FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 7 



greatly assisted by several members of the Highway Commission of the 

 State. Hon. H. S. Earle, Detroit, president of the commission, devoted 

 several weeks to attending Farmers' Institutes and discussing this sub- 

 ject, and several other members attended one or more institutes. The 

 State Forestry Commission also assisted at a number of institutes and 

 aided in the presentation of this important subject. 



Among the special features introduced at the institutes during the 

 past winter were addresses upon "Diseases of Live Stock" and "Emer- 

 gency Methods for the Farmer," by several of the leading veterinarians 

 of the State. Various phases of "Farm Law" were discussed at a num- 

 ber of places by members of the University Law School and other prom- 

 inent attorneys. "Poultry Raising" and "Truck Gardening" also received 

 attention and several of the speakers gave addresses on "Decoration of 

 Home Grounds." ' 



The special sections for women have been held as usual in a large num- 

 ber of counties. The work seems to be growing in favor and the only 

 objection that has been heard to holding a women's section has been that 

 the men also wished to hear the women speakers and wish them placed 

 on the program at the regular sessions. The diflSculty has been met by 

 placing the women speakers on the regular program for one or two short 

 talks and then providing a women's section for the discussion of topics 

 relating to domestic economy. These meetings are held on the after- 

 noon of the second day while the subjects relating to livestock husbandry 

 are being considered in the regular institute. 



Early in the winter an invitation was received from the Owosso 

 Grange and a number of the leading citizens to hold the State Round-up 

 Institute in that city. Arrangements were accordingly made to hold it 

 in cooperation with the Shiawassee County Institute Society, on Febru- 

 ary 24-5-6-7. A liberal appropriation was made by the city council for 

 the purpose of defraying the expenses of hall rent, music, printing, etc., 

 and President A. L. Chandler, of the institute society, and members of 

 the local committee did everything in their power to make the meeting a 

 success. 



Owing to the large number of topics that seemed to demand attention, 

 it was thought advisable to arrange for a number of sections, at which 

 various topics could receive attention from a technical standpoint, after 

 having been presented at one of the general sessions. Special sessions 

 for Sugar Beet Culture. Good Roads, and Country schools were thus 

 arranged, as were two sessions of a Women's Congress. 



From the fact that comparatively few persons could reach Owosso in 

 time for the morning session of the first day, a large attendance was not 

 expected, but from that time until the close of the institute the attend- 

 ance was all that could be asked and, during some sessions, the capacity 

 of the large armory was peverely taxed. As will be seen from the ap- 

 pended papers, a splendid array of talent was presented. Among the 

 speakers from other states were Prof. John Craig, of Cornell University, 

 who gave addresses on "The Care of the Apple Orchard" and "The 

 Decoration of Home and Public Grounds;" Hon. James H. MacDonald, 



