96 X. Report of Farmers' Reading-Course Department. 



any points not understood. It is only occasionally, however, tliat we 

 hear from these parties. We have no way of knowing whether the 

 books are used or not. For the full development of this end of the 

 work it seems almost necessary that the books be sent from the Col- 

 lege. If there were a way whereby the parties interested could 

 secure the books through the College and either pay the publisher's 

 rates or regard them as loaned for a short time, it would be pos- 

 sible to get the farmers interested in this kind of literature. After 

 becoming interested, many would buy the books who would not have 

 done so if they had been obliged to buy them before having an 

 opportunity to read them. Possibly a small circulating library of the 

 best books on each subject could be sent to each applicant with the 

 understanding that he was to return them within a certain time, 

 unless he wished to purchase them. 



Another part of the work which should be developed is the Club 

 work. We have tried to develop this through correspondence with 

 the members and officers of the Clubs. We find it hard to keep in 

 touch with them in this way. At the beginning of the year all the 

 old Clubs were invited to organize new Reading-Course Clubs. 

 The Secretaries were asked to procure as far as possible the 

 literature recommended at the end of many of the Bulletins 

 for supplementary reading. If some method could be found whereby 

 the Clubs could be furnished or could be induced to procure books 

 on the subject they are studying, the work could be made much more 

 valuable. No doubt this could be brought about more readily if the 

 Supervisor could visit the Clubs once or twice each year. We have 

 found it hard to do much of this work without neglecting the cor- 

 respondence. During the fall months when the correspondence is 

 not heavy, a man could help the old Clubs and start many new ones 

 by visiting the places wdiich have the largest number of active 

 readers. In many places, doctors and pastors of rural churches will 

 lend enthusiastic support to this work. Several Clubs were formed 

 this year by men in these professions. 



An encouraging phase of the Club work has developed in Genesee 

 county where an organization has been formed for the purpose of 

 promoting Reading-Course work in that county. The local Clubs 

 meet once every two weeks at the houses of the members. It was 

 planned to have a meeting of the members of all the Clubs at some 

 central point once a month. These meetings were held in the day 

 time and when possible a speaker from the College of Agriculture 

 was provided. Experiments and demonstrations illustrating the 



