GENERAL REPORT OF INSTITUTE WORK. 



The method of arranging the dates, programs and speakers for the 

 County Ifistitutes, which experience has shown to worli well in the past, 

 was continued through the year. By correspondence through the Sec- 

 retaries of the County Institute Societies the dates for holding the In- 

 stitutes were arranged. The Institute Societies suggested the topics 

 which ought to be discussed in the counties interested and sometimes 

 the speakers whom they desired to discuss them. The Superintendent 

 was then able to arrange the itineraries of the speakers in such a way 

 as to economize both salaries and traveling expenses. 



I have given at the close of the financial statement, on page , 



an approximate statement of the miles traveled by workers to carry 

 on the Institute work. After an Institute meeting was appointed and 

 the workers selected application was made to the railroads over which 

 each of these workers traveled for permits for the workers to travel at 

 lialf fare. The gratitude alike of the Board and of the farmers of Michi- 

 gan is due the railroads for their unfailing courtesy in this matter and 

 their generosity in donating the large sum to which these concessions 

 aggregate. -Especial mention ought to be made in this connection of 

 the generosity of the Michigan Central, Pere Marquette, Chicago & 

 Grand Trunk, Grand Rapids & Indiana, Ann Arbor, Cincinnati North- 

 ern, Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic, Manistee & Northeastern, Minne- 

 apolis, St. Paul «& Sault Ste. Marie, Munising, Wabash, and Saginaw, 

 Tuscola & Huron railroads. 



I desire to report also the uniform kindness and courtesy of the 

 Michigan Passenger Association and its efficient secretary, Mr. James 

 Houston. This association has appreciated the value of the Institute 

 work from its beginning, and has never failed to extend all possible 

 benefits to it. 



By the system adopted in Michigan, much of the work falls upon the 

 oflScers of the County Institute Societies, especially upon the Secre- 

 taries. A list of the Presidents and Secretaries of County Institute 

 Societies for 1899 and 1900 follows: 



