FARMERS' INSTITUTES. The Farmers' Institutes have far outgrown the provisions made in the law of 1889, and to quite as great an extent have shown their value and usefulness to the State In all, there were held last. year under the auspices of the State one hundred and four county institutes, and twenty-three counties held one or more independent institutes, making a total for the year of one hundred and fortynine meetings of this kind. The appropriation for this work, viz., five thousand dollars annually, is not only much less than in most other States of the size and importance of Indiana, but is sadly inadequate for actual needs, since with the utmost economy it is not possible to meet all of the legitimate and necessary expenses of the work. So important has it seemed, however, to maintain the work and to secure its progress that the University has contributed liberally of funds which it could ill afford to spare from its more legitimate work. The institute work has been relieved in this way from all expense for salary of the superintendent, for directors, for office expenses, and for the administration of its funds A low estimate as to the cost of this service, now met by the University, is two thousand to three thousand dollars annually. It is beyond question that these institutes offer something of value to farmers. The programs are varied, the speakers are men and women of standing in their professions; the whole business of the institutes is managed with promptness and accuracy, and the attendance is constantly on the increase, it being reported that in many cases large numbers of would-be attendants have been turned away from the crowded halls. The value of the work is directly educational, quite as much so in principle as that of college extension and probably much more so in fact because it reaches out to many individuals who would otherwise have limited opportunities of this kind. Probably in no other way does the expenditure of so small a sum directly benefit so many people as in the Farmers' Institutes of Indiana. In maintaining this enterprise, the University acts as the agent of the State, and this relation is a legitimate one on account of the educational character of the work. But while the University authorities take a deep interest in this work, in my opinion, it ought not to be a burden upon the University funds which are inadequate for the regular work of the institution. The Farmers' Institute funds ought to be sufficient to provide for more and larger institutes than it is now possible to hold, and for the expense of superintendence and directors which they now can not meet. TREASURER'S REPORT. As Treasurer of Board of Trustees of Purdue University, I hereby submit my report of moneys received during the year ending June 30, 1900: From State of Indiana, interest on State bonds.... $17,000 00 From State of Indiana, July and January installment educa tional tax. ...... 65,933 90 From State of Indiana, Farmers' Institute fund.... 5,000 00 From State of Indiana, balance of $3,500 appropriated for 1899 for repairs... 1,889 97 From miscellaneous sources.. 23,861 88 $113,685 75 Also from United States Government, annual installment 25,000 00 $138,685 75 J. M. FOWLER, Treasurer of Board of Trustees, Purdue University. REPORT OF SECRETARY OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES. As Secretary of the Board of Trustees I beg to submit the following report upon disbursements from the General, Miscellaneous, Endowment, Morrill and Special Repair funds for the year ending June 30, 1900, and on the Farmers' Institute fund for the year ending October 31, 1900: Dr. To balance July 1, 1899, in Miscellaneous and Endowment funds.. To receipts as per statement of Treasurer. Cr. $11,662 42 .... 138,685 75 By disbursements as per itemized statements below $150,348 17 $150,348 17 $150,348 17 EDWARD A. ELLSWORTII, Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Purdue University. Following are the itemized statements of disbursements from each of the funds reported upon: GENERAL FUND FOR YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1900. Dr. Received of State as per report of Treasurer....... $65,933 90 Cr. Salaries of instructors. $24,860 83 Heat, light and water. 6,728 99 Supplies, including chemicals, lumber, iron, etc... 4,982 97 |