s 545 U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. OFFICE OF EXPEMMINT STATIONS— BTHIBTIN 241. A. C. TRUE, Director. LEGISLATION RELATING TO FARMERS' INSTITUTES IN THE UNITED STATES. BY JOHN HA^IILTON, farmers' institute specialist. [Revised April 1, 1911.] vO im WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OEITCE, 1911. Qass. Book. AAA. u 1»75 U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS— BULLETIN 241. / IpM A. C. TRUE, Direetop. LEGISLATION RELATING TO FARMERS' INSTITUTES IN THE UNITED STATES. . i- BT JOHN HAMILTON, farmers' institute specialist. [Revised April 1, 1911.] WASHINGTON": GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFEIOE, 1911. (Vh^ ^^ 4 OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. A. C. True, Ph. D., Director. E. W. Allen, Pli. D., Assistant Director and Editor of Experiment Station Record. John Hamilton, Farmers' Institute Specialist. J. M. Stedman, Assistant Farmers' Institute Specialist. [Bull. 241] (2) LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL U. S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Experiment Stations, Washington, D. C, May 22, 1911. Sir : I have the honor to transmit herewith and to recommend for publication as a bulletin of this office a compilation of laws relating to farmers' institutes in the United States, prepared by John Hamil- ton, farmers' institute specialist of this office, revised to April 1, 1911. Respectfully, A. C. True, Director. Hon. James Wilson, Secretary of Agj-iculture. [Bull. 241] (3) CONTENTS. Page. Introduction 7 State legislation 7 Alabama 7 Alaska 8 Arizona. 8 Arkansas 9 California 9 Colorado 9 Connecticut 10 Delaware 10 Florida 11 Georgia. 11 Hawaii 12 Idaho 12 Illinois 12 Indiana 16 Iowa 17 Kansas 18 Kentucky 20 Louisiana 21 Maine 22 Maryland 23 Massacliusetts 24 Michigan 24 Minnesota 26 Mississippi 27 Missouri 27 Montana 28 Nebraska 28 Nevada 28 New Hampshire 29 New Jersey 29 New Mexico 29 New York 29 North Carolina 31 North Dakota 31 Ohio 32 Oklahoma 33 Oregon 35 Pennsylvania 36 Porto ilico 36 Rhode Island 36 [Bull. 241] (5) 6 State legislation — Continued. Page. South Carolina 36 South Dakota 37 Tennessee 38 Texas 38 Utah 38 Vermont 39 Virginia 42 Washington 44 West Virginia 44 Wisconsin >. 46 Wyoming 46 Federal legislation 47 [Bull. 241] LEGISLATION RELATING TO FARMERS' INSTITUTES. INTEODTJCTIOIf. In order that legislation by the several States relating to the organ- ization of farmers' institutes might be generally accessible to institute directors and workers, copies of the lavv^s under which the institutes were organized were secured by this office in 1903 and were arranged and published as Bulletin No. 135 of the Office of Experiment Stations. A revision of this bulletin was made August 1, 1905, embodying such modifications of the laws as had occurred since August 1, 1903. Since the date of this revision the institute laws in most of the States have been so modified by subsequent enactment as to make a second revision necessary. Copies of the old laws were accordingly sent to the several State directors of farmers' institutes witli the request that where changes have occurred copies of the new laws be forwarded to this office to be inserted in the revised bulletin. The present revision includes legislation in force April 1, 1911. An examination of the institute laws of the several States reveals the fact that while they differ in their form and requirements as well as in the authority which they confer and the amount of money which they appropriate, yet they are one in their purpose to aid farming people by affording them opportunity to secure the latest and most reliable information relating to agriculture and to receive definite instructions through a living teacher as to the application of these truths in their every-clay practice. STATE LEGISLATION. ALABAMA. The appropriation for farmers' institutes in Alabama is made to the department of agTiculture and industries of the State, to be ex- pended under the direction of the commissioner, and is as follows: Article 6. — Farmers' iNbTiTUTEs and Agrictiltural Faies. (416.) Farmers' Institutes. — The commissioner is authorized and directed to adopt annually such measures as may be necessary to successfully conduct, in [Bull. 241] (T) 8 . . different sections of the State, farmers' institutes, consisting of lectures on subjects related to agriculture by persons of scientific attainments, and by practical and successful farmers, with discussions relating thereto, and of such exhibitions as may prove instructive and of practical value to the farmers of the vicinity where such institutes are held, a report of which, with a detailed statement of the money expended in that connection, must be embodied In his annual report. (417.) Expenses of Institutes. — The commissioner is authorized to pay the necessary expenses incurred in conducting such farmers' institutes, including the expense of employing lecturers when necessary, and for distributing the reports thereof ; and for this purpose there is annually appropriated, out of the funds of the department of agriculture and industries, three thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary to be paid for the monthly estimate and allowance for expenses of the department. Approved February 28, 1889. In addition to the State appropriation, the Alabama Polj^technic Institute apj^ropriates annually the sum of $600 for institute pur- poses, besides giving the service of members of the college and experiment station staff to the equivalent of about $600 additional. The legislature of 1911 made a continuous aj^jDropriation of $27,000 annually to the Alabama Polytechnic Institute for conducting exten- sion work. An additional sum of $25,000 annually was appropriated by the legislature of 1911 to a board consisting of the commissioner of agriculture, the director of the Agricultural Experiment Station, the dean of the school of agriculture at the Agricultural College, and two members to be elected by the three named, for carrying on farm demonstration work, to be expended in cooperation with field demon- strations conducted in the State by the United States Department of Agriculture. ALASKA. Farmers' institutes have not yet been established in Alaska. ABIZONA. The Legislative Assembly of Arizona in 1909 provided for farmers' institutes b}- a paragrajDh in the appropriation to the Universitj'^ of Arizona as follows: AN ACT Providing for the niaintonance and continuation of agricultural and liorticul- tural experiments and deraonstralions l)y the TTniversity of Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station at the date orchards near Tompe and Yuma, Arizona ; for dry- farming investigations in the northeastern and southeastern parts, respectively, of Arizona ; for printing experiment station publications ; and for continuation of farm- ers' institute lectures and short courses of instruction. * * * Section 1. That the sum of thirteen thousand one hundred dollars is hereny .appropriated to pay for the following required expenditures, for the use and benefit of the University of Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station. * * » Sec. 4. For the continuation and maintenance of farmers' institutes and short courses of instruction througliout the Territory, two thousand fi^e hundred dollars. Approved March, 1900. [Bull. 241] 9 ARKANSAS. Arkansas has no farmers' institute legislation except that an ap- propriation of $8,000 for the biennial period 1910-11 was made by the legislature to the agricultural experiment station of the Univer- sity of Arkansas for the purpose of holding farmers' institutes throughout the State. CALIFORNIA. AN ACT Authorizing ttie regents of tlie State university to liold farmers' institutes, mak- ing an appropriation therefor, and prescribing the duties of the controller and treasurer in relation thereto. The people of the State of California, represented in senate and assemtly, do enact as folloics: Section 1. The regeuts of the University of California are hereby authorized to hold institutes for the instruction of citizens of this State in the various branches of agriculture. Such institutes shall be held at such times and at such places as said regents may direct. The said regents shall make such rules and regulations as they may deem proper for organizing and conducting such insti- tutes, and may employ an agent or agents to perform such work in connection therewith as they deem best. The course of instruction at such institutes shall be so arranged as to present to those in attendance the results of the most recent investigations in theoretical and practical agriculture. ******* Sec. 4. This act shall be in effect from and after its passage. Approved March 18, 1905. The legislature for the biennium of 1910-11 has appropriated $20,000 to the University of California for institute work. COLORADO. [Extract from senate bill No. 172, appropriating money for the benefit of the Colorado College and Station.] Section 5. It shall be the duty of the State board of agriculture, through its officers and those of the State agricultural college, to organize and conduct a farmers' institute annually in each agricultural county of the State, to instruct stockmen and farmers and those interested in agriculture and horticulture and kindred industries. * * * Approved , 1905. [Extract from senate bill No. 82, making an appropriation for the State agricultural college and experiment station, to be expended under the direction of the State board of agriculture, for payments on land and water rights ; the erection of buildings and equipment ; making experimental investigations for farmers' institutes, and other exten- sion work.] Section 5. For the purpose of holding farmers' institutes and extending the work of instruction in agriculture to the farmers, horticulturists, and stock growers of the State, to employ instructors, teachers, and lecturers for this work, there is hereby authorized the expenditure of ten thousand dollars from the amount herein appropriated. Approved , 1909. 101517°— Bull. 241—11 2 10 CONNECTICUT. Connecticut has no special law regiilating the holding of farmers' institutes. The State board of agriculture, the Connecticut Dairy- men's Association, and the pomological society are all carrying on institute work in the State. These different organizations all draw money from the State for the benefit of agriculture in general; the dairymen's association for the dairying interests, the pomological society for the interests of fruit growing. The methods used by these different organizations for carrying out tiieir work and dissemi- nating useful information are entirely in their own discretion. Each however, has an institute committee appointed to have charge of institute work. ^^Iiere the citizens in any locality desire an institute, any one of these associations will furnish speakers free of expense. These dif- ferent organizations have all held institutes during the past several years. Annual meetings are held in the winter by each of these organizations.. The Connecticut State Board of Agriculture requires " that localities applying for institutes shall furnish a suitable hall, local transporta- tion for speakers and visitors, music if desired, and entertainment by collation or otherwise, unless there are convenient hotel accommoda- tions." " The board pays for printing, traveling expenses, and serv- ices of the speakers." The authority under which the board acts in institute matters is through an act creating the State board of agricul- ture, which authorizes the secretary "to disseminate agricultural information by lectures or otherwise." DELAWARE. AN ACT Providing for farmers' institutes. Be it cnactvd Inj the senate and house of representatives of the 8tate of Dela- ware in general assembly met: Section 1. That hereafter a farmers' institute shall be held annually in each county of this State. The meetings for organizing these institutes, resiiectively, shall be called as hereafter provided; afterwards they shall be held at such times and itlaces as the members thereof may. either in general meeting or by their exe<:'utiv(> conimlttee. determine. The objects of these institutes shall be the discussion, onilly or by written essays or papers, of agricultural and kin- dred matters, and for the dissemination of agriculturitl knowledge among the farn)ers of this State. Sec. 2. The first meeting for the purpose of organizing shall be held in the <(»unty courthouse of each county, respectively, on the third Saturday of May, \. D. eighteen hundred and eighty-nine, at two o'clock afternoon; and each of the clerks of the jieace of the several counties shall give notice in two newspa- I'crs in his county by two insertions at least one week ai)art, and the last one not more than one week prior thereto, of such m«M>(ings for organization. lie sliMll also attend and cnll the meeting to order .-uid i»resieriod of two years. Sec. 4. (As amended and approved June 10. IIKH).) The board of directors of the Illinois F.irmers' Institute shall have sole care and disposjil of all sums that nijiy be a))propriated l)y the State to sustain the organization, and shall expend the same in such manner as in their judgment will best promote tlie interests in useful education among the farmers aud develop the agricultural resources of the State. The Illinois Farmers' Institute shall make annual report to the governor of its transactions, which report shall include papers IH'rIaining to its work and addresses made at the annual meeting of the organi- zalioii, and a classified statenienl of all money received and of all expcudilures made, and fifty thousand i-opies of such report shall be inMnti'd and bound in cloth on or before September first of each fiscal year, three-fourths for the use of [Bull. 241] 13 the Illinois Farmers' Institute, and the remainder to the secretary of state for distribution. It shall make no appropriation without funds in hand to meet the same, and the State of Illinois shall in no event be held liable or responsible for debt, obligation, or contract made by the Illinois Farmers' Institute or its board of directors. Sec. 5. There shall be held annually, under the direction of the board of directors, between October first and March first, following of each year, a pub- lic meeting of the delegates from county farmers' institutes and of farmers of this State at such time and place as may be determined by the board of directors, of not less than three days' duration, which meeting shall be held for the purpose of developing the greater interest in the cultivation of crops, in the care and breeding of domestic animals, in dairy husbandry, in horti- culture, in farm drainage, in improved highways and general farm management through and by means of liberal discussions of these and kindred subjects, and any citizen may take part in these meetings, but only duly elected and accred- ited delegates from county farmers' institutes shall be permitted to vote in the election of the board of directors. Sec. 6. (As amended and approved ]May fifteenth, nineteen hundred and three.) The members of each new board of directors shall enter upon their duties the second Tuesday after their election, and hold their offices for one or two years, as provided in section three, or until their successors are elected and enter upon their duties. The board of directors shall have power to fill vacancies in the board. It shall organize by the election of a president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary, who shall hold their offices for one year, their tei'm of office to begin July first following their election. It shall employ such super- intendents, speakers, and clerks as may be deemed proper for organizing and conducting the work of the Illinois Farmers' Institute, and provide for their compensation by the rules of the board of directors. The secretary and treas- urer may be other than members of the board of directors. The salary of the secretary shall be two thousand dollars a year, payable in monthly installments. The auditor of public accounts is hereby authorized to draw his warrants on the State treasurer monthly for the salary of the secretary of the Illinois Farmers' Institute, as herein provided, payable out of any fund in his hands not otherwise appropriated. Sec. 7. Rooms in the capitol building shall be assigned to the officers of this organization by the proper authority, which shall then be under the control of the board of directors. Sec. S. The board of directors may make and enforce such rules and by-laws, not in conflict with the laws of this State, as will render its work most useful and efl[icient. Sec 9. For the purpose mentioned in the preceding sections, said board of directors may use such sums as it may deem proper and necessary, not exceed- ing the amount appropriated therefor by the general assembly from the gen- eral fund, for that purpose : Provided further. That the — 1. State superintendent of public instruction. 2. Professor of agriculture of the University of Illinois. 3. President of the State board of agriculture. 4. President of the State horticultural society. 5. President of the State dairymen's association. And the present congressional representatives of the Illinois Farmers' Insti- tute Association shall constitute the first board of directors of this organization, who shall have charge of the affairs of the same until their successors have been duly elected and enter upon their duties as provided in this act. [Bull, 241] 14 A BILL For an act making an appropriation for the Illinois Farmers' Institute and countj- farmers" institutes. (Approved June 11, 1909 j Section 1. Be it eiuictcd by the people of the State of lUinois, represented in the general assetnhhj: That there be and hereby is appropriated to the Illinois J'iirmers' Institute the following sums, to wit: For clerk hire, janitor service, postage, expressage, office, library, furniture, incidental office expenses, etc., two thousand five hundred dollars per annum, for the fiscal years beginning July first, nineteen hundred and nine and nineteen hundred and ten. The secre- tary of state shall provide all needful books, papers, stationery, and printing required on requisition by the secretary of the Illinois Farmers* Institute. Sec. 2. For the salary of a superintendent, one thousand five hundred dollars per annum ; for assistants to the superintendent, one thousand dollars per nn- num ; for the fiscal years beginning July first, nineteen hundred and nine and nineteen hundred and ten. Sec. 3. For the per diem and necessary expenses of expert judges, instruc- tors, and speakers furnished by the board of directors for county institutes, farmers' study clubs, farmer boys' organization, home makers' clubs, etc., and for use of tlie board in furnishing to the daily and weekly newspapers of the State reports of the most ai^proved and successful farm i^ractice and experiment station results ; the latest teachings of agricultural science and the educational ideas that are receiving the attention of scientists and foremost farmers, the sum of three thousand dollars per annum, for the fiscal years beginning July first, nineteen hundred and nine and nineteen hundred and ten. Sec. 4. For the actual expenses of the members of the board of directors and officers of the Illinois Farmers' Institute, in the performance of their duties as such members and officers; for the expense of the district confei'ences. the expenses of the State institute meeting, and for the incidental expenses in pro- moting the development of the farmers' institute work throughout the State, five thousand dollars i)er annum ; for the fiscal years beginning July first, nine- teen hundred and nine and nineteen hundred and ten. Sec. 5. For the purpose of holding one or more farmers' institute meetings in each county in the State, the sum of seventy -five dollars per annum for the fiscal years beginning July first, nineteen hundred and nine and nineteen hundred and ten, said sum to be jiaid to the treasurer of each county farmers' institute when such institute shall file with the secretary of the Illinois Farm- ers' Institute a sworn statement, which sh;ill show that said county farmers' institute has held one or more duly advertiseartniont of agriculture in detail, combining in the same a report of the State i)onio- logical society. State dairymen's association, and the State of Maine cattle [Bull. 241] 23 commission, and all other matters relating to the promotion of agriculture; and for the purpose of making his said report, said society, association, and commission shall furnish said commissioner with all necessary data therefor on or before the first day of December of each year. He shall further report all farmers' institutes held and the work therein done, and all public lectures carried on under his authority, and such part of said reports as is of public interest shall be printed for free distribution ; for the purpose of making up his report as herein provided, said commissioner shall attend the various agri- cultural exhibitions in the State and report upon the quality and character of the work of the same. MABYLAND. Chapter 102. AN ACT To provide for the formation of farmers' institutes in the State of Maryland, and to appropriate a sum of money therefor. Be it enacted hy the General AssemWy of Maryland: Section 1. That a department of farmers' institutes shall be established for the State of Maryland; that the purpose of these institutes shall be to bring before the farmers of the State such information as will effectually remedy many of the existing evils now prevalent in every department of agriculture as now pursued in Maryland, and that at said institutes men competent to instruct shall be present, and such topics shall be discussed as pertain to the principal agricultural interests of the several sections. Sec. 2. And he it enacted, That one such institute shall be held in each year in each county of the State, and an additional one in each county if deemed necessary and desirable. Sex3. 3. And he it enacted. That said institute shall be under the direction of a director to be appointed by the trustees of the Maryland Agricultural Col- lege, who shall be a person well versed in the profession of agriculture and of practical experience, whose title shall be director of farmers' institutes, whose salary shall be fixed by said board of trustees and paid out of the appropriation hereinafter provided, and whose duties shall be defined by said board ; that the said institutes shall be a department of said college similar to the experiment station ; that all expenses of said institutes shall be paid out of said appropria- tion, and that said board of trustees be, and hereby is, invested with all powers necessarj^ to carry into effect the provisions of this act, but no expense shall be incurred beyond the amount appropriated. Sec, 4.^ And he it enacted, That the sum of three thousand dollars per annum be, and the same hereby is, appropriated for the formation and support of farmers' institutes in this State, and that the comptroller be, and he is hereby, authorized to issue his warrant annually upon the treasurer of the State for the said sum of money, out of any fund not otherwise appropriated ; that the said sum of money shall be payable to the order of the Maryland Agricultural College on or after the first day of October of each fiscal year, and that the first yearly payment shall be made during the fiscal year ending September thirtieth, eighteen hundred and ninety-six. Sec. 5. And he it enacted, That accurate accounts of the expenditures of the money received under this act be kept by the registrar of the Maryland Agri- cultural College, separate from the general college accounts, and that an item- ized and detailed report of such expenditure be made annually and published 1 By the act of 1904 the sura of $6,000 is annually appropriated, being $3,000 more than the original appropriation. [Bull. 241] 24 in such manner as the board of trustees of tlie Maryland Agricnltnral College shall direct. Sec. 6. And be it enacted, That this act shall take effect from the date of its passage. Approved, March 27, 1896. MASSACHUSETTS. The farmers' institutes of Massachusetts are held under a general law establishing the board of agriculture, which authorizes it to " dis- seminate useful information in agriculture by lectures or otherwise." An approiDriation of $4,000 was made by the last legislature for the purposes indicated in the above extract from the law. This included farmers' institutes, the cost of issuing crop reports, nature leaflets, and bulletins. RULES. Rule 15 of the State board of agriculture requires that " each agri- cultural society receiving the bounty of the Commonwealth shall hold within its limits not less than three farmers' institutes each calendar year, and the board shall render all the assistance in its power to make these institutes interesting and profitable. The secretary of the board shall provide lecturers for farmers' institutes, so far as the appropriation for the object will allow and a wise expenditure of the money warrant, but he shall not be authorized to pRj more than one lecturer for each institute. The secretary of each society shall be required to certify to the holding of each institute, on blanks fur- nished by the secretarj^ of the board." MICHIGAN. Act 137, PrsLic Acts, 1899. AN .\CT to authorize the State board of agriculture to hold institutes and to establish and maintain courses of reading and lectui-es for the instruction of citizens of this State in the various branches of agriculture, mechanic arts, domestic economy, and the sciences relating thereto, and making an appropriation therefor for the fiscal years ending June thirty, nineteen hundred, and .Tune thirty, nineteen hundred one, and to provide a tax to meet the same. The people of the State of MichUjan enact: Section 1. That the State board of agriculture is hereby authorized to hold institutes and to establish and maintain courses of reading and lectures for the instruction of citizens of this State in the various branches of agriculture, mechanic arts, domestic economy, and the sciences relating thereto. The Siiid board shall formulate such rules and regulations as it shall deem proper to carry on the work contemplated in this act, and may employ such agent or agents to perform such duties in connection therewith as it shall deem best. Sec. 2. In each county where an institute society shall be organized and main- tained under the provisions of this act, the State board of agriculture shall annually hold at least one institute of at least two days in length. When twenty or more persons, residents of any county in this State, shall oi-ganize themselves into a society, to be called the County Farmers' Institute Society, for the purpose of carrying out the objects of this act, and in accord- [Bu'l. 241] 25 ance with rules and regulations furnished by the State board of agriculture, such society shall be deemed an institute society in the meaning of this act : Provided, That not more than one such institute society in any county shall be authorized by this act. The State board of agriculture shall hold one-day insti- tutes in such counties of the State as it may deem expedient, hut not to exceed four annually in any one county. The State board of agriculture may also hold, at such places and times as it may determine, special institutes at which the primary object shall be to furnish a school of instruction in the lines specified in section one of this act. Sec. 3. For the purposes mentioned in the preceding section, the State board of agriculture may use such sum as it shall deem proper, not exceeding the sum of five thousand five hundred dollars, in the year ending June thirty, nineteen hundred, and five thousand five hundred dollars in the year ending June thirty, nineteen hundred one : Provided, That two hundred dollars of this appropriation shall be available before June thirty, eighteen hundred ninety-nine. Sec. 4. The several sums appropriated by the provisions of this act shall be paid out of the general fund in the State treasury to the treasurer of the State board of agriculture, at such times and in such amounts as the general account- ing laws of the State prescribe, and the disbursing officer shall render his accounts to the auditor-general thereunder. Sec. 5. The auditor-general shall incorporate in the State tax for the year eighteen hundred ninety-nine the sum of five thousand five hundred dollars, and for the year nineteen hundred the sum of five thousand five hundred dollars, which, when collected, shall be credited to the general fund to reimburse the same for the moneys hereby appropriated. Sec. 6. The State board of agi-iculture is further authorized to publish an annual report, to be known as the " Farmers' Institute Bulletin," of not to exceed two hundred fifty pages, which shall contain, besides statistical reports of the work done and expenditures incurred under this act, such addresses and discussions occurring at the meetings held under this act as the board of agri- culture shall deem of sufficient interest to warrant publication. The board of State auditors is hereby directed to print said report and to cause it to be bouad in substantial binding, in the same manner as other reports are printed and bound, and in number sufficient to furnish one to each member of each county farmers' institute society organized under this act, and not to exceed one thousand five hundred in addition for general distribution by the board of agriculture. The secretary of the State is hereby directed to ship by freight to the secretary of each regularly organized county farmers' institute society a sufficient number of copies of said report to supply one to each member of such county societies. Sec. 7. The board of agriculture, the board of State auditors, and the secre- tary of State are hereby authorized and directed to publish, print, bind, and distribute a similar report for the year ending June thirtieth, eighteen hundred ninety-nine, as provided in section four, for future reports under this act. This act is ordered to take immediate effect. Approved June 21, 1S99. Act 232, Public Acts, 1901. Sec. 3. The State board of agriculture is hereby authorized to hold institutes and to establish and maintain courses of reading and lectures for instruction in the various branches of agriculture, mechanic arts, domestic economy, and the related sciences, which courses of reading, instruction, and lectures shall be conducted, governed, and controlled by act number one hundred thirty-seven of [Bull. 241] 26 the public acts of eighteen liundred ninetj--iiine providing for the same: Pro- vicbhng, That not less than seven thousand tive hundred dollars shall be ex- pended annually for the purposes provided in said act ; but the number of one- day institutes shall be determined by said State board of agriculture. Approved June 6, 1901. MINNESOTA. Revised Laws of 1905. 1452. Board of administration — Superintendent. The board of administra- tion of farmers' institutes shall consist of six members, three of whom shall be regents of the university, selected by and holding office at the pleasure of the board of regents, and the remaining three, at the time of their taking office, shall be the presidents, respectively, of the State agricultural society, the State dairy association, and the State horticultural society ; and they shall serve for three years, and until their successors qualify. When the term of any of the last three members mentioned expires, he shall be succeeded on the board by the person then president of the organization through which he became a mem- ber. The board shall elect from among its number a president and a secretary, and from outside its number a superintendent, whose term of otfice shall be two years, but who may be removed at the pleasure of the board. He sliall I'eceive a salary of fifteen hundred dollars per year and his expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of his duties. (1903, c. 221, sees. 4, 5, 6, 9.) 1453. Duties of the board. The board shall arrange the institute circuits to be held annually, determine w'hen and w^here the institutes shall be held, audit the accounts of the superintendent at the close of each fiscal year, such auditing to be final, and file them with the State auditor, and publish an- nually a handbook of practical agriculture entitled. " Farmers' Institute Annual," for free distribution among the farmers of the State. The expense of the publication shall be met from the appropriation hereinafter made. (1903, c. 221, sees. 7, 10, 11.) 1454. Institutes, their character and object. The dissemination of prac- tical knowledge concerning agriculture, horticulture, and stock and dairy farming shall be the sole objects of the institutes. They shall be held at times and places most convenient to the farmers, and each meeting shall occupy from one to three days, with sessions mornings, afternoons, and, w^hen practicable, evenings. All sessions shall be free and public, and shall consist of practical lectures on subjects pertaining to farm and home, -with addresses, discussions, and illustrations of methods adapted to our agriculture. (1903, c. 221. sec. 12.) 1455. Superintendent's duties. The superintendent shall assist the board in arranging institute circuits, superintend the several institutes, engage in- structors therefor, examine all bills for expenses and services payable out of appropriations for such purposes, and at the end of each fiscal year make a detailed report to the board of all institutes held under his direction, including therein the items of such expenses and services. (1903, c. 221, sees. 7, 8.) 145(5, Standing appkopkiation. The sum of eighteen thousind dollars is hereby annually appropriated for the puriioses of such institutes. No war- rant shall be issued for such purpose unless the claim be approved b.v the superintendent and by the president of the board. The average cost of the institutes for the neces.sary traveling expenses and board of the instructors, and their compensation, shall not exceed one hundred and fifty dollars, the expenses incurred in preliminary work not included. No money shall be spent for hall rent, fuel, lights, local advertising, or for the compensation of instruc- tors other than those regularly emiilo.vetl. Expenses as allowed in this chapter for carrying on the institute work of the board, when made prior to August_ [Bull. LMl J 27 first in any calendar year when the legislative appropriation for said year lias been exhausted, may be paid from an appropriation already made and to become due on said August first, and shall not be construed as creating a de- ficiency. (1003. c. 221, sees. 1-3. 9.) MISSISSIPPI. Chapter 42. House Bill No. 508. AN ACT To make an appropriation to defray the expenses of the department of farmers' institute and agricultural extension in the Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College. Section 1. Be M enacted dij the Legislature of the State of Mississippi, That the sum of five thousand dollars for the year nineteen hundred and eight, and the sum of five thousand dollars for the year nineteen hundred and nine, or so much thereof as may be necessary, out of any money in the State treasury not otherwise appropriated, be, and the same is hereby, appropriated for the support of farmers' institutes and agricultural extension in the Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College. Sec. 2. That accurate accounts of the expenditures of the money received under this act shall be kept by the treasurer of the Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College, separate from the general college accounts, and that an itemized and detailed report of such expenditures be made annually and pub- lished in such manner as the board of trustees of the Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College shall direct. How drawn and expended. Sec. 3. The money hereby appropriated shall be drawn and expended under the direction of the board of trustees of the Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College for the purposes above named and no other, and in the same manner as other appropriations for the said college. Sec. 4. That this act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage. Approved, March 17, 1908. The appropriation of $5,000 for the j^ears 1908 and 1909 has been continued for 1910 and 1911. MISSOURI. Revised Laws of Missouri Kelating to Agriculture and Hoeticultuke. Section 602. Extension course in agriculture — when held — how con- ducted. Whenever fifty or more resident farmers of any county in this State, through the county court of such coimty, shall petition the State board of agri- culture to hold at the county seat of such county, or such other place as may be designated by the county court, an extension course in agriculture, not to exceed ten days in length, during which time there shall be given lectures, demonstrations, and practical instruction in stock breeding and feeding, stock judging, crop growing, seed selection, seed testing, fertilizers and soil improve- ment, dairying, poultry raising, road making, and any other subject of interest and profit to farmers, it shall be the duty of the State board of agriculture to employ and send competent men to conduct a course of instruction in such of the above subjects as may be of the most benefit to the community where the meeting is held : Provided, That the petitioners shall furnish the State board of agriculture with a hall suitable for holding the meeting free of expense: Provided further. That the number of days duration of the meeting and the dates for holding it shall be agreed upon by the county court and the State board of agriculture. (Laws 1909, p. 119.) [Bull. 241] 28 MONTANA. AN ACT Entitled "An act to amend an act providing for farmers' institutes, and making an appropriation therefor," approved March 14, 1901. Be it enacted hy the Legislative Assembly of the State of Montana: Section 1. That section 1 of said act be, and the same is hereby, amended so as to read as follows : " Section 1. The board of administration of the farmers' institutes, as pro- vided for in this act, shall consist as follows: " Tbe governor of the State and the director of the Montana Experiment Sta- tion, both of whom shall be ex officio members, and the presidents of the following-named organizations : " The Montana Registered Cattle Breeders' Association, the Montana WogI- growers' Association, the Montana Live Stock Association, the Montana Herti- cultural Society, the Montana State Board of Horticulture, the Montana Agri- cultural Association, and the Montana Dairyman's Association, when these last two shall have been duly organized. Members of such board of administration shall be designated the ' directors of the Montana farmers' institutes,' and shall be authorized to hold institutes for the instruction of the citizens of this State in the various branches of agriculture, and shall prescribe such rules and regu- lations as they may deem best for organizing and conducting the same. Such institutes shall be held at least once in each county in each year, and at such times and places as the directors may designate; provided the requirements of the board of administration have been complied with, such as county institutes or local organizations providing a suitable hall, lighting and heating the same, and bearing necessary advertising expense. The directors may employ an agent or agents to perform such work in organizing or conducting such institutes as they may deem best. A course of instruction at such institutes shall be so arranged as to present to those in attendance the results of the most recent investigations in theoretical and practical agriculture." Approved February 11, 1909. The appropriations for expenses of farmers' institutes for the years 1911 and 1012 are $10,000 for each year. NEBRASKA. There is no State htw under which the farmers'' institutes are held in Nebraska. The institutes were started through the cooperation of the several State societies interested in agriculture with the University of Nebraska. The legislature, however, has ap])ropriated $35,000 to the university for the biennial period of 1011 and 1912. The university employs a superintendent of farmers' institutes who lias charge of the field work. Except at entirely new points the hotel bills of the speakers arc paid by the local organization which cooperates with the university. The local organization also bears the expenses of hall rent, heating, lighting, and local advertising. NEVADA. There are no laws in Nevada with respect to the organization and conducting of farmers' institutes. The institutes are held under the direction of the experiment station staff. [Bull. I'll] 29 NEW HAMPSHIRE. Public Statutes of New Hampshire. Chaptek 12. Sec. 9. The secretary shall keep a record of all the proceedings of the board, which shall be open at all times to public inspection. He shall aid the board by obtaining all the information he can concerning the adaptation of the soils and climate of the State to the raising of grasses, grains, vegetables, fruits, and other products ; the best methods for their cultivation ; the production and rearing of domestic animals ; the machinery and implements best adapted to the requirements of farmers and horticulturists, and all other subjects that will increase the prosperity and profit of agricultural and horticultural pursuits in the State. He shall inaTce arrangements for, give puhUc notice of, a/nd, if pos- sible, personally attend the farmers' meetings authorized hy the board, and report to the board all the important information there obtained. He shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the board. NEW JERSEY. The farmers' institutes in New Jersey are organized and conducted under authority granted to the State board of agriculture by the legislature. The section of the act is as follows : Be it enacted, etc.. That in order to collect and disseminate reliable and useful information and to encourage a higher standard in the agriculture and horticulture of the State the executive committee are hereby authorized to cause to be made experimental and practical tests of specific remedies or cures of diseases of domestic. animals and poultry and to employ suitable persons to lecture before the State board of agriculture, at its annual or other meet- ings, and in the counties of the State as far as the sum herein appropriated will allow. The executive committee of the State board of agriculture has delegated the management and conduct of the institutes to the secretary of the board. There is also a provision in the g-eneral statutes relating to the State agricultural college, which directs " that the board of trustees shall cause to be delivered annually in each county in this State one or more public lectures upon the subject of agriculture free of charge." NEW MEXICO. In New Mexico the farmers' institute work nas been performed by the agricultural college and experiment station. There has been no legislation providing for the organization of institutes, and no ap- propriation was made by the Territorial legislature of 1909 for institute purposes. NEW YORK. Section 2 of article 2 of the agricultural la;w of the State of New York defines the duties of the commissioner of agriculture as follows : The commissioner of agriculture shall be the chief of the department. The commissioner of agriculture shall be appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate. His term of office shall be three years. [Bull. 241] 30 * * * He may appoint a director of funncrs' in.'ititutcs aud such clerks and assistant commissioners and employ such clerks, chemists, agents, and counsel as he may deem necessary for the proper enforcement of such laws and the proper administration of the department, who shall receive such compensation as may be fixed by him and their necessary expenses. The compensation of his clerks, assistants, and other persons employed by him and such necessary ex- penses shall be paid on his certificate by the treasurer on the warrant of the comptroller. All other charges, accounts, and expenses of the department authorized by law shall be paid by the treasurer on the warrant of the comptroller, after they have been audited and allowed by the comptroller. The trustees of public buildings shall furnish suitable rooms for the use of the department in the capitol. Section 31 of article 3 of the agricultural law reads as follows : Care and feed of coivs, and care and keeping of the produce from such cows. No person shall keep cows, for the production of milk for market or for sale or exchange, or for manufacturing the milk or cream from the same into any article of food, in a crowded or unhealthy condition or in unhealthful or insanitary surroundings, and no person shall keep such cows or the product therefrom in such condition or surroundings or in such places as shall cause or tend to cause the produce from such cows to be in an unclean, unhealthful, or diseased condition, if the produce from such cows is to be sold, offered, or exposed for sale upon the markets for consumption or to be manufactured into any food product, nor shall such cows or the produce therefrom be handled or cared for by any iDerson suffering with or aft'ected by an infectious or con- tagious disease, nor shall any such cows be fed on any substance that is in a state of putrefaction or fermentation, or upon any food that is unhealthful or that produces or may produce impure, unhealthful, diseased, or unwholesome milk. But this section shall not be construed to prohibit the feeding of ensilage. The commissioner of agriculture is hereby empowered to give such ■instruction and impart such information as in his judgment may be deemed best to produce a full observance of the provisions of this section. Section 98 of article 5 of the agricultural law contains the fol- lowing : The chief veterinarian shall, under the direction of the commissioner of agriculture, have general charge of the enforcement of the provisions of this article, and shall collect and disseminate through farmers' institutes or other- wise, as the commissioner may direct, information and statistics in relation to the diseases of domestic animals, the proper care and sanitation of stables and other buildings used for the stabling of farm animals for the purpose of pre- venting the existence and spread of infectious and contagious diseases, the method of feetling, the methods of improving the breed or milking qualities of cattle, and such otlici- matters as the commissioner may direct. The appropriation bill for tlie fiscal year beginning on the 1st day of October, 1910, contains a clause which reads as follows: For maintenance and extension of farmers' institutes held under the ausi)ices of the commissioner of agriculture, including inspections of and recommendations concerning farms connected with State institutions as pro- vided in the agricultural law, twenty-five thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to bo paid upon the order of the counnissioner of agri- culture, and certifi(Hl in sums as needed, and for which vouchers for expendi- tures duly audited and verified by him shall bo rendered. IRiiU. 241] 31 NORTH CAROLINA. The.Legiolature of North Carolina, by an act which went into effect March 9, 1901, makes it the duty of the commissioner of agriculture, by and with the consent and advice of the board of agriculture, to hold " farmers' institutes in the several counties of the State as fre- quently as may be deemed advisable in order to instruct the people in improved methods in farming, in the beneficial use of fertilizers and composts, and to ascertain the wants and necessities of the various farming communities; and may collect the papers and addresses made at these institutes and publish the same in pamphlet form annually for distribution among the farmers of the State. He may secure such assistants as may be necessary or beneficial in hold- ing such institutes." NORTH DAKOTA. Sections 1, 3, and 5 of the follo^ving act, creating a State farmers'' •institute board of directors and regulating the holding of such insti- tutes, constitute portions of a law that went into effect July 1, 1901. Sections 2 and 4 are amendments to the foregoing act and were approved March 15, 1905. Section 1. There is hereby established a farmers' institute board composed of the president of the board of trustees of the North Daliota Agricultural College, the commissioner of agriculture and labor, the director of the experiment sta- tion, the professor of agriculture, and the professor of dairying of the North Dakota Agricultural College. Sec. 2. (Organization of board.) The State farmers' institute board of directors shall have power to organize by electing one of its members to act as president and one to act as secretary, and it is hereby made its duty to employ a directoi: of farmers' institutes and such other institute lecturers as may be deemed necessary ; to authorize the holding of not less than 50 insti- tutes each year, the same to be of such a nature as to instruct the farmers of the State in maintaining the fertility of the soil, the improvement of cereal crops grown in the State, principles of breeding as applied to domestic animals, the making and handling of dairy products, the destruction of noxious weeds and injurious insects, forestry, and growing of fruits, feeding and management of live stock, and in general such instruction as will tend to promote the pros- perity, home life, and comfort of the farming population. Sec. 3. No member of this board shall receive any compensation for his serv- ices, but shall be allowed his actual and necessary traveling expenses when engaged upon business connected with the proper discharge of his duties under this act. Sec. 4. (Appropriation for institutes.) There is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the State treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of six thousand dollars annually for carrying out the purposes of this act. All charges, accounts, and expenses authorized by this act shall be paid by the treasurer of the State, upon the approval of the State board of audit, when certified by the president and secretary of the board of directors. Sec. 5. All acts and parts of acts in conflict with the provisions of this act are hereby repealed. [Bull. 241] 32 OHIO. Law Governing Faemers' Institute Societies in Ohio. [Passed April 26, 1890, and amended April 27, 1806, and March 31, 1906.] Be it enacted by the General Assemblij of the State of Ohio: Section 1. That when twenty or more persons, residents of any county in the State, organize themselves into a farmers' institute society, for the purpose of teaching better methods of farming, stock raising, fruit culture, and all branches of business connected with the industry of agriculture, and adopt a constitution and by-laws agreeable to rules and regulations furnished by the State board of agriculture; and when such society shall have elected proper officers and performed such other acts as may be required by the rules of the State board of agriculture, such society shall be deemed a body corporate. Sec. 2. Not to exceed four farmers' institute societies organized under the provisions of this act shall hold annual meetings under the auspices of the State board of agriculture in any one county in the State, and the State board of agriculture shall have power to determine the number and name the times and places for holding such institute meetings. Sec. 3. When a society organized under the provisions of this act shall have held an annual farmers' institute meeting in accordance with the rules of the State board of agriculture, the secretary of said board shall issue certificates, one to the president of the farmers' institute society and one to the president of the State board of agriculture, setting forth these facts, and on the presenta- tion of these certificates to the county auditor, he shall each year draw orders on the treasurer of the county as follows : One in favor of the president of the State board of agriculture for the sum of one hundred and twenty-five dollars, and one in favor of the president of each farmers' institute society in the county, holding meetings under the auspices and by the direction of the State board of agriculture, for a sum not to exceed thirty-one dollars and twenty- five cents, for the payment of necessary local expenses, and the treasurer of the county shall pay the same from the county fund: Provided, That in no county shall the total annual sum exceed two hundred and fifty dollars: And provided further, That the payment to any institute society shall not exceed the expense, as per detailed statement, provided in section four of this act. Sec 4. With each certificate of the secretary of the State board of agricul- ture to the county auditor, which certificate shall indicate the number of so- cieties organized in the county and holding meetings by direction of the State board of agriculture, and before the auditor issues his order upon the treasurer, there shall be filed with the auditor a detailed statement of the expenses of the institute for the current year, no part of which shall be for salaries of officers of the institute society ; but this provision shall not apply to the order in favor of the president of the State board of agriculture, which board shall issue statement as required in section six of this act. Sec. 5. At the annual farmers' institute meetings, held under the provisions of this act and under the auspices of the State board of agriculture, the said board shall furnish lecturers or speakers whose compensation and expenses shall be paid by the board. Sec. G. At the close of each season's institute work, the State board of agri- culture shall publish in pamphlet or book form such lectures and papers de- livered at the several institute meetings as may seem of general interest and importance to the farmers, stock breeders, and horticulturists of the State, copies of which shall be furnished the secretary of each institute society, and the balance issued to be for .general distribution: the cost of preparing the [Bull. 241] 33 matter and the distribution of the pamphlet or book to be paid by the State board of agriculture. Said board shall also publish in such pamphlet or book a detailed statement of its receipts under the provisions of this act, and the disbursements on account of institute work. Sec. 7. Said original act entitled "An act to provide for the organization and support of farmers' institutes," passed April tvrenty-sixth, eighteen hundred and ninety, is hereby repealed, and this act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage. OKLAHOMA. County Farmers' Institutes. AN ACT For the encouragement of farmers' institutes and autliorizing the county clerks to draw warrants under certain conditions. Be it enacted by the people of the State of Olclahoma : Section 1. That in order to promote the extension of farmers' institute work, to encourage its better organization, and to increase the moneys ex- pended for such work, the president of any farmers' county institute held under the regulations adopted by the State board of agriculture in any county in the State of Oklahoma shall be entitled to draw from the county treasury of such county a sum of money not exceeding two hundred dollars, to be paid on a warrant dra^^'n by the county clerk, which said warrant shall be issued to such county president upon full compliance with the terms of this act. Sec. 2. The president of any farmers' county institute making application for a warrant, as provided for in section 1 of this act, shall file with the county clerk, at the time of making such application, a verified statement as follows, to wit : A true and correct statement of the total paid membership in such county, which statement shall contain the names of the members paid, and no name shall be listed unless the person so listed shall have paid a membership fee of at least fifty cents, such statement shall also show the total amount of such membership fees collected in such county, a true and cori*ect itemized statement of expense of such county institute, the receipted vouchers showing payment in full of all expenses so itemized being attached to such report. Sec. 3. Any county in the State of Oklahoma where auxiliary organizations to county farmers' institutes have been, or hereafter may be, organized under regulations adopted by the State board of agriculture, such auxiliary organi- zations to be known as poultry associations, dairymen's associations, or women's auxiliary organizations for county institute work, and such auxiliary organi- zations are maintained separate and distinct from the organizations of such county institutes of such county and work under separate program, such aux- iliary organizations charge and collect an annual membership fee of not less than twenty-five cents, and the president of such auxiliary organization makes a verified report to the president of the county institute in all particulars as required of the president of the county institute in section 2 of this act, then such auxiliax'y organizations shall be considered a part of such county insti- tute, and the report of such auxiliary organization shall be combined with the report of such county institute by adding similar items, and the totals of such additions shall be considered as the totals of the county institutes. Sec. 4. The county clerk shall draw a warrant on the county treasurer pay- able to the order of the president of the county institute for the sum repre- sented by subtracting the total receipts of membership dues from the total expenses of conducting such institute, as shown by the county president's itemized report and receipted vouchers filed with the report of such president : Provided, That no warrant shall be drawn for a sum in excess of the total [Bull. 241] 34 receipts of memliersliip clues: And, provUlcd further. That sneli warrants shall be drawn but once during any calendar year. Sec. 5. The term expenses as used in section two of this act shall be con- strued to include any prize or prizes offered by such county institute or auxil- iary organizations to stimulate competition in experimental work in agricul- ture, poultry breeding, dairy or domestic science research; rewards offered for results of extraordinary excellence in agriculture, poultry breeding, dairy or domestic science domain ; or the necessary cost of cooperative work of an educational character along the lines of agricultural, horticultural, poultry breeding, dairy or domestic science development : Provided, That the scheme or plan of such special work provided for in this section shall have been adopted by the county institute and that competition shall be open to every eligible per- son of that particular class residing in such county. In adopting any such scheme or plan of special work, every member of such county institute or auxiliary organization not in arrears for payment of annual membership dues shall be entitled to one vote, and a plurality of all. votes cast shall determine the adoption of any proposed scheme. Sec. G. Any president of the county institute who shall knowingly file a false report, or any olhcer of the county institute or auxiliary organization whose duty it shall be to keep a record of the attendance or render an accounting for moneys received or expended who shall knowingly make or submit a false report, or any officer of such county institute or auxiliary organization who shall expend any of the receipts of such county institute or auxiliary organi- zation in any other manner than that shown by such verified report and by the receipted vouchers filed therewith, or any iierson who shall sign a fraudulent voucher showing moneys expended which were not so expended shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall upon conviction be fined in any sum not exceeding fifty dollars. Sec. 7. This act is supplemental to the act approved March third, nineteen hundred and eight, providing for the organization of the board of agriculture, and so forth, in force March third, nineteen hundred and eight, and repeals none of the provisions of said act. Approved ]March twenty-second, nineteen hundred and nine. Regulations for Conouct or Institute Work. In view of the provisions in recent institute act for effecting and promoting permanent local organizations, and for meeting the expenses of the local asso- ciations, and in accordance with the provisions of the original act creating the farmers' institute system in Oklahoma, the State board of agriculture announces the following general policy and plan of conducting the work under the exist- ing laws : 1. The State board of agriculture will, as heretofore, select a superintendent of institutes and such additional and suitable i)ersons as shall be necessary to conduct the institute work under the provisions of the laws governing institutes, and the rules and regulations of the board. 2. The State superintendent of farmers' institutes, under authority from the board, will, with the ad\'ice of the county officers, arrange the schedule of meet- ings, reserving the right to fix the time and place of same and assign the State speakers. 8. The Stale Ixiard of agriculture will use the State appropriation to pay for the services and traveling expenses of the sui)erintendent and of State speakei'S. the general supervision of the work, and for such further improvement and extension of the farmers' institute work as the funds will permit. [Bull. 241] 35 4. The local expenses of farmers' Ir.stitntes, such as hall rent, extra speakers, postage, printmg, stationery, advertising, etc., will be met from the fund derived from membership dues supplemented from the appropriation from the county treasury, as provided for in the institute act of 1909. 5. The State board of agriculture authorizes and directs the county institute organization and auxiliary associations, acting together upon the request of the State superintendent of farmers' institutes, to advise said officers as to the time, places, and subjects desired for meetings to be held in the county the ensuing year. 6. The State board authorizes and directs the county institute association, including auxiliary organizations (where they exist or may be formed) to arrange for, and duly advertise the meeting or meetings announced in the schedule of farmers' institutes, and properly conduct the same under such regu- lations as may be prescribed by said board, and promptly make official report of each meeting held to the State superintendent. 7. The State board of agriculture announces that the nature of the institute work permits the discussion of a wide range of subjects bearing upon agricul- ture, horticulture, animal husbandry, dairying, truck farming, gardening, the home, the school, the highway, rural improvement, relation of town and couii- try, and the development of the agricultural resources of the locality; but it also recognizes that the above-named subjects can be presented without in any way involving political, sectarian or factional or personal discussion. The board, therefore, rules that all subjects of a purely factional, political, personal, religious, sectarian, social or temperance nature should be excluded from the programs of the county farmers' meetings. All heated partisan or personal discussion at the meeting, upon any subject, is strictly prohibitetl. Speakers are instructed to urge, and presiding officers authorized and directed to secure the enforcement of above ruling. The discussion of public institu- tions, of farm and other organizations or of business enterprises, either for the purpose of advertisement, attack or defense, is not germane to the farmers' institute work and should, therefore, not be permitted. 8. The State board of agriculture directs that every meeting to which a speaker is assigned at State expense, or for which county funds will be ex- pended, shall be open to the general public without restriction and without the payment of an admission fee. OREGOlSr. The act j)roviding for the holding of agricultural institutes and appropriating money for their maintenance is as follows : Section 1. The board of regents of the State agricultural college is hereby authorized to hold institutes for the instruction of citizens of this State in the various branches of agriculture. Such institutes shall be held at such times and at such places as said board may direct. The said board shall make such rules and regulations as it may deem proper for organizing and conducting such institutes, and shall employ an agent or agents to perform such work in connection therewith as they may deem best. The course of instruction at such institutes shall be so arranged as to present to those in attendance results of the most recent investigations in theoretical and practical agriculture. Sec. 2. For the purpose mentioned in the preceding section, the said board may use such sum as it may deem proper, not exceeding the sum of two thousand Ave hundred dollars in any one year, from the general fund, and' such amount is hereby annually appropriated for that purpose. Approved, , 1905. [Bull. 241] 36 PENNSYLVANIA. The farmers' institutes in Pennsylvania were established under tlie act of assembly of March 13, 1895, section 3 of which is as follows : Tliei-e shall be one deputy seci-etary, wlio shall be appointed by the governor for a term of four years, at a salary of three thousand dollars a year, who shall also be director of institutes. The same act, section 5, provides — That it shall be the duty of the superintendent of institutes to arrange them in such manner as to time and places of holding the same as to secure the greatest economy and efficiency of service, and to this end he shall, in each county where such institutes are to be held, confer and advise with the local member of the State board of agriculture, together with representatives duly appointed by each county agricultural, horticultural, and other like oi'ganiza- tions with reference to the appointment of speakers and other local arrange- ments. The institutes are supported by biennial appropriations by the legislature made to the department of agriculture. The appropria- tion for the biennium (1910-11) is $45,000 for institute purposes. PORTO RICO. There has been no legislation in Porto Rico respecting farmers' institutes. The special agent in charge of the agricultural experi- ment station reports that an agricultural society has been organized and that $1,000 was appropriated for institute purposes last year. RHODE ISLAND. Farmers' institutes in Rhode Island are conducted under authority granted by the general assembly in an act passed May 19, 1892, sec- tion 4 of which is as follows : The board shall hold one agricultural institute in each county annually, either independently or in connection with any society or association, or other oi'ganization devoted to the same general objects, and may hold as many more as it shall deem expedient, and shall, as far as practicable, encourage State and local associations and societies in the interests of agriculture. The arranging for the holding of institutes is committed by the State board of agricuHnre to its secrotarv. and the ex]ienses are paid by the board out of the annual appropriation of $20,000 appropriated for (he piiri)ose of carrying out the several provisions of the act by which the board is constituted. SOUTH CAROLINA. There is no specific law in this State for the holding of farmers' institutes. Institutes, however, are held under authority granted by the board of trustees of Clemson Agricultural College. [Bull. 241] 37 There is organized in. the college a division of extension work and farmers' institutes, with a principal and two assistants. The arrang- ing for the institutes is left entirely in the hands of the superintend- ent of this division. SOUTH DAKOTA. AN ACT To establish and maintain farmers' institutes in the State of South Dakota. Be it enacted by the legislature of the State of South Dakota: Section 1. That there is hereby created a State farmers' institute board, to be composed of the president of the agricultural college and the two members of the State board of regents who are at the time acting on the committee for the agricultural college. Tiie term of office as members of such institute board shall terminate with the expiration of their term of oflfice, as above mentioned. Sec. 2. The State farmers' institute board shall have authority to hold insti- tutes of not to exceed three days, at such times and places within the State as in their judgm.ent the needs of the people demand, which shall be free to the public, and shall consist of practical and instructive lectures, addresses, dis- cussions, illustrations, and demonstrations on the subject of agriculture in all its branches, and such other matters as are of interest to the farming people of the State. Sec. S. The necessary and actual expenses incurred in the arranging for and conduct of such institutes, including such machinery, models, ma])S, charts, and other apparatus as shall be needed for the proper presentation of the various subjects, shall be paid out of the appropriation hereinafter provided, in the manner provided by law for the payment of other State expenses : Provided, That there shall be no expenditure for hall rent, fuel, lights, local advertising, or local speakers, in connection with the holding of such institutes, except when deemed necessary by the institute board. Sec. 4. The said board shall have authority to engage such instructors as are needed for the proper presentation of the various subjects at such institutes, each of whom shall be a specialist on the subject he is to present, and to allow them a reasonable compensation for their services, together with their necessary and actual expenses while so employed. Sec. 5. The said board shall have authority to do such advertising and pub- lish such matters for free distribution as they may deem advisable for the best interests of the farmers of the State. Sec. 6. For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the above act, there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the State treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of five thousand dollars annually. Approved March 3, 1905. The above appropriation of $5,000 has been increased by act of legislature of 1910 to $13,000 per year for the two years 1910 and 1911. AN ACT Empowering, authorizing and directing the payment of the expenses of hold- ing and maintaining farmers' institutes in counties where the same shall be held. Be it enacted hy the legislature of the State of South Dakota : 1. That in all counties in the State of South Dakota wherein there is held what is commonly termed a farmers' institute, consisting of a program for education and instruction upon matters relating to agriculture, horticulture, and the breeding and raising of stock, which said institute shall be held at least annually, and where there shall be an organization of agriculturists and per- [Bull. 241] 38 sons interested in agriculture, horticulture, and stock breeding, and shall main- tain an organization for holding such educational institute, and have regular officers elected, consisting of a board of five directors, and from this board shall be selected a president, vice president, secretai'y, and treasurer ; then, and in such case, the county commissioners of the said county wherein such institute is held and such organization exists, shall pay out of the general fund of said county the necessary expenditures for maintaining such institute and ren- dering of such program of instructions as hereinafter provided. 2, That whenever the conditions exist as provided in section one, and such institute is maintained and such organization exists, the county commissioners, upon having filed with them vouchers showing the expenditure which shall have been made in and about the holding of said institute, which shall be for the em- ploying of lecturers and necessary expenses connected with holding such institute, which said vouchers shall be subscribed by the president and secretary, and sworn to by either the president or secretary as being true and correct expendi- tures made therefor, the county commissioners shall then pay said expenditures in and for such county in a sum not exceeding two hundred dollars. o. Whereas, there is no law relating to the payment of expenses of farmers' institutes, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, and this act shall take effect and be in force on and after its passage and approval. Approved, aiarch 3, 1905. TENNESSEE. Tennessee has no special law governing farmers' institutes. The legislature makes an appropriation to the department of agriculture to be used by the commissioner for institute purposes. The commis- sioner selects the lecturers, arranges the programs, and decides the places and times for holding the institutes. TEXAS. Under an act of legislature establishing the Texas department of agriculture approved April 4, 1907, subdivision 3 of section 11, is the following provision for regulating farmers' institute work — He (the commissioner of agriculture) shall cause to be held farmers' insti- tutes at such times and places throughout the State as will best promote the advancement of agricultural knowledge and improvement of agricultural methods and practices. He shall publish such papers and addresses read or delivered at these institutes as ho shall deem to be of value to the farmers' interests. The thirty-first legislature appropriated $5,000 for the year ended August 31, 1010, and $r).000 for the year ending August 31, 1911 " for conducting institute Avork " by the department. UTAH. AN A("l' Tnividinf; for tlie lioldin^ nf farmers' and donioslit; science schools, in the counties of the Slate juul repealinj; s(H'tions •J()!).">, liOiX!. 12007, and 2008, compiled laws of Utah, 1907. Section 1. The agricultur.il college of T'tali is her(>by authorized and required to lioid meetings, institutes, one or two week scliools, exhi])itions, and demon- strations for tlie instruction of tlie citizens of Ulali in tlie various brandies of agriculture and domestic science. At least one meeting, institute, or school shall LBull. 1241] be held in each county each year, at such time and place and under such regu- lations as the agricultural college may direct. Sec. 2. The agricultural college may employ such agents as may be deemed necessary to assist the faculty in carrying out the provisions of this act; and the course of instruction at the meetings, institutes and Fchools herein provided for shall present the results of the most recent investigations in theoretical and practical agriculture and domestic science, especially as adapted to Utah con- ditions. Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of those conducting institutes in any county or precinct in this State, under the provisions of this act, to encourage and assist in the organization of local agricultural societies, and to encourage legitimate in- dustrial enterprises. Sec. 4. At the close of each year's institute work, the agricultural college shall cause to be published in book or pamphlet form, for free distribution to the farmers of the State, an annual report of the institute work, which report shall contain the leading papers and discussions presented at the institute meetings of the State. Sec. 5. For the purposes mentioned in this act, the agricultural college may use such sum as is deemed proper, not exceeding the sum of ten thousand dol- lars in any one year, and such amount is hereby annually appropriated for that purpose out of any moneys in the State treasury not otherwise appropriated. Sec. G. Sections 2095, 2096, 2097, and 2098, Compiled Laws of Utah, 1907, are hereby repealed. Approved, February 26, 1909. VERMONT. Number 11. AN ACT Abolishing the board of agriculture and creating a board of agriculture and forestry. It is lierehy enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: Section 1. The State board of agriculture and forestry is hereby created, consisting of the governor, the director of the Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station, and two citizens of the State, known to be interested in the advance- ment of agriculture and forestry, who shall be appointed by the governor. The term of office of such appointees shall, except as herein otherwise pro- vided, be four years, beginning on the first day of December, nineteen hundred and eight. The first appointments under this act shall be made on or before January first, nineteen hundred and nine, and shall be one for the term of four years and one for the term of two years. Appointments to fill vacancies shall be for the unexpired term, and succeeding appointments for full terms shall be for four years. Each appointee shall continue in office until his suc- cessor is appointed. The members of the board shall receive no compensation for services, but shall be paid their actual necessary expenses incurred in the performance of the services required of them by law. Sec. 2. The board shall appoint, to hold office during its pleasure, a State forester, who shall be a professionally trained forester. His compensation shall be fixed by the board and shall not exceed two thousand five hundred dollars annually, and actual necessary expenses incurred in the performance of his official duties. He shall, under the general supervision of the board, have direction of all forest interests and all matters pertaining to forestry in the State. He shall be, ex officio. State fire warden. Pie shall, by complaint to the proper prosecuting officer, cause the prosecution of all persons violating any provisions of the penal laws of the State relating to forests and forest fires, [Bull. 241] 40 and shall cause suits to be instituted by the attorney general in behalf of the State against all persons trespassing upon or injuring any State forest property. He shall manage the State forest reserves. He shall collect data and make expert studies relative to State forest conditions, and conduct experimental investigations pertinent to forestry, which, subject to the approval of the board, may be made in cooperation with the Vermont Agricultural Experinient Station and with the United States Forest Service: Provided, however. That said ex- periment station hear its proportional share of the total expense involved in such studies and investigations. He shall be ex officio forester in charge of the nursery for forest seedlings. He shall make a full report of his work and the matters in his charge biennially to the general assembly. He may, so far as his other duties permit, prepare bulletins, deliver addresses, lectures, and demonstrations in forestry and personally advise owners of forest lands in this State relative to the management of the same: Provided, however. That all necessary expenses incident thereto are met by those requesting such services. Sec. 3. The governor is hereby authorized, upon recommendation of the board, to accept gifts of land to the State, the same to be held, protected, and adminis- tered as a State forest reserve. The board may in its discretion purchase lands in the name of the State to be held as State forest reserves. All proceeds from the sales of timber or other products from said lands shall be paid to the State treasurer, and be used at the discretion of the board in the furtherance of the forestry interests of the State. All lands held as State forest reserves shall be appraised and set to the State in the grand list of the town where located, and the State shall pay taxes thereon. At each quadrennial appraisal of real estate the State forester shall be notified by the listers of the appraisal of all lands in the State forest reserve. The State forester may appeal from such appraisal to the county court, which shall, in open court or by commission, hear the State forester and local representatives of the town, and by its order fix the appraisal of such lands, which appraisal shall be certified by the clerk of the county court to the towTi clerk and shall stand as the appraisal for the quad- rennial period. Such appeal shall be taken to the term of the county court of the county where the lands are situate next following the filing of the appraisal of the listers, and notice thereof shall be given to one of the selectmen of the town by the State forester at least twelve days before the sitting of the court. Sec. 4. The State forester may, at the discretion of the board, use such pro- portion of the sum hereinafter appropriated as seems reasonable for the further development of the nursery for forest seedlings, and for the purpose of sui»ply- ing such seedlings for the planting of State forest reserves and of private lands, as provided in section three hundred and sixty-five of the public statutes. Sec. 5. All the authority and duties now devolving upon the forestry com- missioner shall hereafter devolve upon and be exercised by the State forester, and the words " State forester " are hereby substituted for the words '* forestiy connnissioner " or " commissioner " wherever they appear in chapter twenty- four of the public statutes. The State forester may, in his disci'etion, exercise all the authority of the fire warden in any town or gore in the State, and may do each and every act which the fire warden for such town or gore might do under the provisions of chai>ter twenty-four of the public statutes, and every person and town shall be governed and bound by his acts as if the same were performed by the fire warden. But the foregoing provision shall not affect the antliority of tlie local fire warden. Skc. 7. Said couiniissioner shall promote agricultural interests and education throughout the Stiite by means of institutes, farmers' meetings, lectures, essays, bulletins, croit reiiorts, nature leaflets, and such other means as he may deem IBull. L'41] 41 advisable, and may employ special assistants, lecturers, essayists, and experts in conducting meetingis, in the preparation of bulletins and crop reports, and in the proper discharge of his duties. The educational work herein provided shall include, among other topics, forestry, tree planting, roads and road making Lectures and essays shall be given and institutes and meetings held at such places and times as to the commissioner shall seem advisable. The commis- sioner may, in his discretion and at the expense of the State, attend conven- tions, meetings, or institutes relating to agriculture held in other States or countries, the annual expenditure therefor not to exceed one hundred dollars. Sec. 8. Said commissioner may use such means as in his judgment are neces- sary to exterminate or prevent the introduction of the San Jose scale, the gipsy moth, the brown-tail moth, and any other threatening and unusual insect pest found to be injuring vegetable growth. The auditor of accounts shall, upon the requisition of said commissioner, approved by the governor, draw all orders necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. Sec. 9. Said commissioner sliall annually, on or before the first day of October, prepare a detailed report of his work, together with such suggestions in regard to the duties of his oflBce and the advancement of the agricultural interests of the State as may seem pertinent. He may include and publish in such annual reports such addresses, lectures, and essays delivered under the provisions of this act as he may deem advisable, and may reprint therein bulletins, crop reports, and leaflets. He may, in his discretion, include in such annual report an abstract of the pi'oceedings of such agricultural clubs or other organizations or institutions for the furtherance of agricultural education and interests as to him shall seem advisable. There shall be published with such annual report the report of the State forester, of the annual meetings of the State horticultural society, of the Vermont Dairymen's Association, of the Maple Sugar Makers' Association, and of the State fair commission. Sec. 10. Said commissioner may collect authentic statistical information, as full as practicable, relating to agriculture and agricultural products, farms and farm property, unoccupied farms and waste lands, and such information, under a separate head, may form a part of his annual report. He may also, with the approval of the governor, publish information in separate form, showing by description and illustration the resources and attractions of Vermont and the advantages the State offers to capitalists, tourists, summer visitors, and farm- ers, and shall distribute and advertise the same in such manner as in his judg- ment will be most effective in developing the resources and advertising the advantages of the State. ******* Sec. 12. Sections 283, 330, 331, 332, 333, and 6165 of the public statutes and all acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this act are hereby repealed. Sec. 13. This act shall tal^e effect from its passage. Approved, December 18, 1908. Number 16. AN ACT To amend sections six and eleven of number eleven of the acts of 1908, en- titled "An act to abolish the board of agriculture and creating a board of agriculture and forestry." It is hereby enceted hy the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: Section 1. Section six of number eleven of the acts of nineteen hundred and eight is hereby amended so as to read as follows : " Sec 6. The governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall ap- point a commissioner of agriculture, who shall hold office during the pleasure of the governor. Said board shall fix the salary of said commissioner, who [Bull. 241] 42 shall receive his necessary clerk hire and expenses incurred in the discharge of the duties of his office." Sec. 2. Section eleven, as amended, of said last-nanietl act, is hereby amended so as to read as follows: " Sec. 11. The sum of ten thousand dollars is hereby appropriated to carry out the provisions of this act between December first, nineteen hundred and ten, and June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and eleven ; and thereafter for like purposes the sum of twenty thousand dollars is hereby anually appropriated. The said board shall apportion the aforesaid appropriations between agri- culture and forestry as in its judgment shall best subserve the interest of the State." Sec 3. This act shall take effect December first, nineteen hundred and ten. Approved November 11, 1910. VIRGINIA. Chapter 351. AN ACT To constitute a united agricultural board to coordinate the Virginia College of Agriculture and Polytechnic Institute and the Virginia Agriculture Experiment Sta- tion, the commissioner and State board of agriculture, and the State board of educa- tion, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture for the better- ment of agricultural, experimental, and demonstration work, and generally to advance the agricultural interest of this State, and to authorize boards of supervisors to appro- priate county funds for experimental and demonstration work in their respective counties. Whereas experiments heretofore conducted have demonstrated that in order successfully to encourage the adoption of improved methods of agriculture in Virginia, applicable to every section, crop, and interest, it is necessary that experiment stations shall be located in the different agricultural districts of the State, which should ascertain by careful scientific experiments the best methods of crop rotation, fertilizing, culture, control of insect pests, and diseases, et cetera, of the crops most commonly grown, or which may be profitably grown in the respective districts, and that the facts so ascertained shall be carried by the teacher, institute lecturer, and demonstrator to the people ; and Whereas it is necessary to the fullest success of this plan that the said Virginia College of Agriculture and Polytechnic Institute, and the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station, the commissioner and State board of agri- culture, and the State board of education should unite their agencies in har- monious and determined efforts to advance by the methods above set forth, and in every other legitimate and practical way, the great agricultural interests of the State; and in order to coordinate harmoniously the eft'orts of these various State agencies in hearty cooperation with the United States Department of Agri- culture which lias been so successfully conducting its operations along these lines in Virginia : Therefore, 1. Be it enacted hy the General Assembly of Virginia, That a board to be known as the united agricultural board be, and the same is hereby, established, to be composed of the governor; the State superintendent of public instruction, representing the State board of education; the commissioner of agriculture; and two members of the State board of agriculture, to be selected by that board; the jtresident of the A'irginia College of Agriculture and Polytechnic institute; the director of the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station; and one member of the board of visitors of those institutions, to be selected by the said board; the supervisor of the district experiment stations; the general director of demonstration work of the United States Department of Agricul- ture; and the Virginia director of demonstration work of the United States I Run. 2411 43 Department of Agriculture. The members of said board shall hold office during the term of incumbency of the several offices which render them ex officio members of this board, except that the State board of agriculture and the board of visitors of the Virginia College of Agriculture and Polytechnic Insti- tute and Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station shall have iwwer to elect a successor to its members of the board for two-year periods, beginning March first, nineteen hundred and ten, or in the interim whenever its member of the board is incapacitated from serving on said board by death, resignation, or otherwise. It is further provided, also, that the officials of the United States Department of Agriculture, herein designated as members of the board, shall continue in office so long as that department cooperates in the work for which the united agricultural board is established. The officers of the board shall be the governor as chairman, and a secretary, to be elected by the board. 2. The members of the united agricultural board shall not be entitled to any compensation, but the Virginia members shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary traveling expenses and hotel bills while engaged in the discharge of their duties, to be paid out of the funds hereinafter mentioned, allptted respectively to the State agencies entitled to membership on the board. 3. The united agricultural board shall, under such rules and regulations as it may prescribe, assign to the Virginia College of Agriculture and Poly- technic Institute the adult demonstration work and movable schools and other like agencies when established ; to the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Sta- tion, under like rules and regulations, the establishment and direction of the local or district experiment stations; to the State board of education, under like rules and regulations, the experimental and demonstration work in connec- tion with the public schools of the State; and to the commissioner and State board of agriculture, under like rules and regulations, the direction and manageinent of the farmers' institutes to be held in the different sections of this State; and the said united agricultural board may adopt such other methods and agencies, not herein specifically enumerated, as shall teiad to further the interests of agriculture, and assign to the various agencies i^epresented on the united board such duties as may seem best. 4. For the purpose of carrying this bill into effect, in addition to the money allotted by the United States Department of Agriculture and the general education board, acting through the United States general director of demon- stration work, and from other sources, the State board of education is hereby directed to appropriate and set apart out of the common school fund the sum of five thousand dollars annually ; the sum of five thousand dollars shall be paid annually to the commissioner of agriculture ; the sum of five thousand dollars shall be paid annually to the Virginia College of Agriculture and Polytechnic Institute ; the sum of five thousand dollars shall be paid annually to the Vir- ginia Agricultural Experiment Station, out of any fund in the treasury of the State not otherwise appropriated ; said several sums of money to be paid by warrants authorized by the united agricultural board, signed by its secretary and countersigned by the chairman ; provided, that all moneys appropriated under this act shall be used for the purposes of this act. But nothing in this act shall apply to any funds except those mentioned in this act. And the moneys allotted to the commissioner of agriculture shall be used for farmers' institutes ; the moneys allotted to the Virginia College of Agriculture and Polytechnic Institute shall be used for adult demonstration work, movable schools, et cetera ; and the money allotted to the Virginia Agriculiural Ex- periment Station shall be used for experimental work at the local or district experiment station, established or to be established, and for no other pur- [Bull. 241] 44 pose; and the money appropriated by the State board of education shall be used for experiments and demonstration in connection with the schools of the State. An itemized statement, with all vouchers, shall be reported to the governor, and included in his annual report. 5. If it shall appear to the board that any of the work required by this act, or which shall be prescribed by the board, is not being faithfully and efficiently performed by the agency to which it is assigned, the board shall at once inquire into the matter and has the power to take action assigning said work to some other agency, or in any other way that may seem best for the faithful and efficient i^erformance of said work. The moneys provided and appropriated under this act shall not be available prior to the twenty-eighth day of February, nineteen hundred and eleven. 6. The board may determine its own by-laws and rules of procedure, except that a meeting may be called at any time by the chairman on ten days' notice, and the secretary shall issue calls for a meeting of the members of the board, giving ten days' notice, upon request in writing of not less than five members, and it shall require a majority vote of the entire membership to pass any question or resolution coming before it. In case of a tie vote the governor shall be entitled to cast an additional deciding vote. 7. The boards of supervisors of the several counties of the State are hereby authorized and empowered to appropriate out of county funds for experimental and demonstration work in their respective counties such sums as the said boards shall deem proper, not to exceed twenty dollars for each one thousand inhabitants. 8. But nothing in this act shall apply to the Virginia Truck Experiment Station. Approved, March 17, 1910. WASHINGTON. Section 192 of the session law of 1897 of the State of Washington, in defining the objects and purposes of the Washington Agricultural College and School of Science, declares that " one of the objects of said college shall be to hold fanners' institutes at such times and places and under such regulations as the board of regents may determine." The Legislature of the State of Washington in 1909 appropriated $17,500 to the State college of Washington for two years ending June 30, 1911, for extension work in agriculture. WEST VIRGINIA. The law under which farmers" institutes are held in West Virginia is that which established the State board of agi'iculture and pre- scribes its duties. The parts of the act relating to farmers' institutes are sections 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, which are as follows: Sec. 5. It shall be the duty of said board to look after and devise means of advancing the agricultural interests of the State: to promote and encourage as far as practicable the holding of farmers' institutes, the organization of agricultural and horticultural societies and other associations in the interest of agriculture in the several counties of the State. It shall have charge of the preparation of manuscript, the printing, publishing. and distribution, by mail and otherwise, of such documents and reading matter I null. 1241] 45 as they may deem best for the agricultural interests of the State. And said board shall include in its publication the methods of farming in use, the variety of stock and crops grown, the special capacities and aptitude of the soils to the various products of the latitude and climate, the needs of the farmers, and such other matters as w^ill convey a proper idea of the agricultural resources of the State to practical men. They shall have authority to request of any State official, or any official in any county, city, or town, any and all statistical and other information the board may desire. It is hereby made the duty of all State and county officers to assist in every way possible, and cooperate with the board, upon their request, to the end that the welfare and interest of agriculture may be promoted. It shall hold farmers' institutes for the instruction of the farmers of the State in the various branches of agriculture. Such institutes shall be held at such times and places, in each year, as said board may direct. The said board shall make such orders and regulations as it may deem proper for organizing and conducting such institutes, and may employ an agent or agents to perform such work in connection therewith as they may deem best. The course of instruction of such institutes shall be so arranged as to present to those in attendance the results of the most recent investigations in theoretical and practical farming. Sec. 6. It shall be the duty of the secretary to attend all meetings of the board, keep a careful record of all their proceedings, in proper books, provided by the board, and keep on file all papers relating to the office. To issue, under direction of the board, a monthly, a bimonthly, or quarterly publication, containing crop reports, agricultural statistics, and such other matter as the board may determine. He shall, before the assembling of each regular session of the legislature, compile a report giving a general review of agriculture, horticulture, and industrial resources of the State, with brief notices of each county, and the character of the public roads in the several counties, and how and by whom operated and kept in repair ; the character of labor gen- erally employed in the cultivation of the soil, and the prices paid therefor, and a report of the various institutes held during each year, and such other informa- tion as he is required to gather ; and he shall have a sufficient number printed for the use of the legislature and for general distribution, and perform such other duties as the board may prescribe. Sec. 7. The board shall report all its proceedings biennially to the governor, showing in detail the manner of its execution of the provisions of this act, which, together with the publication and report named in section six, and such inci- dental printing as may be necessary shall be printed by the public printer and paid for same as other public printing. Sec. 8. The secretary shall have a permanent office at the capitol, under the control and supervision of the board, which shall be supplied and maintained at the expense of the State. Sec. 9. A sum not exceeding three thousand dollars is hereby annually appro- priated out of any funds in the treasury not otherwise appropriated for the support and maintenance of the board, including per diem of members, salary of secretary, necessary expenses of the board and secretary while attending meetings, and all other incidental expenses connected with and growing out of this department of the State government, which shall be paid on the order of the board, signed by the president and secretary. "^^Hiile the law specifies that $3,000 be appropriated for the de- partment, the appropriation bill which is passed at each regular ses- sion of the legislature provides the funds for the work of the board [Bull. 241] 46 and takes precedence over all former bills. The annual appropriation at present is $15,000, including the salaries, of which from $8,000 to $10,000 is set aside for institute work each year. WISCONSIN. Wisconsin Farmers' Institute Law. Chapter 318, Laws of 1907. AN ACT To amend section 1494b of the statutes of 1898, relating to farmers' institutes. The people of the State of Wisconsin, represented in senate arid assemhhj, do enact as foUoics: Section 1. Section 1494b, statutes of eighteen hundred and ninety-eight, is amended as follows : Section 1494b. The board of regents of the State university * * * shall hold at such time and places as they * * * may determine institutes for the instruction of the citizens of this State in the various branches of agriculture ; the instruction given thereat shall be such as to present the results of the most recent investigations and experiments in theoretical and practical agriculture. They may make such rules and regulations as may be deemed proper for organ- izing and conducting such institutes and may employ an agent or agents to per- form such work in connection therewith as they may direct. There shall not be used in any one year more than * * * twenty thousand dollars in pay- ing the expense of, and such as are incident to, such institutes, which sum shall be payable from the general fund. Sec. 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and publication. Approved, June 31, 1907. WYOMING. Chapter 77. House Bill No. 113, Farmers' Institutes. AN ACT Autliorlzing the board of county commissioners of the several counties in the State to appropriate one hundred dollars per annum to defray the expense of holding farmers' institutes, under the supervision and with the cooperation of the L'niversity of Wyoming. Be it enacted hy the Legislature of the State of Wyoming: Section 1. That the board of county commissioners of any county in Wyo- ming is hereby authorized, when they deem the same for the best interests of their county, to defray the local expense of holding a farmers' institute, under the supervision and with the cooperation of the University of Wyoming. Sec 2. No money shall be paid out of such appropriation for the services of any officers or local committees, in connection with any farmers" institute, or to any person or persons under pay l)y the University of Wyoming. Sec. 3. Before any farmers' institute can take advantage of this ai)propria- tiou, it shall be duly organized with a president, a secretary-treasurer, an execu- tive board, consisting of not less than three members, and a signed membership of not less than thirty actual farmers ; and no money shall be paid for the ex- pense of any institute not held in cooperation with the said University of Wyoming. Sec. 4. The money paid out under this act shall be mion warrants of the county authorizing the pnyment : such warrants to bo drawn in favor of tlie treasurer of the institute, and upon a certificate of such local exi)ense, which may include such expense as hall rent, advertising, hotel i)ills of speakei'S, and the expense of procuring speakers from a distance, who are not on the regular [Bull. 241] 47 university institute staff ; and such certificate to be signed and sworn to by said treasurer in tlie ordinary form of accounts against counties. Sec. 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage. Approved, February 20, 1907. FEDERAL LEGISLATION. Direct Federal aid to farmers' institutes began with the act making- appropriations for the Department of Agriculture for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1904, which provided " that five thousand dollars [of the sum appropriated for the Office of Experiment Stations] shall be used by the Secretary of Agriculture to investigate and report upon the organization and progress of farmers' institutes in the sev- eral States and Territories and upon similar organizations in foreign countries, with special suggestions of plans and methods for making such organizations more effective for the dissemination of the results of. the work of the Department of Agriculture and the agricultural experiment stations and of improved methods of agi'icultural prac- tice." Similar provisions have been continued in subsequent appro- priation acts. The appropriation act for the Department of Agriculture for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1912, contains the following clause pro- viding for aid to farmers' institutes and agricultural schools : To enable the Secretary of Agriculture to investigate and report upon the organization and progress of farmers' institutes and agricultural schools in the several States and Territories, and upon similar organizations in foreign countries, with si)ecial suggestions of plans and methods for making such organizations more effective for the dissemination of the results of the work of the Department of Agriculture and the agricultural experiment stations, and of improved methods of agricultural practice * * * $10,000. [Bull. 241] o - ^ V