The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1917-01-26
PROVING ITS MERIT
Agricultural Extension Demonstrat-
ing It's Value in Development
of Farming Business.


improved methods may be brought to
the attention Of the farmer more eff
fectively by personal contact and
demonstration than in any other way,
the coupty agricultural agent work
was begun in the Northern and West
ern States in 1911 by the United
States Department of Agriculture,
the State agricultural colleges, and
county agencies, in cooperation.
Growth of the Work.
During this year only county
agents were operating in the North
ern and Western States, but by July
l, 1916, the number had increased to
419, the work having been taken up
in every one of the Northern and
Western States. While the general
nature of the activities of the agents
is the same throughout the territory,
the provisions under which the States
assist in the work vary considerably.
In some States the cooperation of
organized groups of farmers in the
counties is prerequisite to contribu-
ton of State funds, and in many in
stances these farmers contribute di-
rectly substantial part of the neces-
sary expense money. Even where the
existence Of such organizations is not
required, many have sprung up and
are playing important parts in the
success of the county agent work.
Money for carrying on the county
agent activities is contributed by the
Federal Government through the
United States Department of Agri-
culture and the agricultural extension
act fund, by the States, usually thru
the agricultural colleges; by county
supervisors; by local farmers; and by
public-spirited individuals and or
CARNATIONS in both county and city.
The average total annual budget for
the work Of each county agent is
about $4,000. :,...., ts-....
The County Agents Plan of Work.
The work of the county agents
varies with the needs Of their COM
munities, but in general is addressed
to the Improvement of agricultural
methods, practices, and conditions
wherever possible through demonstra-
tions, talks and publications, and
through calling attention to good
methods already practiced by the
best farmers of the community. The
needs of the county usually are dis
cussed by the agents with State ex-
tension-work leaders, county officials,
and leading farmers, and a project
program adopted. Farmers are then
found who are willing to cooperate
in the demonstration of certain i'm
proved methods and, when results
of the demonstrations are apparent,
field meetings are held in order that
the farmer may see the results and
determine their value. The agent al
so assists the farmers to organize CO.
operative associations; conducts short
courses in agriculture; holds meet
ings, often illustrated by lantern
slides of local agricultural subjects;
writes timely agricultural articles
which are published in the local coun-
ty press; and carries on other similar
activities.
Fitting the Work of Local Needs.
How the activities Of the agents
vary with their environment is shown
by the work with corn. In the far
North and Northwest this work has
been chiefly in securing varieties that
will mature in the short growing sea-
son. In the corn belt principal at
tention has been given to the testing
of seed and the standardization of
varities. In New York and New Eng
land emphasis has been placed on the
growing of more satisfactory silage
varieties.
In Illinois activities have centered
in some sections on the introduction
Of alfalfa, and in one county having
an agent since 1914 there is now
greater acreage of alfalfa than there
was in the whole State in 1914.
Practically throughout the Northwest
the agents have striven to bring
about the more general treatment of
oat sead to prevent smut. In some
counties where demonstrations have
been carried on for three years the
practice has become almost universal
The average increase in yield, due to
the treatment, on all demonstrations
has been 8.8 bushels, and has been
obtained at cost of less than 10
cents.
Improving Lives Stock Operations.
The county agents have been in
strumental in bringing about the in
production of live stock in regions
where grain farming had been ex-
clusively orslargely practiced, and in
| Continued on page eighty