406 STATE BOARD OP AGRICULTURE 



During the year closing June 30, 1897, we have purchased and placed 

 in our oflice a cop}' of each book recommended in the Farm Home Read- 

 ing Circle courses. This was done for the benefit of a large number of 

 visitors, who come to the College, that they might be able to examine 

 the books. 



We are confident that we have interested a large number of men by 

 having such library. 



During the late autumn we sent a press bulletin to a large number of 

 the local county pai)ers throughout the State, as well as to the various 

 agricultural journals in this and other states. Quite a large number 

 made mention of the work of the Farm Home Reading Circle, if they did 

 not see fit to publish the press bulletin entire. 



Circulars and advertising matter concerning the Farm Home Reading 

 Circle were freely distributed among the people in attendance upon the 

 Farmers' Institutes held in various parts of the State. 



In twelve months we have enrolled sixty-five new members. 



This number in no way indicates the number of readers, for in some 

 instances the books are ordered by a Grange, Farmers' Club or com- 

 munity wiiere several readers get the benefit of the same books. 



Forty-seven reports were sent in for examination, and in each case 

 the secretary felt warranted in issuing a certificate for each report thus 

 sent. Some of the reports showed clearly that a large amount of study 

 and thought had been devoted to the books, while in others and, I am 

 glad to sa^', in much fewer instances, a lack of thorough work was 

 manifest. 



Orders for books were received from seventy-eight members. These 

 orders varied from one to ten books, — these books ranging in price from 

 fifteen cents to one dollar and seventy-five cents. 



Three hundred and ninety-two enquiries were received in regard to 

 the plan and expenses of the Farm Home Reading Circle. 



It might appear that a larger number than did should have become 

 members, but some enquirers seemed to have gotten the idea that the 

 Farm Home Reading Circle, traveling libraries and free Experiment 

 Station bulletins w^ere different ways of expressing the same thing. 



Then again, some may have become discouraged of ever being able to 

 finish the course before they began, thinking that with a limited amount 

 of time it would be next to impossible to complete the course on account 

 of its length. There can be little question but that the careful reading 

 of some fifteen volumes looks formidable to a man or woman not accus- 

 tomed to study. 



We are considering different methods of doing away with this possible 

 present objection to our plan. 



One of the most serious problems which confronts us in our work is 

 the selection of suitable books. It often happens that we must offer 

 two books in the same class which treat of precisely the same topics, 

 and sometimes in a similar manner in certain parts of the books. 



We are greatly in need of a carefully edited series of books for this 

 Farm Home Reading Circle work. 



Undoubtedly the next year Avill be the best in the history of this move- 

 ment, thus far. 



Very respectfully, 



• HERBERT W. MUMFORD, 



Sec'y Farm Home Reading Circle. 



