STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 473 



NEGRO WORK. 



Ill some of the Southern States more than 50 per cent of the 

 rural popuhition is composed of negroes. It is obvious that in any 

 scheme of agricultural education designed to improve the average 

 agricultural practice they must be reached. Without exception, 

 white agents have, as far as possible, assisted and advised negro 

 farmers, whether tenants or owners, the same as white farmers. In 

 their reports no distinction is made and it is impossible to accurately 

 St site the total number of negro farmers who have cooperated with and 

 been assisted by the agents, but the number has unquestionably been 

 very large. Many of the best demonstrations along all lines have 

 been carried on by negro farmers under the direction of the white 

 county agents. 



In certain sections where a very large proportion of the rural 

 population is composed of negroes, local or assistant agents of their 

 own race have been employed. 



At the close of the fiscal jeav there were 158 negro demonstration 

 agents and 74 negro women agents so employed, with 2 negro field 

 agents. 



In this work the department and the State agricultural colleges 

 luive as a rule cooperated with the negro agricultural colleges. 



Some striking results have been secured. The work has been very 

 effective, particularly in stimulating the production of home supplies, 

 especially the home garden, in securing the adoption of better farm 

 methods, and in educating the negro farmers to the importance of 

 better live stock, the use of improved implements, and better sanita- 

 tion and living conditions. 



During the year three conferences were held to study the negro 

 work and plan ways for more effectively reaching and helping the 

 negro farmers. The conferences were held at Hampton Institute, 

 Virginia; Tuskegee Institute, Alabama; and Prairie View Normal 

 College, Texas, and were attended by AVashington officials of the 

 States Relations Service and the State extension directors and negro 

 leaders, both men and women, in the three groups of States. 



Successful extension coui-ses for negro farmers and their families 

 were held in several of the States for the first time this year in con- 

 nection with the negro agricultural schools. The responsible negro 

 leadership in the South is cooperating with the extension work more 

 effectively than ever before, and real progress is being made in inter- 

 esting the negro farmers and their families in better agriculture, 

 better schools, and improved living conditions on the farm. 



NEEDS OF THE WORK. 



The outstanding needs of the extension work are better qualified 

 men and women for the service and more money for the support 

 of the work. 



It is becoming a very (lilliciilt matter to find men an;! Avomen 

 (lualified both by education and by {practical experience to fill ]>osi- 

 tions as county agents and county home-demonstration agents. The 

 agricultural collegi's and colleges for the training of women are 

 beginning to realize that extension work is a sj)ecial field re(|uiring 



