472 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



tion afjfents the negro agents ai'e obtaining excellent results in food 

 production, preser\ation, and utilization, in sanitation and health, 

 jii home inchistry and thrift, and in home beautihcation. 



BOYS' AGRICULTURAL CLUBS. 



Boys' club work in the Southern States has had one of the most 

 trying years in its history. The discontinuance of the emergency 

 appropriation, coupled with the loss of war activity stimulus, re- 

 duced paid and voluntary leadership to a marked extent. However, 

 the 1919 enrollment was 158,738, exceeding the prewar enrollment by 

 more than 40,000. This includes negro boys in the so-called " farm 

 makers' " clubs. The products of the regular club work had an esti- 

 mated value of over $8,000,000. The average yield per acre of corn 

 grown by club members Avas 48 bushels, while the average for the 

 Southern States was 21 bushels. 



The organized agricultural club, composed of club members who 

 conduct various demonstrations, is rapidly evolving into the com- 

 munity club in which all community interests participate. County 

 prizes are offered for community effort and rivalry between clubs 

 causes community spirit to run high. The local boys' club judging 

 team continues to be an effective means of stimulating local pride, 

 each community desiring its team to win at the county fair and have 

 the honor of competing at the State fair. 



The county encampment and short course have been two of the 

 greatest factors in keej^ing club interest at a high pitch, and have 

 been Aery effective means of giving instruction in A^arious useful 

 lines. Wholesome entertainment is encouraged at the camps, and 

 when the club members return home they are fitted to lead in much- 

 needed recreational activities in the rural communities. Club mem- 

 bers are selected at the county encampment to attend the State en- 

 campment or short course usually held at the agricultural college. 

 Many who receive instruction at these meetings are inspired to seek 

 a college education. 



EXTENSION SPECIALISTS. 



Extension specialists attached to the agricultural <;olleges have 

 rendered excellent service in assisting the county agents and county 

 home-demonstration agents in solving special problems arising in 

 their territories. The necessity for a reasonable staff of well-trained 

 specialists to assist county agents in handling unusual problems such 

 as the growing and marketing of special crops, the control of diseases 

 of plants and animals, use of fertilizers, dairying, poultry, general 

 live stock, and marketing, is thoroughly recognized. Specialists do 

 not usually work independently except in territory where there is 

 no county agent, their chief function being to instruct, advise, and 

 assist the county agents. As a rule, definite programs of Avork, 

 in cooperation with the county agents and approved by the director, 

 are followed so as to thoroughly correlate the work of the specialists 

 and the county agents. 



Subject-matter spcci;;]ists of tlie r>urcau of Anim;il Industry, 

 Bureau of Plant Industry, Bureau of Entomology, Bureau of Mar- 

 kets, and the OflBce of Farm Management cooperated in extension 

 work in the South during the year. 



