The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-05-26
REACHING OHIO.fARMERS w. '.
is AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE

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Although not heard Of as much out.
side of its own state as some insti.
tutions, the Agricultural Extension
Department OF the College OF Agri-
culture, Ohio State University, is car.
rying the gospel Of agricultural edu.
cation to thousands of Ohio people ev-
cry year. This department was es-
tablished about six years ago with A.
B. Graham at It's head. in quiet and
unassuming way he has built It up and
expanded its work until now II stands
among the foremost in the country In
the immense amount OF work being
done and the number of people
reached.
Perhaps the best way to prove the
above statement is TO give a sum
mary of the different kinds of extern
sion work conducted by the depart
ment during the ten months from July
1, 1910, to May /, 1911. Seventy-nine
agricultural extension schools for men
and Is domestic science schools for
women were held during that period.
The total attendance at these schools
was 1900. instruction in soil fer
tility, farm crops, live stock, dairying,
horticulture, domestic science and
home making was given. Seven agri-
cultural special trains we're run over
Ohio railroads, at which lectures were
given TO 1890 people. These trains
covered various phases of agricultural
education.
Nine instructors gave 50 lectures at
open grange meetings in 36 counties,
the total attendance being 1900 people.
These same instructors visited 125
farms in connection with their lee
lures, giving expert advice on farm
matters. Orchard pruning and spray.
ing demonstrations 20 the number of
125 were given, with an attendance OF
12,50O, making nearly $4,000 people
reached by the schools, special trains
grange lectures, and orchard demon
strations.
| Besides these lines of work, exhibits
were made at IL county fairs, at the
National Corn Show and the State
| Apple Show; 2 Saturday meetings for
teachers teaching agriculture We're
held; 1913 school visits in the interest
of agricultural and domestic art con
tests were made; 103 citizens meet
ings, farmers institutes, commence
ments, etc, special domestic science
meetings of l to days each and
country life conferences were held, a
which no count was kept of the unm
Der reached
About 200 boys corn contests ant
girls sewing and baking contests ar'
being conducted, including about u.
600 boys and girls. Corn was judged
at 80 corn shows. Corn and soil sam
pies were collected from different
parts of the state for testing and an
! alysis; hundreds of plants, insects
etc, were identified.
In addition to the above, 14S county
newspapers were furnished monthly
plate matter on agricultural subjects
10000 copnes of the agricultural col
lege extension bulletin were issue,
each month; six issues Oh the Farm
ers' Reading Course Bulletin, 5000 co
pies each; six issues of the Home
Makers Reading Course Bulletin, 50c'
copies each; supplements on cora
grain drills, poultry, dairying, drain
age, pruning, spraying, ara method!
of teach ng agriculture, $1,000 to 20,
600 copies each were distributed owe
the state.
The services of the Agricultural Fix
tension Department are in great de
mand. Supt A. B. Graham has al
ready received requests for 1911-191:
as follows: 81 applications for agri
cultural extension schools, in e6 differ
ent counties; agricultural trains
lor august, lJll, anu coIlespoHueHc'
for trains at other times; nearly II
newspapers asking for agricultural
matter in plate form; - requests fol
exhibits at county fairs.
A great deal might be said abou
these various lines of work, but it j.
sufficient to state that it is very effec
tive and that the influence of the col
lege of agriculture is being felt ovel
the state of Ohio, through the opera
tions of it's splendidly organized ex
tension department.
r. l.. Wheeler,
Ohio State University, Columbus, o