40 ANNUAL EEPOETS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTTTEE. 



of an agent is a large factor in determining his success. Understand- 

 ing of the real problems of the region, sympathy with the people, 

 ability to meet them on their own ground and to convey practical 

 instruction in a convincing way, studious inclinations and habits, and 

 business ability of a high order are essential. 



County organizations. — As the agent can not deal altogether with 

 individual farmers, the problem of the organization of groups of 

 farm people through which he may work is assuming great impor- 

 tance. Two general types exist. County associations, often called 

 farm bureaus, have been formed. These are expected to take the 

 initiative in securing local financial support for the agent, to join 

 in his selection and appointment, and to stand behind him in his 

 efforts to advance agricultural interests. Many of them include 

 business and professional men as well as farmers. Their complex 

 form has given rise to special problems. It is very apparent that, 

 while the cordial sympathy and support of all classes are very desir- 

 able, the farmers themselves should control and in the end determine 

 the character and functions of the organizations. Another type is 

 the small community club. When a considerable number of these 

 clubs exist in a county they have been confederated to form a county 

 organization. The exact relations of both types to the extension sys- 

 tem have not been fully defined; and they still must be considered as 

 in the experimental stage. 



Work of county agents. — The work of the county agents is highly 

 varied. In the 15 Southern States during the year direct demonstra- 

 tions were made on 105,000 farms and instruction was given to 

 G0,000 boys and 50,000 girls. Approximately 500,000 visits were 

 made. The demonstrations covered practically every phase of south- 

 ern agriculture. Nearly 3,000 silos were built under the direct 

 instruction of the agents and 13,000 pure-bred animals were pur- 

 chased for breeding purposes. Under the direction of specialists, the 

 agents assisted in hog-cholera control by organizing farmers and 

 instructing them as to the administration of serum. In demonstrat- 

 ing the method, they inoculated 118,000 hogs. They also assisted in 

 organizing communities for the prevention of other animal diseases 

 and vaccinated 26,000 head of stock to show how such maladies as 

 blackleg and anthrax might be combated. They aided department 

 employees in tick eradication and were instrumental in securing the 



