Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1911-08-01
SPIRIT OF JEFF ERSON.
EXTENSION SCHOOLS
PURPOSE AND HOW TO SECURE
AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION
SCHOOLS.
Not a Farmers Institute, But School
in the Strict Sense OF
That Word.

Not Farmers Institute, But School
in the Strict Sense of
That Word.
written and prepared expressly for
this paper.
A recent number of the West Vir'
ginia University Bulletin gives an ac-
count of the Agricultural Extension
Schools and Other Agricultural Exten-
sion Work." conducted by the College
of Agriculture. During the present
year six of these schools have been
held, with an average attendance OF
about 40 at each school. The interest
in these schools and the demand for
them has increased to such an extent
that this bulletin has been issued, so
that parties interested may know how
application should be made to secure
a school in their county.
What Is an Agricultural Extension
School?
An Agricultural Extension school is
not a farmers institute. 1t is not a
convention. 1t is school in the
strict sense of that word. 1t is de-
signed to afford an opportunity to the
farmers of a county, young and old.
to study under two or three agricul-
tu-al experts for a week. The schools
usually last for five days, commencing
Monday and ending Friday afternoon.
No books are required, except note
book. A set of the best agricultural
books is sent to each school and loan
ed to the members, who are urged to
secure those most useful to them.
Two or three competent instructors,
mostly members of the faculty of the
College of Agriculture, are sent to
each school, One or two give instruc-
ton in soil fertility and farm crops,
and one discusses animal husbandry,
dairying, or horticulture. In each case
the instructor sent is practical ex
pert in the subject he teaches. In ad
dition to the flculty of the College OF
Agriculture and members of the exper
iment station staff, well-known agri
culturists are employed to give in
struction along lines in which they
have been successful.
The instructors bring with them al
charts, pictures, and apparatus neces
sary for properly illustrating theil
work and making such experiments al
will demonstrate the principles the,
discuss.
Courses Offered.
Three typical programs for exten
sion schools are given. Each of thes'
offers three courses, but lays empha
sis on either animal husbandry, dairy
| ing, or horticulture, although eacl
| gives courses in farm crops and sol
fertility. These programs will be mod
| flied to meet local conditions, but II
the main these programs will be ad
hered to as closely as possible. Tn
| College of Agriculture feels that it !
not feasible to discuss all phases o
agriculture in single week, but tina
| it is best to pay most attention t
| that branch of the subject which is O
] particular local interest. Thus in
district in which fruit growing is tn
leading industry or where interest i
it is being developed, horticulture
school would be held.
/ How To Secure School.
The bulletin gives the rules adop
ed by the board of regents, unde
which these schools are to be hell
and states that applications should b
made as follows:
Applications for schools shall
made on blank form furnished
the College of Agriculture and signe
by not less than twenty-five person
as provided by the rules. The appl
cation should be in the hands of tn
dean of the College of Agricultur
by August Is, as the schedule {
schools that will be held the next Sc
: son will be made as soon after thu
date as possible. Any application
made after August Is will only be co
sidered after the ones previously file
have been disposed of. The universal
is prepared to hold only limited nur
Der of these schools, and reserves Il
right to place the schools where Il
regents may decide they will be mo
beneficial. 1t is desirable, therefor
that applications be filed early, with ;
large number of signers as possibl
We understand that the funds whit
the university has available for hol
= ing these schools makes it necessa
e to limit the number. Therefore, If Il
farmers of this county wish such
school during the coming fall or wi
ter they should communicate with L
College of Agriculture and make app
: cation at once.