REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 323 



systems. Three hundred and twenty-one such systems were intro- 

 duced into the farm homes. Eight hundred and thirty-nine home 

 grounds were planned and sanitary conditions improved in 1,780 

 cases. 



Wokk in Relation to Young People. 



While county agricultural agents do not act as local club leaders, 

 they have been active in introducing this form of extension work into 

 their counties and have directly promoted the organization of 1,503 

 clubs having a total membership of 37,123. 



Outlook of County Agent Work. 



The most important developments during the past year have been 

 as follows: 



(1) The tendency has been toward better organized work. The 

 miscellaneous character of advice to individual farmers which was a 

 prominent feature of the work in the first years of its development 

 is being gradually supplanted by definite project work. 



(2) Local associations of farmers are assuming a more intimate 

 relation to the work of demonstration. Definite programs for the 

 improvement of the agriculture of the counties are being evolved 

 by committees representing the county association and other or- 

 ganized local groups of farmers. The feeling of local responsibility 

 and cooperation is a most healthy manifestation and is finding 

 expression in strong virile leadership among the farm bureau asso- 

 ciation members. During the past year farm bureau associations 

 increased their membership to more than 80,000, the average member- 

 ship in each farm bureau association now being about 300. These 

 associations cooperate with the county agent for the most part 

 through an advisory council and an executive committee. 



(3) With more systematic field work has developed more care in 

 keeping and preserving records of work accomplished. Most of the 

 county agents now maintain offices with fairly adequate office facili- 

 ties. Usually one day each week is spent at headquarters. 



(4) More attention is being devoted to a study of local economic 

 facts upon which to develop demonstrations of permanent value. 

 This has been greatly stimulated through the cooperation of the farm 

 management demonstration work. 



(5) Extension work in the special interests of farm women has 

 increased and in a number of counties has developed a sentiment for 

 a local specialist in this field. 



BOYS' AND GIRLS' CLUB WORK. 



This work continued as heretofore in charge of O. H. Benson. 

 Direct financial and other cooperation in the conduct of club work 

 is now maintained in practically all of the Northern and Western 

 States. This work is carried on through the State agricultural 

 colleges and largely in cooperation with the public-school system in 

 each State, the aim being to interest the boys and girls in matters per- 

 taining to the farm and home by bringing them in touch through 

 demonstration work carried on by themselves, with the best known 

 practices in agriculture and home economics. 



