420 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



were collected in regard to buildings and equipment, number of stu- 

 dents in agricultural classes, and the numb.'r of teachers in the agri- 

 cultural divisions. Conferences were held with teachers for the 

 purpose of discussing methods of stimulating greater interest among 

 colored people in the study of agriculture. 



The division continued to review and abstract literature on agri- 

 cultural education for Experiment Station Record. 



Cooperation with the Association of Land-(jrant Colleges ^^as 

 continued through its committes on instruction in agriculture, home 

 ( conomics, and mechanic arts, of which the director of the service is 

 chairman. The committee made a report on improvement of colL ge 

 teaching in vocational subjects with special reference to difficulties 

 in doing good teaching, opportunities afforded and means employed 

 to improve teaching and to keep teachers up-to-date in vocational 

 practice, the basis for the promotion of teachers, and the relation of 

 college teaching to res. arch, extension work, and outside employment. 



INVESTIGATIONS ON FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 



.7. M. Stedman, Farnicr.H'' Institute Spedali.^t. 



Farmers' institutes during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1922, Avere 

 officially in charge of the State government in 15 States, while in 

 the remaining 33 States they were in charge of the extension division 

 of the agricultural colleges. A total of 31 States conducted farmers' 

 institutes during the year. The combined reports of 28 of these 

 States sliowed a total of 4.616 institutes which lasted 6,253 days, 

 comprised 10,464 sessions, had an attendance of 1.263.339, emploved 

 1,137 lecturers, and cost $267,650.84. 



During the fiscal year Pennsylvania transferred its farmers' insti- 

 tute activities from the State department of agriculture to the exten- 

 sion division of the State college, while Kentucky, which did likewise 

 a few years ago, reversed the control of its farmers' institutes, and 

 Texas failed to make an appropriation for them. 



Notes on the progress of agricultural extension work in foreign 

 countries have been mimeographed each six months and sent to the 

 leaders in extension work in each State. 



The work relating to farmers' institutes and the foreign extension 

 services has recently been transferred to the Office of Extension Work. 



OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



E, W. Allen, Chief. 



In connection wdth the administrative relations maintained by the 

 Office of Experiment Stations with the State experiment stations, 

 special stress has been laid the past year on the subject of adequate 

 local administration and the development of more advanced methods 

 and procedure in the study of common problems. These are not new 

 considerations, but their present importance is emphasized by their 

 relation to the growth and efficiency of the experiment stations. 

 Leadership, organization, and increasing intensity of attack are es- 

 sential to the steady advance of these institutions to higher positions 

 of usefulness. 



