Agricultural Extension. 441 



The Clubs. 



Today, more than ever before, the farmer realizes the advantages of 

 organization. Now, we must not be afraid of this word " organization " 

 because it may look a httle formal to us. I mean by it, the mere getting 

 together of neighbor with neighbor for the purposes of discussing, not 

 only great political issues, but the simple affairs of one another's lives and 

 work. It happens that farmers are engaged in a business which draws 

 upon a large number of sciences — a business that affords opportunity 

 for wide discussion, liberal thinking and careful application. All of this 

 may be obtained, in the most helpful kind of a way, by small groups of 

 farmers, their wives and children, coming together at one another's 

 houses in simple, informal organizations known as Reading-Clubs. This 

 question was taken up at some length in Bulletin No. 31, published last 

 v/inter. Suffice it to say now that where this work has been undertaken, 

 remarkably good results have been secured. The organizations, under 

 such conditions, have not only been the incentive for securing informa- 

 tion, but have been of definite value in creating a little social interest 

 among the people. More than all, there is something in these Clubs that 

 attracts and holds the attention of the young people. In this one point 

 alone they have well proved their worth. 



Lectures and Literary Entertainments. 



The College is placing itself in a position in which it can co-operate 

 with these Clubs, and with any other kind of an organization which en- 

 deavors to present in its programs helpful information on agriculture. 

 It is preparing lecture series, of a popular nature, which will be not only 

 entertaining for young people, but instructive for all. Lantern slides 

 will be shown picturing scenes at the College and on actual farms in the 

 State; literary and historical talks will be given, adding much to the 

 attractiveness of the meeting. The titles of these lectures for Clubs will 

 be published in the near future, with a definite statement of the arrange- 

 ments that may be made with the College for the securing of the enter- 

 tainment. In this way both the people and the College will come more 

 closely together, resulting undoubtedly, in the mutual benefit of all. 



Some of this work has found its expression in meetings held in coun- 

 try places near Ithaca. For some few years, students of the College have 

 been conducting, with the co-operation of the neighboring farmers, meet- 

 ings in nearby school houses and churches. There, questions of agricul- 

 tural interests, relative to the particular locality have been discussed, not 

 only by the students, but by the farmers. Questions have been freely 

 asked back and forth. A popular entertainment has been furnished by 



