■300 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



antly and good naturedly. In general interest, and I believe useful- 

 ness, this Institute ranks with the best. The people of Parma generously 

 entertained the workers without fee or reward, and it was right royally 

 ■done, too. 



KALAMAZOO COUNTY COOPER. 



The Institute was held in the center of a rich farming section, and the 

 tojncs were for the most part those which would be of particular interest 

 to the general farmer. This was one of the first counties to hold Insti- 

 tutes, and the results were apparent in the character of the papers pre- 

 sented and the ability shown by those who took part in the discussions. 

 Another admirable feature was the delightful manner in which those 

 Irom a distance were cared for by the farmers living in the vicinity of the 

 church where the Institute was held. Not less to be commended were 

 the arrangements for music and recitations by which the sessions were 

 enlivened. Although the weather was very unfavorable upon the clos- 

 ing day of the Institute, the attendance was so large that it would have 

 been impossible to have crowded a dozen more persons into the church 

 at some of the sessions. 



KALKASKA COUNTY— KALKASKA. 



The Institute at Kalkaska was the first ever held at that place. On 

 i:he opening day the weather was very forbidding, but it took more than 

 bad roads and a cold drizzling rain to dampen the ardor of those who 

 were responsible for the Institute coming to Kalkaska. Concerning the 

 meetings only general comments along the line of favorable criticism are 

 to be offered. While the meetings were not so largely attended as some 

 the discussions were sharp and to the point, and the promptness and 

 precision with which men spoke, gave evidence of a training for which 

 they have their farmers' organizations to thank. Here I think was held 

 the first of a series of women's meetings, conducted by Mrs. Mayo, and 

 the ladies boasted of having as large a meeting as the men, and they 

 thought a better one. Such was the enthusiasm at the close of the meet- 

 ing that the question of holding a summer Institute was under dis- 

 cussion. 



LAKE COUNTY LUTHER. 



The Luther Institute was an enthusiastic gathering. Here bad weather 

 contributed its share toward the disappointment of those in charge, 

 but nevertheless the attendance was good, many coming by rail from the 

 other side of the county. Among these enthusiastic ones was Robert 

 Joiner, of Chase, a twelve-year-old farmer who had come alone among 

 strangers with only a letter of introduction to the secretary of the Insti- 

 tute. Only as lumbering has failed to yield a profit, has farming been 

 resorted to in the region of Luther, and so from an agricultural point of 

 view the country is new ; but the farmers are wide awake, and don't need 

 to be told how to raise potatoes. Much interest was manifested in the 

 raising of fruit, especially peaches. 



