Extension Work in Horticulture. 553 



We have therefore recommended, in every one of our schools 

 and meetings, that the farmers procure certain reading matter 

 for study and reflection during the winter time. We have printed 

 circulars of suggestions for these courses of reading, a copy of 

 which is here reprinted: 



SUGGESTIONS FOR 



A COURSE OF READING 



UPON SUBJECTS RELATING TO HORTICULTURE (mORE ESPECIALLY TO 



FRUIT growing). 



(second edition.) 



Most of the reading of farmers is of such a scattered and hap- 

 hazard character, that the reader is unable to obtain any con- 

 secutive or fundamental ideas upon the various subjects. It is 

 suggested that each local farmers' club, grange or horticultural 

 society — or a neighborhood gathering, when other organizations 

 do not exist — take up a prescribed line of reading and thinking 

 for the coming winter. 



The companj' which desires to take up such a course should 

 be thoroughly organized, and each reader should secure and own 

 the various bulletins and books which are to be read. At each 

 meeting a prescribed number of pages is laid out to be read 

 before the next gathering. Upon coming together, the leader 

 asks a member to read the first paragraph of the exercise or 

 lesson, and to give his oj^inion of the same. Discussion is then 

 called for. Each paragraph is treated in similar manner. 



It is obvious that one of the best subjects to select for the first 

 readings is the soil and its management. Three or four meetings 

 could be very profitably spent upon this general topic. From 

 this, it would be well to pass to the fertilizing of the land. 

 After this, various special topics could be taken up, depending 

 upon the interests in the locality. 



The course of reading suggested in this circular is designed for 

 introduction following the Schools of Horticulture which are 

 held in western New York (the Fourth Judicial Department), 

 under the auspices of the Nixon or Experiment Station Exten- 

 sion Bill, which provides funds for disseminating horticultural 

 knowledge in this territory. The circular, therefore, has no sug- 

 gestions for reading in subjects pertaining to general farming 

 and stock farming, although the silo has been mentioned because 

 it may become such a valuable adjunct to the maintaining of 

 the fertility of many horticultural farms. The readings are de- 

 signed to be merely elementary and introductory. The time can- 



