No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 175 



. INSTRUCTING THE LECTURERS. 



Some institute directors have come to see that something must be 

 done to insure that their lay teachers are informed in regard to the 

 present status of knowledge respecting their specialities, so that 

 there may be no conflict in teaching among the members of the force. 

 With this in mind, the director of one state — New York — has been 

 assembling for a few days each year his entire lecture force at the 

 State Experiment Station and at the Agricultural College to re- 

 ceive instruction. Last year this course was extended to cover two 

 weeks, during which expert teachers of agriculture science gave 

 lecturers upon their several specialities for the benefit of the insti- 

 tute lecture force. Other states have been doing similar work. 



These courses of lectures were designed for the lecturers now com- 

 posing the institute crops. However valuable such a course so given 

 may be to the existing force of teachers, it will not meet the needs of 

 the work unless it brings into the service others who are needed and 

 who might become, if trained, valuable additions to the institute. 

 The school that is to meet the needs of the institute work must go 

 further than provide for the giving of a few days instruction to the 

 lecturers now at work. It must reach out to the many successful 

 and intelligent farmers of the country who, if discovered and given 

 proper opportunities, would soon equal if not surpass those now 

 teaching in institutes. The problem is not merely how to increase 

 the efficiency of the present workers, although that is very im- 

 portant, but to discover some practical and effective means for per- 

 manently and rapidly increasing the number. 



EFFECT UPON PRODUCT. 



If a sufficient force of teachers of agriculture were at work con- 

 stantly in each state instructing farmers and demonstrating the 

 value of new crops and new methods, the production of the country 

 would speedily be greatly increased. 



Five dollars added to the value of each dairy cow would increase 

 the wealth of the farmers of the United States over ninety millions 

 of dollars (.f90;563,53.5). 



Two dollars added to the value of each of all other cattle would in 

 crease it by over one hundred million dollars (|102,652,102) more. 



Ten dollars to each horse would increase their income by over two 

 hundred and thirteen million of dollars (.f213,168,880). 



Thirty eggs added to the annual production of a hen, whose aver- 

 age yearly output is now but 66, when it might be 200, would add 

 over 164,000,000 ($64,706,069). 



One pound to each chicken at ten cents per pound would amount 

 to over 123,000,000 (.123,359,808). 



One-fourth increase to the present product of fruit would amount 

 to over $19,000,000 (|19,118,319). 



