56 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



other schools are considering introducing the courses, but I am unable 

 to report definitely at this time. At Grand Ledge and Charlevoix the 

 science instruction is given by one of our agriculture graduates, and 

 some agricultural instruction will be given preparatory to the introduc- 

 tion of full courses. So I think we may safely include these two in our 

 list. This will make 22 schools giving regular courses, and probably 

 four others will be established before September. Two schools, viz., 

 Northville and Manchester, will discontinue the courses in agriculture 

 because of lack of local support. 



I have visited the several high schools where agriculture was presented 

 from two to three times during the year, and made such suggestions as 

 seemed necessary for the improvement of the work. I have found that 

 generally the people are deeply interested in the courses, and the work 

 is not only valuable in itself, but has a very strong bearing upon the 

 other work of the high school, tending to strengthen it and give definite 

 purpose to the general work of the students. The course of study pre- 

 pared and recommended by this department has been followed in all the 

 schools. 



3. Visitation. — In addition to visiting the high schools where agri- 

 culture is taught, I have visited about 75 other schools during the year, 

 and have given addresses to high school students and met with boards 

 of education to discuss the matter of agricultural instruction. I have 

 also visited a number of schools with reference to their being placed on 

 our accredited list. Nearly all of the reputable high schools of the 

 state are now upon our list. I have also visited a number of granges 

 and farmers' clubs and given addresses along the line of agricultural 

 education. 



4. Extension Courses. — During the winter months, in connection 

 with each of the high schools presenting agricultural courses, we con- 

 ducted a series of schools, or lectures, for the farmers of the commun- 

 ity. The lectures were usually given on Saturday afternoon, and were 

 well attended. As nearl}^ as I can estimate, about 1,200 farmers at- 

 tended these lectures. In addition to these we conducted a one week's 

 short course in connection with three high schools — Hillsdale, Union 

 City and Watervliet. 



The one-day lectures are excellent, but it seemed to us that more ex- 

 tensive work could be done in a regular school, and, therefore, for these 

 one week courses we selected Mr. Raven, Mr. Jeffery and Mr. Shoe- 

 smith to take up in each of these places two different lines of work for 

 the week. Mr. Raven presented the subject of live stock, and Mr. Jeffery 

 and Mr. Shoesmith the subjects of soils and crops. 



The attendance was as follows: 50 at Watervliet, 130 at Union City, 

 and 140 at Hillsdale. Intense interest was manifested and the farmers 

 passed strong resolutions urging that this plan be continued. We sug- 

 gest, therefore, that the one-week short course plan should be followed 

 another year in connection with each of the high schools presenting 

 agriculture. We believe this will prove a very valuable addition to the 

 general extension work of the college, and will strengthen, also, the 

 local high school work. 



5. Institutes.— I have conducted eight teachers' institutes during 

 the year, and have given considerable time to farmers' institutes. It 

 does not occur to me, however, that the time spent in farmers' institutes 



