G4 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



A number of other liigh schools in the State are giving some instruc- 

 tion along agricultural lines but they do not employ special teachers and 

 do not have well organized courses of stud3\ 



I have visited and organized courses of Agriculture for the ensuing 

 year in the high schools at the following ])laces: Ypsilauti, Elk Rapids, 

 St. Joseph, Owosso, Three liivers, Durand, Howell, Colon, Munising, 

 Scottville, Lawton and Belding. Thus 12 new schools have been added 

 to our list and before the schools open in September I think several 

 others will introduce the agricultural work. 



One high school will discontinue the teaching of agriculture, and two 

 others, where they have been employing college graduates, have employed 

 normal school graduates to take charge of their agricultural work. 



The University of Michigan accepts the high school work in agricul- 

 ture for enti^ance credit under certain conditions, and the University au- 

 thorities have appointed me to make proper reports to them upon the 

 character of the agricultural work. The University recognition being 

 based upon my recommendation. 



In order that we may work intelligently on this basis I have arranged 

 a minimum standard of requirements for instruction and equipment as a 

 basis for recognition which may be given by the University and by the 

 Agricultural College. This standard of efficiency will, of course, be ad- 

 justable. 



The instruction in agriculture given in our high schools is accom- 

 l>anied by proper laboratory work and field and farm demonstrations in 

 order that the high school student, while securing the theory of the best 

 agricultural practice, may have an opportunity to demonstrate what he 

 can do. This field work offers a very large opportunity of practical 

 value. We are applying the general term "Home Projects" to this class 

 of instruction. The annual reports of the teacher of agriculture show 

 that a large percentage of the boys actually take up and work out these 

 home projects during the summer season, and for this work school credit 

 is given. 



In my judgment, the instruction in agriculture given in the public 

 high school constitutes a large and important feature of our general ex- 

 tension work, because if we are to have farmers in the next generation, 

 we must secure their interest during the adolescent period of life. 



8. Extension Sei'vice. I have conducted four Teachers' Institutes 

 during the year, and have given a number of addresses before Granges, 

 Farmers' Clubs, and Farmers' Meetings. I have also given considerable 

 attention to the rural schools through cooperation with the County 

 Normal Training Classes and with the County Commissioner of Schools. 



4. PuMications. During the year we have published two pamphlets 

 — first, Bulletin No. 14, which is a Teacher's Hand Book of Agricultural 

 Instruction in Secondary Schools. Bulletin No. 15' is a printed report 

 concerning the work in agriculture in our high schools. This bulletin 

 has been distributed to all the high schools in the State, and we have 

 had a very large call for both bulletins from other states. 



5. Teachers. The number of students electing the courses in Ped- 

 agogics and thus preparing themselves to receive the State Teacher's 

 License has brought this institution into prominence in connection with 

 the public schools. 



