farmers' institutes in the united states. 347 



south dakota. 



Institute director. — A. E. Chamberlain, superintendent of farmers' institutes, 

 Brookings. 



The legislature of South Dakota b}' act approved March 3, 1905, 

 created a State Farmers' Institute Board composed of the president 

 of the agricultural college and two members of the State board of 

 .regents, and appropriated $5,000 per year for institute purposes. 

 One hundred and nineteen sessions of institutes were held last year 

 with an attendance of about 10,000 persons. The agricultural college 

 and the experiment station furnished together seven men for institute 

 service who gave about sixty days of time to the work. An inde- 

 pendent institute was held with an attendance of about 300. There 

 was also one session of institute specially for boys with excellent 

 results. About one hundred young people between the ages of 15 

 and 21 participated. The time was given chiefly to giving instruction 

 in corn and stock judging. Dairy cattle, beef animals, sheep, and 

 swine were provided by the community for this purpose. Prizes 

 were given, running as high as $5 in one mstance. The judging of 

 cereals extended to grains other than corn, embracing all of the crops 

 that are usually gro\\Ti upon a farm. The evening sessions were 

 largely devoted to literary programmes along lines in the direction of 

 beautifying and adding to the convenience of farm homes. Lectures 

 on general subjects were also introduced, and good music both mstru- 

 mental and vocal was made a feature. In one locality the institute 

 continued for an entire week with constantly mcreasing interest. The 

 weather conditions were such at times as to seriously interfere with 

 the work, the extreme cold making it impossible in some instances for 

 holding meetings through inability to heat the halls. 



The institutes are now well started in South Dakota, and the coming 

 year will no doubt see the work organized in all of the counties with 

 efficient local committees m charge. The law provides that in all 

 counties wherein is held a farmers' institute, organized by the election 

 of five directors from whom shall be selected a president, vice-presi- 

 dent, and secretary-treasurer, the institute shall be entitled to a sum 

 not exceeding S200 annually to be paid by the county commissioners 

 and upon the presentation of regularly certified bills. This provision 

 for meeting the expenses of the institutes in addition to the one appro- 

 priating $5,000 to the agricultural college for institute purposes will 

 enable the work in South Dakota to be carried on successfully, and 

 to reach all portions of the State. 



