xxiv BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



to make the meeting a success, and the added attractions of 

 the Dairy, Corn, Children's and College exhibitions, together 

 with splendid exhibits from the various manufacturing com- 

 panies, left little to be desired in the way of an agricultural 

 gathering. 



The following topics were discussed: poultry, seed, milk, 

 apples, farm management, dairying, boys' and girls' club 

 work, home improvement, club work, rural credit, banking, 

 co-operation and alfalfa. It is hoped that copies of the dis- 

 cussions on these subjects will soon be printed in pamphlet 

 form. 



The attendance at all sessions averaged 200, and a very 

 great interest was manifested. Certainly the members of 

 the Board, and those attending the meeting, will long remem- 

 ber the cordial reception given them by the Springfield 

 people, and have carried away many pleasant memories of 

 a meeting full of interest and optimism for the future of 

 our agriculture. 



Fakmers' Institutes. 



Your secretary has given a good deal of thought to the 

 question of Farmers' Institutes and meetings of this sort, and 

 one thing seems to stand out prominently if the future in- 

 stitutes of the Board are to be a success. We need some one 

 who can conduct these institutes as a circuit, and I recom- 

 mend that the Board employ a man capable of doing this 

 sort of work to make up the list, which shall be widely pub- 

 lished, and attend to the advertising and other necessary de- 

 tail, so that the institutes shall be a success. In so far as 

 it is practical, all institutes should be held in connection 

 with the local agricultural organizations, granges, etc., and 

 an all-day meeting held, in which topics dealing with the 

 section may be discussed. 



In so far as possible these institutes should be practical 

 demonstrations or illustrated lectures on the various subjects. 

 The poster which the Board has voted, and of which we now 

 have a good supply, should aid materially in attracting at- 

 tention to these institutes. We are having more calls for 

 speakers than we can attend to with our present appropria- 

 tion, and if all the demands are to be met a large appropria- 



