96 Department of Rural Art. 



investigation. 

 In investigation there has been little or no work done by this depart- 

 ment except through the course in History of Gardening. This course, 

 which was established in 1905-06, has proved most interesting and has 

 necessitated considerable investigation along historical lines, there being 

 little or no published information regarding the history of gardening. 

 Our investigation in history, however, has not been published except 

 through the lecture course. There is little call for investigation work 

 in this department. 



EXTENSION. 



As mentioned in the report of the department last year, there is room 

 for considerable extension teaching in the department, particularly in 

 creating better surroundings about public and rural schools, and about 

 the homes in rural communities. Considerable work was done along 

 this line during the past year by Mr. Burnap, who gave valuable aid 

 in answer to many requests during the year. Many plans were made for 

 the improvement of small school grounds as well as for farm properties. 



Considerable recommendation was given regarding the color of farm 

 buildings. This is important not only from an aesthetic but from a 

 practical standpoint. A thorough investigation was made through a large 

 number of paint manufacturers regarding color harmony in farm build- 

 ings, it being considered that an aesthetic and proper color was not neces- 

 sarily an impracticable and expensive one. This fact is mentioned for 

 the reason that our investigation showed that two thirds of the farm 

 buildings in the country were painted red, primarily because red paint 

 was cheap and wore fairly well. Our investigations developed, however, 

 that softer, quieter tones in color could quite as well be used without 

 additional expenditure or effort. 



During the past year, lectures have been given in various surrounding 

 towns, and representatives from the department have been sent to grange 

 meetings to carry further the work for the better understanding of good 

 surroundings. All of the above talks were well illustrated by lantern 

 slides. 



As for a larger extension work, we cannot take up this activity until 

 funds are set aside for it. The writer has looked about considerably 

 durmg the past three or four months for some one who could be engaged 

 by the department to deliberately and carefully take up the question of 

 rural and extension work, and he finds that any person who would be 

 at all properly or sufficiently well trained to allow so important a com- 

 mission to fall into his hands must necessarily be one commanding a 

 considerable salary. We are extremely desirous of conducting detailed 

 extension work, but this cannot be done until funds are available. 



