EEPORT OF THE SECEETART OF AGEICULTUEE. 39 



funds. In several States where the land-grant institution is not 

 coeducational an arrangement for the conduct of the work in home 

 economics has been made with a college for women. In a few States 

 having separate land-grant colleges for negroes a similar plan for 

 extension work among people of that race has been adopted. 



The institutions have created separate divisions or services and 

 have brought under them all extension work in agriculture and home 

 economics. Some of these divisions are not yet as clear-cut as they 

 should be. In some cases laws or general administrative regu- 

 lations adopted years ago have continued a confusing union of the 

 extension organization with the experiment station. In 36 States a 

 separate officer is in charge of the work, usually with the title of 

 director; in 9, this officer also is head of the experiment station or 

 of the college of agriculture. 



The general lines of the extension system for the whole country 

 have been well marked out. They embrace (1) the county agri- 

 cultural agents, (2) the boys' and girls' clubs, (3) the movable 

 schools, and (4) the supporting work of the college and department 

 specialists. 



The county agent. — Tlie colleges have accepted one of the funda- 

 mental features of the system developed by the department prior 

 to the passage of the extension act. The experience of the last 

 12 years has demonstrated fully the value of the county agent as 

 a means of bringing to the people on their farms and in their 

 homes the results of practical experience and scientific research. 

 There is general agreement that nothing is more important than 

 the establishment in each county of permanent headquarters, in 

 charge of a competent agent, who shall serve as the joint representa- 

 tive of the local community, the agricultural college, and the depart- 

 ment. Through this arrangement the needs of the several cormnuni- 

 ties can best be determined and the help of the State and the Nation 

 most speedily and effectively rendered. A large part of the extension 

 funds derived from all sources. Federal, State, and local, have been 

 devoted to the maintenance and development of the counjty-agent 

 system. There are now more than 1,000 counties which have men as 

 agents, of whom 680 are in 15 Southern States, where there are also 

 355 women employed. On the whole, these agents have been very 

 successful in securing the support and confidence of the people ; and 

 the tangible results of their work are encouraging. The personality 



