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FARMERS’ INSTITUTES. 289 
The literary programs have thus far been a partof the move- 
ment, and added much to the entertainment of the public. Yet, 
would not the end of these exhibits be promoted if these programs 
were made up of prize papers, always with a generous sprinkling 
of music? For example, let there be a call for a paper upon the 
hepatica. The plant is to be observed in its habitat, and its habits 
are to be thoroughly studied. Thusall material must come through 
observation, and the paper must of necessity be original. Thecom- 
petitors should be confined to a chosen grade, a date should be set 
at which time these papers are to be in the hands of the judges. 
The paper adjudged worthy of the prize should hold a place on the 
program. Thus some ten subjects could be chosen, one adapted to 
each grade of our schools, including the first primaries. These 
little folks are capable of much more than is generally credited to 
them. This plan would involve some tiresome work for the judges, 
but we presume on the philanthropy of those who have so nobly 
inaugurated and encouraged this movement for the benefit of the 
school children, and feel confident there are those among them 
who would pay even this tax upon their generosity. Certainly this 
measure would prompt many to take part in a work the value of 
which cannot be overestimated. 
FARMERS’ INSTITUTES. 
A DISCUSSION. 
Mr. O. C. Gregg: I am in hearty sympathy with your so- 
city in this matter. I want to sum up the suggestions that ~ 
have been made here, and read you a letter from Mr. McKer- 
row, of Wisconsin, in regard to the Wisconsin system, which, 
as was said here, if adopted by Minnesota would be an improve- 
ment. I want to give you some facts. In the first place when 
this institute work began I went to Madison to Mr. Morrison 
and talked with him and also attended their institutes and 
studied their methods. I received some very plain instructions 
from him. I got some suggestions from him of value; but I 
want to say right here—and I could give you the details—I went 
deliberately to work contrary to his instructions and began the 
institute work in Minnesota. I violated some of his instruc 
tions for seven years. You know whether our institute work 
in Minnesota has been successful or not. Why did I differ with 
Mr. Morrison? Simply because I saw that our conditions were 
different from those in Wisconsin. Minnesota had been until 
that time a wheat growing state, and I submit to you this 
morning that a wheat field is not the place to gather hog ex- 
perience. Now, in the second place, I will give you some 
statements, and I can back it up by the best men in Wisconsin. 
