44^ AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



development. Clubs are usually found more successful where 

 they are connected with an organization such as the school or 

 grange. 



In several cases, individuals, granges and banks have offered 

 prizes to be competed for by the club members. This has been 

 of great help in stimulating interest in the movement. Prizes 

 have been offered at local, county and state contests for the 

 following : 



Highest Total Score. 



Highest Profit. 



Highest Yield. 



Best Essay. 



Best Exhibit. 



Reduced rates offered by the railroads made it possible for 

 a large number of young people to attend the First Annual State 

 Contest held at Orono, December 21-23, I9i4- Seventy-six 

 boys and girls and ten local leaders were present at this time. 

 The value of this meeting cannot be over estimated. 



Extension Schools: Extension Schools are based on the 

 laboratory method which is outlined in the motto "Learn to do 

 by doing." With very few exceptions these are the first lab- 

 oratory schools ever held in this country but the experience 

 of the last year proved that the "laboratory" plan is much more 

 efficient than others. 



To secure a school it is necessary for the community desiring 

 the same to appoint an executive committee of two or three 

 members. This committee should communicate with the Ex- 

 tension Department to secure application and petition blanks 

 and other desired information. It is required that twenty-five 

 signatures be secured, of people who will agree to support the 

 school by regular attendance and proportionate contribution 

 towards paying the local expenses. 



The local expenses for these schools are never very great. 

 The highest local expense for any school last year was met by 

 an assessment of ten cents per session for each member of the 

 school. 



During the past year four different schools were offered, 

 including the following subjects : Apple Packing, Animal Feed- 

 ing, Orchard Renovation, and Soil Fertility. 



