Graham guardian., 1921-09-23

lit is to make available in practical
form the knowledge of agricul-
tural science as developed by the
State experiment stations, the
i United States Dedartment OF
Agriculture, and the results OF
the best farm practice. he is
expected to show by demonstra
tions In the field, publications,
and otherwise the application OF
such knowledge to LOCAL farm
conditions.
improved Farm Practices
The advantages Of improved
farm practices as demonstrated
on the most successIu, tarms Y
lin the county where the agent ,e
employed are called to the atten-
ton of the farmers in his terri
tory. With those demonstra-
tions before them, individual
! farmers are able to determine
linteIligently the extent to which
they viii apply the lessons OF the
ldemonStratieBs conducted by the
agent.
The county agent is an ofil'
Ger of the State College of Agri-
culture and the United States
Department of Agriculture.
He may also be- employed in
cooperatioion with the county
eoYernment or the county FARM
er's organization contributing to
his support and aiding in his
work. He is mot, however,
expected to act as the business
agent Of the individual farmer or
of groups of farmers in carrying
on commercial transactions. He
| is not in any sense hired man,
operating the farmers own farm
enterprises.
The subject on which the
county agent may give demon
strations or advice are as varied
as the needs of the farm popala-
ton in his county. 1t is his duty
to demonstrate the application of
agricultural science to soil man
agement and building, to the con
troll of plant diseases and insect
pests, to the introduction OF
better varieties of farm crops,
and to Improvement in methods
of feeding, breeding and care of
farm animals. The economic
management of the farm as a
whole TO yield the largest returns,
the study OF systems of marketing
local farm products, advice On
the purchrse of farm supplies,
comparatively and otherwise, are
broader phases of his diversified
work.
Definite Plan of Work
AS a cooperative employee of
the United States Department OF
Agriculture, the State agricult-
ural college and the county, the
county agents first duty is to
inform himself as to how he can
intelligently serve all the people
of this county. He must get gen.
eral idea of conditions, of the
local system of farming, the kind
of people he is to work with, and
a knowledge of soil conditions
He must meet with represent
ative farmers of the county and
with them formulate q definite
plan of work in regard to their
more urgent problems.
AS he must endeavor to reach
as many Of the people as pos
sible, and help them raise the
average standard of farm prac-
tices, there must be a number
of concrete demonstrations well
scattered over the county from
which definite reports of results
can be secured. The county |
agents strength Of leadership is
demonstrated by his ability to
perform his duties without drift
ing into superficial work. to
well balanced program
to distinguish between essentials
and nonessentials under existing
conditions, to get people to help
themselves. and to cooperate
with them in such way as to
secure their assistance and to
assist them in making and carry.
ing out the general program.
While the county agents posi-
ton and duties make him the
leader in agricultural subject He
should have sufficient general
to advise on the lead
ng questions and he should know
)n what specialist to call for help
IN technical or difficult problems
hat may arise.
Those in charge of cooperative
extension work, both in the
United States Department of .
agriculture and the agricultural
colleges, believe that the agents
hould assist the farmers of the |
.ountY with every problem con-
leeted with their.business, from
Al a