288 Missouri Agricultural Report. 



4. A larger number of young people in attendance at agri- 

 cultural college and other institutions of learning and the return 

 of a larger number to rural life as farmers, home builders and 

 local leaders. 



5. Improved members, homes, schools, roads and greater 

 interest in the broader, social activities of farm life. 



6. Increased financial support to the club work, because 

 of tangible results shown by the work land its direct benefits to 

 agriculture and the American home. 



The above six points can be applied to twenty-five states 

 now promoting the club work through regular paid and dele- 

 gated leadership on a national or federated basis. 



WHAT IS CLUB WORK? 



Club work is the organization of boys and girls into local 

 groups for the purpose of demonstrating what is right in farm 

 and home garden practice, and such an organization contem- 

 plates officers, monthly or semimonthly meetings, and the care- 

 ful study of a complete farm, garden or home-interest operation 

 for an entire cropping season or school year. This is illustrated 

 by the acre corn clubs, poultry clubs, home garden and canning 

 clubs, good roads clubs, potato clubs and the alfalfa clubs. In 

 all club activities the main interest is upon the farm, in the home 

 gardens and in mother's kitchen, and necessitates the careful 

 study of instructions, making observations, keeping records, 

 making exhibits, and, in short, to demonstrate that business 

 practice is important in all farm activities. 



SPECIAL CONTESTS. 



All exercises conducted in connection with the regular club 

 work at the public schools, county or State fairs, fall club festi- 

 vals, etc., which can be undertaken in a few minutes, hours, 

 or even a few days, and completed, may be correctly classed as 

 contests. Contests are important in that they arouse interest 

 and spur contestants on to do better the more important job of 

 completing the season's work in connection with the club work. 



SOME OBJECTS OF CLUB WORK. 



1. To offer to the young people of rural life influential 

 guidance which will lead eventually to a better type of American 

 farmer. 



2. To demonstrate through the boys and girls what is right 

 in farm and home practices. 



