75 



The farmers' institute had proved to be a valuable educational factor to the agricul- 

 turists of the State, and the general assembly, recognizing this fact, on April 26, 1890, 

 past "An act to provide for the organization and support of farmers' institute socie- 

 ties." This law provided from the general fund of each county a per capita allowance 

 of 5 mills, but not to exceed $200 in any county; two-fifths of this amount to go to the 

 State board of agriculture for the payment of per diem and expenses of speakers 

 appointed by the board, and three-fifths to go to the local societies for thoir expenses. 



This substantial recognition of the importance of the work gave fresh impetus to it. 

 In 1890-91 there were 124 institutes held under the auspices of the board; in 1891-92, 

 141; in 1892-93, 151; in 1893-94, 150; in 1894-95, 151; in 1895-96, 157; and 87 counties 

 took part in the work. But the board had now reached that point where it was impos- 

 sible, with the means at its command, to increase the number of institutes, altho 

 the demand was constantly growing. Again the general assembly came to its aid, 

 and on April 27, 1896, amended the "act providing for the organization and support 

 of farmers' institute societies," making the per capita allov/ance 6 mills instead of 5 

 mills and dividing it equally between the State board or agriculture and the local 

 societies, limiting the amount available in any county to 3^250. 



Dm-ing the winter of 1896-97 the board held 212 farmers' institutes, and for the first 

 time in the history of the State all the counties— 88— took part in the work. In 1897- 

 98, 234; in 1S98-99, 250; in 1899-1900, 256; in 1900-1901, 260; in 1901-2, 252; in 1902-3, 

 242; and in 1903-4, 247. 



In addition to the regular farmers' institutes held under the auspices of the Ohio 

 State Board of Agriculture a large number of independent institutes have been held 

 each year, some of which have reported, but many have failed to do so; hence it is 

 impossible to give an accurate report of the numl)er . In 1890-91 there were no reports 

 made; in 1891-92, 8 reported; in 1892-93, 14; in 1893-94, 14; in 1894-95, 27; in 1895-96, 

 31; in 1896-97, 25; in 1897-98, 29; in 1898-99, 20; in 1899-1900, 20; in 1900-1901, 20; 

 in 1901-2, 26, in 1902-3, 24; and in 1903-1, 30. All farmers' institutes are held two 

 days, with two speakers in attendance, employed by the board. 



The State farmers' institute held its first session in Columbus, Tuesday, January 11, 

 1887, and it has held annual two-day sessions in CoUrmbus since that time during the 

 weeks of the annual meetings of the State board of agriculture. These institutes have 

 always been well attended by the farmers, horticulturists, and stock breeders of the 

 State. During the continuance of th^se no county institutes are held, thus giving 

 all interested an opportunity of attending, and they prove most successful, both in 

 point of numbers and interest. Nearly all the institute lectiu-ers in the employ of 

 the board attend these State meetings and add materially to their interest and value. 



Since the inauguration of regular farmers' institutes in 1880-81 the State board of 

 agriculture has received the hearty cooperation and valuable assistance of the pro- 

 fessors of the agricultural college of the Ohio State University and the officers of the 

 Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station, and the help thus given has been a great aid 

 in making the work a success. The board has also received the assistance of prominent 

 educators thruout the State and from sister States; of men who are authorities in 

 theirspecial linesof work— agriculture, horticulture, stock breeding, etc.— of intelligent, 

 earnest, practical farmers; and all these gentlemen deserve a share of the credit of 

 success. 



OKLAHOMA. 



The settlement of Oklahoma, in 1889, occurred just about the time the farmers' 

 institute movement began to gather headway in the States. The establishment of 

 the agricultural college and experiment station followed within two years after the 

 settlement, but it was not until 1893 that interest in the institute form of extension 

 work was aroused. 



