farmers' institute and EXTENSION WORK, 1913. 7 



The statement made before the Country Life Commission of Wis- 

 consin in 1911 by Mr. E. L. Morgan is unquestionably true that 

 ' ' after all the only forces that can deal constructively with rural life 

 are the local forces developed." When this comes to be generally 

 realized and appreciated by extension directors as a fundamental 

 truth, efforts will be made to organize and foster societies for rural 

 betterment in every community in every State. 



ASSOCIATION OF FARMERS' INSTITUTE WORKERS. 



The eighteenth annual meeting of the American Association of 

 Farmers' Institute Workers was held at Washington, D. C, Novem- 

 ber 10-12, 1913. Representatives were present from 32 States, 3 

 of the Provinces of Canada, the District of Columbia, and the islands 

 of Porto Rico and Hawaii. 



Reports upon the progress of the work were received from 39 

 States and Provinces. These showed increased attendance during 

 the year and general interest in the work. Reports from the various 

 standing committees were presented upon the following topics: 

 Institute organization and methods, institute lecturers, cooperation 

 with other educational agencies, movable schools of agriculture, 

 young people's institutes, and women's institutes. Each year the 

 reports of the standing committees become more helpful in solving 

 the difficulties that institute directors and lecturers encounter in the 

 prosecution of their work. This year the committee on organization 

 and methods called attention specially to the extreme importance of 

 having in each unit or district a strong local organization. This was 

 regarded as essential if the institute movement was to become most 

 highly beneficial to the great body of agricultural people. 



The value of demonstration as a method of conveying information 

 was also emphasized. 



In an extended investigation by the committee on institute lec- 

 turers it was found that the average number of lecturers present at 

 each institute throughout the country was 3. Fifteen States re- 

 ported laboratory exercises in stock judging and household art. 

 Movable schools averaged 5 days in duration with from 4 to 12 

 teachers for each, the average number of teachers being 5.7. From 

 20 to 25 per cent of the lecturers are employed by the year. The 

 average age of greatest usefulness in an institute lecturer is between 

 40 and 50 years, and it was held by all of those reporting that he 

 should have had farm experience. 



The committee on cooperation with other agencies recommended 

 that a local or district agricultural council should be organized to 

 direct extension activities in each district, so as to coordinate the 

 work and prevent overlapping. 



