The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-01-04
No. 48

had 1900 correspondents and at the
present rate of increase the number
will reach 5000 by the end Of the first
year.
The bulletin sums up results thus far
achieved in the following language:
aside from the many horticultural
Investigations which are still continu-
ing from Prof. Bailey's work, there are
now more than 200 experiments with
fertilizers on various kinds OF crops In
progress throughout the State among
the farming community. Five hundred
experiments in beet culture, with and
without fertilizers, are also being con-
Quoted to learn if possible the localities
In the State best adapted to sugar beet
culture and TO induce the farmers to
investigate this new industry. In
struction is given as to soil, methods of
tlllage and fertilization. at the same
time numerous experiments are being
conducted at the university along lines
similar to those mentioned. The col
lege of agriculture has enrolled under
the head of university extension work
15 900 pupils and IL, 600 teachers of the
public schools, and 1900 young farmers.
The pupils and farmers receive guild
ance by means of printed circulars and
the farmers report progress and difi.
culties upon special blanks which are
furnished. Six instructors are en-
ployed throughout the State i'm con-
Quoting university extension work, and
special teachers are employed from
time to time as occasion requires.
These instructors meet the teachers OF
the public schools in the presence Of
their pupils and at teachers associa-
tions and Institutes for the purpose Of
illustrating methods for teaching ma
ture studies directly or indirectly re-
lated to agriculture. The leaflets fur
nished serve as texts for the subjects
taught.
'The result Of this pushing Of the
education motive into the rural com
munities has been most decided wax
ing up Of the rural communities which,
even it the work were to stop ct the
present time, would continue to exert
an influence for generation and more.
"All this work has been experimental
IAN attempt to discover the best
method of teaching the people in agri.
culture. We believe that the most
efficient means of elevating the ideals
and practice of the rural communities
are as follows, in approximately the
order of fundamental Importance:
81. The establishment of nature
study or object lessons study, COM
bined with field walks and in incidental
instruction in the principles of farm
practice, in the rural schools.
SO. The establishment of correspond
ence instruction in connection with
reading courses, binding together the
university, the rural schools and all
rural literary or social societies.
SO Itinerantor local experiment ard
investigation, made chiefly as object
lessons to farmers and not for the pur-
pose, primarily, Of discovering seien-
tif1c facts.
81 The publication Of reading bulle-
tins which shall inspire quiekened
appreciation of rural life, and which
may be used as texts in rural societies
and in the reading courses and which
shall prepare the way for the reading
of the more extended literature in
books.
SO. The sending out Of special agents
as lecturers or teachers, or as investI-
gators of special local difficulties, or an
itinerant instructors in the normal
schools and before the training classes,
of the teachers Institutes.
Sc The itinerant agricultural schools,
somewhat after the plan Of our horti-
cultural schools, which shall be
equipped with the very best teachers
and which shall be given as stewards to
the most intelligent and energetic COM
muRities.
'sIn conclusion, it must be said that
the farmers, as whole, are willing
and anxious for education. They are
difficult to reach because they have
not been well ught. not because they
are unwilling to learn. It is astonish-
ing, as one thinks of it, how scant and
poor has been the teaching which has
even q remote relation to the tilling Of
the soil, and many of our rural books
seem not to have been born of any real
sympathy with the farmer or any
proper appreciation Of his environ
ments. Justas soon as our educational
methods are adapted to the farmers
j -. - onn horn nf q love Of farm