FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 303 



MASON COUNTY LUDINGTON. 



In this section of the State, where the interest in peach growing is 

 rapidly increasing, a good deal of attention was paid to that promising 

 industry. The local speakers did their part most excellently, and a great 

 many interesting and new points were brought out in the discussions 

 both on fruit growing and general farming. The Institute labored under 

 a disadvantage of not having a secretary who was able to be present at 

 the session. It was unfortunate also that the young people of the 

 vicinity had not been interested in the programs by invitation to take 

 part either in the line of music or papers of general or local interest. 

 Through some mischance the attendance from the eastern and northern 

 part of the county was limited to one or two persons. The Institute as a 

 whole is to be commended for the excellent attitude of the people, their 

 anxiety to learn and the skill of the presiding officer. 



MECOSTA COUNTY — BIG RAPIDS. 



This Institute was held in the court house. The court room was an 

 unusnallj^ good one for the purpose. Every comfort and convenience 

 were provided for. The president and secretary were well up in their 

 work. The attendance at the opening meeting was fair and increased 

 with each session. While there was a prevailing discouragement 

 because of the effects of the drouth in the summer and the low price of 

 the only good crop they had — potatoes — yet the enthusiastic attention 

 gave high hopes for the future of Mecosta county. The interest on the 

 part of the farmers as well as the citizens of Big Rapids seemed to be 

 universal. A delightful harmony between city and country was appar- 

 ent. An earnest desire to develop the farmers as well as the farm was 

 evident here. The interest was more concentrated on fruit raising, 

 dairying, and potato raising, than on other branches of agriculture. The 

 local papers were of high merit. This was especially true in relation to 

 the one upon dairying and the one upon general farming. 



MENOMINEE COUNTY STEPHENSON. 



The dominating feature of the Stephenson Institute was the admirable 

 exhibit of products which completely filled a large hall. It was well 

 managed and classified, and furnished object lessons for every session 

 of the Institute. The program and offerings of premiums, and all the 

 preliminary announcements concerning the Institute, its officers, the 

 characteristics of the town in which it was held, and other facts of gen- 

 eral interest, were embodied in an interesting pamphlet freely distrib- 

 uted during the meeting. The officers of the county society did their 

 work admirably and were in attendance constantly to render any needed 

 assistance. The discussions were not as full as they ought to have been, 

 because of the tendency to refrain from asking questions. The attend- 

 ance was large and continuous. The music for the occasion had been 

 well arranged and added greatly to the pleasure of those in attendance. 

 There was a little difficulty in beginning each session promptly because 



