6 BULLETIN" 83, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



in this table were not wholly for institutes proper, a considerable 

 amount going for instruction trains and similar activities, this appar- 

 ently does not fully explain the great diversity shown. If the Michi- 

 gan rate of $15.25 had prevailed throughout the country the number 

 of institute days could have been 31,989 instead of 10,089. 



A much lower rate than that of Michigan is reported for the women's 

 institutes of Ontario, namely, $3.16 per meeting, of which only $2.40 

 was supplied by the provincial government, the rest being raised 

 locally. The low cost of these institutes seems to be due in large 

 measure to efficient organization and local initiative. District organi- 

 zations coextensive with the electoral districts are supplemented by 

 branch societies, each consisting of small local women's clubs through- 

 out the district holding monthly meetings. The members pay annual 

 dues, and other funds for club purposes and for local public improve- 

 ments are raised in various ways. The strength of the organization 

 is in the fact that the members live in the community, meet fre- 

 quently, and are active throughout the year. They are not depend- 

 ent on outsiders who come and go, as are the institutes in most of the 

 States, but they are largely self-sustaining and self-reliant. The fact 

 that 85 per cent of the women's institutes held in Ontario in 1912 

 were conducted with comparatively little outside aid is proof of the 

 fact that independence, the result of self-support, is possible in the 

 farmers' institute work if proper organization is had for the pro- 

 motion of this spirit. 



The need for multiplying the number of institutes in the United 

 States is such at present that most careful attention to the whole 

 matter of proper organization to supply this need is a paramount 

 duty on the part of those who have control of the institutes in the 

 several States, and the example of Canada in the conduct of its 

 women's institutes and of Michigan in the conduct of its general 

 institute operations are worthy of careful study. The county insti- 

 tute with local branches in every community meeting monthly is the 

 ideal organization both for economy and efficiency for which the 

 institute directors should strive. 



The farmers' institute can no longer content itself with the simple 

 discussion of agricultural topics. It is not sufficient that it be merely 

 a debating society or agricultural lyceum. Moreover, it can no 

 longer be an occasional visitor. It must live in the community. If 

 it is to develop local forces, and that is its mission, it must be in daily 

 and hourly contact with those forces. It must take up its abode 

 with those whom it is to benefit, and teach, demonstrate, and guide 

 in the things that it recommends. This means that permanent 

 organizations must be formed in every community. 



The institute must identify itself with local people and get to work 

 at once in the community if it is to survive as an educational force. 



