FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. ■ 13 



Thf: Prksidknt : We will listen to a further discussion of 

 this matter of institutes, by the Hon. Eugene Secor of Forest 

 City. 



Preparatory to the reading of his paper, Mr. vSecor said : 



Not being a ready platform speaker, I have reduced what T 

 shall have to say into manuscript form. If I shall touch some- 

 what on the same ideas, in some matters, with Professor Cur- 

 tiss, it will only show, that I say Amen to his ideas. I am. 

 somewhat embarrassed in following such an excellent address 

 as you have had by Mrs. Squires of Clay county. I am sure 

 I can not hope to interest you as she did, but I am on the pro- 

 gram and am rather forced into this position and consequently. 

 I will do the best T can. 



HOW TO CONDUCT A FARMERS' INSTITUTE. 



Eugene Secor, Forest City. 



I have not sufficient self-confidence to believe that I can answer this 

 question better than a hundred other men the secretary might have 

 selected to talk on this subject. I don't believe I know all about con- 

 ducting these annual farmers' gatherings. In fact, I am sure of it. 

 for I have learned a good many things in the last eight years' experi- 

 ence, and as I don't want to confess that I am past improving, I think 

 that I might still add to my store of knowledge in this respect. 



I realize the fact that there are a great many unlike conditions, 

 even in Iowa, and that we can not lay down any cast-iron rules for 

 the management of a farmers' institute any more than we can lay down 

 inflexible rules for the management of children. 



Communities differ. A plan that will work in one county might 

 not be successful in another. Subjects and men that would interest 

 one community might not another. 



I want to say right here that the more I think about it the better 

 I like our Iowa plan. There is a flavor of the old town meeting about 

 It. The ones interested run their own affairs. 



The people of any county ought to be better able to choose subjects 

 and speakers suited to their needs than any central office could possi- 

 bly be. 



I have watched the workings of the centralized plan in some of our 

 neighboring states, where a number of lecturers are sent from county 

 to county, each one especially fitted to present some subject, an 'J after 

 he has made his speech he goes to the next county, and so around the 

 circuit, presenting practically the same theme wherever he goes. In 

 some communities it may be exactly what they need, while in others 



