STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 453 



funds, just as are all other lines of extension work. Wherever pos- 

 sible the work in the State is carried on in cooperation with the 

 negro agricultural college, and usually the negro supervisors are 

 located in these institutions. One result of this cooperation with the 

 negro schools has been to cause those in charge of them to devote 

 more thought to the teaching of agriculture and allied subjects. A 

 few of these schools are making some special effort to train young 

 men and women to become extension workers. 



The two field agents employed byl:he Washington office are co- 

 operating with the State directors and other white supervisory forces 

 in organizing the negro work in the States. They assist the negro 

 supervising agents to plan their work, prepare reports, and give in- 

 struction to new agents, and to keep their programs balanced so as 

 to render the most efficient service to the greatest number of people. 

 They give special attention to maintaining the right spirit and har- 

 monious relationship between the races throughout their districts. 



There was no change during the year in the general program for 

 carrying on the work. The fundamental idea of improving farm con- 

 ditions and making every farm as nearly self-supporting as possible 

 has been kept in the foreground. Noticeable progress can be ob- 

 served in the types of homes and in the general appearance of the 

 people where the work has become established. In these sections 

 negro agents are called upon for more advanced lines of work, New 

 homes are being built; old ones improved; orchards, gardens, and good 

 live stock are becoming the rule rather than the exception. There is 

 a growing desire for better schools and churches, and for improved 

 sanitary, health, and social conditions — things that always follow 

 real development in any community. 



The white agents are still giving a great deal of assistance to the 

 negro farmers in every State where there is a large negro popula- 

 tion, and doubtless will continue to do so wherever opportunity is 

 afforded. There are. however, many problems peculiar to the negro 

 and his home life with which they can get more helpful assistance 

 and advice from agents belonging to their own race, provided they 

 have had the right training and possess the proper viewpoint. 



In those communities where the work has been carried on longest 

 much is being done through the negro organizations, such as com- 

 munity farmers' clubs, fair associations, churches, and schools. A 

 few sections have advanced to the organization of county advisory 

 boards made up from representatives of the local clubs. There were 

 reported in 1921, 885 negro farm clubs, with a total membership of 

 40,173, of which 269, with a membership of 12,215. were organized 

 during the year. Considerable assistance was given the negro farm- 

 ers in organizing cooperative selling and purchasing associations. It 

 was reported that the farmers purchased through these associations 

 during the year $372,000 worth of supplies at a saving to them of 

 more than $80,000. There were fewer demonstrators and club mem- 

 bers listed than last year' but, considering the conditions under which 

 they were obtained, the total results are more striking. The men 

 agents report 14,116 demonstrations in field crops, covering about 

 68,948 acres. The chief crops were corn, cotton, oats, cowpeas. pea- 

 nuts, and potatoes. The increased yields reported on the demonstra- 



