FARMERS' DAYS As the table below shows, with the exception of Albion and Schuylerville, the Farmers' Days' meetings did not receive the numerical support which the character of the program and the necessary expense involved in the holding of such meetings would seem to warrant. Unless the Director shall have positive assurance of attendance and interest commensurate with the effort, no attempt will be made to conduct meetings of this character in the future. As always, Albion, in Orleans county, was the banner large meeting of the year. Program with detailed report of addresses and discussions at the Albion meeting are given in Part II of this report. [2184] Owing to lack of funds thirty less special lectures were given than in 1912-13. It was with much regret that request after request for these special lectures had to be refused. Two places where a series of special lectures were held are worthy of special mention, namely, at Rome and at Perryville. The lectures at Rome were given under the direction of Mr. W. G. Searles, Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce. A series of nine lectures were held, one each week, Cornell University supplying a portion of the lecturers. Dates, subjects, etc., are shown under special lectures, page 2188, Oneida county. Perryville, Madison county, had a series of four lectures, under the auspices of Rev. Feder C. Ether, pastor of one of the local churches. In this case the lecturer spoke both in the afternoon and evening. Speakers, subjects, etc., are shown in abovementioned table under Madison county. Two lectures on general farming were delivered by Mr. Jared Van Wagenen, Jr., at the East Side Y. M. C. A., New York City. LECTURES FOR JEWISH FARMERS For the two previous years, as noted in the reports, special meetings have been held among the Jewish farmers, of whom there are an increasing number in our state. Such are in particular need of help. For nearly two thousand years they have had little to do with land, and the inherent love of the soil so prominent in the minds of most other races is largely lacking among the Hebrews. They must be both inspired and instructed. Cooperating with Mr. J. W. Pincus, Secretary of the Federation of Jewish Farmers of America, who selected the places and made arrangements for the meetings, Mr. F. E. Bonsteel held eight meetings in Sullivan and Ulster counties, where there is a large Jewish settlement. Mr. Bonsteel was assisted by Mr. Nathan Cohen, who in many cases acted as an interpreter. Mr. John A. Ennis held a similar meeting at Manlius, Onondaga county. Mr. William Hotaling and Mr. Cohen also visited Jewish settlement near Sand Lake, Rensselaer county, where the former gave practical demonstrations in horticulture. Of necessity, the instruction given to these people must be inspiring and simple, and withal must cover a wide field. From the reports received this work was especially appreciated and unquestionably productive of much good. [2185] |