12-1 3Iisso'uri Agricultural Report. 



ers, vet wlion we think that there are more than 225,000 farmers 

 in the state of Indiana, we must admit that the number reached 

 through the short course is very small. There are 1,100 townships 

 in Indiana, which means that we are reaching about one man from a 

 township. Again, when we think that the men who come to these 

 courses are the most progressive ones and that the man who has low 

 yields of corn and wheat and who feeds his cattle and hogs at a loss, 

 does not attend these courses, we are forced to conclude that the course 

 is not solving in any large way the problem of these people. "When we 

 realize that this course is of value to the 1,200 farmers who attend the 

 Purdue Course, we ask ourselves the question : ' 'Would this course 

 not be of value to every farmer in the State?" If so, why can we not 

 outline some plan by which these people may be reached. If they can- 

 not be brought to the State Institution, can we not carry out to them 

 this form of instruction. With these thoughts in mind the district 

 short course was suggested. That is, a course similar to the one 

 week's course given at Purdue University is being organized at 

 some central point in each of the congressional districts of the State. 



The work is so arranged that the farmers may come from their 

 homes in the morning and return in the evening. In this way they are 

 able to care for the farm work and at the same time attend the course. 

 One must admit at once that this form of extension is very expensive. 

 This is true, but by charging each one who attends the course a mem- 

 bership fee, the expenses of the work are entirely covered by the dis- 

 trict in which the course is held. In this way, our institution is at no 

 expense other than the salaries of a few of the men who conduct the 

 work. 



That these courses are popular and are reaching the people, is 

 clearly demonstrated by the large attendance. At Evansville, Ind., re- 

 cently, more than 2,100 farmers attended the course and took the work 

 throughout the entire week. It is our belief that the district short 

 course will fill a long felt want and will do much to extend the useful- 

 ness of our Agricultural Institutions. 



YOUNG peoples' CONTESTS. 



While it is generally felt that to increase production and the re- 

 turns of the farm today, it is necessary to work with the older people 

 through Farmers' Institutes, District Short Courses, Agricultural Trains, 

 etc., still the boy and girl of the farm must not be overlooked. The hope 

 of future agriculture is in the young men and women, and anything 

 that can be done to place them in closer touch with this life means 

 much. 



