No. 4.] FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 217 



Some societies hold an evening meeting; some a one- 

 session daytime meeting ; while the most common way is a 

 forenoon and afternoon meeting, with time for lunch between. 

 This latter way is the most advisable one, I think. 



In order to decide upon the number of meetings to be held, 

 where they shall be held, and the subjects for discussion, it 

 is advisable for a committee on institutes to be appointed as 

 soon after new officers are elected as possible, which com- 

 mittee shall have in charge all arrangements, including 

 speakers and advertising. They should use care in selecting 

 the place, that the greatest number may be accommodated ; 

 a light, well-heated and well-ventilated hall must be pro- 

 cured ; if a place where dinners can be had at a moderate 

 charge, it is well, but if this cannot be, the picnic plan of a 

 lunch with coffee served by a local society or farmers' club 

 answers the purpose well. 



The committee should try to meet the wants of each 

 locality in the selection of subjects ; still, such subjects must 

 be selected as will keep up an interest, and draw out ques- 

 tions and experience of those who attend. The most in- 

 teresting part of an institute is often after the speaker is 

 done with his manuscript or has finished his speech, and the 

 meeting is thrown open for questions. 



In some sections I would advise a meeting; of three ses- 

 sions, the third one to be in the evening, and more in line of 

 a lecture, with or without a stereopticon, and where music 

 and elocution can be mixed in, but without the discussions. 

 One at least of our societies holds the institute only in the 

 evening, when an oyster supper follows the discussion and a 

 dance follows the supper. It is needless to say that this 

 institute is well attended, and may be the best way for that 

 society; but it is not my favorite way of " running" insti- 

 tutes, or one to be recommended. 



Having decided what question to discuss, then the men — 

 or women — for speakers should be selected. We at the 

 present time are supplied with a goodly number to choose 

 from. The secretary of this Board has prepared a list, from 

 which the societies can select speakers. The list is a good 

 one, one that has not been approached by any other State, 

 so far as I am able to judge. It includes college professors 



