The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1910-11-10
TO EDUCATE farmers
WORK IN AGRICULTURAL EpUcA
TON is MAKING RAPID
~ "
PROGRESS.
SCHOOLS OF AGRICULTURE
Farmers Institute Specialist Discusses
Needs and Tells of Accomplish
ments in Recent Years.

Washington. Progress in agricultu-
raj education throughout the whole
country is making rapid strides, ac-
cording to John Hamilton, farmers in
stitute specialist in the Department of
Agriculture
Mr.. Hamilton has given many years
thoughtful study to the subject of ag-
ricultural education, and is, therefore,
well posted ON all questions. apper-
tanning to it. Discussing some of the
needs along this line as well as some
of the accomplishments in recent
years, he said: There are many prob
lens connected with the extension
movement of education in agriculture
the utilization of existing organiza-
tons, such as the Oranges, boards of
agriculture, horticulture and forestry
aid similar societies. Perhaps the first
and most pressing need in the direc-
ton of extensive education is the sys-
tematizing of it's methods; that is,
general agreement upon courses Of
study and methods of procedure that
shall be adopted as a basis of effort,
There is needed well defined, clear
cut course of study and practice which
will not only convey agricultural in
formation and skilled acquaintance
with methods of practice to farmers,
but which will also provide at the
same time proper mental culture and
development. There is needed, too,
more than all else, a well organized
system of getting this information to
country people, and for imparting in
an effective and attractive manner
"The way is now clear, so far as
public appreciation of agricultural ed
ucation and the. amount and quality of
educational material available are con-
cerned, for the Introduction of schools
of agriculture, both movable and fixed,
into every rural settlement in the
United States. Such schools, operat-
ed in connection with force of agri-
cultural experts who visit country
communities and give advice on the
ground, will put farmers in touch with
the most scientific truths relating to
their profession as rapidly as they
are discovered, and will also aid great
ly in securing the Introduction OF i'm
proved methods into the everyday
practice of the great body OF agricul-
turaI people. The forming of classes
in agriculture, in the normal schools
for teachers, and in the upper grades
of high schools, is also direction
which extension departments may find
field almost entirely unoccupied and
full of possibilities Of lasting good in
elevating country life.
Twenty-six states, California, Colo
RADIO, Illinois, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas,
Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mis-
sissippi, Missouri, Montana, New York,
North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South
Carolina, South Dakota, Washington,
West Virginia and Wisconsin, have
well organized departments equipped
for extension work in addition to $751;
$4,000 year has been appropriated
for extension work in, addition to $751;
600 for farmers institutes; in Colo
RADIO, $4,000; Georgia, $4,000; India
ma, $4,000; Iowa, $4,000; Kansas.
$4,000; Massachusetts,, $500; New
York, $4,000; Ohio, $4,000; Washing
ton $3.50; West Virginia, $4,000, and
Wisconsin, $4,000.
ut is now realized that the dissem-
nation of agricultural information, or,
in other words, extension work in ag-
riculture, is an important feature OF
agricultural education,
"The farmer must be reached with
information adapted to his needs if
agriculture is to improve sufficiently
and rapidly enough to supply the in
creased population through future
years"