Farmers' Institute
an assembly of the farmers held to further their knowledge of agriculture or for their entertainment. The institute is derived from the earlier farmers' meetings which were held under the auspices of local agricultural societies.
When the Morrill Act of 1862, granting Federal aid to State universities, was passed, these meetings were patronized by the State and became distinctively educational in their character. Custom differs in the various States as to the length of the meetings; some are held for only half a day, while other institutes last for several days. Usually they are held in the winter season, so as to afford the farmers full opportunity to attend. The State agricultural college commonly directs the activities of the institutes, and with the help of the local committee prepares their programs.
These usually consist of addresses by specialists on some subject of interest to farmers, and is followed by questions and discussions from the body of the meetings. The United States Department of Agriculture has prepared valuable lantern slides for exhibition at these institutes, showing how to increase procombat plant diseases. Very frequently social features are introduced in the institute programs. It is estimated that more than four million persons a year attend these meetings, and their influence in improving agricultural methods has been incalculable . duction on the farms and how best to