REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 77 



been organized more systematically or successfull}'. The numbers 

 have increased from a small beginning four years ago until the present 

 enrollment is practically 60,000. Prizes are awarded for excellence 

 in growing corn on one acre to be contested for by boys organized 

 into clubs in cooperation with the public-school system of States 

 and counties. The prizes are contributed either in money or useful 

 things by merchants, commercial organizations, public-spirited indi- 

 viduals, and others. One of the strong features has been the method 

 of awarding prizes, the prizes not being given to the boy who raises 

 the most corn on his acre, but the practical and educational value of 

 the lesson is kept in mind, and in making up the award emphasis is 

 given to best yield, minimum cost of production, quality of corn 

 produced, and best written report of the undertaking. The prize 

 winner in each State as a rule has part of his reward in a prize trip 

 to Washington, where the boys gathered from the several States 

 receive much attention and have opportunity to see and study 

 the interesting things in the Capital City. These clubs are helpful 

 in attracting the attention of the young men to the advantages of 

 farming as an occupation, in waking up the older farmer to the ad- 

 vantages of better methods of production, and in assisting the public- 

 school system in vitalizing rural education. In the States of North 

 Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, 

 and Arkansas this boys' corn club work has been carried on by the 

 Farmers' Cooperative Demonstration Work in direct cooperation 

 with the agricultural colleges of each of those States. 



As the home is the all-important feature of farm life and is closely 

 associated with its economy, it has been thought wise to help the 

 girls as well as the boys. The problem of the production of home 

 supplies is close to the home. With the great possibilities the South 

 has for the production of vegetables and fruits and with the modern 

 conveniences accessible for canning and preserving them, it is possible 

 to have provisions of the best kind the year round. This and the 

 keeping of poultry go far toward relieving the wrong side of the 

 family ledger. Girls' canning and poultry clubs have been organized 

 by the department in cooperation with colleges of agriculture and 

 other institutions in the South, the object being to instruct the girls 

 in the best methods of raising the ordinary garden vegetables, can- 

 ning the same for winter use, and the care and keeping of poultry. 

 This work is financed by the General Education Board of Xew York, 

 with the hearty financial cooperation of the agricultural colleges of 

 the South, and to it, through the demonstration work, the department 

 is lending its guiding assistance. This work has only just begun. 

 Prizes are offered in the same way as in the corn clubs, and the girls 

 and farm women of the South are showing great interest in this 

 branch of the work. 



