SPECIAL LECTURES 



These have been held as heretofore, as indicated by the table 

 following. It will be noted from the subjects listed that they have 

 covered a wide range of topics. Owing to lack of funds, it has 

 been necessary to ask the people where such lectures have been 

 held to pay the traveling expenses and entertainment of the 

 speaker. Undoubtedly this has reduced the number of such lec- 

 tures. When people are willing to bear a portion of the expense 

 of sending such a lecturer, their real interest and good faith are 

 indicated. Frequently in the past, requests have come for speakers 

 from the Department of AgTiculture because, like salvation, they 

 were free, and therefore made a cheap attraction. ]^ot infre- 

 quently a man has been sent at an expense of perhaps twenty 

 dollars, where the gathering was not such as would warrant his 

 attending. Xo matter how abundant funds may be in the future, 

 the policy of asking the local people to bear a portion of the 

 expense of this special work will be adhered to. It is a rule of life 

 that we appreciate most that which costs us something. 



RURAL LIFE CONFERENCES 



During the past year, on request from several citizens, includ-. 

 ing many who had previously attended similar meetings conducted 

 by this bureau, two rural life conferences were held — the first, 

 August 25, 1915, at Electric Park, Columbia County; the second, 

 June 2, 1916, at West Coxsackie, Greene County. 



Arrangements for these conferences were made with the assured 

 support of the local school principals, clergy, and rural organiza- 

 tions, as well as with the understanding that a portion of the 

 expenses would be met by the respective communities. 



The meeting at Electric Park was not so large as it should have 

 been, although the interest was excellent, and as a result a com- 

 munity singing class was organized in one of the nearby villages. 

 The one at West Coxsackie was in point of patronage and interest 



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