336 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



of the cooperative extension system involved in the work of the county 

 agricultural agents, home-demonstration agents, and boys' and girls' 

 clubs. 



The service directly administered regular and emergency appro- 

 priations aggregating $6,016,060, and had administrative and ad- 

 visory relations regarding the expenditure of $3,520,000 of Federal 

 funds ($1,440,000 for agricultural experiment stations and $2,080,000 

 for cooperative extension work) and $1,600,000 of State funds used 

 as an offset for Federal funds under the cooperative extension act. 

 In addition, the agricultural colleges and experiment stations used 

 in experimental and extension enterprises over $7,000,000 derived 

 from sources within the States. 



On June 30, 1918, the force carried on the rolls of the States Rela- 

 tions Service aggregated about 6,800 employees. The State agricul- 

 tural experiment stations employed about 2,000 persons, of whom 

 about 700 did some extension work. The total number of persons 

 employed in cooperative extension work in agriculture and home 

 economics was about 7,500. 



When the European war began the United States had just entered 

 on the development of a national system of extension work in agricul- 

 ture and home economics which involved not only the practical train- 

 ing of farmers and their families, but also their organization for 

 individual and community action in the improvement of agricultural 

 practice and the economic and social condition of rural homes and 

 communities. This system combines the scientific and educational 

 forces of the United States Department of Agriculture and the State 

 agricultural colleges with the practical loiowledge and experience of 

 multitudes of farm men and women organized to conduct demonstra- 

 tions on their own farms and to take the leadership in helpful move- 

 ments in their own communities. Well-trained Federal, State, and 

 county experts work hand in hand with voluntary workers represent- 

 ing the most intelligent and progressive elements of the rural popu- 

 lation. 



The entry of the United States into the war found this extension 

 system partly organized in all the States and in about half the coun- 

 ties. Immediately it was seen that both for the benefit of the farming 

 people and for the promotion of the general welfare it was highly 

 desirable that every agricultural county should have this organiza- 

 tion as soon as possible. In this way both Government and people 

 would have the best means for bringing about the agricultural pro- 

 duction and food conservation required by war conditions. The Gov- 

 ernment would also be kept informed regarding the attitude and 

 needs of the farming people and could enlist their sympathy and 

 support in those patriotic endeavors, such as the liberty loan, Red 

 Cross, and other campaigns, by which information regarding our 

 war aims and requirements is disseminated and means for the suc- 

 cessful prosecution of the war are secured. 



The Secretary of Agriculture recommended and Congress provided 

 means for the rapid expansion of the extension system. The States 

 Relations Service has been principally engaged in this work during 

 the past year. And as the organization of the extension service has 

 grown, practically all branches of the service have contributed in 



