LAW GOVERNING FARMERS' INSTITUTE SOCIETIES IN OHIO.
[PASSED APRIL 26, 1890, AND AMENDED APRIL 27, 1896.]
SECTION I. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, that when twenty or more persons, residents of any county in the state, organize themselves into a farmers' institute society, for the purpose of teaching better methods of farming, stock 'raising, fruit culture and all branches of business connected with the industry of agriculture, and adopt a constitution and by-laws agreeable to rules and regulations furnished by the state board of agriculture; and when such society shall have elected proper officers and performed such other .acts as may be required by the rules of the state board of agriculture, such society shall be deemed a body corporate.
SECTION 2. Not to exceed four farmers' institute societies organized under the provisions of this act, shall hold annual meetings under the auspices of the state board of agriculture in any one county in the state, and the state board of agriculture shall have power to determine the number and name the times and places for holding such institute meetings.
SECTION 3. When a society organized under the provisions of this act shall have held an annual farmers' institute meeting in accordance with the rules of the state board of agriculture, the secretary of said board shall issue certificates, one to the president of the farmers' institute society and one to the president of the state board of agriculture, setting forth these facts and, on the presentation of these certificates to the county auditor, he shall each year draw orders on the treasurer of the county as follows: based on the last previous national census, a sum equal to three mills for each inhabitant of the county in favor of the president of the state board of agriculture, and a sum equal to three mills for each inhabitant of the county in favor of the president of the farmers' institute society, where but one society is organized, but in counties where there are more than one farmers' institute society organized under the provisions of this act, and holding meetings under the auspices and by direction of the state board of agriculture, the said three mills for each inhabitant shall be equally apportioned among such societies, and warrants in the proper amounts issued to the respective presidents, and the treasurer of the county shall pay the same from the county fund; provided that in no county shall the total annual sum exceed two hundred and fifty dollars; and provided further, that the payment to any institute society shall not exceed the expense, as per detailed statement, provided in section four of this act.
SECTION
4. With each certificate of the secretary of the state board of agriculture to the county auditor, which certificate shall indicate the number of societies organized in the county and holding meetings by direction of the state board of agriculture, and before the auditor issues his order upon the treasurer, there shall be filed with the auditor a detailed statement of the expenses of the institute for the current year, no part of which shall be for salaries of officers of the institute society; but this provision shall not apply to the order in favor of the president of the state board of agriculture, which board shall, issue statement as required in section six of this act.SECTION 5.
At the annual farmers' institute meetings, held under the provisions of this act and under the auspices of the state board of agriculture, the said board shall furnish lecturers or speakers whose compensation and expenses shall be paid by the board.SECTION 6.
At the close of each season's institute work, the state, board of agriculture shall publish in pamphlet or book form, such lectures and papers delivered at the several institute meetings, as may seem of general interest and importance to the farmers, stock breeders, and horticulturists of the state, copies of which shall be furnished the secretary of each institute society, and the balance issued to be for general distribution; the cost of preparing the matter and the distribution of the pamphlet or book to be paid by the state board of agriculture. Said board shall also publish, in such pamphlet or book, a detailed statement of its receipts under the provisions of this act and the disbursements on account of institute work.SECTION 7.
Said original act, entitled "An act to provide for the, organization and support of farmers' institutes," passed April 26, 1890, is hereby repealed and this act shall take effect and be in force from, and after its passage.