Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-09-13

Morning star: Saturn.
many directions, and it is essential
that it be brought to them as quickly
as possible and IN the most acceptable
and easily understood manner. The
oft-repeated suggestion that an agricul-
tural revolution may be brought about
Is one OF the facts now as well demon
strated as mans mastery Of electricity;
but little has ever been done TO put the
knowledge which Is to bring about this
desirable result in an acceptable form
within the reach of those who must
possess II If the end sought is TO be at
tanned. Intelligent consideration calls
for a definition OF what extension
teaching may properly include. Gen
orally speaking. it may be regarded as
a method OF disseminating information
on all topics related to agriculture in
the broadest sense Of the word.
Under systematic instruction may
be included what is known as the ex-
tension school, which undertakes. as
its name shows. 10 carry on definite
! instructions along certain lines into
given community for a period of three
[ days to a month. This is probably one
of the most efficient forms OF exten-
sion teaching which can be Inaugural
ted in any state.
The experimental farm or definite
( soil test area will follow next in i'm
pOrtance. Correspondence courses
would be found helpful The lecture
and reading course VIII also be found
helpful in many communities. In other
Instances study clubs may be formed
and last, but not least, under this di-
vision would be ranked the work of
the boys annd girls clubs.
FARMERS INSTITUTES BEST.
Under the head Of informal teaching
probably the most efficient agency is
the farmers institute. Then would
come the farmers week. generally ar
ranged for at the agricultural college.
Conferences of one kind and another
may be arranged either at the college
or in various local centers. The ocCa-
sioual lecture would come under this
head
is Under object lesson teaching may
be grouped the farm demonstration
work, the special train. the fair ex-
hibit, the educational excursion. and
publications These should include the
press bulletins sent out weekly or
monthly, the leaflet or agricultural per
iodiCal. series OF popular bulletins. and
travelling agricultural libraries.
The work must be carefully organ
lied and efficiently manned where eff
fective service is contemplated. The
men chosen for this line of work must
be experts In fact and reality. In the
administration of the work it will he
a director Of the extension service
with staff OF men and clerks under
his control. This constitutes the nuc-
leus for the organization and direction
OF the work. The experts needed in
agronomy, horticulture, animal hus-
bandry, agricultural chemistry. etc,
will be delegated from the members of
the specialized staffs of these depart
ments by the heads OF the same on re.
quest Of the extension director.
AGENCIES SHOULD JOIN.
In organizing extension work with
in the confines OF any state, the col
lege should, OF course, undertake TO es-
tablish satisfactory relationship with
all other agencies at work therein.
These agencies may include the exper-
iment station, the state department of
agriculture. farmers institute organiz.
atious. normal schools, district agri.
cultural schools, and the United States
department Of agriculture A coopera.
tive plan Of work can generally be ar
, rived at which will be satisfactory and
} enable all to work together in. har.
mony and with greater success ehan
b II they endeavored TO operate inde.
pendenuy. The number OF agencies TO
consider and the relationship which
= they shall bear 70 each other, and the
nature and extent Of the work under.
taken by each can only be properly de.
J termined by a knowledge OF the ex
J listing local conditions.
! While the public has not yet realiz.
; ed the al-important nature of exteD.
! sion teaching, SO far as agricultural
= topics are concerned. the work has al
} ready made remarkable progress. Six
years ago practically nothing had been
J done along this line save the organiz
alton Of farmers institutes. Now there
are extension departments in more
r than - states, employing several hun
dred men as specialists.
1T Is now conceded that the agri
; cultural colleges and experiment sta
t tons have had a marvellous influence
on the economic development Of the
= United States. 1t is quite certain thai
the service which these institution.
: have rendered up to the present tim,
: is to be greatly magnifed through III,
Development Of their extension teach
J ing facilities"