FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 309 



the same unanimity of opinion in the suggestions offered as to how the 

 association can best serve its members in the future. There were many 

 inquiries for instruction in all branches of dairy work. Wie believe that 

 in the future special efforts should be made to make the association as 

 large and powerful as possible and to keep its work entirely and irrev- 

 ocably in the control of the agriculturist. Hold the meetings for 

 advancement, the exchanging of experiences and broadening the many 

 new enterprises, of which so many are in this county undeveloped. 



SHIAWASSEE COUNTY — CORUNNA. 



The meeting did not open as auspiciously as could be desired. The 

 large hall could not be warmed for the early first day meeting, so the 

 court house was hastily prepared, and the first session held there, with 

 light attendance. The hall in the afternoon was well filled, with increas- 

 ing numbers to the close of the Institute. There were five topics for dis- 

 cussion on the program for each afternoon meeting, among them this, 

 "Should Farm Buildings have name of Resident thereon ?" This was dis- 

 cussed, and the members of one of the farmers' clubs decided by vote to 

 thus designate their farms, and give a name to the premises. Some of 

 the other questions were not so germane to the occasion, and they aroused 

 considerable party spirit and rancorous discussion, unsuited to a Farm- 

 ers' Institute. The papers presented by local talent were of no ordinary 

 merit, and showed training in the clubs and granges of the county. The 

 attendance from long distances was quite marked and the enthusiasm for 

 Farmers' Institutes was thus widely scattered through the county. 



ST. CLAIR COUNTY — PORT HURON. 



The prophecy for this Institute, predicted upon some of the former 

 ones, was discouraging. Port Huron is not the center of farming com- 

 munities — is a large city, in which Farmers' Institutes, generally, lan- 

 guish. The forebodings were all dispelled on entering the large hall 

 where the Institute convened. The hall was filled to the doors at every 

 session with an enthusiastic and very intelligent audience. Much of 

 the success of the meeting was due to the active labor of the president 

 of the local association, Charles S. King, and the zeal of the secretary, 

 L. B. Rice. The business and professional men of the city also inter- 

 ested themselves in the success of the meeting, and invited the attending 

 farmers to a banquet in the afternoon of the last day. The efficient man- 

 ner in which President King presided rendered the services of conductor 

 almost unnecessary. Under such wise supervision, I believe the duty of 

 conductor should be advisory, rather than to assume control. The man- 

 agement of the next Institute in St. Clair county is in safe hands. 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — CENTREVILLE. 



At Centreville the attendance was smaller that at most of the Insti- 

 tutes in that part of the State, but those present seemed greatly inter- 

 ested and were well repaid by the results of the Institute. Although the 



