444 ANNUAL REPOBTS OF DEPABTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



rosnlts of demonstration Avork, has continued in no less marked degree 

 during the past year. The use of better seed, more horse power, 

 and improved implements; the increase of live stock and in the pro- 

 duction of leguminous hay and of home supplies; and the general 

 improvement in homes and in living conditions have all been very 

 evident features of the year's work. 



BOYS AND GIRLS' DEMONSTRATION WORK. 



Corn clubs. — Althougli the Aveathcr conditions were unfavorable 

 for corn, the records made by the boys in 1911 were none tlie less 

 remarkable and excellent. The diplomas of the Secretary of Agri- 

 culture to winners of prize trips to Washington were still more 

 generally sought after. In some of the States two or more boys did 

 so well that additional trips and diplomas were awarded. Twenty 

 boys were winners of a trip to Washington. Seven of these boys 

 each produced over 200 bushels of corn on his acre at very low cost, 

 and all of the yields were remarkable under the conditions that pre- 

 vailed in the respective States. It is noteworthy also that hundreds 

 of other boys in the corn clubs throughout the South did nearly as 

 well as these winners. 



The great educational value and economic importance of this work 

 is unquestioned. The continued liberality of business men and citi- 

 zens generally in giving prizes and otherwise cooperating in the 

 work indicates an increasing and vital interest in it. The enrollment 

 for 1912 is 12,104 greater than for the previous season. 



Cotton clubs. — As planned, boys' cotton clubs were organized in 

 the various States for the season of 1912, the hea"viest enrollment 

 being in Texas and Oklahoma. It is intended that members of these 

 clubs shall be boys who have had one or more years' training in corn 

 clubs. They are expected to cultivate at least 2 acres of land and 

 to give special attention to seed selection for the purpose of increas- 

 ing the quality of the staple as well as striving to secure large yields 

 at low cost. The total enrollment of these clubs for the season was 

 4,690, and indications are that results will be ver^'^ gratifying. 



MiLo AND Kafir-corn clubs. — In portions of Oklahoma and west- 

 ern Texas, droughts are of such frequency and severity that corn is 

 an uncertain crop. In these sections Kafir corn and milo maize are 

 much more dependable crops and should be generally gi-own. It was 

 felt that it would be impossible to stimulate interest in corn-club work 

 among the boys of this section, because they would naturally feel that 

 they could not compete with the boys in humid sections. By the sub- 

 stitution of Kafir corn or milo for corn much interest has been 

 aroused in the club work in that section, and it is believed that these 

 clubs will prove as useful and influential there as corn clubs elsewhere. 

 Wherever possible the boy is encouraged to also cultivate an acre of 

 corn under the sarne conditions that he cultivates his Kafir corn or 

 milo, in order to show the contrast in yields between these crops 

 under semiarid conditions. The season's enrollment of boys was 

 1,361, and it is believed that the enrollment will be much greater next 

 year. 



Girls' canning clubs. — That there was a demand and evident need 

 for the work with girls, corresponding to the boys' corn-club work, is 



