300 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



G. I. Christie maintained that movable schools, or short courses out 

 over the State, are to be laid out according to local conditions in each 

 State, and stated that in Indiana they are arranged according to 

 districts. 



That the good farmer will take care of himself, and that therefore 

 efforts should be directed to the indifferent farmer, was brought out 

 by C. H. Hinman, who also emphasized the value of demonstration 

 farms in extension work, and the necessity of following up and keep- 

 ing in touch with each individual. 



If extension work in agriculture is to be of lasting and permanent 

 good and result in a better agriculture and rural life, then it must be 

 measured by the number of farmers who adopt improved methods as 

 a result of this propaganda, and not by the mere number of persons 

 attending an extension meeting which may be ever so interesting and 

 popular and attract large crowds and still result in little or no change 

 or improvement in farm practice in the region in which the meeting 

 is held. A small number of persons permanently benefited in a large 

 number of places is far better than a large number of persons in a few 

 localities, even though equally benefited, because of the examples 

 these people set in their communities. 



The necessity of following up the extension work constantly, as a 

 means of making it effective in its results, was emphasized by K. L. 

 Hatch. 



P. G. Holden pleaded for generosity and leniency toward one 

 another's plan, especially in this plastic, formative stage of extension 

 work, the differences being explained by the very different condi- 

 tions in which each one is working; and he suggested the formation 

 of a graduate school for instruction in extension work. 



The training and preparation of extension teachers was outlined by 

 A. C. True, of this office. Two divisions in the personnel were recog- 

 nized, (1) the practical farmer who has made on the farm a success of 

 some particular phase of agriculture and has developed a special 

 ability as speaker and as writer, and (2) the college man whose 

 scientific knowledge enables him to attack intelligently certain farm 

 problems, and who shows ability to interest and instruct farmers 

 through extension work. A combination of these two in one man 

 would make the ideal extension instructor. As a traming for exten- 

 sion teaching the practical farmer should pursue carefully planned 

 reading courses and short courses in an agricultural college, and visit 

 other regions; and the college man should devote a proportionate 

 .amount of time to actual farm practice. The summer vacation could 

 be devoted to this purpose. The training of the younger generation 

 for extension teaching should include, besides the regular college of 

 agriculture courses, a year of postgraduate work in the extension 

 department and a year of actual farm practice. The necessity for 



