266 Bulletin 159. 



to ask any questions respecting the subject. It is not enough to read : one 

 must tliink and ponder upon what he reads. Therefore, an indispensable 

 part of a reading-course is the question and the reply. 



" We want every reader to answer the questions for himself. We are 

 after results ; therefore we are not looking at the handwriting, nor the 

 graniiner, nor the spelling. Write us the questions which are troubling you, 

 and we will do our best to give you a direct, personal and satisfactory 

 answer. The persons who answer these questions are themselves farmers, 

 and appreciate your efforts. 



" This Reading-Course is maintained by the State (the Agricultural Exten- 

 sion or Nixon fund ) and is therefore free. It will be conducted until March. 

 Thereafter, the busy season will compel us to cease. We must therefore 

 take it up with a will. 



" II. HOW TO MANAGE IT. 



" We expect to issue about five Reading- Lessons during the winter. W^e 

 expect that one lesson will be sufficient for one month. .Three lessons will 

 be devoted to the soil. 



"The first Lesson will be sent to all persons who were on our Reading- 

 Course list last winter, and to any others who may apply or whose names 

 are sent us. All those who reply to the questions in this first Lesson will 

 be put on our permanent list. 



" The best way to get the good of these Lessons is for the readers in any 

 community to meet together (perhaps at some one's house) once a month. 

 The Lesson is read by each party at home ; then it is thoroughly discussed 

 at the meeting. We can occasionally send a man or agent to such meet- 

 ings to give instruction ; but the agent will be sent only to those places in 

 which the attendance has been the greatest and the replies to our inquiries 

 have been the fullest. 



" Read the Lessons carefully and critically. Test every statement by 

 your own experience. Some of the statements are framed purposely for 

 the bringing out of discussion. 



" In some communities more advanced instruction or a greater amount of 

 reading may be wanted. Write us, and we shall try to help you by sug- 

 gesting topics and books." 



The first Reading-Lesson of this new series comprises 8 pages 

 and 12 topics, and is headed "The Soil: what it is." The 

 second Lesson is on ' ' Tillage and Under-drainage : reasons 

 why." 



We consider that the Reading-Course is yet in its experi- 

 mental stage : but it is promising. As an experiment we are 

 employing public-spirited farmers in three parts of the State to 

 organize Reading-Centers wnthin a small radius of their homes. 



