58 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



9. Extension Reading Course. — This has been the fourth year of the 

 Extension Reading Course. Tlie enrollment has varied from 140 to 310. 

 During the current year we have enrolled 182 readers. Of this number 

 about 40 have completed the reading and submitted written reports. I 

 presume that all of the people have read the books, but have not found 

 it convenient to make out the written report. Under the plan of organ- 

 ization, when an individual has completed the four year course we are 

 to issue a diploma, and six such diplomas have been issued to the fol- 

 lowing persons : James A. Elliott, Clerk Board of Trade, Duluth, 

 Minn.; Bertha M. Warner, Plymouth, Mich.; Mrs. Eva Felton, East 

 Lansing, Mich.; Arthur J. Adams, Shelby, Mich.; Mrs. Carrie T. 

 Meacham, Union, Mich. 



I have received a large number of letters from those who have pur- 

 sued the reading, and all seem to be pleased with the work and to desire 

 its continuance. I would suggest that a three-year course be arranged 

 instead of the four-year course, and that instead of holding strictly 

 to agriculture and home economics subjects that the course be broadened 

 by including subjects of general culture. This course seems to meet 

 the needs of certain people, and as it costs us comparatively little, it 

 seems to me advisable to recommend its continuance, at least for the 

 present. 



We have many inquiries in regard to a "correspondence course," but 

 it does not seem advisable to me to institute a correspondence course 

 in agriculture. It is my opinion that the regular extension work of 

 the college in the several agricultural lines, together with the several 

 extension features of the high school work will ultimately prove of 

 much more value, and will bring the agricultural subjects more directly 

 to the people than could a correspondence course. If a correspondence 

 course were instituted it would necessitate the employment of special 

 persons to prepare questions, look over papers, and possibly visit the 

 people in order to direct the work and make it valuable. And as I 

 stated, it does not seem to me to be advisable. 



10. Employment Agency. — At the opening of the college year in 

 1910, a committee was appointed consisting of Professor Kedzie and 

 myself, to consider the advisability of establishing an employment 

 agency through which we might assist students in securing work, and 

 thus keep them in college. Mr. Robert E. Loree was selected to take 

 charge of the work, and he has been extremely successful in its manage- 

 ment. During the current year about 100 students have enrolled at 

 different times and they have been successful in securing employment 

 off the grounds as well as on the grounds. So far as Mr. Loree's report 

 shows, the students have been satisfied with the management, and with 

 the character of the work and the pay for the same. They have re- 

 ceived from 15 cents to 20 cents an hour for their labor. 



The committee recommends that Mr. Loree be employed to take charge 

 of this work the ensuing college year. He has indicated to the com- 

 mittee that he will be willing to direct it. I believe that this plan will 

 prove more and more helpful as it becomes better understood by the 

 students. 



The work done by students has included pruning, grafting, planting 

 potatoes, preparation of gardens, house cleaning, fence building, picking 

 fruit, etc. 



