THE farmers' institutes IN THE UNITED STATES. 331 



EVIDENCES OF PROGRESS. 



In Arizona the institute force lectured at the local schools to the 

 children and others, and also gave instruction in agricultural sub- 

 jects to regular classes for as long a time as possible, thus helping 

 to pave the way for the introduction of agriculture in the public 

 schools. 



California last j^ear introduced demonstration train work, covering 

 2,608 miles durin*; the sixtv-four davs it was in use. The trains 

 stopped at 197 places, spending from one to five hours at each, and 

 the total attendance is reported to have been 37,270. Three coaches 

 were used exclusively for exhibits illustrating cereal production, 

 soils of the State and fertilizers for the same, creamery and dairy 

 work, economic plants especially adapted to the region such as the 

 eucalyptus, various plant diseases, insect pests, and diseases of ani- 

 mals. The farmers' institute superintendent reports: 



We consider that this train service was of great value from an educational 

 point of view. Through this instrniiR'iit.ilit.v we were able to bring directly 

 10 the men most interested tangible illustrations of the results obtained through 

 careful and scientific farming. The exhibits carried in the cars were entirely 

 either the product of the university farm and various substations or materials 

 obtained in our exiterinieutal work upon different farms through the State. 

 Its educational value can not be overestimated. 



In Indiana the farmers'' in.stitute is working in close cooperation 

 with the women's auxiliaries through the State with a vieAv to the 

 betterment of the conditions of life of rural women and the elevation 

 of the country home. While very few separate women's institutes 

 and comparatively few separate women's sessions are held, neverthe- 

 less the work is a.ssuming good proportions through the women's 

 auxiliaries holding joint sessions with the regular farmers' institutes. 

 Women's auxiliaries are organized in 41 of the 92 counties in the 

 State, and last year 48 women's sessions were held in connection with 

 farmers" institutes in 27 cinnities, and all of these sessions were under 

 the innnediate charge of the women's auxiliaries. Within the jDast 

 five years 87 of the 92 counties of the State have thus been visited 

 at least once by a trained instructor in domestic science covering 

 the subject relative to foods and the home. Many of these women's 

 auxiliaries are thus doing a vast amount of good among rural women 

 by interesting them in labor-saving devices, conveniences, and better 

 sanitary conditions, as well as in better methods of preparing and 

 preserving foods, caring for the sick, and beautifying the home. 

 They have in some cases offered prizes for culinary exhibits at the 

 farmers' institute, and have in this way aroused the interest of the 

 girls. 



Maryland has conducted institute schools and short courses of six 

 lectures each in various parts of the State, using an especially con- 



