FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 305 



V MONTCALM COUNTY STANTON. 



On account of a very severe ice storm on the opening day of the Insti- 

 tute at Stanton, the attendance throughout was poor. The interest In 

 the meetings did not seem to be so general as at most other points. The 

 papers were all good and the ground was well covered in the discussions, 

 but the criticism might perhaps be made that too few took part in the 

 discussions. Evidently the recent hard times have been felt more by 

 the farmers of Montcalm county than by their neighbors in adjoining 

 counties. With better times a more healthy tone would have pervaded 

 the meetings, which were very profitable as it was. 



MUSKEGON COUNTY MUSKEGON. 



This Institute, like many of the others, was marked by increasing 

 interest from start 1o finish, and although the attendance was only 

 average, there was not a dull hour during any session. Potato cultiva- 

 tion, peach growing, tillage, and irrigation, received particular attention, 

 and almost every paper was followed by helpful discussion, often 

 pointed and even pungent, but always good natured and beneficial. The 

 subject of small fruit culture, which was touched upon only incidentally, 

 seemed to appeal to a large number of those present, and some regret was 

 expressed that more time was not allotted to it. The interest felt in the 

 Institute work was well shown by the presence of several farmers who 

 had driven twelve, fifteen, and in one case twenty miles, to attend the 

 meetings, and declared themselves more than paid for their trouble. A 

 most cordial welcome was given to all comers, the utmost good will pre- 

 vailed through the sessions, and the entire management of the Institute 

 was most commendable and successful. Such meetings as this cannot 

 fail to give the people of the county a better knowledge and apprecia- 

 tion of the work of the State Board of Agriculture, the Experiment Sta- 

 tion and the Agricultural College, and foster a spirit of candid inquiry 

 and kindly criticism which must bear wholesome fruit eventually for 

 all concerned. 



NEWAYGO COUNTY — FREMONT. 



This was, all things considered, a success, although the president, Mr. 

 Hilton, did not deem it wise to begin work on the regular program until 

 the afternoon session, which of course crowded us for the balance of the 

 day, but this seemed unavoidable on account of the slim attendance, 

 many of the people having long distances to drive. But this lack of 

 attendance in the morning was made good by a full attendance during 

 the remainder of the meeting, and the enthusiasm manifest made it a 

 pleasure to conduct the Institute. Nearly all the scheduled local speak- 

 ers were in attendance and their articles were interesting and well 

 received. The State workers were plied with questious until, owing to 

 lack of time, the chairman was obliged to call a halt and proceed with 

 the program. Subjects relating to fruit growing seemed to attract a 

 large share of the interest, though dairying and other general topics were 

 39 



