Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1912-10-04

has not been appreciated up TO this
timd The word stupenoous is used
adyisedly, for extension teaching as
just defined. proposes TO yonyey def
mite knowledge to the people OF the
whole state. 1t is the one method
which suggests itself as capable Of
enabling the agricultural colleges 90
reach the masses OF farmers more
or less effectively II Is certainly
vital to the interests of the people
and of the Institutions which attempt
to serve them. Surely, 1t is the log
lcal method, for truth must be odis-
covered and established through, the
researches Of our agricultural col 1.
leges and experiment stations before
1t can be disseminated, and the pres
ent demand made upon such institu-
ttions for service by the people. Of
the several states indicates that they
viii of necessity have to undertake
Institutional work Of this character.
This plan contemplates that the
agricultural colleges shall become a
clearing house for all those activities
which are calculated to advance couu
try life. The diversity Of subjects
embraced under the term agriculture
and the various interests TO be sery-
ed suggest at once the organization
!, OF extension work along a number Of
definite lines. Some systematic IN
struction may naturally be underta-
} ken, but much Of the work will be
; of a more or less informal nature.
} Under systematic instruction may be
}. included what is known as the ex.
/, tension school, which undertakes as
its name shows, to carry on definite
3 instructions along certain lines in a
given community for q period Of
' three days to a month. This is prob
e ably one Of the most efficient forms
S of extension teaching which can be
e inaugurated in any state.
s The experimental farm or definite
soil test area will follow next In i'm
n portance. Il should be laid down on {
4 we'll defined type of soil which cover
+ a considerable area of one or more
, counties, and an effort should BE-
:. made to ascertain through physical
o and chemical examination of the soil
It its main defects and how these might
e be supplied most economically to h.
y crease the yields.
n Correspondence courses would be
y found helpful. The instruction in this
v instance is based on outlines or syl.
10 lad furnished those enrolled. The
II lecture and reading course will also
a be found helpful in many communi.
+ ties. In other Instances study clubs
II may be formed, and last but not
IS least under this division should be
5 ranked the work Of the boys and
n girls clubs.
h Under the head Of Informal teach.
e ing may be grouped a great variety
IS Of agencies. or these probably the
IN most efficient Is the farmers iaSti.
p tue, an old. and we'll established or,
T. ganization, which has served as one
e of the main factors for the dissent,
It nation of such agricultural knowledge
e as the farmers have received up to
% this time, Then would come the
IS farmers week, generally arranged
for at the agricultural college. Con,
5. ference of one kind and another may
Is be arranged. either at the college OF
" i'm various local centers. The occa
l. sional lecture would come under this
N head. 2
Ie Under object lesson teaching may
D. be grouped the farm demonstration
d work, the special train, the fair ex
r hibit, and the educational excursion
T. Publications win occupy an important
e place in the extension service, and
It should include the press bulletins
n sent out weekly or monthly, the leaf
e let or agricultural periodical, series
D. Of popular bulletins and travelling ag
ID ricuhural libraries. These Include