EEPORT OF THE SECEETAET OF AGEICULTTJEE. 41 



construction of 2,000 dipping vats. Many creameries and cream 

 routes were established, and instruction was given in the feeding of 

 dairy cattle and the marketing of milk. 



More than 75,000 hillsides were terraced to prevent erosion. On 

 thousands of farms the stumps were removed to permit better culti- 

 vation. Approximately 65,000 acres were drained. Nearly 3,000 

 demonstration home gardens were planted, and farmers were induced 

 to purchase 132,000 improved implements. About 500 communities 

 were organized and engaged cooperatively in some special work, 

 such as breeding of live stock, purchasing and selling, handling of 

 seed, and marketing of crops, and the improvement of farm prac- 

 tices. Many of these not only handled financial matters but also 

 interested themselves in the social, educational, and rural betterment 

 of the neighborhood. 



The women county agents inaugurated work for women. Home 

 conveniences, eradication of flies and mosquitoes, proper preparation 

 of food, care of poultry, and marketing of eggs received attention. 

 Approximately 50,000 homes were visited and given helpful sug- 

 gestions, while 6,000 farm women made special demonstrations in 

 home improvement. 



In the Northern and "Western States, where the work is compara- 

 tively new, the number of agents increased during the year from 

 219 to 350. These agents were instrumental in forming 875 

 local organizations, including farmers' clubs and associations for 

 improvement of crop production, breeding of live stock, cow testing, 

 and purchasing and marketing. They conducted 35,000 demon- 

 strations with crops and live stock. They visited 76,000 farms, ad- 

 dressed meetings attended hj 1,200,000 people, and assisted in de- 

 veloping agricultural instruction in 4,600 schools. About 72,000 

 farmers and their families attended short courses or movable schools. 

 On the advice of agents 600,000 acres of tested corn, 280,000 acres 

 of oats, 17,000 acres of potatoes, and 85,000 acres of alfalfa were 

 planted. Approximately 2,000 registered sires were secured for 

 farmers; 300,000 hogs were vaccinated for cholera; 2,000 farmers 

 were instructed in the mixing of fertilizers, and 11,500 conducted 

 demonstrations in the use of lime ; more than 2,000 were assisted in 

 keeping farm accounts, and, through exchanges organized by the 

 agents, 2,300 were supplied with labor. 



