STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 607 



use. A few such area demonstrations have been under way for 

 several years and many additional areas were selected and records 

 started the past year. In 98 areas 2,680 farmers are cooperating 

 in this work. The data from such areas will serve as follows: 

 (1) As a standard for comparison of farm management methods 

 and practices; (2) as a source of material for tours, exhibits, and 

 other publicity; and (3) as a basis for assisting in the formation of 

 county programs of extension work. 



In all, 62,734 farmers were assisted in obtaining a simple farm 

 account book for their use, and 2,679 farm account books and 2,026 

 farm analysis surve}' records were summarized for extension use. 

 A large number of crop and livestock enterprise records were 

 obtained by farmers, and 2,159 records that were kept through the 

 year were secured and summarized for demonstrational purposes. 

 In addition, 1,612 crop and livestock records were secured for use 

 by the survey method. County agents reported 11,927 farmers 

 keeping an account in the book supplied by the extension service, 

 and 16,162 farmers assisted in keeping cost of production records. 

 They also reported 12,412 other farmers adopting cropping, live- 

 stock, or complete farming systems according to recommendations. 

 In all, the farm management demonstrators reported a total of 

 2,400 meetings, schools, and tours, with an attendance of 92,602. 



To give additional aid in promoting the development of county 

 extension programs along sound econom.ic lines, as well as to assist 

 in the correlation of work along commodity lines, the farm manage- 

 ment demonstrators are placing increased emphasis upon the sum- 

 mary and analysis of census and other statistical information. 



To aid farmers in more accurately adjusting production of the 

 various crops and kinds of livestock to probable demand, economic 

 facts are supplied regarding the leading enterprises included in the 

 county extension program of work. Such facts are prepared and 

 made available for assistance to the farmers (1) in obtaining a 

 better understanding of the fundamental principles which determine 

 prices, and (2) in a better knowledge of the present economic situa- 

 tion regarding particular enterprises with reference to supply and 

 demand and the place of the enterprise in the locality. 



Farm management work with young people is being increased 

 through farm accounting with boys' and girls' clubs and through 

 increased teaching of this subject in the rural schools. 



The farm management demonstrators during the past year have 

 rather carefully taken stock of the work in vieAv of the past 10 years' 

 experience, with special reference to (1) the objectives of the work, 

 (2) the best means and methods of extension, and (3) the best means 

 of measuring as well as increasing progress, with a view to the 

 development of a more definite and balanced long-time program. 

 This is resulting in a more systematic organization of the work and 

 in greater simplicity of teaching methods. 



FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 



Broadly speaking, farmers' institutes are graduallv coming to 

 revolve more and more about the county demonstration program, 

 with mutual benefit, especiallj^ as regards the spread of influence 

 or adaptation of the teachings of the institutes and of the demon- 



