306 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



farmers' institutes and short courses. 



In the seventy-seven counties of the State in which farmers' insti- 

 tutes were held during the period from July 1, 1911, to June 1, 1912, 

 ninety-one institutes were held and received state aid to the amount of 

 $5,646.36. The reports indicate that the communities in which these 

 institutes were held contributed in the way of subscription, member- 

 ship fees, etc., $17,288.35 for additional support. 



The total attendance of all institutes was 159,080, or an average of 

 1,750 each, and a total of 692 sessions were held with an average at- 

 tendence of 225 at each. This would indicate these institutes are well 

 attended and are the means of bringing together a large number of 

 farmers seeking information that will better agricultural conditions 

 in our State. 



The principal disbursements were for premiums on live stock, agri- 

 cultural products and for the products of domestic science, which 

 amounted to $9,881.55; for judges, speakers and instructors, $4,- 

 106.80; for hall rent, printing, advertising and miscellaneous expense, 

 $7,468.23. 



By the co-operation of short course associations throughout the state 

 and the Agricultural Extension Department at Ames, a number of short 

 courses were held. These meetings are not reported to this depart- 

 ment, except in counties where no institutes or county or district fairs 

 are held and they are allowed to draw the state aid due these organiza- 

 tions. Eleven short course associations took advantage of this and 

 drew state aid to the amount of $1,371.24. Allamakee, Harrison, Kos- 

 suth, IMitchell, Winnebago and Worth counties drew state aid due in- 

 stitutes. Cherokee, Dallas and Plymouth drew state aid due county 

 and district fairs. Ida and Washington drew aid due both institute 

 and fair. 



The short courses reporting to this department held 275 sessions 

 with a total attendance of 52,045, or an average of 190 per session. 

 They expended for premiums $4,704.55; for speakers, judges and in- 

 structors, $2,616.16; for hall rent, printing and miscellaneous expense, 

 $8,467.93. In addition to the state aid and free instructors from the 

 Extension Department, the local associations raised $15,203.83 for 

 additional support for their short courses. 



In addition to these short courses and institutes a number of colt 

 shows were held in various counties. All of these gatherings offer op- 

 portunity for interchange of ideas and have a tendency toward the bet- 

 terment of agricultural production, live stock raising, and farm life, 

 and should be encouraged by support from the state. To the Exten- 

 sion Department at Ames great credit is due for promoting these 

 courses and for the speakers and instructors furnished. 



The following tables give detailed information for each farmers' 

 institute and short course association drawing state aid. They show 

 the number of sessions held by* each, total attendance, amount of state 

 aid received and a statement of receipts and disbursements for the fis- 

 c^\ year ending June 30, 1912. 



