SIXTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 53 



We organized an institute three years ago. At that time we 

 started without any money, but received a state appropriation of 

 $50 that year. We held the meeting in the court house ; we suc- 

 ceeded in getting a full house. The first year we had no money 

 to give premiums. We organized with the understanding that 

 everybody had to be a practical farmer to become a member; we 

 paid a membership fee of 50 cents a year. Since that time we have 

 had a premium list; we have gradually increased it. Last year 

 we paid out $300 in premiums. The question with us is, how will 

 we hold the crowd down. This year we intended to have the court 

 house for exhibits, and have the opera house for speaking. Yes- 

 terday, before I came here we had a little talk with the banks and 

 business men's association ; how we could accommodate our men. 

 Last year hundreds went away. We decided we are going to is- 

 sue tickets. This is simply to have the men come that will be 

 interested. 



In regard to fixing dates ; the first thing to take into consider- 

 ation is to know when the people can attend. The next question 

 is, can we get the buildings at that time. After looking into these 

 things very thoroughly, I find that the institute in Iowa is not 

 practical before the ist of January. We can get retired farmers 

 and a few politicians; we can get a few school professors; but we 

 want young men ; men that are going out into life. Before the 

 first of January we cannot get them. 



Mr. Wing: All of your part of the state is in the same boat? 



Alls. Yes, sir. 



Mr. Wing : Then why can't you put them all after the first 

 of January? 



Ans. Well, the opera houses are pretty well taken by lecture 

 courses and different things. It becomes necessary that we should 

 be thoroughly posted along that line. For instance, we have a 

 local insurance association local horticultural society, stock 

 breeders association, poultry shows, and there are a great many 

 things that conflict with this centralization of things. I am here 

 to say, and I say it honestly ; I think Calhoun county will bear me 

 out in this ; I have spent a good deal of money ; and if it is left 

 to a central board to fix these things, a large part of the appropria- 



