farmers' institutes in the united states. 329 



A feature of the Illinois institute is the boys' class. In each insti- 

 tute there is a boys' class devoted wholly to giving instruction to 

 boys and to exercises in which they are specially interested. Corn 

 judging, stock judging, the reading of papers which the boys have 

 prepared, speaking selections, undergoing examinations, etc., are 

 some of the exercises. 



About one-half day of each institute is conducted by the women. 

 There are domestic science associations in sixty of the counties which 

 hold regular meetings in addition to the farmers' institutes. The 

 effect of these associations has been to greatly strengthen the insti- 

 tute work particularly in its relation to the farm home. 



Corn- judging contests for boys were held in twenty-nine counties 

 last year and the prospects are that upward of fifty counties will 

 adopt them in the coming year. This method of interesting j^oung 

 people was devised by Hon. A. P. Grout, of Winchester, 111. It 

 provides for a test of skill in the judging of corn, the premium being 

 a trip to the agricultural college for two weeks' instruction in subjects 

 of practical importance to young men on a farm. Last winter about 

 75 boys were sent to this winter short course at the college through 

 these contests, and as many more went at their own expense, who 

 became interested through the institutes. One county sent one boy 

 and paid half of the expenses of another, and another county offered 

 the short-course premium to one bo}' in each township in the county. 



This year bread-judging contests are open to girls in a few counties, 

 the premium being a trip to the agricultural college with two weeks' 

 instruction in household science. 



The Business Men's Association in Scott County offered a prize of 

 $10 to one boy in each of the thirteen election precincts of the county 

 toward paying his expenses to the winter short course at the agri- 

 cultural college. The method adopted in making the selection last 

 year was to distribute a 14-page bulletin on Soil Fertility among 

 the young people in the public schools, who were requested to study 

 the bulletin and report at the next farmers' institute meeting for 

 examination, the one standing highest in each precinct to receive 

 the prize. Fifteen boys, representing nine precincts, applied for 

 examination, and one from each precinct was awarded the premium. 



There was appropriated to the farmers' institute last year in Illi- 

 nois $30,281.55, the largest amount given to institute work b}' any 

 State. This is received from the following sources: From the State 

 for use of the local institute organizations, $7,650; from the State 

 for the use of the State board of agriculture and for the payment of 

 the salary of the superintendent of farmers' institutes, $7,500; from 

 the State for the payment of the salary of the secretary, $2,000; from 

 the county board of supervisors for institute purposes, $2,555; from 

 donations, membership dues, and sale of exhibits, $10,576.55. 



