word-of-mouth expressions of appreciation. A few more institutes were held than during the year preceding, with an average attendance slightly increased; this in spite of the fact that an increased number of the institutes have been held in small hamlets. I would particularly call attention to the detailed report of the women's work. Never has it been so well systematized, or the force been so efficient and well adapted to meet the needs of rural life, and never has this work been received with like favor. No phase of the various lines of the work carried on by my bureau has given greater returns, or promises more for the future. After more than a decade of honest endeavor along this line, the women's home work is now firmly established, and occupies a place in Lo way second to that pertaining to the farm. The system of reports of rural conditions, by the women workers, has given me a detailed knowledge of matters pertaining to rural life in the various parts of the state, as well as the names of local workers, which will enable me to render more efficient service along this line than ever before. As soon as the way is clear I shall install a woman assistant to have charge of the women's work, thus prosecuting it with more intelligence and vigor. Some special work of this sort has already been done, Mrs. Harrington having visited five sections where institutes had been held, continuing and extending the work. The Agricultural College, Experiment Station, secondary schools, Conservation Commission, Syracuse State College of Forestry, with our State Education Department, have given freely of their best in the furtherance of the work. State Entomologist Felt, in cooperation with my bureau, has undertaken a series of experiments in combating the codling moth in Monroe, Orleans and Niagara counties, details of which will be presented a year hence. The close relations between the institutes and farm bureaus have not only been maintained but strengthened. In January last, your predecessor, Hon. Calvin J. Huson, placed the farm bureau work, as it relates to the State Department of Agriculture, in my charge, which has helped to "strengthen the cords and lengthen the bands." As shown under the special divisions of this report, the cow testing work, farm bulletins, State Fair exhibit, individual corres pondence, have all been maintained, and their scope and I am sure their efficiency enlarged. The bureau was represented at the National Dairy Show at Chicago by Mr. D. P. Witter. The National Association of Farmers' Institute Workers at Washington, D. C. was attended by myself, two of my women workers, Mrs. Ida S. Harrington and Mrs. Rose Morgan, and by Professor Tuck of Cornell. The latter three acquitted themselves with great credit to themselves and their state, your Director being chairman of the Executive Committee. The bureau has also had representatives at the New York State Fruit Growers Association meeting, and the New York State Dairy and Breeders meeting, and has assisted with the Farmers' Week programs at Morrisville, Alfred and Canton. I would call special attention to the program and report of the Normal Institute held at Geneva, November 16, 17 and 18, 1914, given more in detail than in my previous reports. The Normal report contains much definite, up-to-date agricultural information, and furnishes the foundation of instruction given by Farmers' Institute workers and farm bureau managers. It is based on the research work of experiment stations and is in harmony with the teachings of our colleges and agricultural schools. The reports of instruction given from year to year in these Normal institutes marks the progress of agricultural thought, and, being thus preserved, should be a valuable contribution to our agricultural literature. Following my usual custom of devoting some space to agricultural information in addition to that given at the Normal Institute, I this year give in full, in Vol. II of this report, the entire program of the Farmers' Day Meeting at Albion, N. Y., as presenting in the lectures and discussions a wealth of information on the fundamentals of agriculture-the soil and its treatment, live stock, farm crops, horticulture and topics related thereto, and poultry; as well as matters pertaining to markets, rural life, and the home. This also typifies the form and character of the matter presented at the institutes. In all the work, I have endeavored as always to avoid the spectacular and revolutionary, and adhere to the principles of evolution. This means gradually eliminating the useless and obsolete and as gradually building in the useful and progressive, thus serving the state by an endeavor to maintain and elevate to the highest, the The accom standards of citizenship as well as of agriculture, appreciating that without the former the latter can never be obtained plishment of this can be brought about only by an appreciation and adherence to the principle laid down by Disraeli "The secret of success is constancy to purpose." Most respectfully submitted, EDWARD VAN ALSTYNE, Director of Farmers' Institutes. NORMAL INSTITUTE Following is program of the Sixteenth Annual Normal Institute, held at the New York Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, November 16, 17 and 18, 1914, with summary of the proceedings: 10:00 A. M. 11:00 A. M. 2:00 P. M. 3:00 P. M. 7:30 P. M. Essentials Relative to Phosphorus and Potash The Latest Concerning Lime - Mr. Collison, Prof. The Year's Experience With Alfalfa, Vetch, Soy Concrete as the Coming Material for Constructing From the Experiment Station -- Dr. Jordan. From the Institute Force - Mr. Witter. From the Institute Force Mrs. Harrington. Summary. With a Word to the Workers Director van Alstyne. Each leader to occupy ten minutes, to be followed by general discussion. TUESDAY 9:00 A. M. Conference of those in charge of meetings. 10:00 A. M. 11:00 A. M. Economy in Milk Production Dr. Jordan, Mr. Hay: Seed, Culture and Fertilization - Prof. 2:00 P. M. 3:00 P. M. 4:00 P. M. 7:30 P. M. Horticultural Teachings- Prof. Wilson, Prof. Combating Insects on Fruit and Farm Crops Diseases of Fruits and Farm Crops Prof. Barrus, Prof. Stewart. The College of Agriculture Dr. Galloway. Developing the Moral and Ethical Side of Farm TUESDAY WOMEN'S CONFERENCE (In Charge of Mrs. Harrington.) General Topic for the day: The Cooperation of the Home With Agencies for Home Betterment. 10:00 A. M. 10:30 A. M. 11:00 A. M. 11:15 A. M. 11:45 A. M. 1:30 P. M. 2:30 P. M. 3:00 P. M. 3:15 P. M. 3:45 P. M. 4:00 P. M. Director's Conference With Women Workers. Nature Study as a Link Between School and Home Discussion. Home Economics in Connection With Farm Bureau Discussion. Round Table: How Can We Use Last Year's Canning Club Work Miss Nye. Home Economics at the College of Agriculture- Discussion. The People's Choral Union in New York: Can Its WEDNESDAY 9:00 A. M. Practical Farm Cooperation - Mr. Cole, Mr. Mitchell. |