 

 same point year after year, but in others it has been found better to change the meeting 

 point each year. The one-day institutes are held in the smaller towns, frequently in a 

 Grange hall or schoolhouse, and as they are usually held two or three weeks in advance 

 of the two-day institute, they act as feeders for it, and serve to bring out many persons 

 who would not be able to attend the two-day meeting. 



For the two-day institutes the smallest number of persons furnished is three, one of 

 whom is a woman, who speaks in the general sessions of the meeting upon topics relating 

 to poultry raising, butter making, education, and other topics that would be of general 

 interest, and who acts as conductor and speaks at a special woman's section, which is 

 generally held the second afternoon of the institute. These women's sections have 

 met with much favor, and in very few cases does it happen that when they have once 

 been held in a county it is voted to discontinue them. It is found advisable in some 

 instances, and especially in counties in the southern part of the State, to furnish lec- 

 turers upon topics relating to good roads, farm law, veterinary science, education, and 

 other topics that can not be treated by the average institute worker. 



Unlike the custom in many of the States, an endeavor is made to make the people feel 

 that it is "their " institute. The local arrangements are made by the executive officers 

 of the county institute society, and the county secretary attends to securing local talent 

 for the program and looks after the advertising. As a rule, the time is about equally 

 divided between the State and local speakers, and ample opportunity is afforded after 

 each paper for questions and discussion. 



The interest in institute work in Michigan is on the increase; and altho the funds will 

 only permit the holding of an average of 3 one-day institutes in each county, a large 

 number of counties ask for from 8 to 10, and others would hold from 12 to 20 could a 

 State speaker be furnished them. The success of an institute in almost any of the 

 counties depends to a large extent on the thoroness with which it has been advertised 

 and "worked up." As this is in the hands of the county secretary, it can be said that 

 the success of the institutes in the given county will depend to a large extent upon the 

 efficiency of the man selected to act as secretary of th(> institute society for that county. 



At. the close of the institute season a report is published giving the organization of the 

 various institute societies and a report of the work for the year. The proceedings of the 

 round-up institute are usually published in full, and frequently space is given for 

 printing some of the papers read at county institutes. These reports are mailed to all 

 who have become members of the county institute societies, as well as to libraries, 

 newspapers, and to farmers who may apply for them. 



It may be further stated that, altho they were not called farmers' institutes, the 

 Michigan legislature in 1861 past a law providing for lecturers upon farm topics to others 



