STATE ORGANIZATIONS FOR AGRICULTURE 91 



subjects for discussion in the general program were mainly directed toward 

 defining the status of the farmers' institute in its relation to other forms 

 of agricultural education. The points brought out were that the farmers' 

 institute occupies the position of field agent for agricultural education; that 

 it provides a most efficient channel for carrying agricultural information 

 directly to the farmer who is unable to leave his occupation to go to school ; 

 and that it should broaden its work until it embraces other more advanced 

 forms of educational work and extend its efforts until all rural people 

 have full opportunity to enjoy its benefits (135, p. 293). 



Farmers' institute workers are further assisted by state meet- 

 ings where they gather together to plan the year's work. Here 

 the policy for the work of the whole state is determined. In 

 many of these meetings the relation of the institute to the 

 public schools receives attention, and methods for assisting the 

 introduction of agriculture and other rural-life subjects into 

 the rural schools are discussed. 



The following extracts of letters from some state directors 

 or superintendents of farmers' institutes will indicate more 

 definitely what these institutes are doing in this matter: 



In connection with the Farmers' Demonstration Train we always send 

 preliminary notice to the schools where the train is scheduled to stop, 

 inviting them to have their pupils visit the train (Cal.). 



At our annual conference of institute workers, the question of the 

 relation of the school and church to the farm and rural life receives due 

 consideration. The result is that an atmosphere favorable to the develop- 

 ment of the schools along practical lines is pretty generally diffused (Ind.). 



The farmers' institute lecturers have encouraged institute patrons to 

 insist in their respective counties that agriculture be taught in the public 

 schools (Md.). 



Not only is this subject discussed by many of the lecturers, but at a 

 large number of the institutes special speakers upon this and allied subjects 

 are provided (Mich.). 



For two years we have been giving lectures in agriculture and allied 

 subjects in the high schools of the state; last year to the extent of eighty. 

 Plans are nearly perfected for increasing this line of work the coming 

 season, giving lecture courses consisting of four lectures in each of such 

 schools as apply for them (Mont.). 



