Commissioner of Agriculture 347 



and evening. Speakers, subjects, etc., are shown in above-men- 

 tioned table under Madison county. 



Two lectures on general farming were delivered by Mr. Jared 

 Van Wagenen, Jr.. at the East Side Y. M. C. A., Xew York City. 



LECTURES FOR JEWISH FARMERS 



For the two previous years, as noted in the reports, special 

 meetings have been held among the Jewish farmers, of whom there 

 are an increasing number in our State. Such are in particular 

 need of help. For nearly two thousand years they have had little 

 to do with land, and the inherent love of the soil so prominent in 

 the minds of most other races is largely lacking among the He- 

 brews. They must be both inspired and instructed. 



Cooperating with Mr. J. W. Pincus, Secretary of the Federa- 

 tion of Jewish Farmers of America, who selected the places and 

 made arrangements for the meetings, Mr. F. E. Bonsteel held 

 eight meetings in Sullivan and Ulster counties, where there is a 

 large Jewish settlement. Mr. Bonsteel was assisted by Mr. 

 Nathan Cohen, who in many cases acted as an interpreter. Mr. 

 John A. Ennis held a similar meeting at Manlius, Onondaga 

 county. Mr. William Hotaling and Mr. Cohen also visited a 

 Jewish settlement near Sand Lake, Rensselaer county, where the 

 former gave practical demonstrations in horticulture. Of neces- 

 sity, the instruction given to these people must be inspiring and 

 simple, and withal must cover a wide field. From the reports 

 received, this work was especially appreciated and unquestionably 

 productive of much good. 



