50 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



FARMERS' INSTITUTES AND EXTENSION WORK. 



The work of the Oflicc in i)r()m()tiiiir the interests of fanners' insti- 

 tutes has proceeded alon<; the same fjeneral lines as in previous years 

 and lias continued under the direction of Prof. John Hamilton, 

 farmers' institute specialist. 



The ofrowino; interest in farmers' institutes and in extension work 

 has frroatly increased the work of the Ofiice and has made necessary 

 the ap])ointment of an assistant to the institute specialist; Mr. John 

 M. Stcdman, of the I^niversity of Missouri, was appointed to the 

 position in May, 1009. 



In all of the States, except Louisiana and Nevada, institutes were 

 conducted durinof the past year, and in all the Territories, except 

 Alaska and Hawaii. In the 47 States and Territories for which 

 reports were received 5,014 rc<j:ular institutes, with a total of 15,535 

 sessions were held, with a total attendance of 2,240,925. This is an 

 increase in attendance of about 150,000 over the fij^ures of 1908. 



In addition to re<rular institute's, special institutes were held in a 

 number of States, witli an air^re<2;ate attendance of over 000.000, 

 makino- a errand total attendance at all forms of institutes of over 

 2,850,000. The special institutes included no less than 12 different 

 forms of institute activity, among which were women's institutes, 

 round-up institutes, railroad specials, movable schools, and various 

 other forms. 



Among the more marked developments along institute lines are the 

 railroad specials, which are now conducted in 15 States. These spe- 

 cials are equipped with illustrative material and provided with a corps 

 of lecturers who address audiences of farmers at the local stations on 

 the lines of the road. One hundred and fifty-five thousand persons 

 were reported in attendance upon these trains during the past year 

 and had opportunity to hear the lectures and examine the exhibits 

 illustrating the practical value of the instruction given. 



Normal institutes for the instruction of institute lecturers have be- 

 come common and are now regarded as necessary adjuncts to every 

 well-organized institute system. 



Movable schools, continuing from one to two weeks in a locality, 

 seem destined to become leading features in future institute devel- 

 opment. This Office has aided in this movement by preparing courses 

 of study suitable for use by such schools and by publishing a circu- 

 lar giving specific directions for their organization. 



Institutes specially for women are rapidly being organized and 

 in all probability will soon equal in number of members and in 

 effectiveness those established for men. In their development this 

 Office has endeavored to assist through a circular calling attention to 



