farmers' institutes in the united states. 317 



bulletins of information and circulars containing directions to teachers 

 along agricultural lines. They are also assisting in organizing rural 

 study clubs, reading circles, and school-house improvement clubs in 

 rural communities. 



State and county superintendents have been quite active in a 

 number of States in forwarding this extension movement. One 

 hundred and twenty-three reported forms of assistance in agricul- 

 tural extension work in which they were participating, such as sup- 

 plying lecturers for farmers' institutes, sending out itinerant lecturers 

 to visit public schools, holding county teachers' institutes for agricul- 

 tural instruction, organizing field-crop contests for country cliildren, 

 and in rendering similar practical assistance in extension work. 



The realization of the fact that only 6 per cent of the people of this 

 country receive education i)eyond that given in the common schools 

 is bringing the institutions for higher education to a sense of their 

 responsibility to the remaining 94 per cent and is causing them to set 

 about discovering some means by which this multitude can be reached 

 with at least as much scientific and practical information as will fit 

 them for the intelligent pursuit of their calling. This diffusion of 

 knowledge is especially important in agriculture. The difficulties 

 connected with the profitable pursuit of this occupation have become 

 so great since the more easily available fertility of our soils has been 

 abstracted as to make it essential that those who are to support 

 themselves comfortably in the future by this profession shall under- 

 stand, at least, the fundamental principles that underlie their art. 

 The educational institutions established mainly in aid of agriculture 

 are and will continue to be properly held accountable for any failure 

 to supply the information needed to meet the requirements that may 

 exist. 



In practical recognition of this responsibility, the committee rec- 

 ommends that each land-grant college organize at once a depart- 

 ment of extension teaching in agriculture and, where this for any 

 reason is impracticable, that a committee of the faculty be appointed 

 on this subject. 



There was no change in the personnel of the standing committee 

 and it proposes pursuing its investigations in greater detail, that it 

 may at some future time be able to recommend a form of extension 

 teaching that will be generally applicable. 



The chairman of this committee was recently appointed chairman 

 also of the standing committee on cooperation with other educational 

 agencies of the American Association of Farmers' Institute Workers. 

 The work of the two committees is interrelated to such a degree as to 

 render it possible for them to cooperate to considerable extent in 

 conducting their investigations. 



