ings themselves has been essentially the same wherever they have 

 been held. They are usually held during the winter months, but 

 in some cases at other seasons of the year, and as a rule continue 

 from two to four days. The programmes are planned to promote 

 the interchange of ideas, a full and free discussion being sought 

 upon topics introduced in an address or paper by some specialist. 

 Officers of agricultural colleges and experiment stations, and other 

 experts, together with successful farmers who have attained more 

 than local reputations, are usually selected as institute workers by 

 the officers who have charge of the system of institutes for the State, 

 or they may be chosen by the local authorities from lists prepared 

 by the central bureau. There is very often a local committee, which 

 provides local speakers, music, literary, and other general exercises, 

 and arranges for the place of meeting, refreshments, and adver- 

 tising. 



All persons in attendance, the humblest as well as the most 

 prominent, are urged to ask questions upon points suggested in the 

 address and to present related facts gained from personal experience. 

 A question box is frequently made use of, answers being given by 

 the conductor of the institute or by some one specially fitted to 

 supply the information asked. For the evening sessions the usual 

 plan is to have a popular lecture upon some subject of general agri- 

 cultural interest. This address is made somewhat more elaborate 

 and complete than those of the day sessions and less opportunity 

 is given for discussions. (Y. B. 1899.) 



In 1910 the total number of regular institutes held was 5,651. 

 There were 16,586 sessions, lasting 7,935 days, with a total atten- 

 dance of 2,935,908. The aggregate appropriations for these ses- 

 sions were $432,374.25. These figures are significant as compared 

 with those of 1899, when about 2,000 regular institutes were held, 

 having an attendance of over half a million farmers, the total ap- 

 propriations for which amounted to slightly more than $170,000. 

 In the total attendance for 1910 there was a slight decrease from 

 that of 1909. (Y. B. 1901; A. R. E. S. 1910.) 



An examination of the cost per session tor the year ended 

 June 30, 1910, shows a variation of 367 per cent between the low- 

 est and highest, and from 6 1 /2 cents per individual present at these 

 sessions to 62 cents per individual. Sixteen States expended an 

 average of $40.43 for each institute session. These States repre- 

 sent a total expenditure of $183,175.06, and held 4,529 sessions. 

 Twelve States expended on an average $26.22 per session, repre- 

 senting a total expenditure of $112,883.38, and 4.304 sessions held. 

 Eighteen States expended an average of $15.38 per session, repre- 

 senting 7,753 sessions held and a total expenditure of $119,287.85. 

 One State expended on an average $4.30 per session ; another $8.45 ; 

 and another $8.59. 



If the entire institute system of the country could be run upon 

 the amount per session, $15.38, expended by 18 States, there could 

 be added without increased cost to the country 10,029 sessions of 

 institutes to the present number of 16,586, or over 60 per cent. 



