PROGRESS IN AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. 303 



The number and variety of short courses held at the agricultural 

 colleges in 1909 were greater than in any previous year, and there 

 were nearly 2,000 more students enrolled in these courses than in 1908. 

 Massachusetts appointed a director of short courses. Oregon inaugu- 

 rated short reading courses in poultry husbandry, Oklahoma held a 

 cotton-grading school, Missouri gave two short courses for bovs, and 

 Vermont held its first annual farmers' week, with IGO enrolled. 



Farmers' weeks have grown in favor and effectiveness as means of 

 instruction for the more adult people in rural districts. They as- 

 sume many different forms, but the general scope of the larger meet- 

 ings of this class is indicated by the following account of farmers' 

 weeks in Missouri, Nebraska. New York, and Oklahoma: 



The " farmers' week," held at Columbia, Mo., under the auspices 

 of the state board of agriculture, during the week of January 4, was 

 extremely successful, attracting an attendance of over 1.000. A large 

 number of organizations participated in the meetings, including, in 

 addition to the college of agriculture and the state board of agri- 

 culture, the state board of horticulture, Improved Live Stock Breed- 

 ers' Association, Dair}^ Association, Butter Makers' Association, Corn 

 Growers' Association, Sheep Breeders' Association, Swine Growers' 

 and Breeders' Association. Highway Engineers' Association, Jersey 

 Cattle Breeders' Association, Bee Keepers' Association, Home Makers' 

 Conference, and the American Breeders' Association. 



The general exercises were opened by President A. Ross Hill of 

 the university, former Secretary of Agriculture Norman J. Colman, 

 and Dean Waters. Illustrated lectures were given by H. W. ISIum- 

 ford on Live Stock and Agricultural Conditions in Argentina and 

 How They Affect the American Live Stock Industry, and by AV. J. 

 Spillman on Mendel's Law. C. A. Zavitz discussed the work of the 

 Ontario Agricultural and Experimental LTnion, and Assistant Secre- 

 tary of Agriculture W. M. Hays gave an address urging the better- 

 ment of general farm conditions and especially of rural schools. 

 During the week practical demonstrations were given in soil, seed, 

 and dairy work, stock and grain judging, and there were corn, 

 fruit, and dairy products shows. In the " home makers' conference " 

 a model kitchen was on exhibition and an address was given by Miss 

 Martha Van Rensselaer, of Cornell University, on What the State 

 May Do for Farmers' Wives. 



The eighth annual joint meeting of the various state agricultural 

 associations in Nebraska was held at the university farm January 

 18-22, the different organizations holding meetings including tjic 

 board of agriculture, the Horticultural Society, the Veterinary 

 Medical Association, the Dairymen's Association, Poultry Associa- 

 tion, the Improved Live Stock Association, the Swine Breeders' As- 

 sociation, the Association of Breeders of Poland China and Duroc 



