Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-02-25
FARMERS WEEK
IN FULL SWING
AT UNIVERSITY
Agent Propaganda Furthered by Severd
Addresses T~uesday-Value of Forestn
Pointed Out-Home Economics Section Did
cusses Vegetables and Meat.

The second day of Farmers week was
a busy one. Seven forestry addresses,
five dealing with the county agent propo-
sition for Chittenden county. ten agri-
cultural demonstrations, two lectures and
two demonstrations in home economics,
and two educational moving picture
demonstrations made up a full program.
One hundred and %sixty-four persons
were In attendance exclusive Of college
students and winter short course stud
ents and the members of the local teach
ers' course class. The total registration
seems likely to reach favorable proper
lions.
THE COUNTY AGENT.
The Chittenden county agent propasan.
da was furthered by several addresses.
S. ~. Stimson. the Caledonia county
agent, discussed the Work of a County
Agent" He said that his main efforts
should be to carry on demonstration
work of various kinds. showing the
farmer on his own farm or orchard or
with his own cows or sugar orchard or
crops the best ways OF meeting his prob
lens. These are not always best learned
from college textbooks or the latest bull
letins. but by close observation of the
methods practiced by successful farm
ers.
The county agent is not an encyclo-
pedia, whose pages the farmer can turn
to his liking. because he cannot possibly
answer accurately all the questions. He
is often forced to say II don't know"
To do his best work the agent must
t-icit tha arn,a a. i;, 1,.. 49,. 1-I
study the problems at first hand.
If the agent does not finland know
how to answer all questions. at least ne
Is In a position where he can determine
the answers from reliable sources.
Dean Hills said concerning the coun-
~ agent system as a nationwide move-
ment' that from small beginnings II
was now rapidly covering the country:
that In some southern States wher II
first started almost the entire State
was covered; that New York State was
rapidly being supplied; thai the slogan
In Massachusetts, to-day Is "a county
agent in every Massachusetts county in
1915; that while proportioned to the
number of her counties Vermont was
now better thus served than any other
northern State. there were room for
more; that the principle difficulty now
was finding a sufficient supply Of the
right type of men: that with 5000 u
ties to be supplied and the movement
gaining rapid impetus, the problems at
tendant on ov~er-popularity were press
Ing upon us: that by federal regulation
the direct oversight Of the agents the
country over was vested in the State
colleges of agriculture. In short. Dean
Hills in his address, which was copiously
illustrated with lantern slides, tried to
set forth the vast scope OF this move
ment and Its limitiess possibilities.
Director Bradlee told how the State
university desired to "help C%htttenden
county to help itself" The extension
service now co-operates with eight Yer
mont ~ountie in the employment Of
county agents and may he able to CO.
operate with Chittenden county to do the
same thing; but Chittenden count must
help by supporting a strong county
farmers association which will assume
the responsibility OF securing the neces-
sary local funds to be used in part In
Hnancing this work An advisory coun-
ell made up Of one mar in each town
should be made Responsible for arousins
interest. He should secure membership,
| raise local funds, assist in the selection
Of demonstration plots, bring these to
the attention of the farmers, familiarize
| himself with the work and set forth the
| results.
The extension service can give no help
towards the support of county agent
work In Vermont other thar In the eight
counties now in hand. unless its state
appropriation is continued. In which event
s., 400 will be allotted to two more coun-
| ties, provided there Is raised within the
! county from $500 to $3.50 by taxa
ton. membership fees or subscription
C. w. Browneli. president OF the
C%hittenden County Farmers associa-
ton. briefly outlined the c~onsidera-
| lions which led up to the formation OF
| the association at the meeting of the
Vermont D%airymen's association last
month.
FORESTRY.
The forestry lectures may be briefed
as follows:
Assistant State Forester Chandler
discussed Forestry and Farm Man.
agement." He said that the test Of
good farm management is the total
income produced where the increase In
value OF property is considered part
Of the income, Charging transporta-
ton. new machinery and new market
demands have made the farming Of
certain type Of land Improbable and
will probably demand that certain