FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 327 



THE WOMAN^S SECTION. 



The woman's section of the composite meeting called the "Round-Up" was a 

 notable if not a historic gathering of representative women. The women came 

 from different parts of the State to give and receive inspiration on matters relat- 

 ing to the interests of their homes and firesides. In the interchange of ideas, there 

 were brought forth sentiments worthy of statesmen and matters that pertained 

 to the welfare of their daughters and sons. Most of the visitors were from country 

 districts. But, in every utterance of the discussions was evinced an intelligent 

 insight into the progress and demands of the day. If all mothers and home keep- 

 ers should put into practical use the teachings of the womanly women of yester- 

 day's meeting, the social pioblem would be solved most happily. We are glad they 

 are with us and regret that their stay may not be longer. — Grand Rapids Democrat, 

 Feb. 13, 1896. 



THE farmers' grand "ROUND-UP." 



In acknowledging the kindly recognition given "The Free Press" by the farmers 

 of Michigan, we avail ourselves of the opportunity to again express approval of the 

 work they are accomplishing through the Institutes which have been so fruitful 

 of good results during the current winter. To perfect organization, to arouse 

 interest, to enlist workers and to make operative the best system for conducting 

 these Institutes has been a labor of time and patience. But that these efforts have 

 been crowned with success requires no other evidence than is afforded by the 

 sixty-eight Institutes held during the season, and the grand final announced in a 

 four-days' session at Grand Rapids. The money thus invested by the State will 

 be returned many fold through the increased production and permanent advance- 

 ment in the value of farm property. It is an appropriation in the interests of edu- 

 cation that cannot but net a handsome return. 



Those who have read the reports of these gatherings throughout the State, as 

 given through the columns of this paper, cannot but realize them worthy of the 

 approval we have given. They are not devoted to academic discussions or the 

 debate of questionable theories, but they deal with practical problems that bear 

 directly upon the success of the farmer in all departments of his calling. There 

 is an interchange not only of ideas but of actual experiences, and the man who 

 learns something regarding one subject becomes the teacher in dealing with 

 another. The most valuable knowledge thus elicited becomes the property of all 

 and the inevitable result is the general improvement of farm methods throughout 

 the State. 



In dealing with economic questions that directly affect their bank accounts, 

 members of these Institutes are acting entirely within their province. Organiza- 

 tion for the purpose of becoming better farmers and making more money, carries 

 with it the duty to provide against robbery of meagre profits by legislative extrava- 

 gance. The demand for the more economical administration of our State affairs 

 is one that must be enforced, and by no class can this just concession to the people 

 be more surely or more effectually carried into effect than by our great agricultural 

 population. They have taken the evil in hand and it is to be hoped that they 

 will not stop or turn back until the matter which so materially affects them is 

 disposed of in the interests of thorough reform. The scandalous action and finan- 

 cial excesses of the last legislature have aroused a public sentiment that should 

 insure against any such future infliction. The farmers are engaged in a good work 

 for themselves and for the enure people of the State. — Detroit Free Press, Feb. 

 11, 1896. 



farmers' INSTITUTE. 



The Farmers' Institute which was held in this city the past week was, without 

 question, one of the largest, longest, and withal the most interesting gathering of 

 its kind which Michigan has had in her history. There have been Institutes and 

 Institutes, but scarcely one of them attained more than local interest. The 

 "Round-up," as it was called here, after sixty-seven others had been given in as 

 many counties in the State, was opened by Gov. Rich and closed with a "good- 

 night" by ex-Governor Luce. It assumed a true State importance and had repre- 

 sentatives from a very large number of farmers' clubs and organizations all the 

 way from the far upper peninsula to Detroit. Leading parts in the four days' pro- 



