FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 315 



egg. The variety used should be one commonly grown by the experi- 

 menter. The crop should be carefully measured or weighed and a report 

 made to Prof. L. R. Taft, Agricultural College, stating the name of the 

 variety, the character of the soil, and the distance of planting. A similar 

 report should also be presented at the next winter's Institute, and also an 

 exhibit made of the yield of one square rod. 



(c) A test of hill and drill planting for potatoes. We would suggest 

 that one plat of ^ acre be planted 3x3 feet, and another of the same size 

 in drills, the rows three feet apart and the seed planted eighteen inches 

 apart, the same amount of seed to be used per acre as in hills. It would 

 be desirable to have this test made with two varieties, one having a 

 large top and the other a small one. Observe the same directions as to 

 harvesting, reporting and exhibiting as in the case of experiment &. 



GENERAL SUGGESTIONS. 



1. Be sure to be very accurate in all measurements and in all observa- 

 tions. It will be convenient if you have a note book especially for this 

 experiment and note down observations which you have incorporated 

 into your written report. 



2. We suggest that as a rule, each person take some one experi- 

 ment, and perform it thoroughly. 



3. We believe that a careful following of the suggestions will get best 

 results. The great advantage thus gained will be that of uniformity, 

 every one working under the same conditions in every county of the 

 State. 



4. Do not forget to write up the results in a five minute paper for the 

 Institute so that it can be read in case the experimenter is not present. 

 We have asked the secretary of your county Institute society to send us 

 your name and address, together with the experiment upon which you 

 are working. If we receive this information, we will try to send you 

 bulletins from this and other states, bearing on the experiment you are 

 working on. 



5. We suggest that in some cases one of these experiments be given to 

 a younger member of the family who will do careful work, and who will 

 make correct observations. This will encourage the boys on the farm. 



Trusting ^that these experiments will inure to the benefit of the agri- 

 culture of Michigan, I remain. 



Yours respectfully, 



Kbnyon L. Butterfield, 



Superintendent. 



STATE FAIR PREMIUMS. 



The Michigan State Agricultural Society consented to an arrangement 

 by which they offered premiums to county Farmers' Institute societies 

 for making certain exhibits at their State Fair in Grand Rapids, Septem- 

 ber 7-11, 1896. The following is a schedule of these special premiums, 

 with rules governing the same : 



Special premiums for exhibits by county Institute societies at Michi 

 gan State Fair, at Grand Rapids, September 7-11, 1896: 



