The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-01-19
RANDLETT ON
EXTENSION WORK

The first speaker this afternoon was
Prof. G. w, Randiett Of the agricultural
college. who had been in charge of
the corn show which was held this
week at the ]. /. Case building. Pro-
lessor Randlett Said:
College extension strives to teach the
lessons of soil fertility and plant food,
the Importance OF conservation Of
these, the advisability of crop rota-
ton, Of well bred strains of farm crop
seeds, the profits coming from all
graded or pure bred livestock, the
benefits ACQUIRING from the growth OF
leguminous crops, approved methods
of cultivation. the use Of the siio, the
profits Of dairying. 1t aims to show
methods of building, construction, ar
rangement of farmsteads with wind
breaks, ornamental planting, etc. Nor
does extension stop with agriculture
alone. 1t contemplates going into the
household with suggestions on house
hold management, the preparation Of
foods and clothing, sanitation, etc.
Thus an attempt is made to teach not
all but a few Of the most important
facts in agriculture and household at
fairs. These, 1t hopes to teach in part
for the direct practical benefit re-
sulting; in large part for the attitude
such teaching lends to the honely,
every day affairs OF life, The boy or
girl, especially, who learns why things
are done and at the same time learns
to do the same things and to do them
we'll has aroused within him a live-
lier interest and experiences q keen
sense of satisfaction in his knowledge
and his ability. Thus the despised
slavery Of farm labor is changed to
an interesting study. the drudgery Of
house work to ~pleasuraDle employment
and labor is dignified. country life
beautified.
What Are the Methods.
Short course or extension schools arr
being conducted by extension depart
ments in the various states. In SONS
cases these are conducted for a periot
of three days only; in other instances
and notably that Of Iowa, the schoo
is in session for a period Of five days
Experiences in North Dakota seem tt
indicate that ten days is the prop
ar length Of time for this enterprise
Iu6SG SCndOtS 0AuSl AAUih tAC A1AAAn
ers institute in that a more compre'
hensive discussion can be undertaken
in the greater time. The underlyini
principles involving a problem in ag'
riculture may be studied. For in
stance a knowledge Of how a wee'
feeds and how it reproduces aids "
In determining methods of elimination
or control.
aAs the twig Is bent so the tire
ID inclined ia an old and true say
ing. IL the boys are taught to be goo
farmers the men will be good farm
ers. with this thought I'M mind tn
North Dalsuta corn contests were or
ganized. But few responded at frs
The fall of 1906 brought but one sue
cessful contest CO b close. This wa
lit Hallspnrp sih Trail county. Wit
encit succeeding year the contests gres
in interest and popularity. The yea
1910 found 5000 boys and gjrls en-
gagged Ia the industrial contests 70
py this time corn growing had SIX
banded into potato growing. fruit can
ming. break making, sewing, etc III
climax was reached in 1914 when 81,
2g3 pupils of the public schools too
mart Iii this contest work. 70 th
case of corn the seed is furnished y
the aKrial1ltnral college. while specl
fc prjnted directions are given for g
contests. The county superintendent
M& ENAt.