252 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



Oklahoma; state aid for agriculture in jjuhlic hi<]:h schools has been 

 granted in Alabama, Louisiana, and Minnesota; and many public 

 liigh sfluH)ls have started work in agriculture without state aid. 



In the elementary schools the principal development has been made 

 in the organization of boys' and girls' educational contests in growing 

 better corn, ])otatoes, cotton, and other staple products, and in cook- 

 ing and sewing. Reports from 1^05 counties in the United States 

 show that in 1909 more than 150,000 boys and girls were members of 

 clubs engaged in such contests. 



EDUCATIONAL WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



The educational work of the Department has been extended in 

 several directions. As heretofore the Oflice of Experiment Stations 

 has represented the Department in its relations with educational insti- 

 tutions, but the other bureaus and divisions have also done more than 

 in former years to extend the general development of facilities for 

 instruction in agriculture. 



The Weather Bureau, at the request of the Mexican Government, 

 admitted four young men to its laboratories for instruction and prac- 

 tice in meteorology and Weather Bureau methods. It also maintained 

 a school of instruction to prepare young men for the position of 

 assistant observer in this country. Concerning this school the Chief 

 of the Weather Bureau reports as follow^s : 



The work of instructing assistant observers at the central office was begun 

 the first of November with a class of 10 young men, all of whom had passed the 

 required civil-service examination and received probationary appointments. 



The course of instruction includes the study of station regulations and the 

 weather cipher code; practicing typewriting and telegraphy; taking, recording, 

 and telegraphing observations; preparation of meteorological forms; charting 

 weather conditions as reported twice daily from all stations in the United States 

 and Canada; care of meteorological instruments; and the various other duties 

 performed at stations. 



Of this class, one was transferred to another branch of the government service 

 and the others were all qualified for station assignment by the first of April. 



A second class of probationary appointees was formed in March. Four are 

 now ready for station assignment and the others will be ready within a few 

 weeks. 



Three Mexican students took most of the course of instruction with the first 

 class. 



At such times as it could be done without interfering with their regular work, 

 9 compositors of the Weather Bureau and 1 probationary appointee were In- 

 structed in translating cipher reports, casting chalk-plate weather maps, and 

 the necessary knowledge of presswork in connection therewith. These men are 

 now all thoroughly competent to do station printing. 



The Bureau of Animal Industry, in connection wath its meat- 

 inspection service and the investigation and eradication of animal 



