University of Florida - Tower / Seminole Yearbook (Gainesville, FL)

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Session of Farmers Institute ;»t Live Oak. Fla.

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more communities than any other line of Extension work. Information on farm practice, crop production, fertilizers, and other questions of rural interest, based on scientific data, is offered to the farmers in plain discourses. Between July 1. 1012. and February 20. 1013. 367 such discourses were delivered at 175 Farmers' Institute sessions in Florida. In all. 16.375 persons have attended (an average of 05 per session). The variety of the agricultural interests in Florida has made it necessary to carefully plan the Extension work. Co-operation of sentiment between Extension works and the communities must exist. To meet this condition, local Farmers' Institutes have been organized in each of 32 counties. This organization facilitates matters in three important ways: First: It permits of a systematic arrangement so that sufficient time may bo allowed in advance to carefully plan the Institute and to advertise the meetings, thus preventing additional expense and loss of time in travel; and conserving the energies and funds of the Extension Division. Second: It stimulates local interest and encourages organization and self-help in the community centers. Third: It enables the Extension workers to give preference to the wishes and vital needs of the individ- uni communities, and in this may give direct assistance. Because of an increasing demand on the Extension forces and funds, it was not practicable to conduct a Farmers’ Institute train through the State this year. The greater demand for Farmers’ Institutes has made it necessary to emphasize the truly educational phases, and lay less stress on the stimulative features. For the present year $7,500 was appropriated to carry out the Extension work. From this fund is | aid the traveling expenses, salaries of the officer , the clerical help, postage, publications, equipment, and general expenses incident thereto. The Women’s Institute was made possible oi ly in live places, through co-operation with the Home Economics Department of the State College for Women. Quantities of seeds of new and useful plants have been furnished to persons who seemed best prepared to care for them. So far as possible, field instruction to farmers has been given, but this was possible only on a very limited number of farms this year. Movable schools, for which there are constant requests, have been impossible. For the present it seems best to carry out a single project in the complete way. rather than to attempt to cover the entire field and to cover none of it thoroughly and acceptably.

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ALUMNI ASSOCIATION B. K. Colson....................... President N. S. Stoiter Vice-President J. MV. Blanding Seeretary-TreasHrer The Alumni Association of the University of Florida is peculiar—not that its members are at all unusual products of the human family, but it is their relationship that’s striking. Our family is composed, not of full brothers of a common mother, but of half brothers or stepbrothers, or some such relationship that it would engage the attention of a most accomplished family tree artist to determine. But one could not tell any difference. they get along so well together. No, we have not the same mother, but we all have the same grand-father, for b not the great State of Florida the father of all our educational institutions, which were merged into our present Alma Mater? We are all at home in our grand-father's house, and wc are all brothers in the common cause of boasting and building up the great Florida State University, of which every son is so justly proud. The alumni association of any College is the medium through which the fellows keep in touch with the Alma Mater, and the means by which much can be done for the advancement of her interests. The activities of the Association are designed to keep fresh in the minds and hearts of the erstwhile stu- dent those balmy days of his college life, with their hallowed memories . There is much real work to be done by our members, and. withal, this work is far-reaching in its eircct and influence. It therefore behooves every graduate of the University of Florida, and all the graduates of the former State schools, to become and be active members of this body, and add their encouragement and enthusiasm to this grand work. There are many ways in which the Association might distinguish itself, and to justify its existence as an organiation it must do service for the University. There is plenty for all to do. and the graduating class each year should come into the Association in a body. We want the new ideas, the vim and vigor that accompanies the young man with the freshly captured degree. We need you. You will be gladly welcomed as members of the Association, ns full-fledged brothers in the working force for upbuilding the University. In view of our golden opportunities is It too much to hope that, in some not far-distant day, we may have the best Alumni Association, of the grandest University in the most glorious State of the American Union? B. R. C.