Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-08-25

culture.
One of the principal means Of ac-
complishing this work is by short
courses held at the agricultural col
Iege. They are attended by a large
number OF farmers. Most of these are
men who could not leave home to take
q longer course. The instruction at
these courses is as simple and practical
as possible. There Is very little study
ing connected with course OF this
kind. 1t consists mainly Of lectures
and laboratory work.
Laboratory work is given in corn
Judging. The farmers learn to distin-
guish between the different varieties,
they learn the points that go to make
a good ear of corn. and they get
great deal of practice in placing ears
and samples in order of merit. The
interest in this work is heightened In
many cases by holding d corn show in
connection with the short course.
Laboratory work is given also in
stock judging. Most of the colleges
have a large number of representative
animals of the principal breeds. These
are supplemented in many cases by
innovations from leading breeders.
Many farmers learn for the first time
Just what q sidebone is and how 1t is
formed. Most of them know a good
horse when they see it, but they learn
at the short course just what points
make him good. They also learn to
discriminate between two horses
which at first sight look equally good.
At some short courses meat demonstra-
AaIl 70 he O
very popular feature. The annual
meat demonstration at the Iowa Ag-
ricultural college, at which Uncle
John Costing. the veteran butcher of
Kansas City, presideS, is famous all
over the middle west The farmers
who are attending short courses go
over the animals in class until they
become thoroughly familiar with them.
Then these same animals are slaugh-
tered. and Uncle John points out the
differences in the cuts of meat. After
such 4 demonstration the student IN
derstands more clearly the difference
between a pure bred steer and one of
the nondeScript kind. The chances are
that he goes home with determine
ton to raise better cattle. One more
step has been taken to relieve the beef
famine.
The women are not neglected at the
short courses. They are given work
in domestic science and home manage
ment- They go back with an ambition
to have more beautiful and more
convenient homes. They also learn
some Of the things they can do to i'm
prove the social life Of the neighbor-
hood, and the inspiration they gain Is
reflected the next year in their home
community.
While the work given in the short
courses cannot be as thorough as that
in the longer courses, the results are
seen more early. The short course stu
dents are nearly all actual farmers or
farmers wives, and the ideas they
learn at the short course are put into
immediate practice on their own farms
and in their own communities.
1t is impossible for any very great
percentage of the farmers to get away
from home for even two weeks, how
ever. The short course at the college
is good as far as it goes, but it is only
a beginning. To extend the work oS
the college short course several states
have inaugurated the plan of putting
on local short courses. The CONNER
cial club of some live country town
joins with the farmers TO provide
place for meetings. Wherever sufd-
Gent interest is shown the college fur
nishes a corps of instructors. These
local short courses usually last but one
week. The work given is much like
that of the college short course. al
though, Of course, there is not as much
equipment to work with. Every stu
dent is obliged to bring ten ears of
corn for class work. Stock is obtain
ed from local breeders The Iowa Agri-
cultural college last winter sent out a
car loaded with some of the best Of
the college stock and corn to short
courses In that state. The local short
courses are very popular and reach
many farmers who cannot get away
from home for more than a few days
at time.
One of the Oldest means for taking
information to the farmers is the
farmers institute. This is exceptional
ly good in that 1t gives a chance for
a great deal Of discussion among farm
ers, which creates interest and brings
out the methods which have proved
most successful. Usually two or three
speakers from the college are present
to talk at these institutes.
The county fair is another rural in
sttution that is a great educator. The
old type Of county fairs, that were lit
tie more than racing meets and places
for gamblers, is almost thing of the
past. The modern county fair has its
full share of amusements, but they are
for the most part clean. good horse
race is enjoyed by every fred blooded
farmer. A baseball game or a balloon
ascension adds to the enthusiasm An
opportunity is given to the farmer and
his family to meet their friends from
all parts of the country. The vii
lage and town people mingle with the
farmers on an equal basis, and all get
better acquainted. Many fair associa-
ti0nS have Dr0yidpd pr0vas vrhoro rin